Historic Wilmington and North Carolina's Cape Fear Coast celebrates the Fourth of July with patriotic events from the river to the sea.
Independence Day festivities begin on Monday, July 3rd when Pleasure Island hosts its annual street festival and fireworks display from 7:00pm until 10:00pm (fireworks at dusk).
On Tuesday, July 4th Historic Downtown Wilmington?s riverfront sets an awesome stage for the Battleship Blast: 4th of July Celebration & Fireworks display.
The fun begins at 5:00pm. as the City of Wilmington proudly presents the 440th Army Band providing live music along the Cape Fear Riverwalk and concludes with choreographed fireworks over the Battleship NORTH CAROLINA.
Other festivities include a service at Wilmington National Cemetery and July 4th Dinner Cruises. Details for these and other holiday weekend events, such as the Cape Fear 7s Rugby Tournament (July 1-2), fireworks at Carolina Beach Boardwalk on July 6th, as well as theatre offerings, outdoor concerts, and museum exhibitions are available online at www.gocapefearcoast.com.
MONDAY, JULY 3rd
PLEASURE ISLAND'S 4TH OF JULY STREET DANCE & FIREWORKS DISPLAY.
Kick off the holiday on Monday, July 3rd at Carolina Beach with fireworks at dusk, lighting up the sky over the ocean and Boardwalk. Make a weekend of your visit to Pleasure Island and discover its family-friendly beaches and many treasures. See the rare Venus Flytrap at Carolina Beach State Park; venture out on a kayak or canoe nature tour; observe sharks and marine life at the N. C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher; explore Civil War history at Fort Fisher State Historic Site; or cruise along the Intracoastal Waterway aboard a tour boat. For details on Monday's fireworks display at Carolina Beach, please call the Pleasure Island Chamber of Commerce at (910) 458-8434 or visit .
TUESDAY, JULY 4th
BATTLESHIP BLAST: 4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION AND FIREWORKS.
Patriotic riverfront celebration with live music begins at 5:00pm and lasts until 9:00pm. The 440th Army Band performs at Riverfront Park in front of the Federal Courthouse on Water Street. At approximately 9:05pm, the 10th Annual BATTLESHIP BLAST, a dazzling and memorable fireworks display by an award-winning pyrotechnics company, will illuminate the night sky over the Battleship and the Cape Fear River. Eagle Island will close to the public at 6:00pm, so be sure to tour the Battleship early and then head downtown to the Riverwalk with lounge chairs to view the fireworks. Arrive Downtown early in the day, secure a parking space, and explore Historic Wilmington's attractions, tours, bed-and-breakfast inns, and more than 200 distinctive shops and restaurants. A portion of Water Street closes from 2:30pm until 10:00pm. For details about entertainment and parking, call (910) 341-7855. For details about Battleship Blast fireworks, call (910) 251-5797; www.battleshipnc.com.
4th OF JULY CRUISES
THE HENRIETTA III RIVERBOAT
The Henrietta hosts a 4th of July cruise from 6:30pm-9:30pm. Enjoy a buffet dinner and a great view of the Battleship Blast fireworks over the Cape Fear River. Pre-paid reservations required. Boarding begins at 6:00pm; departs at 6:30pm from the riverfront dock located at Water and Dock streets. (800) 676-0162 or (910) 343-1611; www.cfrboats.com. WINNER PARTY BOATS offers a BBQ dinner and dance cruise from the Carolina Beach Marina down the Cape Fear River to Southport for a spectacular fireworks display. Boards at 6:30pm at Carolina Beach Marina and returns at 11:15pm. Prepaid reservations: (910) 458-5356; www.winnerboats.com.
INDEPENDENCE DAY SERVICE
11:00am, Wilmington National Cemetery, (910) 763-3702.
For a FREE Visitors Guide for Historic Wilmington & NC's Cape Fear Coast, please call 1-866-266-9690 or for a complete Calendar of Events visit website www.gocapefearcoast.com.
