July 4th should be local blast

As the weekend draws near, residents can begin to plan how they will roll, jog or stroll through the streets of Carrboro in the town’s annual July Fourth Celebration.

The festivities will begin at 9:30 a.m. Sunday with a performance by banjo player Tim Stambaugh on the lawn of Weaver Street Market.

Stambaugh is one of many musicians featured in an eclectic array of entertainment at the event. Artists vary in style, from blues to clogging — there will even be a professional whistler.

“Each year we try to change up the type of music that’s being played,” said Kim Andrews, event coordinator for the town of Carrboro’s Recreation & Parks Department.

“In these times when a lot of people might not be traveling, it’s a good way to help them celebrate,” she said.

A parade from Weaver Street Market to Carrboro Town Hall at 11 a.m. will precede several more musical acts, who will take the stage at the town hall.

Some of the other groups in the lineup are the Cane Creek Cloggers and beach music group Sea-Cruz.

Sea-Cruz is a three-piece band that uses saxophone, vocals and heavy keyboards supported by electronic background percussion to produce a wall of sound.

“If you close your eyes, you’re going to think there’s eight people on stage,” said Dino Fair, vocalist and keyboard player for Sea-Cruz. “That’s how we’re able to compete with other bands.”

Fair said the band usually plays a show at their home in coastal South Carolina for the Fourth of July.

“We just wanted to get out of town for a while this year,” he said. “We have deep roots there.”

Phyllis Heil, “The Whistling Woman,” of Hickory, will take the Children’s Stage at 11:30 a.m.

Heil was named International Whisting Entertainer of the Year four times in the past five years and even appeared on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno in 2005.

But this will be her debut performance at a public Independence Day celebration.

Being on the Children’s Stage, Heil is planning some interactive performances, including a “Name That Tune” game.

She said people’s reactions to her whistling vary depending on the event and the tune she performs.

“First it’s usually surprise and then a smile, and depending on what song it is — either a hymn or a classical piece — people will just close their eyes and just sway to the music,” Heil said.

Despite her illustrious competitive career, Heil says that’s not what motivates her to perform.

“I don’t like to compete at all, but I do like to entertain and uplift,” she said.

In addition to musical acts, there will be a number of activities going on at the town hall from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., including games, inflatables, a rock climbing wall, face painting and a pie-eating contest.

The pie-eating contest will last from 1:30 p.m. to about 3 p.m. and is open to ages 6 and up.

Adults 18 years and older will be given full 6-inch diameter pies — last year they were blueberry — while children and youth will be given quarter slices of the same types of pies.

They will be given 5 minutes to eat as much pie as possible, and whoever eats the most pie in that time wins the competition. Entry forms can be found online at

carrborojuly4th.com.

At 7 p.m., Kenan Stadium will open — an hour before a fireworks display lights up the night sky.

“I think the thing about this event is that it’s a pretty traditional small town celebration,” Andrews said.

“The things that strikes me most is the sense of community in this event — it’s not too big, not too small — it’s just the right size.”

Contact the Arts Editor at arts.dth@gmail.com.