Two Independence weekend fireworks shows set; Kerr Lake display due in September
Jun. 17—Henderson — In a typical year, the Vance County Tourism Development Authority hosts an Independence Day weekend celebration and fireworks show at Satterwhite Point on Kerr Lake. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, last year wasn't typical, and neither is 2021.
But rather than being canceled again, the Kerr Lake celebration has been postponed until Saturday, Sept. 4.
"Our board met in early May, two weeks before the governor relaxed [pandemic-related safety] restrictions, so we elected to move the celebration to Labor Day," said Norman Dickerson, the authority's administrative assistant.
September's Kerr Lake celebration will have a wide variety of music, activities for children, and food vendors. As of now, there have been no decisions made about COVID-19 restrictions, which may vary depending on any state mandates in September.
The tourism authority's decision won't leave residents without an Independence Day fireworks option, as the Henderson-Vance Recreation and Parks Department and the Cokesbury Volunteer Fire Department recently obtained permits from the county for fireworks displays.
The parks department intends to go ahead with its display at Fox Pond Park near Henderson on Friday, July 2, at 9 p.m. It will close the park for other activities at 7 p.m. and begin shuttling spectators from the Aycock Recreation Center at that time.
Its permit application anticipates the contractor, Zambelli Fireworks, firing nearly 400 shells during the display. The rain date for the event is Tuesday, July 6.
The Cokesbury fire department's event, meanwhile, is scheduled to host its annual fireworks on South Cokesbury Road on Saturday, July 3, in front of the fire department. The display starts at 6 p.m. and once it's dark the fireworks start. There will be music and concessions at the event. There are no COVID-19 restrictions.
The rain date for the Cokesbury fireworks is July 10.
