Nelle Thomas (at right) of Davidson was among those who have been heading to Town Hall this week to pick up a batch of official wrist bands for Davidson’s Fourth of July festivities. The bright red bands stamped with the town logo are a new requirement for admission to the town’s concert and fireworks display Friday. Residents have until 4 p.m. Thursday to pick up the wristbands at Town Hall on South Main. Residents can get the bands for family members and guests. Otherwise, you’ll need to show a driver’s license with a Davidson address at the gates Friday. Non-residents will be charged $5 for entry.

Independence Day is the highlight of the weekend, and revelers can also plan to head to the Lowe’s YMCA in Mooresville Thursday evening for a fireworks fix. Other happenings around town include a free youth bell concert at St. Alban’s Thursday, the farmer’s market Saturday and John Wertheimer singin’ at Summit Saturday.

Weekend of July 3-6

Schedule for Independence Day Celebration:

• 5:30 p.m. – parade sets off from Town Hall. This is not a parade with fancy floats, but more a cheerful display of red, white and blue among bikers and pedestrians heading to McEver Field. Another new change is that the town has asked participants to leave their pets at home this year due to the large crowds.
• 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. – Summerdaze Band will play Top 40 hits, while a children’s area will feature games and concessions.
• 9:30 p.m. – Fireworks!

Keep in mind that while wristbands won’t be needed for the parade, they will be required for entry into McEver Field, and gate attendants will only accept cash – no checks or credit cards. Wristbands are $5 each for those who do not live in Davidson. Residents will need to show a driver’s license that lists their Davidson address for free entry.

Police will be keeping South Street clear, so revelers will not be able to set up blankets there for watching the fireworks display. The greenway near McEver and the covered bridge from the Antiquity housing development in Cornelius will also be closed starting at noon Friday as they are too close to the fireworks launching site.

You can read more about the wristbands requirement by clicking on our previous coverage, “With Popularity of July 4 fireworks, Town Seeks to Limit Crowds” or by viewing the town website’s q&a on the matter, “Fourth of July in Davidson”

Other Weekend Events –

If you can’t make the Davidson fireworks, consider the Lowe’s YMCA holiday fireworks show and summer celebration Thursday, 5-10 p.m. The Lowe’s Y is located at 170 Joe V. Knox Avenue in Mooresville. The event is free and open to the community.

St. Alban’s Episcopal Church will host a concert by the Walsh Memorial Bell Choir (see photo) from the The Presbyterian Church in Morris Plains, N.J. Thursday, starting at 7:30 p.m. The choir is comprised of ringers in grades 7-12. They’re making a summer tour of Delaware, Virginia and North Carolina. Admission is free; donations accepted. Information: 704-941-0650. See our Saturday news item for more on the group.

Live folk/Americana music this weekend at Summit Coffee includes Billy Jones & the Pocket Thursday and Davidson Local (featuring guitarist/songwriter John Wertheimer, whose day job is history professor at Davidson College) Saturday. The coffee shop will close at 6 p.m. Friday so barristas can join the town fireworks festivities

The new Davidson Farmers Market will continue Saturday, 8 a.m. – noon, off Main Street next to the Town Hall. This weekend will feature a chef demonstration, live music by Billy Jones and “July Fourth Picnic” items like cherry tomatoes, peaches, and cupcakes with red, white and blue frosting.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

• MONDAY, JULY 7, 10-11:30 a.m., Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream, 202 S. Main St. – Ninth Annual Ben & Jerry’s Scooper Olympics. Four-person teams of scoopers from each of the four area Ben & Jerry’s shops will compete in such ice cream-themed events as Speed Smoothie Making, Brownie Special Relay Race, Ben & Jerry’s Trivia, and Cake Decorating for Speed and Eye-Appeal. The Davidson store defends its 2007 title. Fans invited to help consume the scoopers’ creations.
• TUESDAY, JULY 8, 7 p.m., Town Hall, 216 S. Main St. – Monthly Town Board meeting. Agenda is expected to include a vote on possible planning ordinance amendments affecting the N.C. 73/Davidson-Concord Road area. Agenda to be posted on the town website.
• FRIDAY, JULY 11, 6:30-9:30 p.m., Kenton Place stage, Catawba Avenue and Sam Furr Road, Cornelius – After work happy hour to benefit the Cornelius Animal Shelter. Events are part of the 2008 LKN FUN Bud Weekend, on the stage between La Chique Spa & Boutique and Galway Hooker restaurant. Donations and raffle proceeds will go toward construction of the new Cornelius animal shelter.
• SUNDAY, JULY 13, 6-8 p.m., Village Green – Downtown Davidson Inc. presents another Concert on the Green. This week, Lake Norman Orchestra plays patriotic music and other favorites from classical to pop to Broadway. Free. Bring a picnic – they’ll give an award for “most elegant” picnic. Details: www.downtowndavidson.org.
• THURSDAY, JULY 25, 7 p.m., Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream parking lot, 202 S. Main St. – Ben & Jerry’s free summer movie series continues with “Shrek the Third.” Also, movie and Ben & Jerry’s trivia, name that tune contests and prizes. Festivities begin at 7, movie starts at dusk. Free, but bring a canned food donation for Loaves & Fishes pantry. Details: 704-892-0604. Future movies Aug. 11 (”Cars”), Aug. 25 (”National Treasure”), Aug. 26 (”The Water Horse”), Aug. 28 (”Finding Nemo”), Aug. 29 (”Monsters Ink”).
• SUNDAY, AUG. 3, 6-8 p.m., Village Green – Downtown Davidson Inc. presents another Concert on the Green, with The Startdusters Swing Band. Free. Bring a picnic: this week’s award will be for “silliest picnic.” Details: www.downtowndavidson.org.
• SUNDAY, AUG. 24, 6-8 p.m., Village Green – Downtown Davidson Inc. presents another Concert on the Green with The Bad Daddies. Free. Picnic theme: “funkiest picnic.” Details: www.downtowndavidson.org.
• SUNDAY, SEPT 7, 6-8 p.m., Village Green – Concert on the Green, with the hometown bluegrass band Davidson Express. Free. Bring a picnic – they’ll give an award for “most colorful.” Details: www.downtowndavidson.org.
• SUNDAY, SEPT. 21, 6-8 p.m., Village Green – Davidson College Symphony and Jazz Band play the season’s finale Concert on the Green. Free. Bring a picnic: they’ll have a contest for “most collegiate.” Details: www.downtowndavidson.org.

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