HAMLET — Richmond County residents will have at least two opportunities to see fireworks on Independence Day weekend.
The city of Hamlet has moved its annual event to July 1.
The vendor that the city has been using sent a letter in February saying that it was getting out of the business, according to Mechelle Preslar, director of Hamlet Depot and Museums.
The former vendor recommended a substitute, but Preslar said that company was already booked.
So, Preslar added, she searched for vendors online and all providers were booked for July 4.
However, there was one vendor — Deep South Fireworks out of Georgia — that was available the Saturday before.
“I felt really lucky I could find someone that could do it,” Preslar said.
Aside from the date and company, there are a few other changes for this year.
Traditionally, Preslar said, the fireworks have been launched from the Hamlet Lions Club Fairgrounds off of N.C. 38.
A preliminary new site would have required the fireworks to stop if/when a train would go by. However, the city found another site off Hamlet Avenue that won’t interfere with the trains or parking.
Preslar said the city has been ensured that the fireworks will be visible from traditional viewing sites.
There will also be food trucks at two locations this year.
Preslar said that since City Lake is a popular spot to watch the show, several food trucks will be located there, in addition to near the Depot.
The move to July 1 also helped in securing a larger variety of food trucks, she added, saying that many were already booked for the Fourth.
In addition to the fireworks, the event will also feature face painting, a “super soaker” from the Hamlet Fire Department, and a sidewalk chalk art contest.
Meanwhile, the Ellerbe Lions Club is still on schedule to host its annual Fourth of July Jamboree, which serves as the organization’s largest fundraiser.
Barring bad weather, that event will happen on July 4.
Both events were canceled in 2020 and 2021 in response to the COVID pandemic, with the Berry Patch providing a fireworks show both years.
The 2019 Jamboree was originally canceled after a large show was promised at Rockingham Speedway. However, the club decided to go ahead with the plan. The speedway show was canceled a month before the scheduled event.
Strong thunderstorms on July 4 that year led the club to reschedule the show.
