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In Beaufort County, Independence Day is celebrated well before July 4. With several municipalities having their own events, there is no shortage of opportunities to commemorate America’s birthday. 

On Saturday, July 1, Belhaven will begin its 81st Fourth of July celebration activities with a Little & Junior Miss Independence pageant from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Wilkinson Center (144 W Main Street). Then ICW Brewery will officially open with an open mic event from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 265 E. Water Street Unit #110. Belhaven Fourth of July T-shirts will be for sale from noon to 3 p.m. at the town docks at the end of Pamlico Street. A Young, Miss & Elite pageant will finish out the day from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Wilkinson Center. 

Skipping Sunday, July 2 and heading into Monday, July 3 Belhaven will offer visitors and residents a tour of the Caboose at the Train Depot from noon to 3 p.m. At 1 p.m. ICW Brewery will feature Josie’s Conch Stew. Starting at 2 p.m. vendors, concessions and a carnival will be on Main Street and at the Market (133 E. Main Street) and Belhaven Fourth of July T-shirts will be for sale at the Police Department lot (125 W. Main Street). From 5:30 p.m. – 8 p.m. Twilight Hour will be at the Belle Arts Gallery (211 Pamlico Street). A Little Patriots Parade will be at 4 p.m. at River Forest Manor (738 E. Main Street). A pie and cake tasting will be at the police department lot beginning at 6 p.m., but a hot dog eating contest will take place at the Fire Department (245 Haslin Street) at the same time. A DJ will perform at 7 p.m. on the Main Street Stage, and an hour later there will be a street dance and live band at the stage until 11 p.m. 

Finally, on Monday, July 4 there will be vendors, concessions and carnival rides beginning at 9 a.m. on Main Street as well as free helicopter rides (at Wilkinson Ball Field) and t-shirt sales (at the police department lot). A helicopter flyover will start the annual parade down Main Street at 10:55 a.m then the parade is expected to last one hour. From noon until 3 p.m. the Caboose will be open at the Train Depot and at 12:30 p.m. Coastal Model A Ford Classic Cars will be on display at the Southern Bank Lot. Dave and Riverbend Jammers will perform from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. on the Wilkinson Stage. They are followed by Brad Johnson then Trinity Methodist Church Choir. Level Up Gaming will be at the Market from 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. At 12:30 p.m. a lawn tractor pull behind the Market will replace the Pantego VFD Mud Run. 

Town of Belhaven Parks and Recreation is sponsoring a Wet & Wild Day from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday at the Belhaven Football Field. There will be waterslides, kiddie splash pools, sand pools, Slip-n-Slides, sprinkler toys and more. The town recommends those who choose to participate bring a towel and/or a change of clothes and a chair. 

Belhaven will conclude its Fourth of July celebrations at 9 p.m. with a fireworks show at the waterfront. 

In Washington, the Beaufort County Arts Council is hosting a Fourth of July event at Mac Bear Hodges Festival Park on Water Street. Beginning at 5 p.m. there will be food vendors, Heartland Grill and Kona Ice. An hour later, Alex Williams of Kool and the Gang will perform live. A fireworks display will begin at 9 p.m. courtesy of the City of Washington.