America 250 celebrations for the holiday weekend
Shriners entertained during Tabor City’s America 250 Parade on June 27. Other events are on tap for the July 4th weekend. (Deuce Niven, TLT)
By DEUCE NIVEN
tribdeuce@tabor-loris.com
America’s semiquincentennial celebrations reaches its peak this weekends, with significant events this weekend.
America 250 Fireworks
Fireworks will be the biggest in many years with more than $10,000 raised and spent for this Saturday’s pyrotechnics display at South Columbus High School, Greater Tabor City Chamber of Commerce Chamber Executive Vice President Cynthia Nelson said.
Sponsored by the chamber, the fireworks display will be somewhat smaller than hoped for because tariffs have raised the price of the imported pyrotechnics, Nelson said.
“We appreciate the sponsors who have made the fireworks possible for many years, and those who have stepped up this year to make them even bigger in better.”
Look for a list of those sponsors in Nelson’s Tabor Talk column on Page 5 in this week’s Tabor-Loris Tribune in print and online.
Gates at South Columbus open at 6 p.m. Saturday, with entertainment beginning at 6:30 p.m. Tabor City’s Mayor pro tem Lamont Grate will serve as emcee with entertainment to include Crossroads Band, Yam Festival Jr. Miss Braylynn Locklear, Yam Festival Young Miss Madison Rowe, Alyssa Strickland, and Chris Avery, Nelson said.
Patriotic salutes will involve military veterans and public safety personnel. Following the singing of the National Anthem and the Presentation of Colors by the Columbus County Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard, the fireworks are expected to fly at 9:35 p.m.
Shirts, flags
Commemorative America 250 shirts and flags are available now in the Tabor-Loris Community as part of the semiquincentennial celebration.
America 250 T-shirts are on sale now for $20 each at the offices of the Greater Tabor City Chamber of Commerce, next door to the public library. They will also be available from the chamber booth on July 4 at South Columbus High, while supplies last.
New 250th Birthday flags will also be available for purchase from the Loris Chamber of Commerce. For details call the chamber at 843-756-6030.
VMPA
Veterans Memorial Park of America, between Tabor City and Whiteville just off of US 701, has a big day planned starting with an opening ceremony at 9 a.m. Saturday, July 4.
Entertainment, vendors, kids’ corner, education section, 250th student art/essay display and more will honor the men and women who have served this nation, with a focus on local heroes. A time capsule will be buried at the Bell Tower at noon, and the activities will end at 3 p.m. Those interested in taking part as vendors, historians, or sponsors should call 910-840-5207 to reserve spots for these historical, once in a lifetime events.
Also
Other area holiday events include:
- Saturday, July 4. July Jubilee & First Saturday Market, Riverside Drive in Fair Bluff, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Sunday, July 5. Chadbourn will host a Food Truck Rodeo from 5 to 9 p.m. centered at Town Hall, 602 North Brown Street. A DJ, face painting, and kids entertainment are promised ahead of the fireworks display at about 9 p.m.
