If you’re looking for wholesome family entertainment and activities to fill your July 4^th weekend calendar, there’s plenty of free events to choose from in the Roanoke-Chowan area.

It all begins on Friday, July 3 at the Roanoke/Cashie River Center (112 West Water Street, Windsor) where the Windsor/Bertie Chamber of Commerce will host its Freedom Fireworks celebration.

The event in Windsor gets underway at 5 p.m. and features a hot dog eating contest, music from Ann Meadows, food and craft vendors and a fireworks display (at dusk).

The Town of Ahoskie will celebrate Independence Day with activities and fireworks. Note there is a new location as the event will move this year to the Ahoskie Creek Recreational Complex. Traditionally the event has been held at Hertford County High School.

Parking at the Recreational Complex will be the same as it has been for the Heritage Day event with entrances at Evans Street, Camlin Street and Memorial Drive to Lakeview. Police officers will be directing traffic to the appropriate parking lots based on your entrance point.

Ahoskie Town Manager Tony Hammond noted that vehicles entering the complex on Memorial Drive will be directed to turn onto Lakeview Drive and park in Lot C (adjacent to the large picnic shelter). Those vehicles will be directed to exit as they entered (Lakeview back to Memorial).

Those using Evans Street to enter the Complex will be directed to park in Lot A with Lot B used for overflow. They will exit on Evans Street.

Vehicles arriving on Camlin Street will park in Lot C. They can exit using either Camlin or Memorial.

Activities at the event will be the same as in years past: water slide, other children’s games, free hotdogs (while they last), popcorn, and music by Moon Shine from 6:30-10 p.m. Bring your chairs and blankets. No alcohol is allowed at this family event. Soft drinks will be available for sale.

“Strictly Bizzness” of Virginia Beach will highlight the entertainment planned at the annual 4^th of July Fireworks Spectacular on Saturday at the Northampton County Cultural & Wellness Center, located on NC 305 just north of Jackson.

The event, conducted by the Northampton County Chamber of Commerce, is scheduled from 5-10 p.m. and includes food, fun, rides for the kids, and fireworks (at dusk).

Jay Jenkins of Woodland – host of Shaggin’ on the Beach – will serve as the event’s emcee. No coolers will be allowed and patrons are encouraged to bring lawn chairs.

The sponsors of the Northampton event are Northampton County Local Government, Northampton County municipalities (except the Town of Severn), the Northampton County Tourism Development Authority, Southern Bank, Roanoke Electric Cooperative, Farmers Peanut Company, Dominion NC Power, Futrell Pharmacy, Jernigan Oil, Talmadge Barnes, and Gay Implement Company.