The 'Works takes over downtown Raleigh for July 4

The event in downtown Raleigh features a kids zone, aerial performances, music, magic shows and fireworks.

Posted 12:18 a.m. Jul 2, 2015 — Updated 12:18 a.m. Jul 2, 2015

Sarah Lindenfeld Hall

There are lots of July 4 and fireworks displays across the region. WRAL.com's Out & About section has all of the information about dozens of events.

Among them is the big downtown Raleigh event called The 'Works, which stretches across Fayetteville Street from noon to 11 p.m., Saturday. This event is designed for all ages with music, food, activities and, at 9:30 p.m., fireworks.

Tickets are required to see the Barenaked Ladies perform at Red Hat Amphitheater on Saturday, but otherwise the event is free. And the public can see the fireworks even if they don't have a ticket to the concert. Streets around the amphitheater will be closed off at 9 p.m. so people can view the fireworks from the streets.

But there's a lot of other activities happening during the day to keep families entertained.

A Kids Zone with inflatables, face painting and other activities will be at Martin Street between Fayetteville and Salisbury streets (tickets will be required for those). King BMX will perform at stunt show on Davie Street at 2 p.m., 4 p.m., 6 p.m., and 8 p.m.

On the steps of the Wake County courthouse on Fayetteville Street, you'll find aerial performances at noon, 2 p.m., 5 p.m., 7 p.m., 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. The Shaun Jay Magic Show is at 1 p.m., 1:45 p.m., 3 p.m., 4 p.m., 4:30 p.m., and 5:30 p.m. And Vision Martial Arts performs at 3:15 p.m. and 5 p.m.

And there's lots of eating contests, including a watermelon seed spitting contests with two age divisions - 10 and younger and everybody else. If you're interested in signing up for the seed spitting contest (or the others, including a hot dog and ice cream eating contest), email Claire.Ott@raleighconvention.com. The watermelon seed spitting contests will be held at 2 p.m., 4 p.m., 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.

Finally, kids might enjoy seeing the outstretched fire truck ladder, where they've hung a giant American flag in past years. That's on Davie Street.

If you don't want to deal with parking downtown, a courtesy shuttle will make trips every 30 minutes, according to The 'Works' Facebook page. The cost is $1.25 each way. They'll run between 5 p.m. and 11 p.m. Pick up locations are at the N.C. State Park and Ride lot RS at Oval Drive at Initiative Way and the Cornerstone Convention Center at Beacon Plaza and New Bern Avenue. Riders will be dropped off at Morgan and Fayetteville streets.

Suggest A Correction