Tuesday, July 3
Lake Benson Park, 921 Buffaloe Road
5-10 p.m.
Garner and its neighbors come together annually to celebrate our nation’s independence on July 3rd at Lake Benson Park. Gates open at 5 p.m. Enjoy music provided by DJ Flimsy followed by the North Carolina Symphony, which will play a rousing patriotic program. Children’s inflatable games are available from 5-8:30 p.m. Local nonprofit groups will sell food and other refreshments. The evening concludes with a spectacular fireworks show following the North Carolina Symphony’s performance. This celebration is FREE to the public. Shuttles are available from Bryan Farm (1832 New Bethel Church Road) beginning at 5 p.m. Handicap-accessible parking is located at Lake Benson Park.
Event and Entertainment Schedule
| 5:00 | Park opens |  |
| 5:00 | Shuttle buses begin running |
| 5:00 - 8:30 | Kids Adventure Zone (see info below) |
| 5:00 – 8:00 | DJ Flimsy |
| 8:00 | Official program |
| 8:05 | 916th Air Refueling Wing KC-135R Flyer Over |
| 8:30 – 9:30 | North Carolina Symphony performance |
| 9:30 – 10:00 | Fireworks show (time subject to change) |
| 10:00 | Event concludes |
Performances
Miss Garner
Johna Alexandria Edmonds is a senior at North Carolina State University pursuing a bachelor of science degree in accounting with a concentration in financial analysis and a minor in Spanish language and literatures. She has taught English in the Dominican Republic on an Alternative Spring Break trip with NC State’s Center for Student Leadership, Ethics and Public Service, and has also studied abroad in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in a Spanish language-intensive university for a semester. Miss Garner plans to compete in the 75th Miss North Carolina Scholarship pageant in June 2012 where she will promote her personal platform, Readers to Leaders: Promoting Literacy in America's Youth. Her platform emphasizes service projects that educate not only students but also teachers and parents on the importance of literacy among our state and nation’s young people. Miss Garner will be sharing her vocal talent with three song selections.
missgarner.org
Rozlyn Sorrell
Local audiences fortunate enough to hear her in recent area concert appearances have praised Rozlyn Sorrell as a truly gifted and undiscovered gem. She is a regular featured soloist with both the North Carolina and Durham Symphonies and was awarded a scholarship to study for three weeks in Italy last summer with the Assisi Performing Arts Festival. Locally, she operates Vocal Precision Studio, a private voice-training studio in Raleigh for aspiring vocal artists and corporate clients who wish to better communicate with confidence, clarity and conviction. She accomplishes this while also accommodating expanded concert touring throughout the country. Ms. Sorrell will be performing the Star Spangled Banner with the North Carolina Symphony.
rozlynsorrell.com
North Carolina Symphony
Formed in 1932 under the direction of Pulitzer Traveling Fellow Lamar Stringfield, the North Carolina Symphony served as a WPA project in the 1930s and then in the 1940s became the first orchestra to receive state funding on a continuous basis. Under the 33-year leadership of Dr. and Mrs. Benjamin Swalin, the Symphony began its grassroots emphasis of taking the orchestra to the people of the state. That tradition began in 1943 when the State Legislature passed the “Horn Tootin' Bill,” and it continues today.
Flyover
The 916th Air Refueling Wing is North Carolina's first Air Force Reserve flying wing. The wing, which is comprised of nearly 1,300 reservists and active duty Airmen, flies the KC-135R Stratotanker. The mission of the wing is to fulfill our nation's objectives through aerial refueling, cargo and passenger transport and aeromedical evacuation. In 2011, the 916th celebrated 25 years of re-activation at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base. The wing has won several national awards for being the best tanker wing in Air Force Reserve Command and deploys its forces around the globe. Airmen from the wing are currently serving in Afghanistan, Southwest Asia and Central America.
The KC-135R Stratotanker is nearly 55 years old and expected to fly for decades to come. The 916th was the first to refuel the F-22 Raptor, the F-35 Lightening II and we were the first tanker wing flying over Libya on the first night of Operation Odyssey Dawn.
Can’t get enough of the flyover at Garner’s 25th Annual Independence Day Celebration on July 3rd? You have an opportunity to see more at the 2013 Wings Over Wayne Air Show or participate at the Open House at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base from May 18-19, 2013. The base also conducts monthly tours for the general public the last Thursday of every month from 10am-noon. Those interested in participating must register through the Wayne County Chamber of Commerce. Space is limited.
Getting to the event (directions and shuttle information)
Expect heavy traffic near the intersection of Timber Drive and Aversboro Road. Event attendees are encouraged to take alternate routes to avoid heavy traffic delays.
Lake Benson Park is conveniently located at 921 Buffaloe Road.
Alternate Routes:
From the West: (Cary) From I-440 West, take Exit 298A to US 70 East/US 401 South. Go straight toward the Fayetteville/Garner Y intersection and stay left to Garner. Bear right onto Timber Drive and continue straight (through 4 stoplight intersections) until you reach Aversboro Road and then turn Right. The park entrance is 0.9 miles on the left. (Aversboro Road becomes Buffaloe Road just before the park entrance.)
From the East: (Benson) From I-40 East, take Exit 306 to U.S. 70 West. Go straight (through 2 stoplight intersections); after you go under the N.C. 50 bridge, you will take an immediate right onto the N.C. 50 South/Benson exit. Go 1.5 miles to Timber Drive and turn right. Drive straight to Aversboro Road and turn left. The park entrance is 0.9 miles on the left. (Aversboro Road becomes Buffaloe Road just before the park entrance.)
From the South: (Fuquay-Varina area): Take U.S. 401 South to Old Stage Road. Go 1.7 miles to Vandora Springs Road and turn Left. Bear right on Buffaloe Road at the Y intersection. The entrance to the park is 0.3 miles on the right.
Google Map Directions:
Free Shuttles and Parking
Guests may take shuttles that will run continuously throughout the event every 15-20 minutes. Shuttles are available from Bryan Farm (1832 New Bethel Church Road) beginning at 5 p.m. and ending at 11 p.m. Please note: If you take the shuttle, you will have to walk approximately 1/8 of a mile to get to the middle of the park. Limited parking is available at Lake Benson Park.
Handicap Parking
Handicap-accessible parking is located at Lake Benson Park.
Street Closings and Times
Buffaloe Road between Aversboro Road and N.C. 50 (Benson Road) will be closed from
5 p.m. through the duration of the event.
Aversboro Road will be closed from
8:45 p.m. through the duration of the fireworks show.
Event Rules
Coolers are allowed, and we encourage guests to bring blankets and chairs.
The following restrictions are in place:
No pets
No tents
No grills or open flames
No fireworks (including sparklers)
No glass containers
No alcoholic beverages
Concessions
| Miss Garner Scholarship Pageant | hot dogs, ice cream, water, soda, glow necklaces |
| BSA Cub Scout Pack 391 | BBQ sandwiches, hamburgers, cheeseburgers, chips, sodas, popsicles, candy, glow necklaces |
| Holland’s United Methodist Men | hot dogs, chips, water, soda, glow necklaces and bracelets |
| Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity | Italian ices |
| Garner Masonic Lodge #701 | hamburgers, cheeseburgers, funnel Cakes, soda, water, glow necklaces |
| Garner Magnet High School Band Boosters | Chick-Fil-A sandwiches, cotton candy, chips, soda, water, glow necklaces |
| Knights of Columbus, Council 11266 | BBQ sandwiches, crawfish, roast corn, water |
| Diversity Community Foundation | turkey legs, fish, chips, soda |
| GAYSL | pizza, sno cones, water |
Kids Adventure Zone
- Inflatable slides and bounce houses
- Obstacle course
- Crafts
- Bingo
- Coloring pages and crayons
|
|
Event map
Please click the map below to view the full pdf version.
Town of Garner Policy Regarding Political and Religious Group Activity at Town-sponsored Special Events
The Town of Garner respects the rights of individuals to distribute political and religious information in public parks and other constitutionally protected public forums,
so long as the activities do not disrupt performances or impede traffic.
- A 10 x 10 booth space will be provided.
- Organizations will be required to provide their own tables, chairs, tent, etc.
- All literature and signage shall be removed at the conclusion of the event.
- Booth spaces will be assigned on a first-come, first served basis - meaning that the selection of spaces will be dictated by order of receipt of request for booth space.
The Town will strive to accommodate requests from non-commercial non-vendors who request a booth space and who are within the classes of persons entitled to assert constitutionally protected rights, as determined in consultation with the Town Attorney.
For the 2012 July 3rd event, Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources staff requests interested persons to make contact as soon as possible. The Garner, Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources staff will be accepting application though Wednesday, June 27 at 5 p.m.
To reserve space, please contact Nicole Sweat at 919-773-4441 or
nsweat@garnernc.gov.