July 4th celebration is in June, at SCHS tonight
By DEUCE NIVEN
tribdeuce@tabor-loris.com
Columbus County’s annual Independence Day fireworks celebration has moved from July to June for 2023, the Greater Tabor City Chamber of Commerce hosted event set for tonight (June 30) at South Columbus High School.
It marks the 36th annual Columbus County Fireworks Celebration, weather permitting, and the forecast for Friday early in the week looked positive, but hot, with the June 30 high temperature expected to top 90 degrees.
“That’s gonna be sticky,” said Chamber Executive Vice President Cynthia Nelson.
There is no set rain date if the elements turn sour, but the fireworks provider will return at their first available date, Nelson said.
Gates at Civitan Stadium open at 6 p.m., pre-show entertainment from the Columbus Community Band begins at 6:30, with the formal program kicking off at 6:55 with a welcome from Chamber President Kandi Dill, an introduction of emcee and Tabor City Mayor pro tem Lamont Grate, and invocation from Gapway Baptist Church Pastor Eddie Greene.
Fireworks, the real draw for most, are set to launch at 9:30 p.m.
Admission is free, and if tradition holds there will be at least as many people inside the gate is out, some tailgating parties in the SCHS parking lot and on highways near the school.
No coolers, pets, or unauthorized vendors are allowed. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited anywhere on school property.
Food, soft drinks, water, patriotic glo necklaces and raffles will be on sale by the chamber, and there may be other items available.
Military veterans will be honored.
Scheduled entertainers, in addition to the Columbus Community Band, include NC Yam Festival Queen Alyssa Grace Strickland; gospel singers Royal Descendants, Fair Bluff Majestic Queen Brittany Moore, and Chamber Vice President Chris Avery.
Program
Here’s the schedule for Friday night’s entertainment, which is subject to change.
- 6:30 p.m. – Pre-show entertainment from the Columbus Community Band.
- 6:55 – Welcome from Chamber President Kandi Dill and introduction of emcee Tabor City Mayor pro tem Lamont Grate. Pastor Eddie Greene will offer the invocation.
- 7:05 – Columbus Community Band
- 7:30 – Introduction of visiting queens
- 7:35 – Yam Festival Queen Alyssa Strickland
- 7:40 – Royal Descendants
- 8:10 – Raffle drawing from NC Yam Festival royalty
- 8:15 – Yam Festival Queen Alyssa Strickland
- 8:25 – Fair Bluff Majestic Queen Brittany Moore
- 8:30 – Recognition of Veterans, VFW Post 8073 Commander W.H. Morris
Tribute to Veterans, Fair Bluff Majestic Queen Brittany Moore
Raffle drawings, NC Yam Festival royalty
- 8:50 – Music from Chamber Vice President Chris Avery
- 9:15 – Recognition of sponsors, Chamber President Kandi Dill
Raffle drawings, NC Yam Festival royalty
50/50 raffle drawing
- 9:25 – Presentation of Colors, Columbus County Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard
Pledge of Allegiance led by Lamont Grate
National Anthem, Fair Bluff Majestic Queen Brittany Moore
- 9:30 – Fireworks fly!
