The Fourth of July — also known as Independence Day in the U.S. — is widely celebrated across Chatham County with various festivals, church celebrations and firework displays.
The News & Record has compiled a list of activities in the county leading up to and on Independence Day residents can participate in. Here’s how Chatham communities are commemorating the founding of the United States.
Summer Fest 2023
The Pittsboro Business Association will host its annual Summer Fest starting at 3 p.m. on Saturday, July 2, at the town parking lot across from Postal Fish Company in downtown Pittsboro.
Summer Fest will have a dedicated space for children, the Kids Zone, complete with a water slide, a dunk tank, a bounce house, an inflatable axe-throwing lane, an obstacle course and more.
For adult festivalgoers, there are several contests to participate in, from the highly anticipated beard and mustache competition to the newly added amateur BBQ cook-off. There will also be various entertainers at the event, from live musicians to jugglers and balloon animal artists.
Food trucks and vendors will be available throughout Summer Fest.
The July 4 Dueling Dogs Seminar
Canines can put on their flippers and swim caps in this patriotic aquatic competition in Goldston at the Dueling Dogs Seminar, an all-day affair on Tuesday, July 4, at the Indian Creek K9 Aquatics Center in Goldston.
Furry companions will dive off of a dock and into a pool, where they will go head to head in a series of competitions and races. It costs $40 per dog, and the dog has to “be a comfortable and confident dock diver with no hesitation going off the dock and have experience doing Speed Retrieve,” according to the event’s web page.
Carolina Tiger Holiday Enrichment Tour
Lions, tigers and more, oh my!
Carolina Tiger Rescue will be hosting a special holiday tour at 2 p.m. on Monday, July 3. This special Fourth of July-themed tour will give visitors to the big cat sanctuary the chance to see the kings and queens of the jungle and savannah up close and personal.
Carolina Tiger Rescue’s website defines enrichment as “anything that is added to an animal’s habitat that stimulates their senses or promotes natural behaviors.” The July 3 tour will feature patriotic enrichment tools such as enticing scents, toys made to withstand the wild animals, different textures and more.
People interested in going on the tour can register for it on the Carolina Tiger Rescue website. Tickets start at $28 for ages 13 and up and $21 for children.
Bray Park Aquatic Center
Siler City’s Bray Park Aquatic Center will be open on the weekend leading up to and on the Fourth of July.
The pool will be open from noon to 6 p.m., and has many amenities such as a splash pad, bathhouse, swimming pool, picnic shelter and more.