COMMUNITY
NC 4th of July Fest
This Year’s Event Will Be Biggest Ever STORY BY JEFFREY STITES
T
he NC 4th of July Festival is back this year and promises to be bigger and better than ever. As we get closer to the festival, there are registrations and other opportunities for involvement popping up like fireworks. This month we share with you a fundraiser, an expanded craft fair, and a brand new event kicking off the festival weekend on the waterway behind Oak Island. Red, White & Blue Shrimparoo The NC Fourth of July Festival invites the community to the Red, White & Blue Shrimparoo, from 4-7 pm on Sunday, May 1 at The American Fish Company in Southport. All proceeds from this event will benefit this year’s festival which will be held June 30-July 4 in Southport and Oak Island. “The festival is a time-honored and cherished event that thousands of residents and visitors look forward to each year,” said Trisha Howarth, publicity chair for the 2022 N.C. Fourth of July Festival. “It is made possible by funds raised from sponsors and donations from the general public and we count on their support each year to keep the festival free to the community. The Shrimparoo is an easy way members of the community can show their support for the festival while enjoying great food and entertainment.” Sponsored by Frying Pan and American Fish Company, the Shrimparoo will feature shrimp prepared in various ways, chicken, barbecue pork and all the trimmings. There will be a cash bar and live performance by Band On Fire. Tickets are $75 per person in advance or $100 at the door. Doors open at 4 pm.
crowds, coupled with the decrease in public parking facilities in Southport, led to the decision to continue to expand the partnership with Oak Island by adding more events within the town,” said Trisha Howarth, festival publicity chair. “It was a winning combination in 2021, and the festival is grateful for the opportunity to return to Middleton Park in 2022.” Hours for both craft markets will be 10 am - 5 pm on Saturday, July 2; 12 - 5 pm on Sunday, July 3; and 10 am - 5 pm on Monday, July 4. “Many vendors return annually to take advantage of the large shopping audience that the festival brings to the area,” said Howarth. “Many of those shoppers become regular loyal customers long after the festival tent stakes have been pulled up and put away for another year.” Vendors hoping to participate in either location are encouraged to file an application as early as possible. The application is available at www.nc4thofjuly.com/Artsandcrafts
Paddle Parade The NC 4th of July Festival, in conjunction with the Town of Oak Island, invites
Visit www.nc4thofjuly.com to purchase tickets.
Arts & Crafts Fair Expands One of the highlights of the NC 4th of July Festival will be double the fun this year! After the success of last year’s event at Oak Island’s Middleton Park, this year’s festival will feature Arts and Crafts markets in both the traditional location of Franklin Square Park in Southport and in Middleton Park as well. This means more vendors can participate and shoppers have that many more options for finding exactly what they like. “The anticipation of the increased 14 Leland Magazine /May /May 2022/ www.LelandMag.com
paddlers and spectators to celebrate the Nation’s independence at the inaugural Paddle Parade in the Davis Canal, Thursday, June 30. The parade will begin and end at the Blue Water Point Marina, 5710 57th Place W., Oak Island. The Paddle Parade in the Davis Canal is a new addition to the NC 4th of July Festival. It is open to kayaks, canoes and stand-up paddleboards (SUPs). Participants will paddle approximately three miles round trip to the west end of Oak Island toward Sheep Island and the Point and then back to Blue Water Point Marina. “Water sports are an integral part of our coastal community, and we are excited about this addition to the annual Festival,” said Trisha Howarth, publicity chair for the festival. “The Paddle Parade will be a fantastic way to kick-off the festivities on the island and we hope the community will come out to join in the celebration.”
The Festival will host a welcome ceremony on Oak Island at 9 am, with the Paddle Parade following at 9:30 am. Admission is free for spectators. Advance registration is required to paddle in the parade. Participation is limited to 50 water craft and the cost to participate is $10 per unit. All proceeds benefit the NC 4th of July Festival. Participants are encouraged to decorate their vessels in patriotic colors and themes as there will be prizes awarded in several decorating categories. Previous experience using kayaks, canoes, or SUPs is recommended. This is not recommended for people going out on their watercraft for the first time. (What a great excuse to be a spectator and cheer participants on, though!) For more information about the Paddle Parade or to register visit nc4thofjuly.com/paddle-parade.
