By Liz Mitchell
The first weekend of July marks some of the biggest and best fun we can offer for the whole family. It’s centered in the Southport and Oak Island area where we have celebrated the nation’s independence for 200 years in grand style. Beach Day will be underway Friday, July 1, with youth activities and contests from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the 46th Street SE and Beachfront Cabana area on Oak Island. Then a beach music band will begin at 6 p.m. at Middleton Park Extension for a shag contest which begins at 7 p.m. Registration opens at 5 p.m. For details, contact the Oak Island Parks & Recreation Department at 910-278-5518. Fireworks will be at dark (approximately 9 p.m.) on the Oak Island Fishing Pier. It’s all free!
The regatta will be July 2 at 2 p.m. at the Southport waterfront. Other events include a national art show which is underway until July 23 at Franklin Square Gallery and arts and crafts in the park July 2 and 3; bike tours and tours of the historic Old Jail and the St. Phillips Episcopal Church of the Cross.
The statewide Naturalization Ceremony is set for July 3 at 4 p.m. on the lawn at Fort Johnston at the Southport waterfront. In addition to the oath of citizenship for the state’s new citizens, it includes music, speaking, cannon firings, closing with a fireboat in the harbor spraying red, white and blue water. The Flag Retirement Ceremony will be at 6 p.m. July 3 at the BB&T Flagpole at South Howe and West Moore Streets in Southport. This is a somber and respectful occasion to destroy flags which are no longer suitable for display.
The Flag Raising Ceremony will be on July 4 at 10:30 a.m., also at the corner of Howe and Moore Streets. Then the Festival Parade steps off at 11 a.m. with 120 units filling the streets in the center of Southport. A military equipment static display will be in the waterfront park all afternoon, and the Classic Car Show will be open from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. On Bald Head Island the annual golf cart parade begins at 10 a.m., and a Fireworks Cruise is scheduled for 8 p.m. Fireworks also will be displayed at 9:05 p.m. at the Battleship North Carolina. What a celebration!