The ultimate guide to Asheville, WNC Fourth of July 2017

Hayley Benton | The Citizen-Times

Show Caption Hide Caption Shindig Dancers The Folk Heritage Smooth Dancers will be performing at Shindig on the Green this summer.

Break out your finest red, white and blue attire and heat up the grill — or head to a local star-spangled event — and celebrate America all week long.

Whether you're set to get your patriotism on at a Saturday night pre-Fourth party or taking Tuesday off to celebrate Independence Day, Asheville and the surrounding mountains have got your flag-waving needs covered this July.

Check out our ultimate guide on what to do for America's birthday below:

Pre-Fourth Weekend Celebrations

In Asheville

Each year ahead of the Fourth of July, Asheville welcomes its Appalachian roots to the stage for the annual Shindig on the Green. Celebrate an important part of American culture and history with this mountain music series, beginning at about 7 p.m. July 1 at the Roger McGuire Green in Pack Square Park downtown. Many of the region's finest mountain entertainers, from banjo to fiddle to cloggers and dancers, perform on the main stage — and multiple small pop-up jams are bound to spring up around the park. Shindig-goers are encouraged to bring blankets or chairs.

Ole Shakey's on Riverside Drive is throwing its own pre-Independence Day shindig, happening from 2-8 p.m. July 1. Hang out by the river with American Pig Hot Dogs and Ultimate Ice Cream, with a dance party happening after dark. Come out to 790 Riverside Drive.

Outside Asheville

Celebrate America's original culture and history out at Cherokee's Fourth of July Powwow, Friday through Sunday at the Acquoni Expo Center. It includes Cherokee music, culture, dancing, crafts, food and more. Admission is $12 daily (free for children 6 and younger) and is a cash-only event. Fireworks close out the evening on Saturday. For more information or for a daily lineup, head to visitcherokeenc.com.

Each year, nature-lovers of all ages flock outdoors during the first weekend of July for Family Fun at Chimney Rock. From July 1-4, visitors to Chimney Rock State Park can challenge themselves on the park's 32-foot climbing tower, enjoy the views along a hiking trail or get up-close with nature at the daily 2 p.m. Family Animal Encounter. Admission to the park is $13 for adults and $6 for children. More information at chimneyrockpark.com.

Morganton's 14th annual Red, White and Bluegrass Festival will be held over the weekend, July 1-3, and features three days of music from 12 bands. The festivities, which take place in Catawba Meadows Park, start at 1 p.m. each afternoon and end after 10:30 p.m. Daily admission to the festival is $25, with three day passes (with camping) available for $70. Kids 12 and younger get in for free. On July 4, Morganton will open up the park for free celebrations (details below). More information at redwhiteandbluegrassfestival.org.

Head to downtown Blowing Rock for the town's annual July Fourth Celebration and Parade. The party begins early July 1, with a 9 a.m. Horseshoe Tournament (for players 18 and older) with prizes. The gathering at Memorial Park (1036 Main St., Blowing Rock) continues with other games in the park at 9:30 a.m., with inflatables for kids and live music by Fire By Night starting at noon. At 2 p.m., the Independence Day Parade begins, and at 3 p.m., enjoy live music by The Cockman Family. Fireworks start at 9:30 p.m. Saturday. The following day, enjoy live music in the park by Diana Wilcox at 12:30 p.m. and join the Summerdaze Park Dance at 3 p.m. For more information, head to townofblowingrocknc.gov.

Out at Lake Junaluska, bluegrass favorite Balsam Range will perform a special pre-Independence Day concert at 7:30 p.m. July 2. After a morning garden tour the next day, on July 3, a free family Olympics tournament will heat up near the Nanci Weldon Gym at 2 p.m. At 7:30 p.m. that evening, enjoy a concert with Laura Story. More information at lakejunaluska.com.

Banner Elk and Beech Mountain, this year, will host the second annual Mile High Fourth of July, a five-day music, fireworks and parade celebration that begins June 30 and ends July 4. Head out to Beech Mountain on July 1 for the 47th annual Hog Roast and enjoy some of the tastiest hickory-smoked pork and turkey in Western North Carolina. Afterward, fireworks light up the sky above the summit of Beech Mountain. For more details of the multi-day festivities, visit milehighfourth.com or check below for day-of events.

Fourth of July Tuesday Events

In Asheville

Asheville's largest Fourth of July party, the Ingles Independence Day Celebration, kicks off in Pack Square Park at 2 p.m. July 4. Put on by the Asheville Downtown Association in partnership with the City of Asheville, this free extravaganza fills the city with music, family activities and fireworks.

Once again, Asheville's favorite fluffy entertainers, The Ultimate Air Dogs, will return to the Fourth of July event. Competitions will take place at 2 p.m., 4 p.m. and 6 p.m., with the finals at 7:30 p.m.

The Roger McGuire Green will be full of bounce houses and other kids' activities from 2-6 p.m., and kids can jump, bounce and race as much as they'd like with a $3 wristband — and the Splashville Fountain will be on until 6 p.m. for kids to cool off.

At 5 p.m., the music begins, featuring headliner Mark O'Connor, fresh from his band's Grammy win for Best Bluegrass Album. Asheville Fourth-goers can enjoy a selection of beer, cider and wine and food from Appalachian Smoke BBQ, DOGS, El Kimchi, Gypsy Queen Cuisine, The Hop, Kernal Mike's Famous Kettle Corn, Mac Daddy’s Organic Lemonade, Paris Festival Bakery, Sugar and Snow Gelato, Sunshine Sammies and The Grubbery Food Truck.

No outside alcohol is allowed at the park, and pets are not allowed at the event. Parking is available in City of Asheville parking decks, on the street or in private lots.

Over at McCormick Field, the Asheville Tourists will be putting on their own Independence Day Fireworks Extravaganza, along with a game against the Charleston RiverDogs. These all-stars are no strangers to a good fireworks show, and, combined with baseball, it's sure to make for an all-American Fourth of July evening. The event starts at 7 p.m., and tickets are $11 apiece and can be purchased at theashevilletourists.com.

Not interested in heading downtown? Head down to Lake Julian Park in Arden instead for a fireworks display that begins after sundown. For this show, guests should park across the street at Estes Elementary School. A shuttle will be available.

Each year, the Biltmore Estate also launches fireworks on the Fourth of July — making it the perfect place to catch some summer holiday spirit (especially for those with a season pass). Head to the Biltmore grounds for a day of relaxing or for a special July Fourth celebration dinner. More information on Biltmore events at biltmore.com.

Down on Sweeten Creek Road, celebrate a different kind of birthday with Bernie the Brewery Dog at Sweeten Creek Brewing. Not only is America turning 241, the brewery's lovable mascot turns 13 on July 4. Celebrate the United States and dogs with sandwiches, special party favors and Bernie's own Burndawger Brown Ale. The brewery is open all day from 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m.at 1127 Sweeten Creek Road.

What could possibly be more American than tailgating? Head over to Haywood Road for the West Asheville Tailgate Market's special Fourth of July event. The market will feature its regulars along with extra holiday-themed special activities, games, prizes, food trucks, face painting and other surprises. Hang out at this family-friendly neighborhood event from 3:30-6:30 p.m. at 718 Haywood Road.

In Swannanoa/Black Mountain

Downtown Black Mountain will spring to life on July 4 with the annual Sutton Avenue Street Dance. The outdoor stage will be blasting hit tunes from decades past, courtesy of The House Band, from 5:30-9:30 p.m. On top of music and dance, the free event features activities for kids, food vendors and fireworks at dusk.

Looking to catch a fireworks show Western North Carolina-style? The Swannanoa Valley Museum is inviting nature-lovers to see Black Mountain's display from high above town, on a special hike to the peak of Sunset Mountain. The Independence Day Fireworks Hike is a 1.5-mile moderate hike beginning at 6 p.m. (and returning at 9 p.m.). At the summit, hikers will enjoy an old-fashioned watermelon cutting while watching downtown Black Mountain's show. Bring a picnic, water, folding chairs, cameras and flashlights. The museum will provide watermelon and transport cargo to the summit. Tickets to the group hike are $35 for museum members and $50 for nonmembers. Learn more at history.swannanoavalleymuseum.org.

In Weaverville

Join Southern rocker Joe Lasher Jr. in Weaverville for the city's annual Fire on the Lake Independence Day Celebration. Head to Lake Louise Park at 7 p.m. to catch the full show, which begins with opener and local singer-songwriter Ashley Heath. Hang around out this free, family-friendly event until the music ends at 10 p.m.

In Hendersonville

Treat yourself to the Independence Day Parade in downtown Hendersonville at 11 a.m. or join the evening fun from 7-9:30 p.m. downtown, with live music and fireworks at the Visitors Center, 201 S. Main St.

In Montreat

Each year, Montreat hosts a small town 4th of July Celebration that can't be beat. This year, the theme is stars and stripes, and the fun begins early in the morning with the 7 a.m. Montreat Gait 5K Race. The annual parade through Montreat begins at 10:30 a.m., and it's something that shouldn't be missed. Special events are held in the town throughout the day and end with a 7-9:30 p.m. square dance in the parking lot behind the Montreat College Library. For more information, visit montreat.org.

In Brevard

Clearly, the town of Brevard knows how to celebrate America in style, with multiple events popping up around the city. Heart of Brevard's annual 4th of July Festival begins at 9 a.m. at 175 E. Main St., featuring a full day of vendors, events, kids' games, music and fireworks. The free street festival features live music, a firecracker run, pet show, flag raising and reading of the Declaration of Independence, a classic car show, a hot dog-eating contest, bicycle parade and duck race for kids. At 5 p.m., the street fair winds down and the party continues at Brevard College at 6 p.m. for the second annual Oskar Blues AmeriCANniversary Fireworks display. Live music continues at the college, with sets from Futurebirds, Say Brother and the Andy Ferrell Duo. Food trucks will be parked on-site for the fireworks show, which ends around 10 p.m.

Over at the Brevard Music Center, a crowd will be having its own patriotic party, with the Pendergast Family Patriotic Pops. This explosive annual Fourth of July afternoon is a local favorite, featuring orchestral music with American favorites, including the 1812 Overture with live cannon blasts. The fun begins at 2 p.m. at the gorgeous indoor-outdoor Whittington Pfohl Auditorium. Tickets are $15 for lawn seating and $26-$57 for auditorium seating. More information at brevardmusic.org.

In Lake Junaluska

Lake Junaluska proves itself to be a top-notch spot to enjoy the Fourth of July year after year. In 2017, there's a whole extended weekend of parties to enjoy. On July 4 specifically, the Independence Day Parade begins at 11 a.m. at the Lambuth Inn, proceeding along North Lakeshore Drive. At noon, the Nanci Weldon Gym hosts an Independence Day BBQ Picnic. Admission is $9 for adults, $5 for kids ages 4-11 and free for kids 3 and younger. Fill your belly for extra energy prior to the free Fourth of July Square Dance, free in the Nanci Weldon Gym at 1:30 p.m. At 7:30 p.m., the Lake Junaluska Singers will perform a concert, and at 9:30 p.m., the free fireworks display begins.

In Sylva

Fireworks will return for a third consecutive year in Sylva in 2017, for a special evening of music, food and drinks, kids' activities and pyrotechnics. This year's free event features a concert in Bridge Park Pavilion at 6:30 p.m. by R&B/soul band The Business, followed by fireworks at sundown, launched from property in the Sunrise Park district. The events begin at 5 p.m. For more information, call 828-586-2155 or visit mountainlovers.com.

Over at The Cut Cocktail Lounge in Sylva, another party will be heating up starting at 5 p.m. The lounge, at 610 W. Main St., will be celebrating the U.S.A. with all-American snacks, potato-stamp art projects, firework popsicles, patriotic cookies and more.

In Waynesville

Join the town of Waynesville for the Stars & Stripes Celebration from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. July 4. Downtown Waynesville's restaurants and shops will be open, with live music and entertainment throughout the district and on the courthouse lawn. The Kids on Main children's parade starts at the courthouse at 11 a.m. and treks down Main Street. At 2 p.m., the Haywood Community Band will perform a patriotic show on the courthouse lawn.

In Lake Lure

Celebrate Independence Day by staying on the shores of gorgeous Lake Lure, with two days of nonstop wild American fun. On Monday, enjoy music, games and a cookout on the beach from 5-8 p.m. and an 8 p.m. bonfire and marshmallow roast.

On July 4, wake up and attend the Lake Lure Arts & Craft Fair from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., hear some music and test your brain with some trivia on the Bandstand at 10 a.m., enjoy games, a kids zone, fire truck rides, ice cream, a 4 p.m. Golf Cart Parade and more. At 9:20 p.m., hear the national anthem, followed by a fireworks display at 9:30 p.m. on the lake. For more information, call 828-694-3000.

In Spruce Pine

In 2017, Spruce Pine's annual Independence Day events are back, starting at 5 p.m. on Main Street. The day starts off with the Kiwanis Parade, continues with a concert in Central Park by DJ Bruce Ikard and ends with patriotic music, games, food and fireworks at dusk. For more information or to sign up for the parade, call 828-765-3008.

In Banner Elk/Beech Mountain

The Blue Ridge resort towns of Banner Elk and Beech Mountain will come together for a second year with the Mile High Fourth of July, which ends its five-day run on July 4. Only four miles separate the towns of Banner Elk and Beech Mountain, so travelers and residents can easily enjoy the festivities in both locations. On July 4, Banner Elk’s signature Fourth of July Parade heads down Main Street and finishes in Tate-Evans Town Park, where Party in the Park continues throughout the afternoon. Kids and adults take part in lawn games, such as egg tosses and sack races, and a rubber duck race down the creek. For more details, visit milehighfourth.com.

In Maggie Valley

Of course, if you're out in Maggie Valley on the Fourth of July, you won't want to miss the town's Backyard Fourth. Fireworks will start at dark at the Maggie Valley Festival Grounds, 3374 Soco Road. Gates open at 6 p.m., and attendees are encouraged to bring blankets, chairs, picnics and yard games (but not alcohol).