4th of July Celebrations
Morganton - Fireworks 9:30pm @Catawba Meadows Park
Marion - Parade Mainstreet 6pm, Music & Street Dance 7pm, Fireworks 9:30pm Rec Dept Ballfield
Lenoir - Games & food vendors 5pm, Music Matt Stafford Band 6:30, Fireworks 9:30 Optimist Park
Boone - Parade 11am Activities & Fireworks 7-9pm Clawson-Burnley Park
Banner Elk - Parade 11am "Party in the Park" at Tate Evans Park will follow
Beech Mountain - 48th Annual Roasting of the Hog & Fireworks 6pm Call 387-9283 for tickets
Tweetsie Railroad - Fireworks 9:30pm $10 per car

On Independence Day, thousands of people - most often children and teens - are injured while using consumer fireworks. On a typical Fourth of July, there are more fires nationally than any other day of the year - with fireworks accounting for two out of five of those fires. More than 11,000 injuries occur annually in the United States from fireworks alone. Statistics show that many people falsely believe that since sparklers and similar fireworks are legal and readily available, they are safe as well. A sparkler can burn at a temperature of 1200 degrees Fahrenheit in comparison with a household oven that bakes a cake at only 350 degrees. Area fire personnel recommend people attend a local fireworks display put on by professionals; and if using consumer fireworks, ensure that adult supervision is always present.