The 2009 July 4th holiday begins at 6:00 p.m., Thursday, July 2nd and ends at midnight, Sunday, July 5th. During this period last year in North Carolina 8 people died and 634 were injured in highway collisions. To make the highways safer State Troopers will be participating in the nationwide “Operation C.A.R.E.” (Combined Accident Reduction Effort). “Operation C.A.R.E.” is a coordinated education and enforcement effort involving all Highway Patrol and State Police agencies across the nation. They will be targeting aggressive drivers and will also increase their efforts to enforce the state’s litter laws. The "Booze it and Loose it Operation Firecracker Campaign" is also underway through July 5th. Checkpoints and stepped up patrols will be conducted to get impaired drivers off the road as well. Citizens may report crashes, drunk drivers, stranded motorists or other highway situations to the Highway Patrol by dialing *HP (*47) on their cellular telephones. This is a toll free call that connects the caller with the nearest Highway Patrol communications center.
Oklahoma! continues at the Parkway Playhouse
The Parkway Playhouse is performing Rodgers and Hammerstein's musical Oklahoma! Thursday and Friday July 2nd and 3rd at 7:30pm. Tickets are $22 for adults, $12 for students. There will be a special July 4th performance at 6pm with all tickets $12. For more information call 682-4285.
Yancey Library Closing for the 4th
The Yancey County Public Library will be closed Friday July 3rd and Saturday July 4th. They will reopen on Monday July 6th.
Filing Opens in Burnsville Town Election
On November 3rd Burnsville residents will be voting for candidates for mayor and two council seats. The filing period for this election opens Friday July 3rd and continues through noon on Friday July 17th. The Elections Office is in the courthouse, room #9. For more information call 682-3950.
Nature Walk with a Park Ranger
Join a Blue Ridge Parkway ranger for an informative nature walk Friday July 3rd at 2:00pm at the Linville Falls Picnic Area Environmental Education Shelter at Milepost 316 on the Parkway. On this 30-45 minute nature walk you will learn to identify some of the common plants and animals found along the Parkway. Fun for the whole family.
Burnsville TRAC Gallery Pottery Exhibit
Bakersville potter Courtney Martin will be exhibiting her pottery at The Burnsville TRAC Gallery at 102 West Main Street in Downtown Burnsville Friday July 3rd through Saturday August 15th with an artists reception on Friday July 10th from 5:00pm-8:00pm. The name of the exhibit is "Funk and Function: The Pottery of Courtney Martin". The gallery is open Mondays through Saturdays from 10:00am-5:00pm. For more information call 682-7215.
Pre-Fireworks Concert at Burnsville Town Center
Pete & Kim McWhirter will be joined by Kenny Jobe and Keith Cole in concert at the Burnsville Town Center Friday July 3rd. This Yancey County group will be performing traditional bluegrass and original tunes. Pete's strong vocals and Kim's Appalachian voice blend nicely for an authentic mountain sound. Come out to hear some great music inside your Burnsville Town Center before the outdoor fireworks start at 9:15pm. Tickets are $10 - adults, $5 - kids under 12. Lap-sitters free. Show starts at 7 p.m., doors open at 6:30. Call 682-7209 for information.
Civil War in the Mountains: Ranger Program
A ranger with the Blue Ridge Parkway will present a 45 minute educational program on "The Civil War in the Mountains" Friday July 3rd at 7:00pm at Crabtree Meadows Campground Amphitheater at Milepost 340 on the Parkway. One of the greatest tragedies of the Civil War was how it divided families, pitting brother against brother. Nowhere was this more true than in the Appalachian Mountains. Join the Ranger to learn how the hard hand of war touched the region.
Snakes of the Blue Ridge Parkway: Ranger Program
A ranger with the Blue Ridge Parkway will present a 45 minute educational program called "Snakes of the Blue Ridge Parkway" Friday July 3rd at 7:30pm at the Linville Falls Campground Amphitheater at Milepost 316 on the Parkway. Since the Garden of Eden, we have been taught to loath and fear snakes. Are they the villains they have been made out to be?
Free Fishing on Independence Day
From 12:01am until 11:59pm on Saturday July 4th, anyone can fish in any public water in North Carolina without having to purchase a fishing license or trout privilege license. All other fishing regulations, such as fish length and daily possession limits, as well as bait and tackle restrictions and park use fees apply.
Yancey Animal Shelter Closed for the 4th
The Yancey County Humane Society Animal Shelter will be closed on Saturday July 4th. Regular hours will resume on Monday, July 6th.
Bakersville's Annual Town-Wide Yard Sale
The Town of Bakersville will host the Annual 4th of July Town-Wide Yard Sale on Saturday, July 4th. Come and bring your treasures or just come and shop.
4th of July Pancake Breakfast
The Knights of Columbus will be having a 4th of July Pancake Breakfast at Sacred Heart Church at 20 Summit Street in Burnsville on Saturday July 4th from 6:00am-9:00am. Breakfast will cost $5 with free limited parking or $3 for parking only. For more information call Say at 284-0749.
Burnsville Lions Club's Patriotic Celebration
The Burnsville Lions Club will present their Annual Patriotic Celebration on the Burnsville Town Square Saturday July 4th from 10:00am until dark. There will be games and entertainment throughout the day. Bring your lawn chair or blanket for seating. Non-profit groups will provide a variety of delicious food. Artists and crafters wishing to exhibit their handiwork at the event should contact Jim Parlier at 682-7015. Carolina Cracker, a country/hip hop artist from Burnsville will be performing at the event at 4:30pm.
Veteran's Exhibit Dedication
The public is invited to the dedication of a new permanent Veteran's Photograph Gallery exhibit at the Lloyd Bailey Annex of the Rush Wray Museum of Yancey County History, Saturday July 4th at 11:00am in the lobby of Lloyd Bailey Annex. This exhibit includes pictures from World War I through the Iraq War. And for the dedication they will also have other wartime memorabilia on display in the lobby. The Lloyd Bailey Annex is located at 3 Academy Street in Burnsville. For more information call 682-9587.
Mayday Foundation Kid's Fun Day
The Mayday Foundation, will present a Kid's Fun Day Saturday, July 4th, from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm behind the Burnsville Fire Department on Azalea St. There will be fun for all ages: large obstacle course with slides, bounce house, three legged races, prizes, carnival foods like: cotton candy, popcorn, slushies, and DEEP FRIED OREO'S!!! Emergency vehicles will be on hand from various departments around the county such as fire, rescue, Burnsville PD, YCSD, NC Highway Patrol and if permitted WINGS helicopter. They will also have a firefighter challenge for our young firefighters and junior firefighters...which was a favorite last year. Come out and bring your little ones for a day filled with fun and excitement! All proceeds will go to benefit members of emergency services throughout the county in their time of need. For more information please feel free to contact Gina Duncan at 284-5235.
