The Plateau will celebrate Independence Day all weekend, with Cashiers, Highlands and Glenville hosting events from Friday through Sunday. Whether they’re listening to a live reading of the Declaration of Independence at The Village Green, participating in the duck derby in Highlands or viewing fireworks over Lake Glenville, visitors and residents will have opportunities to attend a different event each night.
Cashiers: Fireworks Extravaganza on The Green: July 3
The Fireworks Extravaganza on The Green will kick off a weekend of celebration across the Plateau on Friday, July 3, from 6:30 to 10 p.m.
The free community event will feature live music by Commodore Fox, a fireworks display twice the size of previous shows, food from Elevated Kitchen, beverages from Innovation Brewing and sweets provided by Crossroads Custard.
“I hope attendees come away with a sense of community,” said Dale Gordon, executive director of The Village Green. “We’re a part of creating memories at The Village Green, so hopefully if this is a first time somebody’s attending, then maybe it’ll be planned for each year going forward. And then we’ll have generations of people who have made memories of coming and seeing the Fourth of July fireworks show in Cashiers.”
The Cashiers Historical Society will also host a live reading of the Declaration of Independence at 6:15 p.m., where listeners are encouraged to celebrate the nation’s triumphs and reflect on the grievances outlined in the document that led its signers to risk their lives for the future of American families.
Attendees can also bring their own lawn chairs, coolers, blankets, food and beverages and picnics. Personal tents, awnings and dogs will not be permitted.
“I know my family, for example, likes to get the fried chicken from Ingles and make a big picnic out of it,” said Gordon. “But then, on the other side, we do have vendors, so if you just want to come with your chair and try offerings from our many vendors, you’re welcome to do that.”
Attendees should avoid parking at the Cashiers/Glenville Recreation Center, the Boys and Girls Club of the Plateau, and on the side of Frank Allen Road. A portion of the road will be closed to through traffic from 6 to 10:30 p.m. to ensure public safety during the fireworks display.
The event is held rain or shine.
Donations are also encouraged, as The Village Green is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit park system that relies on private donations rather than funding from the state or Federal Park System.
Highlands: Independence Day Celebration: July 4
Highlands’ Independence Day Celebration offers a full day of family-friendly activities beginning at 9 a.m. on Saturday, July 4. The event is free and will take place at varying locations throughout the day, with activities at the Town Ball Field continuing until 2 p.m.
The day will begin with water rockets through 11 a.m. Beginning at 11 a.m, the Rotary Club of Highlands will serve 1,500 hot dogs to attendees, but make sure to get them while they’re hot, as they typically sell out each year. While the hot dogs are free, donations will be accepted to support the Rotary Club of Highlands.
Field games will take place from 11 a.m. to noon at the ball field.
“The kids like to do the traditional field games,” said Lester Norris, director of Highlands Parks and Recreation Department. “We’ll start out with tug-of-war, then we’ll do the balloon toss, the water brigade, and we wind up with the frozen t-shirt race. All the kids love that.”
After the field games, MAMA, the Mountain Area Medical Lift, will land on the ball field at noon. At 1 p.m., Highlands Fire and Rescue will host a ladder truck spraydown.
At 2 p.m. at the Bridge at Mill Creek, the annual duck derby will take place. To participate, attendees can purchase ducks for $10 through the Rotary Club of Highlands website or from any Rotarian. Approximately 1,776 ducks will compete for cash prizes, making the event a crowd favorite.
From 6 to 8:30 p.m., Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park will host the Chamber’s Outdoor Concert Series featuring Southside Station. Following the concert, the annual fireworks show will begin at dusk, around 9:20 p.m.
“Last year’s event drew an estimated 2,000 attendees to the park, and we anticipate a similar turnout this year,” said Johanna Fein, executive director of the Highlands Chamber of Commerce. “Following the concert, we will also be distributing glow sticks, bubble wands, and other festive items for attendees to enjoy.”
Norris said there are plenty of places throughout town to enjoy the show besides the park. From the elevated parking lot at Bryson’s Food Store to the grounds of First Citizens Bank, there are several quality viewing locations to choose from.
“It’s just spectacular how everybody puts on their best red, white and blue and supports our country,” said Norris.
The fireworks show will not be held rain or shine and may be postponed to a later date in the event of inclement weather.
Glenville: Fireworks Over Lake Glenville: July 5
Friends of Lake Glenville’s Fireworks Over Lake Glenville will cap off the holiday weekend on July 5.
The 28th rendition will kick off with the fifth annual Gala Boat Parade. Boat lineup begins at 8 p.m., with the parade starting at 8:30 p.m. The route begins on the west side of Lake Glenville, passes Trillium Link and Lake Club, rounds Lil’ Switzerland and the private island, continues along the east side of the lake near N.C. 107, then turns at Signal Ridge for a second pass.
Director-at-Large Tom Albert said there will be a “boatload” of participants, each decorating their boats according to a theme. Boats will be judged by a panel located at Mountaintop Landing’s docks, and extra points will be awarded for patriotic decor.
The firework show will then begin at approximately 9:30 p.m., with the Friends of Lake Glenville planning a bigger display than in previous years. Fireworks will be launched from The Point at Lake Glenville.
“Their [Starfire Corporation] focus is on minimal downtime between launches,” said Gary Metal, director of special events. “They’re constantly throwing fireworks into the air, and it’s good enough where, like when you go to a concert, you go, ‘I hope there’s going to be an encore.’ At the end, there will be a tremendous finish, and then there’s the actual finish.”
Albert said attendees can view the display from pull-offs and open areas, including near Hamburg Baptist Church along N.C. 107.
In the event of bad weather, the display will be delayed until the storm passes. If the show cannot be held that night, it will be postponed until Labor Day weekend.
“Personally, I think it might be the single, most significant social event of the season,” said Metal. “I think people really love watching the fireworks and we have a big party around it every single year.”
To donate to Friends of Lake Glenville, visit the organization's website.
Mitch Stone is a reporter at The Highlander and can be reached at reporter@highlandsnews.com