Southern Byways

Red, White, Blue and You: So Many Ways to Have a Blast in the South During the 4th of July Holiday Weekend

by Apryl on June 30th, 2008

There’s nothing quite like celebrating the 4th of July in the South, especially when it’s a holiday weekend. From parades to fireworks to crab festivals, there’s truly something for everyone. Of course, hands down, the best celebration happens at our nation’s capital. But if you can’t make it to D.C. this year, take a look around, there might be a celebration or two close to you.

Here’s some idea of some of the celebrations  in the region:

If you want to see some fireworks, because after all  it is 4th of July, there’s the 25th Annual Pops on the River featuring the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra in Little Rock,  28th Annual Fantastic Fourth Celebration in El Dorado and the Red, White & Boom (really, how can you pass something with this name up?) in Fayetteville, Ark.

In Texas, you’ll find the Big Bang Celebration (aren’t these names great?) in Corpus Christi, Texas and the Fireworks at the Fisheries in Athens, Texas.

Moving on to Georgia, there’s the Riverblast in Augusta, Ga.

In North Carolina, you’ll find the 66th Annual 4th of July Parade & Celebration in Belhaven.

One of Virginia’s celebrations include the Great American 4th of July Picnic and Fireworks in Norfolk.

Sertoma’s 4th of July Celebration in Pensacola, Fla. is said to be the largest on the Gulf Coast. 

Independence Day isn’t complete without parades, but who says parades are only for the daytime? Gatlinburg (Tenn.)  is hosting a 4th of July Midnight Parade.

Many of the historic sites and places throughout the South hold their own special celebrations. For example, you can experience July 4 1850s-style at Kings Mountain State Park in Blacksburg, S.C. Celebrate Independence Day 1776 at The American Village in Montevallo, Ala., or at Colonial Williamsburg, Va. Reenactments are held at Fort Clinch Union Garrison in Amelia Island, Fla., and Fort McAllister in Richmond Hill, Ga.

Learn about Bethania, N.C.’s colonial and revolutionary war history during their celebration. The state’s first documented 4th of celebration (1783) happened here.

Annapolis Alive! Independence Day Celebration in Annapolis, Md., offers a whole day of events that include a War of Independence reenactment.

Celebrate the holiday at the largest stone fort ever built in the nation - Fort Monroe’s Fourth at the Fort in Monroe, Va.

Watch as fireworks are launched from the USS Yorktown during Patriots Point 4th of July Blast in Mount Pleasant, S.C.

Enjoy a day-long events that includes an aerial reenactment at the USS Kidd: Star-Spangled Celebration in Baton Rouge, La.

Of course, no 4th of July celebration is complete without food. There’s the Crab Festival in Bay St. Louis, Miss.  4th of July Celebration & Mater Day, complete with tomato sandwiches, is happening in Valley, Ala. Get ready for some good barbecue during the Fourth of July BBQ at Mentone Smoke House in Mentone, Ala. For something sweet, head to the Lexington County Peach Festival in Gilbert, S.C.  Clam America in Cedar Key, Fla., celebrates the farm-raised clam industry. Don’t miss the Tyrell Tater Tastin’ Week in Columbia, N.C. that last through July 4th.

And then there are the more events, like the 26th Annual Turtle Races in Harrison, Ark. In Mississippi, the 4th is the Celebrate America Balloon Glow in Ridgeland and the Mississippi Championship Hot Air Balloon Race in Canton. The 12th Annual Hot Air Balloon Rally happens in Lexington, Va. Daytona Beach, Fla., is host to the Coke Zero 400.

Photo credits: (top left) 4th of July Fireworks, Part IV; flickr, creative commons by Photos by Jenn; (top right) Happy Fourth of July!, flickr, creative commons by Clairity: (inline) Proud to be an American, flickr, creative commons by architekt2.

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POSTED IN: 4th-of-July, Festivals, Fairs, and Events, Observances, Southern Byways, Things to See in Alabama, Things to See in Arkansas, Things to See in DC, Things to See in Florida, Things to See in Georgia, Things to See in Louisiana, Things to See in Maryland, Things to See in Mississippi, Things to See in North Carolina, Things to See in South Carolina, Things to See in Tennessee, Things to See in Texas, Things to See in Virginia, Things to See in the South, Trails in the South, Weekend Trip, attractions, celebration