"Liberty" the bald eagle flies away after Mayor John Woods released it during Independence Day ceremonies at the Energy Explorium Saturday. (Blake Radcliffe photo)

It’s Independence Day: What better occasion to set free a rehabilitated bald eagle?

Carolina Raptor Center in Huntersville organized the release, which took place Saturday morning at McGuire Nuclear Station’s Energy Explorium, off N.C. 73 on Lake Norman. The occasion honored North Carolina’s veterans and fallen service members. Public officials from around the region participated, including Davidson Mayor John Woods, who was given the honor of releasing the big bird. (Mayor Woods lost a brother, James, in the Vietnam War.)

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Rough Draft, on the Village Green Saturday.

Looking for something to do this Independence Day weekend? Davidson’s annual July 4th event will take a different tack this year, incorporating the annual family parade as well as a Concert on the Green, with the R&B band Rough Draft. But the fireworks are gone, the victim of budget-cutting at Town Hall. If you’re looking for fireworks, you’ll find them at the Lowe’s YMCA in Mooresville Friday night, during the Y’s annual Summer Celebration.

Also July 4, there’s a daytime celebration at Birkdale Village in Huntersville. And Davidson Mayor John Woods has been invited to help with the release of a rescued bald eagle in Huntersville, in honor of veterans and fallen military service people from North Carolina. Read the full story