Celebrating the 75th Year in 2021
FAITH FOURTH OF JULY
“I’m hot, sticky sweet, from my head to my feet” … now that may sound like a song to you, but its literally me at the Faith Fourth of July celebration in Faith, North Carolina. I’m a sucker for the candy apples, cotton candy, funnel cakes, and just about any sweet treat they have for sale during the week of July 4th! Naturally, it will be one of the hottest events around that day as well and this event is planning to go off without a hitch!
Last year Covid-19 caused this event not to happen as it did many events here in North Carolina and in our country. This year Americans will be able to enjoy celebrating our Independence Day as we have for many years before Covid.
WHAT TO EXPECT
I was able to chat with Randall Barger, Chairman for the Faith Fourth of July, about how this year’s Fourth of July will go off. “We will ask people to social distance, wear a mask” and they will have plenty of sanitation stations available for visitors. “Please feel encouraged to use them as you see fit.”
This year the festivities will begin Wednesday June 30 and last until Monday, July 5th. In 2021, July 4th falls on a Sunday so they will have the parade and final activities on July 5th. Luckily most people will have the Monday the 5th off!
Rides will be running as usual which is always fun for the kids and adults as well. Personally, I have some fond memories of enjoying the rides that are set up in Faith. What is your favorite ride that you are looking forward to hopping on this year?
VENDORS
You can expect delicious foods always at this event. Visitors should count on at least six vendors in addition to regular providers at food booths. The food is always something to look forward too. As always there will be barbecue, slaw, hot dogs, hamburgers, country ham, ice cream, and ice-cold drinks.
IN THE BEGINNING
The parade this year will celebrate its 75th year. Originally this celebration started as a picnic to honor our soldiers returning from the Civil War. The celebrating stopped around 1922 because of wartimes, but started back up in 1946 and they have continued to grow every year. Each year the celebration has grown to have as many as “25-30,000 people” guesstimates Barger. Barger along with a host of multiple people organize this family fun event. “A lot of people think that the Town of Faith does the parade, but it is actually three community organizations that do the work along with the help of multiple residents”. The organizations that provide the help are the Faith Civitan Club, Faith American Legion, and the American Legion Auxiliary.
WHEN, WHERE, AND HOW
The celebrations this year will run as follows:
Wednesday, June 30/6:00 p.m.-until
Thursday, July 1/6:00 p.m.-until
Friday, July 2/6:00 p.m.-until
Saturday July 3/1:00 p.m.- until (Fireworks at 10:30 p.m.)
Sunday, July 4/5:00 p.m.-until
Monday, July 5/ 10:00 a.m. with the parade and the day goes until the Finale Fireworks Show starting at 10:30 p.m.
You will find the activities at the American Legion Park and at the Faith Elementary School Ballpark. The park is located at 202 North Main Street.
Parking is normally where you can find it during these days. The public is asked to be respectable to the citizens of Faith, North Carolina that will have their homes and yards decorated to welcome everyone that comes. NO PETS are allowed.
OTHER EVENTS HAPPENING
The Shiloh Reformed Church of Faith will again be hosting the Shiloh 5K Run this year on Saturday, July 3. The registration starts at 7:00 a.m. and the 5K Run/Walk starts at 8:00 a.m. A fun run for kids starts at 8:45 a.m. If you pre-register it is $25.00 for the 5K and $10.00 for the kids. On the day of the event it is $30.00. Visit www.runsignup.com to get registered and choose your t-shirt size. This race will take place at 100 South Main Street, Faith starting at the church. Awards will be given at the end of the race.
THE IDOL CONTEST
Back by popular demand is the Idol Contest. They will be taking only the first 12 to register so hurry and go to www.faith4th.com to fill out your registration form. “Anyone can do it and we welcome back all past winners” Barger shared.
I was lucky enough to speak to one of the winners, Archie Tucker. Archie was the winner in July 2005 and won with the song “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me” by Sir Elton John. No surprise Archie won… he has a wonderful voice! He remembers, “I had just lost my mom to cancer. I auditioned and won! I was the oldest, but I made my mind up I was coming home with the $1,000.00. The most money I ever made in five minutes!”
The first night will be Friday, July 2 at 6:30 p.m. and finals will be Monday, July 5th.
PARADE ENTRIES
\
The parade brings back a lot of memories of patriotism and what Independence Day is all about! The Red, White, and Blue will be waving proudly. If you or your organization are interested in having an entry in the parade visit www.faith4th.com to register now before all the slots are filled!
AT THE END OF THE DAY
I asked a few Facebook friends about memories of the Faith Fourth of July and here are a few of the responses.
Judy Russell said, “I was there when President George H.W. Bush came. (1992) It was very impressive when the plane circled Faith School, flew to Charlotte, and then he came back on the helicopter. Something I’ll never forget!”
Sandy Fleming said, “The first time I went I had just moved from Mississippi and my friends took me. We had a blast and I was hooked on the Faith Fair. I love going to hear the different bands and watch the people dancing. It still amazes me that people leave their lawn chairs at the fairgrounds all week! Love the Faith Fair!”
Kaye Hirst said, “Yes all of my life!!!!”
Gene Ray shared “Good Music and great atmosphere”.
Cindy Miller stated, “Yes ma’am! I grew up right outside of Faith. We went every year.”
There are of course many more that have gone and will be going again this year in the search of having fun and a sense of normalcy. We all want that and this year the Faith Fourth of July just may prove to give us all just that at the end of the day!
