BELHAVEN — The town of Belhaven will come together for its 72^nd annual Independence Day Celebration, despite projections of Tropical Storm Arthur bringing inclement weather on Friday.

The town has moved the schedule of events forward one day to dodge the storm and hold the celebration. The events originally scheduled for July 3, will be moved to July 4, and the events on July 4, will now be held on July 5, said Belhaven Independence Day Celebration Committee Member Debbie Stubberfield.

Two exceptions are the Young Miss Independence and Miss Independence pageants, which will take place inside the John A. Wilkinson Center in Belhaven, Stubberfield said.

Stubberfield said this is the 72^nd consecutive year Belhaven has held this celebration.

“My understanding is this is one of the longest consecutive celebrations in eastern North Carolina,” Stubberfield said. “For the most part, I think it will happen just like we planned it. People are on the phone calling participants and vendors and the bands and letting them know that we have moved everything forward.”

Stubberfield said the committee is hoping all parties involved can adjust and make it down to Belhaven to be a part of the celebration.

The beauty pageants, a long-time tradition in Belhaven, will feature three age groups: the Young Miss Independence for 12 to 14 year olds; the Miss Independence for 15 to 18 year olds; and the Little Miss Independence for 4 to 6 year olds. The youngest age group was originally scheduled to compete on July 4 at 9 a.m. It has been moved to July 5 at 9 a.m., Stubberfield said.

“The beauty pageants are one of the staples, so to speak, of the event,” Stubberfield said. “They’ve gone on every year and been around for a long time.”

Stubberfield said the committee is made up of volunteer residents who are helping the mayor and the town with planning the event. The celebration will feature two days of festivities in which vendors and events are scheduled, Stubberfield said.

Participants will have several opportunities to win prizes in the Lucky Duck Draw, Stubberfield said. There will also be a dunking booth and hot dog eating contest, sponsored by the Belhaven Volunteer Fire Department.

Friday night, Twilight Hour, an art show in honor of the late Effie Rae Goff will be held for local painters, sculptors and carvers to showcase their work. Goff was a local artist in Belhaven and started the event.

Other events during the celebration include helicopter rides by Crystal Coast Helicopters out of Morehead City; Belhaven Kids’ Town, an area designated for inflatable wall climbs and bounce houses; and a best decorated bike contest. The first 25 children to register will receive a free bike bell and will have a chance to ride in the parade at 11 a.m. Saturday, Stubberfield said.

Mike “Mad Dog” Mealey will return to host his Pirate Scalawag School, teaching kids how to be pirates. Stubberfield said Mealey has pledged to donate 50 percent of the money he raises, which will go toward Belhaven’s annual Pirates on the Pungo event.

Several opportunities to hear live music are scheduled for the celebration, too, Stubberfield said. The Mighty Saints of Soul will perform with Sheryl Rouse and the Eli Craig Band will play for participants to dance in the streets.

The celebration’s finale will be at 9 p.m. Saturday with the town’s fireworks display.

“I was here for the very first time last year and they were awesome, especially considering how small a town Belhaven is,” Stubberfield said. “It helps that you’re not only seeing the fireworks, but you’re seeing the reflections off of the water.”

To see the full schedule of events for Belhaven’s Independence Day Celebration, visit http://www.littlewashingtonnc.com/event/belhavens-4th-july-celebration.