Ashe County Parks and Recreation invites you out to Ashe Park for a fun filled day of family entertainment to celebrate Independence Day on Monday, July 4. The day will be capped off with the annual fireworks celebration, and the event is free and open to the public, with donations being accepted at the gate to go into next year’s fireworks budget.

Various festivities will be offered throughout the day with music, air walks, and food beginning at 3:30 p.m. and the gates opening at noon, and a spectacular fireworks performance at dark by Pyrotechnics.

Ashe County Parks and Recreation, along with the Ashe County Sheriff’s Department, the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, and the Ashe County Transportation Authority (ACTA), have developed a traffic control plan and a shuttle system to transport spectators to and from the Ashe County Courthouse and Ashe Park with the hopes of alleviating traffic congestion. It is advised that everyone either carpool into the park, or take advantage of the free shuttle services.

Once in the park, Air Walks will be available for the youth in attendance, with Parks and Recreation featuring five different bouncy units, including The Sports Challenge, The 120 Foot Obstacle Course, and The Giant Slide for the youth in attendance.

Headlining the music for the event, which also kicks off at 3:30 p.m., is Thunder Valley, Summit, and The Southern House in Transit. The groups will be performing on Russ Blevins Stage near the center of the park throughout the day. Sierra Wilson, who placed first in the 2010 Ashe Fiddler’s Convention; Jr. Bluegrass Fiddle, will be performing the National Anthem prior to initiation of the fireworks.

Ashe County Parks and Recreation is striving for the Independence Day celebration to be a joyous occasion for all participants and attendants. However, please take note of particular rules that will help the overall success of the festival:

* No individual fireworks be brought into the park (sparklers do not apply)

* No pets brought into the park

* No children under the age of 12 without adult supervision

* No ATVs, four wheelers, or any other off road vehicle

* No horses

* No alcoholic beverages or tobacco products

Parking is only permitted in designated parking areas. Parking will be directed by park staff, along with directing traffic in and out of the park. Please comply with their requests!

Carpooling is urged strongly, and also please take advantage of the free and swift shuttle services.

Bring hearing protection for children, especially young children.

Park staff will be wearing red “Staff” shirts in case anyone needs their assistance.

Be patient with the parking situation, everyone will be doing their best and will attempt to keep the main road open for emergency vehicles.

For more information, or to volunteer for this event, please call Ashe County Parks and Recreation at 982-6185.