This year’s fourth of July was my fifth celebration here in the U.S. Over the previous years, we’ve always watched the fireworks display at the nearby town where my brother-in-law and his family lives. For a change, we decided to head to downtown Asheville this time, and watched the festivities at Pack Square Park and it doesn’t get any better than that. Aside from the huge crowd which was of course expected, there was awesome music, good food and activities for adult and kids alike to enjoy.
The crowd. It rained for the whole part of the day, but surprisingly and thankfully, it stopped by late afternoon which was so perfect when we arrived at the park. And this was the crowd when we arrived and that was not it. More people arrived in the evening.
The music. It was the first time that I’ve heard of him and his songs but this guy can rock. He’s a southern rocker and his name is Joe Lasher Jr. We really enjoyed listening to his music. Grammy Award-winner Jim Lauderdale also performed.
The show. The Ultimate Air Dogs show was really entertaining. It was fun watching those dogs jump long distances to the pool to get what the trainers throw for them to get.
The food. There were a bunch of food trucks and booths around the park offering different kinds of food for different kinds of palates to enjoy. I will blog about what we had on Friday for my Food Trip Friday post. One of the photos here is giving you a hint. 😉
The fireworks. Definitely the highlight of every Fourth of July celebration, and as always, it was a spectacular display of fireworks lighting up downtown Asheville and wowing everybody. The display ran for 30 minutes.
This year’s fourth of July has been the most enjoyable celebration for me by far. Glad we made the decision to check what our city has to offer.
How was your fourth of July celebration?
It looks like you guys had such a fun time! I love the air dogs thing lol. I have watched dogs surfing before and it is fun. We had a nice time relaxing and eating!
Our 4th wasn’t nearly that grand, but it was still a great time. We grilled all day and then watched fireworks.
We spend our 4th moving stuff to our new house, excited I know! I think you 4th is WAY better than ours! Next year we are defiantly going to check out something fun!
It looks like you had a great time! I love strolling around downtown when our town does celebrations like this. They always have new and different things to see and do, and the food … well, who doesn’t love a great food truck meal? Happy Belated 4th of July!
Happy Belated 4th of July to you too, Megan. 🙂
I would love to see a water dog show like that. Nothing like that in my area.
Oh, what fun! Our church hosted a celebration for the community and we have a huge fireworks display, too. It was lots of fun.
What a fun time! We spent most of the day outdoors too. I’m going to have to check out the Asheville celebration one year.
You should, Liz. 🙂
I really really miss North Carolina. It’s my home state but I haven’t been there in over ten years. There’s nothing quite like it.
Wow. That looks like so much fun! Lots of great entertainment and yummy food, that is what I call a good time.
Oh you guys had so much fun! The food trucks looked interesting and fireworks are always a joy to watch.
It actually rained on the 4th here! Total bummer but another town is doing fireworks this weekend and we always go!
Sounds like a fun Fourth celebration. I always love the Fourth of July fireworks. It takes a lot of skill to do what those fireworks artists do. I am always well pleased with our local fireworks celebration on the Fourth.
Seemed like an awesome celebration! We spent ours on the beach with a beautiful open firework display from the ocean.
Watching fireworks display on the beach sounds like awesome too. 🙂
This looks like so much fun. We went to the park in our area too. They had live music before the firework show. There were food trucks and booths for the kids. This was our 3 Rd year to go to it. The weather was perfect too.
Looks like a great celebration! I’ve never been to the US using the 4th of July celebrations so maybe I should visit sometime then!
What fun! I love it when towns get pets involved in events. Although, most pets probably shouldnt be around fireworks. We have a town next door that does a weekend long Dog Bowl. Its so much fun.
Looks like an awesome event. I love reading posts like this, seeing how everyone celebrates the holidays.
I had a sick on on the 4th so we didn’t have as much fun as it looks like you had…
Looks like a fun celebration. I have so many back log posting wahh. Thanks for sharing yours!
Wow sounds like you had a great time! We didn’t do anything here. We are in Canada so we celebrate July 1st – Canada Day but we didn’t do anything this year!
Awwww looks like you had a great fourth! Wish they had something cool like this up here in WNY! We just had a bbq and drove to where we could see fireworks. No cool festivals :-/
It sounds like you all had a beautiful fourth for sure. I just sat home til the end of the night and went to see the fireworks. The grand finally was the best ever. Thanks for sharing.
I’ve never heard of Ultimate Air Dogs! I love North Carolina, and this just makes me love it more!
I always have to work 4th of july, (manager at a restaurant). I really should find something fun and amazing like you did, next year! Love the dog show!
We didn’t really do anything for the 4th this year. Just had a nice family dinner at home and enjoyed the time together.
This looks like a cute event. We had rain all day and it stopped just in time for fireworks.
That was what happened here too. The rain stopped just in time for us to enjoy the festivities and fireworks. 🙂
Wow this looks like a really fun day! A day to remember for sure.
Yup, a day to remember, without a doubt. 🙂
Honestly, my family and I did not do much for the 4th of July. I can’t complain since it was a mostly laidback and relaxing day! 🙂
It rains EVERY year on July 4th here in Florida. We end up having to sit in a rainstorm and then watch the fireworks!
It looks like you had an amazing time in NC for the fourth of July!! I had to work so I didn’t get to do anything fun, BOO!! NC is a beautiful state!!
Our 4th of July was a lot more subdued 🙂 We usually stay in, play cards, chat with family and watch fireworks from a distance. For us every celebration is about family and the fact that our ancestors and current friends and family are fighting for our freedom…we do not need to go anywhere to give thanks for that.
May God bless America.
Y’all looked like you had a bunch of fun! We are huge truck lovers here. Each month our town does food truck nights and its seriously the best nights ever LOL!
Those food truck nights sound like a lot of fun. Wish we have it here too. 🙂
I’m glad it was a wonderful 4th. We just hung with friends and family but it was amazing too. 🙂
OH what fun!! We had a low key 4th because of rain but we live in Lititz… and it has the record of longest running fireworks display so of course we had to attend that. Even with a little rain 😉
That looks like a wonderful celebration. We have a community event every year. And it’s so nice because it’s right across from my house and I can watch the fireworks from my porch.
I have been to North Carolina many times and always enjoyed my experiences! What a great way to have spent the 4th of July as a family! I love fireworks and never need any excuse to view or see! They always make me happy!
Looks like you had the best 4th of July celebration sis! I would have loved to watch the dog show.