Triangle celebrates July 4th with fireworks, baseball

Raleigh's biggest Fourth of July celebration is underway on Fayetteville Street. The afternoon will be filled with live music, beer and wine, kids rides and games, aerial performances, eating contests and food and art vendors.

Posted 7:11 p.m. Jul 4, 2017 — Updated 5:46 p.m. Jul 13, 2018

RALEIGH, N.C. — Fireworks were exploding in air around the country in celebration of the Fourth of July on Tuesday night and showers and pop-up storms didn’t stop the fun around the Triangle.

Raleigh’s biggest Fourth of July celebration took place on Fayetteville Street with a day of live music, beer and wine, kids’ rides and games and more.

The fireworks, which are set to begin at 9:30 p.m., will be the grand finale to a jam packed day in downtown Raleigh.

In the mind of John Adams, the Fourth of July was always meant to be full of pomp and circumstance.

“It’s a great day. Everyone out here, enjoying each other. Everybody loving each other, that’s what it’s all about,” he said.

Bob Dunn, of Garner, said despite the fun, he remembers the meaning of the holiday.

"To celebrate all of the men and women who fought for our freedom, and are still fighting for our freedom," he said.

Kelly Soares, who is originally from Brazil, said she is also celebrating freedom.

"For me, the most important thing is to celebrate freedom and be able to live in a freer country," she said. "In a country that celebrates differences and welcomes people who are different."

Durham Bulls see record attendance for Fourth of July

The Durham Bulls set an attendance record Tuesday night, with people enjoying some baseball and hoping to see the fireworks after.According to the Durham Bull’s Baseball Club Facebook page, 11,897 people attended Tuesday night’s game, setting a new single-game paid attendance record at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park. Many who were there to celebrate the Fourth of July said there’s nothing more American than baseball.

“Baseball is America’s pastime. I love this country. This is the greatest country in the world and baseball is the greatest sport in the world. I believe that,” said Trey RedfieldFor some, like Redfield, coming to the DBAP is a long-standing tradition.“I love baseball, I love the Durham Bulls and this is what I’ve been doing since I was a little kid. Ever since I was about 6 years old, I would come to the ballpark,” Redfield said.For others, Wednesday night was their first time at a Durham Bulls game. Mattias Von Buttlar brought his three kids from Germany to see America for the very first time.

“It’s a great experience for the whole family to see how everybody celebrates, with the national colors. It’s wonderful,” he said.For others, the night was a time to remember what the Fourth of July is really about.“It shows how we fight for our liberties every day and it doesn’t have to be for July fourth,” Redfield said.The Durham Bulls are owned by WRAL’s parent company, Capitol Broadcasting Company.

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