BELHAVEN — For at least the past six months, the Town of Belhaven has been knee-deep in preparation for its annual Fourth of July celebration.

This year is of extra importance, however, as it marks the 75^th anniversary of one of the town’s largest events.

Belhaven’s Fourth of July celebration will be a four-day extravaganza, from July 1-4, featuring many of the favorite activities people have come to love over the years.

The celebration will kick off that Saturday afternoon (July 1) with a children’s carnival and an array of vendors along Main Street opening for visitors to peruse, both available through at least Sunday. Sunday also features a gospel sing at 2 p.m.

Vendors will remain open Monday, as well, but they’ll be joined by a pie-eating contest at the Municipal Building and the Miss Independence Pageant at the Wilkinson Center. Visitors are then invited to come out at 8 p.m. that day for live music and a street dance.

On Independence Day, the 75^th-annual celebration is an all-day affair, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Kicking off the day is the Little Miss Independence Pageant, also at the Wilkinson Center. The Fourth of July parade then begins the trek down Main Street at 11 a.m., followed by the Pantego Mud Run at 1 p.m. Live music from local artists, including Raining Mercy, Don Cox’s band and Easy Breeze Band, can be heard throughout the weekend from the stage at the Wilkinson Center.

At 2 p.m. on July 4, anyone can participate in the Anything That Floats contest, in which participants craft a boat out of available materials and see whose creation can outlast the rest.

The “crazy crafts” should be able to hold two to six people, be powered by paddles or oars and not be a disguised boat. Crafts should be able to complete a 500-yard course, according to Celebrations Committee member Yvonne DeRuiz.

DeRuiz said prizes will be awarded for most creative craft, most dramatic sinking and the fastest time. Those interested in participating are asked to call 919-624-7610 for more information.

Rounding out the four-day festivities is a fireworks show that organizers hope will be the largest one yet in honor of 75 years.

At an April Board of Aldermen meeting, Belhaven Manager Woody Jarvis requested more funding and/or donations to cover the cost of more fireworks.

Jarvis said the 2016 fireworks show lasted about 18 minutes, and every $1,000 buys about 50 fireworks. Organizers are hoping to purchase 500 more this year at a $10,000 price tag, if they can raise the money.

With final plans falling into place and about a month left to go, the Celebrations Committee and town officials are hoping this Fourth of July celebration will be one for the books.

 

 

75^th-ANNUAL FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION SCHEDULE

 

July 1

 

4 p.m.                    Vendors open on Main Street, children’s carnival

7 p.m.                    Live music, John Moore’s Sock Hop

 

July 2

 

2 p.m.                    Vendors open all day, children’s carnival, gospel sing

 

July 3

 

1 p.m.                    Vendors open all day

6 p.m.                    Pie-eating contest (Municipal Building), Miss Independence Pageant

8-11 p.m.              Street dance

 

July 4

 

9 a.m.                     Little Miss Independence Pageant (Wilkinson Center)

10 a.m.                  Dignitary breakfast

11 a.m.                  Parade on Main Street, helicopter rides

Noon                      Live music by Raining Mercy (Wilkinson Center stage)

1 p.m.                    Pantego Mud Run, lawnmower pull

2 p.m.                    Anything That Floats contest (town docks), live music by Don Cox

3:30 p.m.              Live music by Easy Breeze Band

9 p.m.                    Fireworks display