Make Plans Now for July 4
By Kelley McLaughlin
Looking for a fun way to celebrate our nation’s birthday? Cary and surrounding Western Wake towns have many family fun activities planned to celebrate the summer’s biggest holiday. With so much going on around the Triangle, it will be hard not to make this your best July 4 yet.

CARY

Independence Day Olde Time Celebration
The Independence Day Old Time Celebration will start on July 3 from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. at Fred G. Bond Metro Park with a fishing tournament, “American Pride” parade, theatrical performance and various contests like Lakeside Olympics all on the agenda for this day of family fun. Applause! Cary Youth Theatre and the Cary Town Band will perform an Independence Eve show at the Sertoma Amphitheatre at Bond Park later in the evening from 6:30–9:30 p.m. Admission is free. For more information and a schedule of the day’s events visit www.townofcary.org or call (919) 469-4100.

Koka Booth Amphitheatre
Koka Booth Amphitheatre is hosting its annual Independence Day Celebration on July 3. Beginning at 3 p.m. kids can play in the Kids Zone complete with slides, water tag and an ice cream eating contest. Admission is free. At 7:30 p.m., the North Carolina Symphony will take the stage followed by a large fireworks display. Reservations and tickets are required for table seats but all other seating is free. Visit www.boothamphitheatre.com for more details.

APEX

Apex Old Fashioned 4th of July
Apex will host an Old Fashioned 4th of July celebration on July 3 from 9 a.m.–1 p.m. in downtown Apex. The event is free and will include carnival games, cake walks, a climbing wall, karaoke and other fun activities. Kids can decorate their bikes or wagons to display in the Parade of Wheels at noon and end the day with a Splash Down by the Apex Fire Department. More information is available at www.apexnc.org or call (919) 249-1120.

FUQUAY- VARINA

Fireworks Celebration at South Park
The Town of Fuquay-Varina will have a fireworks celebration at South Park on July 3 beginning at 6 p.m. There will be rides, inflatables and fun activities for kids. Entertainment will be provided by The Extraordinaires from 7–9 p.m., and a fireworks display will begin at dusk. For more information, visit www.fuquay-varina.org.

OTHER

Durham Bulls game
The Durham Bulls will take on the Gwinnett Braves at home Independence Day weekend. First pitch is slated for 7:05 p.m. both nights. There will be the traditional Saturday night fireworks following Saturday’s game and the Independence Day celebration will take place on Sunday. For more details and to purchase tickets, visit www.dbulls.com.

State Fairground Fireworks
The annual July 4th Celebration will be held at the N.C. State Fairgrounds in Raleigh. Activities including arts and crafts, Wii games, obstacles courses and bingo will take place from 5–8:30 p.m. Fireworks will follow at 9:15 p.m. Admission and parking is free. In case of inclement weather, the fireworks display will be held on July 5 at 9:15 p.m. For more information, visit www.ncstatefair.org.

Carolina Mudcats game
The Carolina Mudcats will play host to the Jacksonville Suns on July 3 for their 20th Anniversary and Independence Day Celebration. Located at Five County Stadium in Zebulon, the first pitch is at 7:15 p.m. For ticket information, visit www.gomudcats.com.