A plaque in the center of Salem Square marks the first official July 4 celebration in the US. | Photo by WStoday
It’s Fourth of July week, and before you bring out your flags, let’s dive into a tidbit of history. Old Salem served as the first official site where the Fourth of July was celebrated in the US way back in 1783. See the plaque for yourself at the center of Salem Square. The US Congress made July 4th a federal holiday in 1870.
From parties to parades, there are plenty of ways to celebrate America’s independence.
Harry Potter Trivia | 8:30 p.m. | Chill Nitro Creamery | Cost of purchase | Expelliarmus! You won’t need a spell to partake in this trivia night, just your knowledge and your sweet tooth, as the spot will serve butter beer floats as a special.
Wednesday, July 2
Cooking Matters for Adults | 6-7:30 p.m. | Hanes Hosiery Community Center | Free | This series of classes will focus on new cooking methods from a nutrition educator, in partnership with Second Harvest Food Bank NWC.
Thursday, July 3
Speed Dating | 6:30-7:30 p.m. | Breathe Event Lounge & Catering, Kernersville | $29 | Mingle and meet new people in a fun and fast-paced environment, whether you’re looking for friendship or romance.
Independence Day Celebration: July 3 Dash Game| 6:30 p.m. | Truist Stadium | $16-41 | Join the WS Dash for an Independence Day Celebration game, ending with one of the largest and most spectacular fireworks shows in the entire Triad.*
Friday, July 4
Fourth of July Celebration | 4 p.m. | Old Nick’s Pub, Lewisville | Cost of purchase | Wear your red, white, and blue outfit + bring a dish to pass along to celebrate Independence Day in style with grilling and karaoke.
The Underground. The new community space located downstairs at Lot 63 in Old Salem will host social activities and late-night events for the public. Stay tuned for an official opening date.
Announced
New York Times bestselling authors Rick Riordan and Mark Oshiro will make an appearance in the Twin City. The authors will deliver the closing keynote during the 20th annual Bookmarks Festival of Books & Authors on Sunday, Sept. 28, at RJ Reynolds Auditorium. Grab your ticket to attend.
Fun Fact
Are you on grill duty this Fourth of July weekend? Say hello to The Pepper Pantry Famous Hot Sauce Bundle, made here in Winston-Salem. You can thank us later. See what else is made in our beloved city.
Closed
NCMA Winston-Salem is closed this week and will reopen on Wednesday, July 9. Register to explore its newest exhibit, “Brandon Sadler: The Path of Totality” in the Potter Gallery. This exhibit showcases Sadler’s passion for storytelling through the art of Chinese brush character writing.
Biz
Wells Fargo shut down its operations, vacating the Wachovia building downtown. Check out these other major players that contribute to Forsyth County’s $30.4+ billion economy. (Triad Business Journal)
Hosting an event? Spread the word with WStoday. Explore our self-service ad portal to find the perfect fit for your budget — from standout banner ads to scroll-stopping social content. Promoting your event has never been easier.
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The Buy
A ZlumberLock secure sheet holder. Say goodbye to tangled + bunched up sheets with this easy-to-install, patented product. It fits all sheet types and boasts a sleek, discreet design.
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
Happy July 1st, Winstonians. I can’t believe we’re more than halfway through the year. This might be controversial for some, but I leave some of my Christmas decorations up all year long because I love a good “Christmas is July” celebration.
If you’re the same way, celebrate the occasion with crafts, cookie decorating, and chocolate milkshakes at Miller Park Saturday, July 12 at 10 a.m. — but you must register to attend the free event.
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