Independence Day 2026 celebrates 250 years of America — an important birthday for our country. Because there are so many can’t-miss events, we have a roundup of area celebrations, starting with those in Clay County.
First, what can be more American than a rodeo? During the holiday weekend, the Bar W Rodeo Company will hold two rodeos to support the Agricultural Scholarship Fund. Gates open at 6 p.m. and rodeos begin at 7 p.m. on Thursday, July 2 and Friday, July 3. The rodeo arena is Cutworm’s Corral, 4637 Downings Creek in Hayesville. Tickets are $25 for adults, while kids 8 and under are free. Visit the Bar W Rodeo Company on Facebook or Eventbrite for ticket information.
Check out Clay County’s annual hometown fireworks Fourth of July Celebration, presented by Clay County Government. Fireworks will start at 9:30 p.m. Friday, July 3 at the Clay County Recreation Park Pavilion No. 3, at 47 Rec Park Road. Rain date will be July 4. The Lions Club Pavilion and beach will be closed July 3.
On Saturday, July 4, the Freedom 250 Festival and Parade takes over the Historic Hayesville Square. From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., there will be food, music and lots of family fun. Sponsored by the Clay County Chamber of Commerce, the Independence Day parade kicks off at 10 a.m. with patriotic floats, community groups, patriotic vehicles and more. For parade route or application to participate, call (828) 389-3704 or visit: https://www.claychambernc.com/freedom-festival.
Fourth of July celebrations are being held in other nearby communities, as well.
Just west of Clay, one may find Cherokee County’s Fourth of July weekend fun, where Murphy will have two nights of free celebrations. Hosted by the Town of Murphy and Cherokee County Tourism Development Authority, the Town of Murphy will celebrate its 175th anniversary, along with birthday 250 for the country with some special events.
From 9-10 p.m. on Friday, July 3 an epic drone show starts at dark to make this party unique. Bring blankets or chairs to find a spot in Konehete Veteran's Park for the high tech tribute honoring the town, country, veterans and first responders.
Sponsored by the Town of Murphy and Cherokee County Tourism Development Authority, the fun continues in downtown Murphy at Cherokee County’s own America 250 Heritage Festival. Starting at 4 p.m. Saturday, July 4, there will be music, live cultural performances, local retail and restaurant specials and family fun to honor the area’s rich history. Later, fireworks will be launched right from Downtown Murphy. While the event is downtown, the address is at 20 Tennessee Street in Murphy. Call (828) 557-0602 or visit: http://www.visitccnc.com.
The fun in Andrews starts bright and early at 7:30 a.m. Saturday, July 4 with the Andrews Freedom 5K, a run/walk event for the whole family with a course which takes participants through Andrews. The family friendly event — racers, walkers, strollers and everyone in between — are welcome with four age brackets. Half of the money raised goes to the Andrews Trails: facebook.com/AndrewsNCTrails/ and half goes to the Cherokee Clay Food Alliance: wncccfa.org. The rest of Fourth of July brings food trucks, free activities and a fireworks show after dark. Activities will be at The Compound, 41 Wilson Street in Andrews.
Fireworks at the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds will be at 9:45 p.m. on Saturday, July 4. Other festivities at GMF begin at 3 p.m. that day. These include: waterslides, bouncy houses, corn hole and games such as ring toss, football throw and more. From 6:30-9 p.m Vintage Vixens will provide live music. The National Anthem will be sung and Towns County Commissioner Cliff Bradshaw will read the Declaration of Independence. Sponsored by Calvary Baptist Church, admission and parking are free. Visit: georgiamountainfairgrounds.com for details.
In addition, Blairsville will celebrate Independence Day with Freedom and Fireworks: The 250. The town’s annual Red, White and Blairsville Fourth of July Celebration will offer old-fashioned family fun like bounce houses, kickball, cotton candy, corn hole, food trucks and more at Meeks Park. Starting at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 4 the event has free admission, free parking and free fun which extends across the road to the North Georgia Tech campus where several food trucks offer favorites like pork rinds, boiled peanuts, cotton candy, kettle corn and lemonade.
For those who want a more private event, Brasstown Valley Resort and Spa has its annual Fourth of July Cookout and fireworks from 6:30-9:30 p.m. at the Sunset Pavilion. This is a paid event by reservation only. Call Carrie Schlarb: (706) 379-4657.
Also, Hamilton Gardens is hosting special reserved seating for the best views of the Fourth of July fireworks at Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds. Gates open at 6 p.m. Saturday, July 4 and there will be live music by Wyatt Espalin from 7-9:45 p.m. when fireworks begin. There are reserved tables for four to six guests, along with a reserved parking space. Reserved lawn seating is also available for 200 guests to bring their own chairs or blankets. They may also purchase reserved parking since parking is limited. Food and beverages will also be available to purchase for the event. For reservations, call or text: (706) 994-4535. Visit: Hamilton Rhododendron Gardens - Georgia Mountain Fair and Fairgrounds.