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92º | 10% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 6:13 a.m. | Sunset 8:41 p.m.
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🎆 Prepare to feel the thunder

Where to watch Fourth of July fireworks across Charlotte
Fireworks exploding over a baseball field with people sitting on the field and the Charlotte skyline in the background.
Tickets are going fast to watch the fireworks in Uptown’s Truist Field. | Photo via Charlotte Knights
Make space for that trusted lawn chair and get your camera ready. The Queen City is gearing up for America’s most patriotic day of the year with dazzling fireworks shows.

Here is a list of some of the many planned events to celebrate the Fourth of July:

SkyShow Fireworks Spectacular | Thursday, July 3 | 6:05 p.m. | Truist Field | $30+ | Celebrate Military Appreciation Night at the ballpark with a baseball game, stadium food, and the biggest firework display in the Southeast.

Town of Matthews Fireworks | Thursday, July 3 | 5-10 p.m. | Mecklenburg County Sportsplex at Matthews | Free | Party with Too Much Sylvia and enjoy bounce houses, food, craft beer, and ice cream before the massive fireworks display at 9:30 p.m.

Independence Day Celebration | Thursday, July 3 | 6-9:30 p.m. | Walter Y. Elisha Park, Fort Mill, SC | Free | Take part in the “most patriotic” contest, dance to live music, eat, and celebrate the Fourth of July a day early.

U.S. of Cay | Friday, July 4 + Saturday, July 5 | 9 a.m.-9:30 p.m. | Glennon Center, Tega Cay, SC | Free | Celebrate the day with a morning parade and fireworks that evening. Saturday’s events include a boat show and live entertainment through the night.

Red, White & BOOM | Friday, July 4 | 4-9 p.m. | Rock Hill Downtown Historic District, Rock Hill, SC | Free | Head to Old Town for live music, food, drinks, fireworks, and fun for the whole family.

Red, White, & Belmont | Friday, July 4 | 6-10:30 p.m. | Upper Field of Stowe Park, Belmont | Free | Enjoy live music before fireworks light up the night sky.

Star-Spangled Nights | Friday, July 4 + Saturday, July 5 | 9:30 p.m. | Carowinds | Cost of admission | Watch the combination of patriotic music and live fireworks atop the theme park.

Bonus: Firing of the Cannons | Friday, July 4 | 10 a.m. | Main Street Bandstand, Fort Mill, SC | Free | Ring in the Fourth with the ceremonial Firing of the Cannons, led for the 52nd year by resident cannoneers, the Short Family.

Did we miss your favorite annual event? Let us know.

And if you’re looking for quieter events this week (or this month), be sure to bookmark our monthly Plan Ahead guide.
Asked

What year was the Fourth of July declared a national holiday?
A. 1776
B. 1865
C. 1870
D. 1912
Test your knowledge
 
Events
Wednesday, July 3
  • Eagle Extravaganza | Wednesday, July 3 | 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | Carolina Raptor Center, 6000 Sample Rd., Huntersville | $16 | Dive into the world of eagles with live raptor feedings and thrilling bird shows.
  • 2024 Field of Flags Celebration | Wednesday, July 3 | 6 p.m. | Lowe’s YMCA, 170 Joe V. Knox Ave., Mooresville | Free | Marvel at 800 American flags displayed across the YMCA’s front fields + live music, food trucks, and fireworks.
  • Charlotte FC vs. Inter Miami CF | Wednesday, July 3 | 7:30 p.m. | Bank of America Stadium, 800 S. Mint St., Charlotte | $50+ | Kick off your Fourth of July weekend rooting for Charlotte FC.
  • Megan Thee Stallion - Hot Girl Summer Tour | Wednesday, July 3 | 8 p.m. | PNC Music Pavilion, 707 Pavilion Blvd., Charlotte | $35-$149 | Summer turns “Savage” when the rapper takes the stage for a live performance.
Thursday, July 4
  • Tread, White & Blue Trail Race | Thursday, July 4 | 8 a.m. | US National Whitewater Center, 5000 Whitewater Center Pkwy., Charlotte | $45 | Run a 5K through the trails, choosing from three different courses — red, white, and blue.
  • Independence Day at the Museum | Thursday, July 4 | 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | The Charlotte Museum of History, 3500 Shamrock Dr., Charlotte | Free | Join new United States citizens as they complete the Oath and Naturalization Ceremony at the Charlotte Museum of History.
  • Syc, White & Blue Weekend | Thursday, July 4 | 6 p.m.-9 p.m. | Sycamore Brewing & Taproom, 2151 Hawkins St., Charlotte | Cost of purchase | Enjoy a Fourth of July extravaganza packed with a hot dog eating contest, live music, tasty food specials, and exclusive cocktails.
Friday, July 5
  • Carolina Eucalyptus Festival | Friday, July 5 | 9:30 a.m.-7 p.m. | Carolina Lavender Farm, 188 Meek Rd., Gastonia | $20 | Experience a bit of the Australian Outback while picking fresh Eucalyptus straight from one of 600 Eucalyptus trees.
  • Charlotte Knights vs. Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp | Friday, July 5 | 7:04 p.m. | Truist Field, 324 S. Mint St., Charlotte | $22+ | Keep the holiday weekend going while cheering for the Knights.
  • Sunny Sweeney | Friday, July 5 | 8 p.m. | Neighborhood Theatre, 511 E. 36th St., Charlotte | $42+ | Enjoy an evening of country music performed by the singer/songwriter.
Events calendar here
Click here to have your event featured.
 
News Notes
Sports
  • Kemba Walker, Charlotte’s all-time leading scorer, announced his retirement from pro basketball. Walker played eight seasons for the Charlotte Hornets, appearing in 605 games. He last appeared in the NBA with the Dallas Mavericks in 2022-23. (The Charlotte Observer)
Open
  • Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin opened “Airspeed” — 23XI Racing’s new headquarters. The facility is 11 miles from Uptown Charlotte in Huntersville. Jordan recently toured the site — which was complete after eight months of development. (The Charlotte Observer)
Real Estate
  • Levine Properties acquired Akers Acres — a south Charlotte estate built in 1937. The developer acquired the Tudor Revival-style manor for $4.5 million. It’s on the edge of the Stonehaven neighborhood, less than a mile from Providence Day School. (Charlotte Business Journal)
Community
  • Trying to beat the summer heat? Huntersville’s first-ever splash pad — the Lily Pad — is now open. The splash pad can be found at North Mecklenburg Park located at 16131 Old Statesville Rd.
Concert
  • Carowinds Summer Music Fest kicks off this week with LeAnn Rhymes taking the stage Friday, July 5 and Poison’s Bret Michaels on Saturday, July 6. The five-week concert series will feature talent including Sugar Ray, Skillet, and Flo Rida. Concert costs are included in general park admission.
Eat
  • Donatos Pizza — a Midwestern thin-crust pizza franchise — will have its grand opening Tuesday, July 9 at 1034 Gold Hill Rd., Fort Mill. The restaurant will offer a host of signature pizzas and a create-your-own option.
Film
  • Construction begins this month on The Independent Picture House’s upcoming expansion. Upgrades include a new theater space with 149 seats + a multi-purpose event area to fit 100 people. The project is expected to be completed by November. (The Charlotte Observer)
Listen
  • The Hornets get Josh Green. What does it mean for Miles Bridges and LaMelo Ball? Go beyond the court for the biggest stories on the Charlotte Hornets with Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
     
    Community

    🪵 A well-crafted project

    Charlotte woodworkers take part in student desk project
    A group of people smile while standing behind a row of desks.
    The Aldersgate Wood Worker Group gathered for a photo before their desks would be distributed to the non-profit organization, ourBRIDGE for KIDS. | Photo by CLTtoday
    “I can’t see good wood going to the dump,” said John Britton while showing City Editor Jack a collection of crafted school desks in the wood shop of Aldersgate, a senior living community in east Charlotte.

    While other artists work in oil or clay, Britton found a passion for wood from an early age — recalling making his first bird house in kindergarten.

    “When I go into the wood shop, my body relaxes but every project has some sort of a challenge,” said Britton, who emphasized finding patience and enjoyment in the process of transforming the chunk of a tree into a functional object.

    Editor’s note: Britton crafted a truncated barrel frame around a stained glass pub sign hanging today in the Wintersgate building of Aldersgate.

    Britton used his gift and ingenuity to pay it forward — crafting 12 school desks from salvaged solid oak discarded from a church remodeling project in Hilton Head, South Carolina. The goal was to one day donate them to children furthering their education in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
    Learn where the desks went
    The Buy

    The Buy 7.03.24 (Affiliate)
    Lightweight, keeps-you-cool basics from 32 Degrees. Stock up during the Fourth of July sale — cool technology tops start at $3.99 and bottoms start at $4.99.
    6AM City In-house
     
    The Wrap
     
    CLT_Jack VanderToll

    Today’s edition by:
    Jack
    From the editor

    A man rides in a horse in a Fourth of July parade on a small town road.
    One of my favorite local Fourth of July traditions is the Troutman Independence Day Parade. It’s a great feeling of small-town Americana.
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