It doesn't matter if you grill all day and your flag's been waving for weeks, July 4 isn't Independence Day without the rockets' red glare.
Catch the fireworks in these select spots:
Flash over first base
Where: LP Frans Stadium, 2500 Clement Blvd., NW, Hickory
When: America's favorite pastime starts at 7 p.m., when the Crawdads take on Hagerstown. Fireworks start when the game is finished. That's probably between 9:45 and 10 p.m. if the 'Dads don't go into extra innings.
Cost: Ball game tickets are $5 to $10 in advance and $6 to$11 at the gate.
Why go: This is the only show in town. Catawba County doesn't have another public fireworks display. But that doesn't mean things will lack luster.
The show is double the time of a normal shiny Saturday-night display, making for about 20 minutes of oohs and aahs, said General Manager Mark Seaman.
Afterward, to help stagger the traffic, the 'Dads staff will have launch-a-ball competitions on the field and let kids run the bases. They'll also show a movie on the scoreboard.
Seaman isn't sure which flick they'll play but he assures us it will be family-friendly.
Bluegrass blast
Where: Catawba Meadows Park, 701 Sanford Drive, Morganton
When: Fireworks are set to start at 10 p.m., after the last performances of the Red, White and Bluegrass Festival. The four-day music festival started Wednesday.
Cost: $15 for the day of music. If you want to drift that way without getting into the music area, you can catch the fireworks for free.
Why go: This is the largest fireworks show in Western North Carolina, promises Gary Leonhardt, director of Morganton's parks and recreation.
He promises 25 to 30 minutes full of flash, flare and sparkle.
If you want to go early, music starts at 2 p.m. with Walking Home and continues all day with Balsam Range, Jeanette Williams, Michael Cleveland, Cherryholmes and The Dan Tyminski Band.
Blazing a trail
Where: Trail of Faith, 401 Church St., Valdese
When: Fireworks are around 9:30 p.m. Other activities, including music, are at 5 p.m.
Cost: Free for general admission, $2 for the Kids' Park and $2 for tours of the Trail of Faith
Why go: Mom and dad can tap their toes to gospel groups the Daybreak Quartet and The Kistler Family.
The kids can wear their swim suits for the water slide. There are inflatables and a batting cage, too.
A former prisoner of war will speak and a Blackhawk helicopter will fly over. Fireworks cap off the night with a 20 to 25 minute show.
Freedom isn't free; Celebration is
Where: Downtown Lincolnton and Lincolnton High School, 803 N. Aspen St.
When: Children Activities start at 5:30 p.m. on Main Street, the parade is at 8 p.m. and fireworks at the high school start at 9:35 p.m.
Cost: Free
Why go: They're stepping to it in Lincolnton with a parade through town, leading to the high school. A 9:15 p.m. ceremony helps celebrate the patriotic occasion.
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