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Greetings from the Festival Chair

The patriotic spirit of America is alive and well in the City of Southport. For over 200 years this small maritime community has celebrated our nation's independence in a big way. The celebration has grown from colonial times when ships lay anchor in her harbor shot their cannons to today's festival where 40,000 to 50,000 people come each year to bathe in the richness of spirit commemorating Old Glory. Incorporated as the N.C. 4th of July Festival in 1972 the festival committee strives to keep the focus of the festival on honoring our nation's birthday with a little fun thrown in.

Festival highlights

  • Over 100 handmade arts and crafts on display
  • The delightful aroma of fair food permeates the air
  • The Cape Fear river serves as a backdrop for Main Stage Entertainment - best beach, top 40's and country bands each evening.
  • The most patriotic parade representing main street USA and televised on WECT TV6 "Where News Comes First"
  • A Naturalization Ceremony that will move you to tears
  • Veterans Recognition - ceremony honoring the sacrifices of our armed service personnel who have served and paid for our freedom
  • Flag Retirement Ceremony - a ceremony that allows residents and visitors an opportunity to properly dispose of their USA flags
  • Beach Day - highlighting the activities popular at Southport's neighboring beach community Oak Island - volleyball and shag contests to mention a few
  • Freedom Run & Walk - runners and walkers enjoy an organized event encouraging a healthy America
  • Children's Entertainment & Games - Remember the good old games including sack races and watermelon eating contests? We do.
  • Fireworks - What 4th of July festival would be complete without fireworks?

Welcome to the 2011 edition of the North Carolina Fourth of July Festival! Scheduled from July 1st through July 4th, this marks the 40th annual Festival since incorporation in 1972. However, the patriotism and tradition of celebrating our Nation’s independence in Southport date back to 1795 when townspeople celebrated “The Festival of Free Men”. The NC 4th of July Festival, City of Southport and the Southport-Oak Island Area Chamber of Commerce have built upon this strong legacy and Southport’s celebration is now widely recognized as North Carolina’s premiere destination for this annual holiday weekend.

This year, the Festival is proud to present the National 9/11 Flag as part of the Naturalization Ceremony on the 3rd as well as the parade on the 4th. The National 9/11 Flag flew over the North Tower of the World Trade Center on September 11th, 2001. It was retrieved by New York City first responders in the aftermath of the attacks and has since been carefully preserved and reconstructed over the course of lengthy tours across the country. It’s one and only scheduled stop in North Carolina before being presented to the 9/11 Memorial on the 10th anniversary of 9/11 will be during the NC 4th of July Festival. Throughout the afternoon of the 4th, there will be an opportunity for the public to provide stitches in the flag as part of its nationwide reconstruction.

We are equally excited about the entire schedule of events which are reflected on our website at www.nc4thofjuly.com. Pre-Festival events such as the NC Freedom Run/Walk and military band concert will occur over the weekend of the 25th-26th of June with Beach Day at Oak Island kicking off the holiday weekend on July 1st. The entire weekend features wall-to-wall events and entertainment with plenty of shopping opportunities throughout our Arts and Crafts venue and downtown stores. As every year, the City of Southport welcomes visitors to share in a safe, exciting, and family oriented holiday weekend. Capped by a parade and fireworks on the 4th, the Festival embodies the spirit of freedom, celebration, and traditional family fun that provides memories for a lifetime.

We look forward to seeing you at this year’s NC 4th of July Festival. Mark your calendars now. You won’t want to miss this very special holiday weekend in southeastern North Carolina.

Don Parker & Bob Krasnow
Co-Chairmen
2011 N.C. 4th of July Festival, Inc.