06.28.2024

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🎆 What’s legal?

Pyrotechnic policy: what fireworks are allowed in the Carolinas?

Red, white, and blue fireworks exploding in Uptown, surrounded by tall buildings.

The WBT SkyShow provides a spectacle of pyrotechnics in the heart of Uptown Charlotte. | Photo by Jon Helm via Flickr

The Fourth of July is days away. While planning a home fireworks display may be on the itinerary, not every firework you find on store shelves is legal in the Carolinas.

North Carolina

We combed through the state laws to break down the details.

Legal
Anything that does not explode, fly, or leave the ground (think: fountains, smoke devices, sparklers, poppers/noisemakers).

Illegal
Anything that explodes or is projected into the air (think: firecrackers, rockets, Roman candles, and aerial fireworks).

Age limits
Children under 16 cannot legally buy or use fireworks in North Carolina.

A permit must be obtained from the Charlotte Fire Department Fire Prevention Bureau for indoor and outdoor pyrotechnics in Charlotte.

What about the firework displays around Charlotte? Cities, counties, and major events like the annual SkyShow at Truist Field are issued permits for their displays, as per state law.

CLTtoday_Carowinds July 4_June 2024 — Carowinds’ annual Star-Spangled Nights Fireworks Spectacular provides a patriotic display along the state line.
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Photo via Carowinds

South Carolina

The Palmetto State has fewer restrictions on aerial pyrotechnics.

Legal
Fireworks that fly, explode, or create audible effects like whistling are legal. They’re considered “consumer-grade fireworks.”

Illegal
Anything that produces a loud, piercing effect (think: small bottle rockets, cherry bomb firecrackers, ground salutes, and T-N-T salutes).

Age limits
Children under 16 cannot legally buy or use fireworks in South Carolina.

Can I get fireworks in South Carolina and bring them to the Charlotte area? Purchasing fireworks in South Carolina and crossing the state line is illegal.

Asked

What’s your favorite type of firework?

A. Rockets — leaves a tail of sparks
B. Multi-shots/cakes — shoots multiple times + can be multi-colored
C. Pop-its — pop when thrown on the ground
D. Sparklers — hand-held fireworks
E. Other

Let your colors burst

Events

Friday, June 28

“Liminal Divine” Exhibition at the McColl Center | Friday, June 28 | 12-6 p.m. | McColl Center, 721 N. Tryon St., Charlotte | Free | Immerse yourself in this exhibit featuring soundscapes, sculptures, and more.
River Jam: Dori Freeman | Friday, June 28 | 6:30-9:30 p.m. | US National Whitewater Center, 5000 Whitewater Center Pkwy., Charlotte | $12 | Spend sunset by the largest man-made whitewater river + live music.

Saturday, June 29

Paddle and Pancakes | Saturday, June 29 | 8:30-10 a.m. | Lake Haigler Entrance, 2573 Lake Haigler Dr., Fort Mill | $36+ | Kayak before enjoying breakfast at the Greenway Gateway Canteen.
Charlotte Caribbean Carnival | Saturday, June 29 | 11 a.m.-7 p.m. | West Complex, 1600 W. Trade St., Charlotte | $20 | Celebrate Caribbean culture through live music, dance, and food.
Marcus Anderson | Saturday, June 29 | Times vary | Middle C Jazz Club, 300 S. Brevard St., Charlotte | $40-$50 | The Grammy-nominated saxophonist will be playing live at Charlotte’s premiere jazz club.

Sunday, June 30

The Summer Mimosa Market | Sunday, June 30 | 12-3 p.m. | SouthBound, 2433 South Blvd., Charlotte | Cost of purchase | Shop from 40+ local vendors + a fresh lunch.
Party in the Park | Sunday, June 30 | 1-5 p.m. | The Mint Museum Randolph, 2730 Randolph Rd., Charlotte | Free | Explore art projects, food trucks, live music + a cash bar.
Tortured Poets: A Swift CLT Revue | Sunday, June 30 | 7:30 p.m. | Stage Door Theater, 130 N. Tryon St., Charlotte | $20 | Charlotte’s best storytellers will celebrate T. Swift’s album from a new perspective.

Monday, July 1

Power Yoga with Domonique | Monday, July 1 | 7-8 a.m. | You Vs Yourself, 1701 N. Graham St., Charlotte | $10 | Combine yoga with higher-intensity exercise in this heart-pumping workout.
Ohm at the Garden: Free Yoga Series | Monday, July 1 | 6:30-7:30 p.m. | Charlotte Beer Garden, 1300 S. Tryon St., Charlotte | Free | Find zen during this free workshop + a chance to win a yoga retreat and other prizes.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Number

1.18 million — the number of passengers expected to travel through Charlotte Douglas International Airport between Tuesday, July 2 and Monday, July 8. The airport recommends planning ahead of the busy holiday travel period.

Civic

South Carolina’s teachers and state employees are getting a bump in pay. Lawmakers passed the $13 billion state budget for the 2024-25 fiscal year. Residents will also see an income tax cut + funds for fixing roads and bridges. The budget goes into effect Monday. (WCNC)

State

Starting Monday, fees will increase nearly 20% at North Carolina DMV offices. The DMV is required by law to adjust its rates every four years. Instead of $27.50 for a five-year license, that fee will become $32.50. (WCNC)

Cause

Animal Care and Control saw a major increase in donations after a pipe burst on Wednesday — the hottest day of the year. The issues slowed sanitizing kennels and stopped self-replenishing bowls from working. ACC will evaluate the pipes on how to prevent a future burst. (Queen City News)

Job

Chef Bobby Flay’s burger restaurant is hiring. Bobby’s Burgers at 6100 Fairview Rd. is looking to hire at least 45 people for restaurant operations. The dining spot is expected to open next month. (Charlotte Business Journal)

Sports

Another new name on the Hornets roster. KJ Simpson was selected as the No. 42 draft pick. Go beyond the clipboard for the biggest stories on the Charlotte Hornets with Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.

Opening

BathHouse CLT is opening in Charlotte this fall. The sauna and kombucha bar will be located at the former Charlotte Saw and Knife Co. (420 W. Palmer St.). An exact opening date is TBA.

Try This

Visit Windjammer Park to watch a free Water Ski Show. The Carolina Show Ski Team performs jumps, pyramids, and more during shows every Friday. Arrive by 6 p.m. to get a seat.

Eat

Looking to dine out this weekend? According to OpenTable, top-loved restaurants this month include O-Ku for food and North Italia for ambience.*

Finance

Did you know you could finance your fixer-upper with home equity? You could get up to $50K with a HELOC — calculate your payment.*

Arts

👀 New exhibition alert

Immersive exhibition at The Mint evokes emotion through illustration

A dirt mound with glass and wooden items strewn on top, surrounded by spools with portraits drawn on, surrounded by a projection of a river.

“Deep River” is an immersive section of the exhibition featuring wooden discs, found objects, soil, video projections, and sound, placing guests in the middle of the Tennessee River during the American Civil War. | Photo by CLTtoday

Two art installations combine for the first time at The Mint Museum Uptown. Whitfield Lovell’s “Passages” is a journey through history using drawings, three-dimensional pieces, and interactive installations.

The exhibition, organized by the American Federation of Arts in collaboration with Lovell, fills two galleries chronicling African American history and raises questions about identity, memory, and origin.

Each gallery display was placed with purpose. “For Lovell, the design of the exhibition is integral to the experience he wants to transmit to his audiences,” said Dr. Jen Edwards, the chief curator and curator of contemporary art at The Mint Museum.

Editor’s note: You’ll notice many images on the walls will not have a plaque explaining who is on display. There’s a reason for that.

“It’s really a story of lost history,” said Michele Huggins, Assoc. Director of Marketing and Communications. “It’s meant for you to think about these people, their lives.”

The exhibition runs June 29—September 22. Museum admission will be free Saturday, June 29 and Sunday, June 30.

Explore the exhibition

Answered

Thursday, we asked “What tennis Grand Slam would you most like to attend?”

A split image showing tennis players Madison Keys and Sloane Stephens on the tennis court. — American tennis players Madison Keys and Sloane Stephens will duel on the court of the Spectrum Center for the Charlotte Invitational.
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Photo via Wikimedia Commons

Learning about the inaugural Charlotte Invitational was like Christmas (in June). While the doubleheader is not until December, we wanted to know which tourney you’d love to attend in person:

62% — Wimbledon
22% — US Open
8% — Australian Open and French Open

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Maria

From the editor

I highly recommend going to see “Passages” at The Mint Museum Uptown. Lovell’s combination of history and imagery is truly captivating.

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