Where to see July 4th fireworks in Asheville, Western North Carolina

Molly Horak | Asheville Citizen Times - USA TODAY NETWORK

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The sparklers are purchased, the watermelon is sliced, and the family has gathered for a day of celebration. Whether you're looking for a parade, local music, or a fireworks display, the towns of Western North Carolina have you covered.

Check out our guide to all of the star-spangled events occurring around town:

Start the fun early

The patriotic festivities kick of on Monday, July 2 at Lake Junaluska. This year marks 105 years of Independence Day celebrations and events will follow the theme “Red, White and Bluegrass: Celebrating the Music of the Mountains.”

For three days, the conference and retreat center will host concerts, a garden tour and family-friendly activities before culminating with a fireworks display over the lake, said executive director Ken Howle.

“It’s an amazing blending of our local community and tourists from across the state,” Howle said. “We blend each of these communities and groups of people -- locals, tourists, guests -- into a unique celebration.”

The bluegrass band Balsam Range -- who will perform the first concert of the week on Monday evening -- was selected to lead the Independence Day parade as grand marshals. The parade will take place July 4 at 11 a.m. and all are welcome to register and participate.

New this year will be a concert on July 3 by the Martins, a gospel-style sibling trio and live music performed by local musicians at various sites during the annual garden tour, Howle said. Back for a second year is an afternoon of square dancing immediately following a barbeque picnic on July 4; dancing begins at 1:30 p.m.

Prior to the fireworks display, the Lake Junaluska singers will give their first concert of the season at the historic Stuart Auditorium. Following tradition, they will then take a boat to the center of the lake, where they will perform the national anthem, Howle said.

“The vistas for the fireworks are unparalleled -- where else can you see the reflections of the fireworks off the lake and hear the noise echoing off the mountains?” Howle said.

Tickets are required for each of the three concerts at Stuart Auditorium and for the barbeque lunch on July 4. All other events are free to the public.

The best part of the celebration, Howle said, is seeing families come together to create memories that they’ll treasure for the rest of their lives.

“That’s what we want, to create those amazing memories that families will talk about over their dinner tables for years to come,” he said.

More fireworks

Other Western NC towns hosting fireworks and Fourth of July activities include:

Downtown Asheville: Come down to Pack Square Park in Downtown Asheville for a day of fun at the Ingles Independence Day Celebration. From 2-6 p.m., there will be children's activities, bounce houses and the Splashville fountains; live music begins at 6 p.m. Animal lovers, take note that the Ultimate Air Dogs are returning with shows at 2, 4 and 6 and 7:30 p.m. Food trucks will be present for snacks and drinks, and fireworks will start at 9:30 p.m.

The Asheville Tourists baseball team will have a fireworks show after the July 4 game against the Rome Braves. The event is presented by ABCCM.

South Asheville: For those who don't want to make the trek downtown, fireworks will begin at Lake Julian Park at dark on July 4. The park offers boat rentals, grills, picnic tables, volleyball courts, horseshoe pits and more. Parking will be available at Estes Elementary School and free shuttles will run from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Lake Lure visitors will have two opportunities to see fireworks: on July 3, fireworks can be seen at dusk from Morse Park, and on July 4, fireworks will be launched from Rumbling Bald Resort and can be seen from the lake.

Black Mountain will host a street dance on Sutton Avenue from 5:30-9:30 p.m. on July 4. Food vendors will be on site, and at dark, fireworks will start from behind BI-LO.

If you're wanting to get more in touch with your " natural side," the Swannanoa Valley Museum is once again holding an Independence Day Fireworks Hike. Participants will climb 1.5 miles to the top of Sunset Mountain, where they will enjoy a watermelon cutting before watching the sun set and fireworks over the town of Black Mountain. The hike begins at 6 p.m. and costs $35 for members, $50 for nonmembers.

Weaverville: Visit Lake Louise for "Fire on the Lake," a July 4 celebration from 7-10 p.m. with food, vendors and live music. Fireworks will begin at 10 p.m. The Kiwanis Club is also hosting the 25th Firecracker 5k on the morning of July 4. Registration cost is $30 and proceeds will help provide college scholarships to North Buncombe students.

Waynesville will host their annual Stars and Stripes Celebration from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on July 4, featuring a Patriotic Kid's Parade on Main Street at 11 and a patriotic concert by the Haywood Community Band on the Courthouse lawn at 2.

Marshall: Bring your family and your lawn chairs to downtown Marshall for a firework show beginning just after dark on the fourth. Snacks and concessions will be available, and visitors are encouraged to arrive early to get a good viewing spot.

Mars Hill: A July 4 celebration will be held at Mars Hill Park. From 5-10 p.m. there will be music, food, prizes, and fireworks at sundown.

Marion: At 6 p.m., festivities begin with Marion's Independence Day parade. A street dance will begin at 7 p.m. and fireworks will be launched at 9:45 p.m.

Hendersonville is presenting a Music on Main Street Special Fireworks Celebration Event on July 4 from 7-9:30 p.m. The free concert will feature music by local band Wishful Thinkin', followed by a fireworks display at sundown.

Brevard: For a full day of patriotic activities, head on over to Brevard. The celebration kicks off with the Firecracker 5K and 10K races at 8 a.m., followed by a Fine Arts and Craft Festival from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Classic Auto car show. For music lovers, the Brevard Music Center Festival will present their Patriotic Pops Concert at 2 p.m. At 6 p.m., festivities move to Brevard College for a hot dog eating contest, bicycle parade, and fireworks at 9:30 p.m.

Canton will be celebrating America's birthday a little differently: their celebration, called "Celebrate the 4th Plus 1," will take place on July 5. Free watermelon, dancing and kids activities will start at 6 p.m. and fireworks will begin at dusk.

In Sylva, the Chamber of Commerce is hosting a July 4 downtown concert featuring local band Crocodile Smile, followed by a fireworks show at sundown. Food and family activities will also be available.

Burnsville will have live music and kids activities on July 7 at Town Square. Fireworks will begin at sundown, and if the weather is clear, the Blue Ridge Astronomy Group will bring telescopes to look at the skies.

Franklin: Hop over to the Macon County Veterans Memorial Recreation Park in Franklin for a day of family activities on the fourth. A cornhole tournament will commence at 2 p.m., followed by a free kid's inflatable area open from 3-8 p.m., a "Bulls Eye Ball Drop" with the chance to win $500, live music, food, and fireworks at dark.

Tweetsie Railroad in Blowing Rock will host a Fourth of July extravaganza in honor of the park's 61st anniversary. The park will remain open until 9 p.m. and fireworks will start at 9:30.

Bryson City will hold a Firecracker 5K race at 8:00 a.m. on July 4. The cost to register is $28 and will benefit Dolly Parton's Imagination Library. Spend the rest of the day at Freedom Fest, featuring local artists, food, a Kid's Zone, a "Strut Your Mutt" dog parade, and fireworks at 10 p.m.

Banner Elk and Beech Mountain: The Mile High Fourth of July is back for a six-day celebration across the two towns. From June 29 to July 4, visitors can participate in live theater performances, concerts, a parade, yoga workshops, and a wine and beer festival. Tommy DeCarlo, singer from the rock band Boston, will give a free concert at 6:30 p.m. on July 3.