LUMBERTON — For those who prefer to celebrate the nation’s 242nd birthday on July Fourth, there are a couple of options today, and the timing of the events make it possible to take in at least parts of both.
The little town of Rennert will mark Independence Day with a parade at 10 a.m. and follow it with music, a beauty pageant, and fireworks.
The parade will start at Shannon and Morgan J roads.
According to Mayor Elizabeth D. Locklear, family friendly festivities will be held at a shelter on Rennert Road, just behind B&G Gas, throughout the day. There will be gospel singing, a basketball tournament, and the Miss Wee Rennert pageant at 6 p.m. Food vendors will be serving favorites such as collard sandwiches, turkey legs, funnel cakes and grape ice cream to celebrate the day. A fireworks display at 9 p.m. with cap off the festivities.
St. Pauls will debut an expanded Independence Day celebration that will include live music and the traditional fireworks show by the town’s firefighters. The event will take place behind Lumbee Guaranty Bank off West McLean Street. Bands Through the Night, Great Marsh Band, and NC Roots will perform beginning at 5 p.m. A disc jockey will take over in between the bands’ performances. Fireworks will begin shortly after dark.
Pembroke’s Fourth of July Summer Jam is set for 6 to 11 p.m. Saturday. The Pizazz band will provide entertainment for the event that will take place at Milton R. Hunt Memorial Park.
For those who want to provide their own fireworks show, North Carolina law allows the use of flares and fountains, smoke and other novelty items, such as sparklers, black snakes, and strobes. The list of items that are illegal in the state include reloadable 1.75 inch aerial shells, single-shot aerial tubes, bottle rockets, skyrockets and missiles, ground spinners, pinwheels, helicopters, Roman candles, multi-shot aerial devices, and cakes.
Fireworks safety tips include:
— Obey local laws regarding explosive fireworks.
— Read cautionary labels and performance descriptions before igniting any fireworks.
— A responsible adult should supervise all activities surrounding fireworks. Children should never be given fireworks.
— Alcohol and fireworks do not mix. Save the consumption of alcoholic beverages for after the show.
— Wear safety glasses when handling fireworks.
— Quickly move away after lighting a firework. Never light more than one at a time.
— Light fireworks only in a clear area. Stay away from buildings and vehicles.
— “Dud” fireworks should be left alone for at least 20 minutes before being soaked in a bucket of water. Never try to relight one.
— Always have a bucket of water and and water hose at the ready.
— Never carry fireworks in your pocket.
— Never shoot fireworks into metal or glass containers.
— Do not experiment with homemade fireworks.
— Proper disposal of fireworks includes wetting them down and placing them in a metal trash can away from any building or combustible materials.
— Always report illegal explosives, such as M-80s and quarter stickers, to the police department.
— Never put animals at risk.
