It’s time to celebrate our nation’s birthday with the 2021 NC Fourth of July Festival, held this year in two locations – Southport and Oak Island.
Although this year’s festival schedule has been cut and changed a bit due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, America’s patriotic spirit is alive and well in the community for the many events still scheduled for July 1-4.
Like our nation and its resilient people, the NC Fourth of July Festival seeks to return to a sense of normalcy and has taken great strides towards that goal this year.
Still, it will be a different type of festival as some restrictions remain on mass gatherings – there is no parade, no fire fighting competition, and no main stage entertainment or concerts along the Southport waterfront.
However, there are two Oak Island Fireworks Nights on Thursday July 1st and Sunday July 4th. Oak Island Beach Day activities are held on Thursdays, which include band appearances and the annual Middleton Crafts Fair, park, professional wrestling, and more.
Celebrations in Southport include readings of the Declaration of Independence, children’s entertainment on the Fort Johnston lawn, smaller entertainment venues with local bands performing in various locations across town, cemetery tours, flag-raising and retirement ceremonies, and the Red White and Blue Freedom Flotilla on the Southport Waterfront . And don’t forget the Red White and Blue Car Show at Bill Smith Park on Long Beach Road.
For a full schedule of festival events, see the official NC Festival Program for July 4th, 2021 included in this edition of The State Port Pilot. Or visit you www.nc4thofjuly.com online for the latest updates.
Last year, the festival was held virtually due to health concerns, lockdowns and strict gathering restrictions due to COVID-19. While large gatherings are still largely avoided this year, there are plenty of activities for families to enjoy returning during the region’s Independence Day celebrations and the state’s official July 4th festival.
Thursday 1st July
Beach day events
Middleton Park pavilion area
8 a.m. – horseshoe tournament
10 a.m. – Registration for games
11 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Inflatable rides
6 p.m. to 9 p.m. – concert with Gary Lowder
and Smokin ‘Hot Band
6 to 6.45 p.m. – Registration for the Shag Contest
7pm – Shag Contest starts when the band breaks up
Boardwalk at 46th Street Cabana
11 am – bocce, cornhole and
Beach volleyball tournaments
4 p.m. – sand castle competition
4 p.m. to 8 p.m. – Food truck rodeo
Oak Island Pier
9 p.m. – Fireworks: beach day and
Oak Island Anniversary Celebration
Southport Event
9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. – American Red Cross blood
journey
Indian Trail Meeting Hall, 113 W. Moore St.
Saturday 3rd July
10 a.m. – Reading of the Declaration of Independence
Moore Street Market, 130 E. Moore Street,
South port
10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. – Sign the declaration from
independence
Cattail Cottage, 122 N. Howe Street, Southport
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. – NC Maritime Museum at
Southport open, with coloring, scavenger hunt
for children;
11 am to 3 pm pirate hike;
12 p.m. and 2 p.m. duck races.
204 N. Howe Street
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. – handicraft market
Middleton Park Pavilion area
For more information and more
Events in the area visit the festivals
Website.
10:00 a.m. – Smithville Burying Ground
Tour with Musette Steck
401 E. Moore Street, Southport
10 a.m. to 3 p.m. – animation for children
Fort Johnston Southport Museum and visitors
Center, 203 E. Bay Street
10 a.m. to 3 p.m. – Musical guests with the children
Entertainment event: 10 a.m., The Lotus
Collective band; 11 o’clock, turning the
Wheel; 12 noon, Benjamin T. Higgins; 1
Watch, the lotus collective band;
2pm, Southport Shanty Crew.
10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. – Red, white and blue cars
Show at Bill Smith Park with music from Back
Porch rocker
12 noon – reading of the Declaration of Independence
Southport Market, 104 S. Howe Street,
South port
2 p.m. – Reading of the Declaration of Independence
Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage,
108 S. Davis Street, Southport
2:00 p.m. – Smithville Burying Ground
401 E. Moore Street, Southport
4:00 p.m. – celebration to mark the farewell of the flags
Fort Johnston Southport Museum
and Visitor Center, 203 E. Bay Street
entertainment
12 p.m. to 1 p.m. – Radio Rahab (rock)
Middleton Park Pavilion
1 p.m. to 4 p.m. – The Christine Martinez Band
American Fish Co., 150 Yacht Basin Drive,
South port
12 p.m. to 2 p.m. – Parlay (90s, classic rock,
Blues and jam songs)
2 p.m. to 4 p.m. – Nowcat (Americana, Rock, Country
Soul) Southport Tap and Cellar,
827 N. Howe Street, Southport
1 p.m. to 3 p.m. – Little Big House Band
3 p.m. to 5 p.m. – The Reflections Band (50s, 60s and)
70s skirt)
– – – – – – – –
Sunday 4th July
entertainment
12 p.m. to 4 p.m. – John Rogers and Friends (Austin
Sapp and Lori Spencer, Jamie Dooley)
Moore Street Market, 130 E. Moore Street,
South port
12 p.m. to 4 p.m. – Open Jam with Wendy Love
Tiki Tavern, 104 E. 8th Street, Southport
– – – – – – – –
11:45 a.m. – Flag-raising ceremony
Ft. Johnston Garrison Lawn
12 noon – reading of the Declaration of Independence
Ft. Johnston Garrison Lawn
1 p.m. – Reading of the Declaration of Independence
Southport Market, 104 S. Howe Street
2 p.m. – reading of the Declaration of Independence
Moore Street Market, 130 E. Moore Street
2:00 p.m. – Smithville Burying Ground Tour
401 E. Moore Street, Southport
3 p.m. to 5 p.m. – UPWA Pro Wrestling
Middleton Park Pavilion area, Oak Island
2 p.m. to 4 p.m. – Freedom Flotilla
along the Intracoastal Waterway
9 p.m. Fireworks from Oak Island Pier
The schedule of the NC Fourth of July Festival includes
Times, dates and information at the time of publication.
Some times can change. For the most current
can be found in this week’s edition of The State Port Pilot
or visit www.nc4thofjuly.com.
