Fireworks For the Fourth: Where to See Them

Safety experts say the best way to enjoy fireworks this 4th of July is by watching a professional display rather than setting off a few pyrotechnics in the backyard. 

For one thing, most of the noisier and more interesting fireworks are illegal in North Carolina.  The only ones that are allowed include poppers, sparklers, fountains, and those novelty items that don't explode, spin, leave the ground or fly.  Snakes and glow worms, for example, are legal, as are smoke devices, wire sparklers and noisemakers like poppers.  Firecrackers are prohibited, as are any fireworks that shoot into the sky -- like rockets -- or spin rapidly. 

Last  year, according to the Consumer Products Safety Commission, six people died, and an estimated 8700 were injured in the United States, because of accidents with fireworks.   Nonetheless, if you decide  you want to light a few fireworks of your own, these safety tips can save lives:

• Do not wear loose clothing while using fireworks.
• Do not light fireworks indoors, near a structure, dry grass or flammable materials.
• Make sure children are closely supervised at all times.  Little children should not  hold sparklers, which can reach a temperature of 1200 degrees or more.
• Do not try to re-light or pick up fireworks that have not fully ignited.
• Do not point or throw fireworks at another person.
• Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy in case of fire.
• Do not attempt to alter or modify consumer fireworks and use them only as instructed, in the manner for which they were intended.

If, by now, you're convinced that it would be safer, easier and more fun to see a professional fireworks display, you have numerous choices in the Triad, not only on the 4th itself, but tonight (July 3rd,) Friday the 5th, and Saturday July 6th.   Many of these venues feature other events throughout the day as well, but this list is limited to the fireworks shows only.  Times are when the shows are scheduled to start, but are subject to change because of weather or other factors.

Wednesday July 3

• Burlington  July 3rd In The Park, Burlington City Park.   9:30 PM
• Walnut Cove  Lions Park,  Following 44th Army Band Concert, which begins at 7:00 PM

Thursday July 4

• Archdale   Fun Fourth, Creekside Park.  9:00 PM
• Lexington  Fantastic Fourth,  Finch Park.   Between 9:00 and 9:30 PM
• Thomasville  HiToms Fireworks Extravaganza, Finch Field.  After baseball game
• High Point  Uncle Sam Jam,  Oak Hollow Festival Park.  9:45 PM
• Greensboro Fun Fourth Festival, News & Record Pops Concert & Fireworks Finale, White Oak Amphitheatre at the Greensboro Coliseum Complex. Gates open at 5:30, concert and fireworks 7:30-10:00 PM
• Downtown Mt. Airy  4th of July Celebration, Veterans Memorial Park.  Fireworks at dark
• Kernersville  Motown concert by The Legacy followed by fireworks, Kernersville Elementary School.  Concert at 6:30, fireworks 9:15 PM
• Wet 'N Wild  Sky Dancer Fireworks Show.   9:15 PM
• Winston-Salem  Dash game, BB&T Ballpark.  Game at 7, fireworks right after the game.
• Eden  Kiwanis Ole Fashioned 4th of July.  10:00 PM
• King  Fireworks show, viewed from King Recreation Area, King Public Library, Central Park Amphitheater, and the Carl Calloway American Legion Post #290.   At dusk (about 9:00 PM)

Friday July 5th

• Reidsville  Independence Day Celebration, Lake Reidsville.   10:00 PM
• Winston-Salem  Dash game, BB&T Ballpark.  Game at 7, fireworks right after the game.

Saturday July 6th

• Liberty  July Celebration Downtown Liberty.  9:15 PM