4th of July in Southport NC – Celebration of Freedom, Fun, Family, and Food

In spite of record-breaking temperatures, they still come. And they come in droves. They come for the funnel cakes, the bloomin' onions, the crafts, the music, the street dance, the parade, and the fireworks.  But for those living in Southport, porch-sitting, crowd-watching, corn-holing, hotdog-eating, margarita-mixing, and other various modes of chillin' are a welcomed respite.

The town never looks better than it does right now. If you feel that there seems to be a serious lack of patriotism in our country these days, then this is just what the doctor ordered. For the next five days, Southport will transform itself into a virtual sea of red, white, and blue. Under the canopy of ancient live oaks, Franklin Square Park will hold over a hundred artist and craftsman booths, and enough food vendors to keep you satisfied until you can make your way down to the bottom of Howe St. for serious festival food and 'round the clock live music and Cape Fear river backdrop rounding out the scene.





The Fireman’s Competition on Saturday will be a heated one this year… literally. The forecast calls for hot, hot, hot. I really don’t know how they do it in full turn-out gear. The popular Kid’s Games on the Garrison lawn is Tuesday, with registration at 8am and free t-shirts to the early birds.  Also on Tuesday at the Garrison is the quite moving Naturalization Ceremony starting at 4pm. With the 4th falling on a Wednesday this year, the main events are a lot more spread out and I’m guessing crowds will be smaller.  North Carolina's largest and oldest 4th of July parade starts at 11AM and no matter how many times you see it, it is ALWAYS a huge crowd-pleaser. The bands, the belles, the clowns, the Shriners, the dancers, and much more, make for an all around old-fashioned good time.

Southport’s 4th of July Festival, of course, ends with a BANG at 9:00 PM as fireworks over the water put the suitable exclamation point on the entire celebration. I can say for sure the fireworks are still my favorite part...lying on a blanket by the water...watching the bobbing of boats out in the river until the launch barge fires that first missile in the air. Then it's just time to relax and enjoy the show.

So if you fancy a simpler time......if you still like parades and pageantry, music and street dances, the smell of greasy food, kids and parents in their finest red, white, and blue.....well you might just like what the Southport 4th of July festival has to offer. I'm pretty sure there's not a birthday celebration anywhere quite like it. One little insider tip for the visitors. Park on the EAST side of Howe St. facing out of town and you'll find your traffic time cut in half when you leave after the fireworks. Be safe and "let freedom ring."

Happy Birthday America.

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For more pictures and local content, join in the fun over at the Southport NC Group on Facebook. And if you are thinking of relocating to Southport, check this page for additional info.

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