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America250 is Coming to Roanoke Rapids July 4 at the Kirkwood Adams Community Center

Brightspeed
Strong communities are built through strong local partnerships, and Main Street Roanoke Rapids is proud to recognize Brightspeed as the Founding Year Title Sponsor of Liberty on Main.
 
Their support helps make this year’s July 4 celebration possible 
and supports future Main Street community programming that we'll bring right to the Avenue, so stay tuned!

 

Use the Liberty on Main Event App

Get the schedule, map, parking information, activity updates, and event details in one place.

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Open Event App

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Liberty on Main

 

Parade + Festival | Saturday, July 4, 2026

Join us for a free, family-friendly celebration featuring a hometown parade, live entertainment, community giveaways, local vendors, a Splash Zone, athlete meet-and-greets, and more..

Parade begins at 10:00 a.m. at 1500 Hamilton Street | Festival follows at Kirkwood Adams Community Center, 1100 Hamilton Street
 

Event Overview

Liberty on Main is a festive day of community pride, celebration, and activity in the heart of Roanoke Rapids. The event brings together residents, visitors, nonprofits, schools, local businesses, and community partners for a July 4 experience designed for the whole family.

Enjoy a patriotic parade, local vendors, live entertainment, giveaways, face painting, family-friendly activities, and the Most Patriotic Dressed contest.

What’s Happening

Parade

A hometown Independence Day parade beginning at 10:00 a.m. on Hamilton Street.

Festival

Family fun, food vendors, community partners, activities, and entertainment after the parade.

Splash Zone

Firetruck water fun for kids and families. Bring a towel and be ready to cool off.

Giveback Tent

11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Free donated supplies, toiletries, and community items will be available while supplies last.

Meet the Athletes

Meet players from Football Club Roanoke and the Roanoke Rapids Static during the celebration.

Live Entertainment

Music, performances, line dancing, history moments, and more throughout the festival.

Event Schedule

Times may be adjusted as needed. Please check the event app and official social media pages for updates.

9:30 a.m.

Traffic Closures Begin

Traffic closures begin along Hamilton Street.

10:00 a.m.

🎺 Parade Step-Off

The Liberty on Main parade begins.

10:30 a.m.

Parade Arrives at Kirkwood Adams Community Center

Festival activities, vendors, and community areas open to the public.

10:40 a.m.

Main Stage Activities Begin

Guests are invited to gather near the main stage for the opening ceremony and program.

10:45 a.m.

Pledge of Allegiance

Boy Scouts of America Troop 144

10:50 a.m.

The Star-Spangled Banner

Roneek Webb

10:55 a.m.

Welcome Remarks

Mayor Emery G. Doughtie

11:00 a.m.

Welcome from Main Street Roanoke Rapids

Ashley Thomas, Main Street Development Director
Amanda Briggs, Chair and Christopher Mallory, Vice Chair - Main Street Advisory Committee

11:05 a.m.

Federal and State Greetings

Greetings from elected officials will be read by local youth representatives.

11:10 a.m.

Recognition of Veterans

Ryan Carroll

11:15 a.m.

Recognition of First Responders

Christopher Mallory

11:20 a.m.

Sing-Along: America the Beautiful

Free flag giveaway at the seating area.

11:25 a.m.

History in Our Backyard

Ken Wilson, NC Sons of the American Revolution

11:50 a.m.

Women Veterans in History

Jean Reeves, NC Past Department Commander, AMVETS 320 Member
Remarks honoring women veterans and their service

12:00 p.m.

Dance Performance

Ms. Tiffany's Dance School.

Community Fun Block

Contests, crowd games, trivia, and family-friendly fun.

12:30 p.m.

Meet Roanoke Rapids Static

Summer College Baseball, featuring athletes, giveaways, and more.

Jacob Dixon, General Manager

12:45 p.m.

Old School vs. New School: Guess That Cookout Tune

Community activity.

12:55 p.m.

Trivia: Make Your Civics Teacher Proud!

Community trivia activity.

1:05 p.m.

Meet Football Club Roanoke

Semi-professional soccer featuring athletes, giveaways, and more.

1:20 p.m.

Line Dancing

Duane Daniels and Anchor'd Fitness.

1:35 p.m.

Most Patriotic Contest

Categories include dressed, kid, adult, and booth.

1:45 p.m.

Gospel Block

Da Redeem Son's of Elizabeth City, NC, and Bishop Albert Harrison and the Gospel Tones of Ahoskie, NC.

2:30 p.m.

Thank You & Closing

Closing ceremony.

Schedule subject to change.

Times may be adjusted as needed. Please check the event app and official social media pages for updates.

 

Parade Route + Parking

This year’s Independence Day Parade will take place on Hamilton Street. If you have attended past parades, you may notice the route is different this year. The adjustment allows for better traffic management, improved safety, and a smoother experience for parade participants and the community, while still keeping the celebration connected to the heart of the Main Street District.

The parade will begin near the intersection of Julian R. Allsbrook Highway and Hamilton Street, travel north along Hamilton Street, continue toward East 11th Street, and lead toward Kirkwood Adams Community Center, 1100 Hamilton Street.

Road closures and parking impacts are expected. Please arrive early and follow posted signs, law enforcement instructions, and event staff directions.

Parking will be available near the festival area. Additional parking updates will be shared through the event app and official social media pages.


Safety Notice

Please follow all instructions from law enforcement, parade marshals, City staff, and volunteers. For emergencies, call 911. Lost child or first aid concerns should be reported to event staff immediately.

Questions?

Phone: 252-533-2838
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

We appreciate your support and look forward to celebrating together.

 
Thank you to our sponsors




Granpa and grandpa viewed from the rear during a patriotic parade riding in their super decked out patriotic car

 

Main Street America Affiliate Roanoke Rapids    mslogo


 

 

 

As a Main Street America™ Affiliate, Roanoke Rapids is part of a national network of neighborhoods and communities that share both a commitment to creating high-quality places and to building stronger communities through preservation-based economic development. Roanoke Rapids is a North Carolina Main Street community, designated by the N.C. Department of Commerce Main Street & Rural Planning Center.  Main Street Roanoke Rapids is charged with administering the program at the local level and building public-private partnerships to spur economic development that achieves measurable results such as investment, business growth, and job creation.

North Carolina Main Street Rural Planning Center 
The NC Main Street & Rural Planning Center is a Main Street America™ Coordinating Program. Main Street America™ is a program of the nonprofit National Main Street Center, a subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. As one of the first Main Street America™ Coordinating Programs designated in 1980, NC Main Street inspires placemaking through building asset-based economic development strategies. The NC Main Street staff is charged by the NC Department of Commerce to facilitate downtown economic development using the Main Street America Four-Point Approach. The Main Street Approach™ focuses on economic development strategies to transform downtown. These strategies articulate a focused path to revitalizing or strengthening a downtown economy. Designated NC Main Street community's work is organized around the Four-Point Approach: Economic Vitality, Design, Promotion, and Organization. 


Learn more about the NC Main Street & Rural Planning Center. 

 

The National Main Street Program | Main Street America™ 
Main Street America™ has been helping revitalize older and historic commercial districts since 1980. Today it is a network of neighborhoods and communities, rural and urban, that share both commitment to place and to building stronger communities through preservation-based economic development. Main Street America is a program of the nonprofit National Main Street Center, a subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. 

Main Street America™ is a movement. It is the leading voice for preservation-based economic development and community revitalization across the country. Made up of small towns, mid-sized communities, and urban commercial districts, Main Street America represents the broad diversity that makes this country so unique. Working together, the programs that make up the Main Street America network help to breathe new life into the places people call home. 

Learn more about Main Street America.