Don’t be bored on the 4th of July

July 4 falls on a Monday this year, and that’s when many cities and towns are holding their Independence Day spectaculars – fireworks and all. Still, some city leaders have been getting calls: Monday? Are you sure?

“We do hold city fireworks always on the Fourth,” says Taylor Traversari. He and Rachel Rice, the City of Raleigh’s event producers for The Works, reiterate that, yes, Raleigh’s annual fireworks and downtown festival take place on Monday. With 15 bands on two street stages, hot dog eating and watermelon seed spitting contests, GOUGE Wrestling and the King BMX stunt show, plus simultaneous 9:30 p.m. fireworks displays at Red Hat Amphitheatre and on Fayetteville Street, The Works continues to grow in its sixth year.

New to 2016 is free admission to Red Hat, which boasts a view of the larger of the two displays.

The Works runs noon to 11 p.m., mostly along Fayetteville Street in downtown Raleigh, and aims to appeal to a wide range of people, from the families in the kids’ zone on Martin Street to the sippers in the beer and wine-tasting tent on Hargett Street.

The Capitol Stage was booked with bluegrass in mind, Rice says. Nearby, the State Capitol holds its own Independence Day observances). “At noon they have a reading of the Declaration and a wreath-laying at the monument and a naturalization ceremony,” Rice says. “They have music as well and they cater to kids with old-fashioned games and dress-up and photo opportunities, so they have a lot of cool stuff going on across the street. That’s the more historical aspect that we don’t always touch on at our event that is very important.”

GoRaleigh offers a park and ride service, with shuttles departing every half-hour between 6 and 11 p.m. from N.C. State University’s park and ride lot RS at Oval Drive and Initiative Way, off Centennial Parkway; and at Wake County Office Park, 4011 Carya Drive. The shuttle costs $1.25 each way (day passes $2.50). The R-Line, downtown’s free circulator bus, will run on a modified route noon to midnight with designated stops in downtown and Glenwood South. Info: nando.com/3vw or raleighconvention.com/works.

Here’s a rundown of local Independence Day celebrations.

FRIDAY, JULY 1

Zebulon: The Carolina Mudcats shoot off fireworks after its games for four straight days, Friday-Monday. Games start at 7 p.m., tickets are $10-$25 ($8-$25 for kids). Info: nando.com/3vx.

SUNDAY, JULY 3

Cary: The free musical Patriotic Celebration takes place at the Cary Arts Center, starting at 6 p.m. Info: 919-469-4069 or bit.ly/1Kd2GmX.

Fuquay-Varina: Festivities start at 6 p.m. at South Park. Food vendors, music, inflatables, rides and more. The band Spare Change performs at 6:30 p.m. Bring lawn chairs or a blanket. No alcohol, no pets. Free. Fireworks at dark. Info: bit.ly/1IhTY5a.

Garner: Lake Benson hosts Garner’s celebration and fireworks display, starting at 5 p.m. There will be bounce houses, crafts and games for the kids, while soul music and the N.C. Symphony perform. Fireworks follow the symphony. Info: nando.com/3vy.

Morrisville: A food truck rally and music begin at 6 p.m. at Morrisville Community Park. Fireworks at dark. Lawn chairs, blankets and snacks allowed; no alcohol or glass. Free. Rain date: July 5. Info: bit.ly/28LdmuH.

Pittsboro: The inaugural Summer Fest takes place downtown noon to 9 p.m., with live music, food and games, plus a cornhole tournament (3 p.m.) and kids’ bike parade (4 p.m.; line up at 3) at the old Piggly Wiggly building on West Salisbury Street. Info: shoppittsboro.com.

Wake Forest: The fireworks spectacular is Sunday at Wake Forest High School. The Band of Oz will play and fireworks start at dusk ( between 8:30 and 9). Gates open at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $5 ($20 for five; free for children 6 and under). Info: wakeforestnc.gov.

MONDAY, JULY 4

Apex: The annual Olde Fashioned Fourth is 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. downtown. Activities include a water slide, face painting, karaoke contest, games, climbing wall, barbecue and more. Children 12 and under can participate in Uncle Sam’s Parade of Wheels at noon on Salem Street. Info: bit.ly/1dlgzkl.

Cary: The Olde Time Celebration is 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Bond Metro Park. Free. Expect a fishing tournament, parade, eating contests and more. Info: bit.ly/1Kd2GmX.

Activities continue 3 to 7:30 p.m. at Koka Booth Amphitheatre. Look for a Ferris wheel, magicians, scavenger hunts, eating contests and more. Picnics, wine and beer, lawn chairs and blankets are allowed. No pets. Free (reserved table seating $40 per person). The N.C. Symphony performs at 7:30 p.m. Fireworks follow at dark. Rain date for fireworks is July 5. Info: boothamphitheatre.com.

Durham: Durham’s celebration takes place after a Bulls game with a fireworks display best viewed from inside the stadium. The game begins at 6:05 p.m. with fireworks starting at 9:15. Tickets are required ($19.99-$34.99). At the end of the 7th inning, the ballpark gates will open for general admission based on availability, as viewing areas are limited outside of the ballpark (watching from parking decks is prohibited).

Also, Durham Central Park holds its Children’s Independence Day Parade at 10:30 a.m., with free fruit pops after. There will be a fire truck on hand as well. Another parade, the Watts Hospital-Hillandale Parade, runs from the corner of Oakland Avenue and Club Boulevard down to Oval Park and starts at 10 a.m. Info for all three events: durham-nc.com.

Chapel Hill: Fireworks start at 9:30 p.m. at UNC’s Kenan Stadium (gates open at 7). Show up early to beat the crowds and to catch DSI Comedy’s watermelon eating contest, which starts at 7. Soul Psychedelique Orchestra performs hits from the 1940s to present. Also: balloon animals, face painting and inflatables for the kids. Info: townofchapelhill.org/july4.

Carrboro: Carrboro’s celebration starts at 9:30 a.m. at the Weaver Street Market lawn with live music and a kids’ costume contest. At 10:50, march in a people’s parade from Weaver Street Market to Town Hall, where the festivities continue until 4 p.m. with jazz, stilt walkers, an inflatable obstacle course and other family-oriented activities. Info: carrborojuly4th.com.

Knightdale: The celebration starts at 5 p.m. at Knightdale Station Park with fireworks at 9:15. Food trucks will be on hand while The Embers perform. Info: knightdalenc.gov.

Benson: The celebration starts at 3 p.m. in the Benson Singing Grove and features music and classic cars. Fireworks begin at 9 near Carlie C’s IGA on Hwy 301. Info: townofbenson.com.

Morrisville: The Morrisville Fire Department serves up a community pancake breakfast 8-9:45 a.m. at Fire Station 1. Pancakes, sausage and orange juice served. Advance tickets: $4 adults, $2 children; $1 more day of. Info: bit.ly/28PBZWh.

Wake Forest: The annual children’s parade is at 10:30 a.m along North Main Street. Line up starts at 10 at North Main Street and West Juniper Avenue. Registration is not required. At 11, Art and Games in the Park starts at Holding Park. There will be watermelon seed spitting contests, arts and crafts, sack races and concessions. Info: wakeforestnc.gov.

Hillsborough: Picnic in the Park runs 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at River Park. It opens with a community reading of the Declaration of Independence, followed by live music. Pack a lunch or stop at one of the food trucks. For children, colonial style games and crafts with the Daughters of the American Revolution. Info: visithillsboroughnc.com.

Clayton: It starts at 4 p.m. at Clayton’s Municipal Park and features a cornhole tournament, basketball competitions and a hose-down by the Clayton Fire Department. Music by North Tower Band. Field events like sack races and relays get the kids in motion. Also, inflatables and rides. Fireworks, no longer visible from Town Square or Horne Square, are best viewed from Municipal Square. Info: townofclaytonnc.org.

Tuesday, July 5

Holly Springs: Events are 5-9:30 p.m. at Sugg Farm at Bass Lake Park. Features food vendors, live music, inflatables, face painting, games, kids crafts, potato sack races and more. Friendly, leashed pets allowed. Free. No sparklers or personal fireworks. Info: bit.ly/28L4ggD.

This story was originally published June 30, 2016 at 10:00 AM with the headline "Don’t be bored on the 4th of July."