Wake County towns expand July 4 festivities into America 250 celebration

Wendell will open its America 250 stretch with the Stars, Stripes & Syrup Veterans Breakfast at 9 a.m. Wednesday, July 1, at the Wendell Community Center, 601 W. Third Street. The free meal, hosted by the Wendell Police Department and Wendell Fire Department, is a tribute to veterans and their families before the town shifts to fireworks two nights later.

Wendell's July 2 celebration, “a bigger Fireworks show for America 250,” runs from 6 to 10 p.m. at Wendell Park, with a golf cart and bike parade at 6 p.m., Wendell Park opening at 6:30 p.m., The Main Event Band at 7 p.m. and fireworks around 9 p.m. The celebration is free and open to all, with crowd performers, food trucks and other activities, and it will go on rain or shine unless weather turns severe.

Communities across Wake County and the Triangle are lining up festivities ahead of July 4 as North Carolina joins the national semiquincentennial commemoration. America 250 NC says communities in all 100 counties are taking part, and its signature Raleigh event, Capitol 250: NC Freedom Fest, is scheduled for July 4 at the State Capitol from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The all-day festival is free.

Wake County Government is adding library programming, with a 250th: Celebrate America Block Party at Morrisville Community Library from 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, July 2. At North Regional Library in Raleigh, the county held a 4th of July Celebration: K-5th Adventures on June 30 from 4:30 to 5:15 p.m.

Wake County offices will be closed Friday, July 3, for Independence Day.