Weekend Plans: Fireworks, seed spitting contests, balloon rides, more

Happy July 4 weekend! The big day is Saturday, but some spots will celebrate a day early. Be sure to check WRAL.com’s Out & About section for a full rundown of fireworks and events in the region (so I won't list them all here).

I’ve also shared some tips and highlighted special attractions at both downtown Raleigh and Cary’s Independence Day celebrations in previous posts.

Museums and other cultural sites also are offering a variety of July 4 activities - from old fashioned games to family-friendly art museum tours.

Both the Durham Bulls and the Carolina Mudcats are in town with several games throughout the weekend and fireworks displays.

The Eno River Festival runs 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, at West Point on the Eno park in Durham. Now in its 36th year, the annual festival features lots of music, activities, demonstrations, information and food along the banks of the Eno River. Kids 12 and under are free. Tickets for teens ages 13 to 17 are $11; adults are $23.

For the second year, Knightdale is planning a big July 4 celebration from 5 p.m. to the fireworks, which start at 9:15 p.m., on Saturday, at Knightdale Station Park. The evening features food trucks, vendors, music from The Ember, a variety of activities and even tethered hot air balloon rides. It’s free, but be sure to bring cash for the various vendors. Registration for the hot air balloon rides starts at 5 p.m. and is limited and weather dependent. Knightdale’s website has more information about the rules and requirements for those.

And Apex’s popular July 4 event runs 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, in downtown Apex. The event includes Uncle Sam’s Parade of Wheels where kids are invited to decorate their bikes, wagons, trikes and other non-motorized vehicle and parade down Salem Street at noon. It all ends with the famous Apex Fire Department Splash Down where you can cool down under the spray of the department’s hose.

And Wake Forest (which has fireworks on Friday) will have a children's parade at 10:30 a.m., Saturday. Line-up at the intersection of North Main Street and West Juniper Avenue at 10 a.m. Art & Games in the Park starts at 11 a.m., Saturday, at R.H. Forrest Field, 123 W. Owen Ave.