July 4th festivities at Lake Junaluska

LAKE JUNALUSKA, N.C. – All are invited to spend a patriotic Fourth of July at Lake Junaluska. The Independence Day Celebrations will feature three concerts, a variety of family friendly activities, a parade and a fireworks display. The theme for the event is Red, White & Bluegrass: Celebrating the Music of the Mountains, and it will be incorporated throughout the events. 
 
Bluegrass band Balsam Range kicks off the celebrations on July 2 at 7:30 p.m. in Stuart Auditorium. On July 3, hop on any Lake Junaluska trolley for a free drop-in garden tour which will take place from 9-11 a.m. with stops at five of Lake Junaluska’s gardens: the Biblical Garden, Corneille Bryan Native Garden, Rose Walk, Susanna Wesley Garden and Inspiration Point. Volunteers at each location will answer questions and provide information on each garden’s unique horticultural story. Local musicians at some of the gardens will entertain guests with a variety of music styles.
 
At 2 p.m. on July 3, a friendly family Olympics competition will take place in the field by the Nanci Weldon Memorial Gym. In this series of fun and sometimes silly challenges, families work together for bragging rights and glory.
 
On the evening of July 3, The Martins will perform in Stuart Auditorium. This sibling trio, made up of Joyce, Jonathan and Judy Martin, are known for their southern gospel style. They were nominated for a Grammy Award in 1998 for Best Southern Gospel, Country or Bluegrass Album of the Year and again in 2015 for Best Roots Gospel Album of the Year. 
 
On the Fourth of July, festivities begin with a community Independence Day Parade. The parade, which follows the Red, White & Bluegrass theme, will be led by Balsam Rangeas the grand marshal.  Anyone may register to participate in the parade at lakejunaluska.com/july4th.  The parade begins at Lambuth Inn at 11 a.m. and proceeds along North Lakeshore Drive until its conclusion at the Nanci Weldon Memorial Gym.
 
Immediately following the parade, a barbecue picnic will take place with bounce houses, face painting and a balloon artist for the kids, while adults enjoy a performance by Whitewater Bluegrass Company. At 1:30 p.m., Whitewater Bluegrass Company’s front man, “Uncle” Ted White, will serve as caller for a family-friendly mountain square dance. No experience is necessary to participate and the free dance is open to all. 
 
The Lake Junaluska Singers will return to the Stuart Auditorium stage on the evening of July 4, when they perform a patriotic salute in their first concert performance of the season. After the concert, the Lake Junaluska Singers will sing the national anthem as the free fireworks begin around 9:30 p.m. There will be more than 800 fireworks launched for the community to enjoy.
 
Balsam Range, The Martins and Lake Junaluska Singers concerts take place at 7:30 p.m on July 2, 3 and 4. Tickets for The Martins and the Lake Junaluska Singers are $23 reserved or $18 general admission. Tickets for Balsam Range are $25 reserved or $23 general admission. As a special promotion, you can bundle general admission tickets to all three shows for $50 – only available at the Bethea Welcome Center. 
 
Lodging and meal packages for the entire event are available. To learn more about the Independence Day Celebrations or to purchase tickets, visit www.lakejunaluska.com/july4th.
 
Lake Junaluska is a place of Christian hospitality where lives are transformed through renewal of soul, mind and body. For more information about Lake Junaluska programs and events, visit www.lakejunaluska.com.
 
 
INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATIONS SCHEDULE:
 
Monday, July 2
7:30 p.m. – Balsam Range in concert
 
Tuesday, July 3
9-11 a.m. – Drop-In Garden Tour. Various locations. Free.
2 p.m. – Family Olympics. Field near Nanci Weldon Memorial Gym. Free.
7:30 p.m. – The Martins in concert 
 
Wednesday, July 4
11 a.m. – Independence Day Parade. Starts at Lambuth Inn, proceeds along North Lakeshore Dr. Free.
12 p.m. – Independence Day Barbecue Picnic. Nanci Weldon Memorial Gym. $9 adults, $5 kids 4-11, Free for ages 3 and under.
1:30 p.m. – Square Dance. Nanci Weldon Memorial Gym. Free.
7:30 p.m. – Lake Junaluska Singers in concert
Approx. 9:30 p.m. – Fireworks display. Free.