Richmond County has three days of holiday activities for the Independence Day weekend.
Events kick off Thursday evening with the return of Gary Lowder and Smokin’ Hot to Rockingham’s Plaza Jam summer concert series.
Frontman Gary Lowder also plays trumpet, flugelhorn and percussion and is a former member of the Entertainers. He was nominated by the Carolina Beach Music Association for CD and Song of the Year in 2012 for “Coastin” and nominated for Entertainer of the Year and Male Vocalist of the Year the following year, according to the band’s website. He won Male Vocalist in 2021.
The band, based out of North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, was originally scheduled for both the 2020 and 2021 series, but both shows were canceled due to government restrictions on mass gatherings in response to the Covid pandemic.
However, the band fired up the 2023 and 2024 seasons, scorching through a variety of beach, R&B and classic rock hits including originals and covers.
The concert starts at 6:30 p.m.
Hamlet will host its annual Independence Day celebration on Friday, July 3. While all the activities will be centered around Main Street Park — sidewalk chalk contest, face painting, super soaker, and music from the Blewett Dam Band — there will be food trucks both downtown near the depot and at Hamlet City Lake.
The event starts at 6 p.m. and fireworks are scheduled to start at dark.
On July 4, there will be a double dose of fireworks in Ellerbe, with the Berry Patch and Ellerbe Lions Club both hosting shows.
The longtime Lions Club event is a fundraiser, culminating in a fireworks show over the pond starting at dark. Gates open at 2 p.m. and the event will include food trucks, vendors and a DJ.
The Berry Patch event will feature music from the Blue Knight Band, with the fireworks show starting at 9:45 p.m. and food trucks on site as early as 11 a.m.
VFW Post 4203 will also be hosting a fish fry from 2-4 p.m.
