I’ve heard a lot of opinions about the decision to move the town’s 4th of July celebration to Lake Louise this year, so it seems appropriate to have an “official” poll about it. What do you think — should the celebration be moved back to Main Street, or stay at Lake Louise?

I did have a poll here, asking people to vote for their location of choice. The poll was spammed (by a computer or a person, I don’t know), and when I took out the duplicate votes people felt I was manipulating it to suit my own agenda. Thus, I took the poll down.

According to the logs, which include all votes (duplicated or not), the final count was:

Lake Louise: 109 votes
Main Street: 47 votes
Don’t care: 3 votes

Taking out what I considered to be the spam votes which came in between 1:48 and 1:58 a.m. yesterday:
Main Street: 46 votes
Lake Louise: 43 votes
Don’t care: 3 votes

Finale from Weaverville’s 2008 Fourth of July fireworks show at Lake Louise.

This is going to be a short one so I can also get out and enjoy the holiday.  Hope everyone has a safe and happy 4th! 

Open Today
These downtown businesses are open for business on Independence Day.  FYI: At 3 p.m. the shuttle buses for the Lake Louise celebration begin, and they do include a stop on Main Street (at the clock).

• Blue Mountain Pizza
• Curtis Wright Outfitters
• Diggin Art
• Garden Station
• Maggie B’s Wine & Specialty Shop
• Mangum Pottery
• Mike’s Grill
• Miya Gallery
• Shop Around the Corner
• Well-Bred Bakery

New Websites
Recently added to the Links Directory:

• Asheville Real Estate Voice
• Express Real Estate
• Reems Creek Beech Presbyterian Church
• St. Matthews Anglican Church
• Weaverville BMX

Anniversary Contest Giveaway
If you haven’t taken a look at this month’s Contest, it’s a good one.  If you’re one of the two winners this month, you’ll win every item on that list, which now also includes a gift certificate to Clay Spa & Salon and a prize package from Pampered Chef Independent Consultant Sheryl Mann.  So if you want to win over $350 worth of gift certificates and prizes, all you have to do is go to the Contests page and enter your name and e-mail address (and don’t forget to answer the spam question — I know it’s annoying but is unfortunately necessary).

If you’re looking for the usual party on Main Street, you’ll need to make your way down to Lake Louise, the new site of the town’s celebration. Due to limited parking, free shuttle buses will be available (more information about that below). The festivities start at 4 p.m. and include vendors, live music and, of course, fireworks (at 10 p.m.).

Schedule

• 4 p.m. - Vendors open
• 6:30 p.m. - Opening ceremonies at the Main Stage
• 7 p.m. - Tuxedo Junction performs
• 10 p.m. - Fireworks

Parking and Shuttle Buses
A free shuttle bus service will be available from 3 p.m. until 12:15 a.m. from the Rose’s, Balcrank Industries, OTS, Sample Group, and Conrad Industries parking lots. 3 buses will be running during this time and the town is encouraging everyone to use them. Vendor parking will be available above the old community center, and handicapped parking will be available at the main parking lot at Lake Louise. The road circling the lake will be closed during the festivities, and traffic on both Lakeshore Drive and Highland Streets coming into/out of the Lake Louise area will be one-way only from 2 p.m.-midnight.

Maps

• Lake Louise - Map of the stage, rest rooms, road closures, and vendor and parking locations at Lake Louise during the celebration.
• Shuttle Bus & Traffic Patterns - Map of shuttle bus parking locations/shuttle stops and traffic pattern changes during the celebration. It’s not marked on this map but I was told the shuttle buses will also be making a stop on Main Street (at the clock).

The Beech Community hosts their 124th consecutive July 4th celebration starting at 10 a.m.  Although it hasn’t been officially confirmed, this celebration is thought to be the oldest in Western North Carolina. The festivities include a parade, speaker, live music and old-time games. They take place at the Beech Community Center. To get there, follow Reems Creek until it ends, then turn right.

Parade, 10 a.m.
Anyone can be a part of the parade, whether you’ve put together an official float or have dressed up your dog in red, white and blue. Cars, bicycles, 4-wheelers, walkers, horses, dogs, cats — all are welcome. If you want to join in, you’ll need to line up on Roberts Cove Road at 9:45 a.m. Just want to watch? The parade officially starts at 10 a.m.

Program, 11 a.m.
Following the parade will be speaker Al Harrell, who will be talking about freedom. After that it’s time for some live music and a picnic lunch (please bring your own to share). Wrapping up the festivities will be some old-time games: sack races, 3-legged races, and more.

More information about the July 4 celebration at Lake Louise:

Schedule

• 4 p.m. - Vendors open
• 6:30 p.m. - Opening ceremonies at the Main Stage
• 7 p.m. - Tuxedo Junction performs
• 10 p.m. - Fireworks

Parking and Shuttle Buses
A free shuttle bus service will be available from 3 p.m. until 12:15 a.m. from the Rose’s, Balcrank Industries, OTS, Sample Group, and Conrad Industries parking lots. 3 buses will be running during this time and the town is encouraging everyone to use them. Vendor parking will be available above the old community center, and handicapped parking will be available at the main parking lot at Lake Louise. The road circling the lake will be closed during the festivities, and traffic on both Lakeshore Drive and Highland Streets coming into/out of the Lake Louise area will be one-way only from 2 p.m.-midnight.

Map
The town has a map showing the stage, rest rooms, road closures, and vendor and parking locations at Lake Louise during the celebration. You can pick up a copy at the Town Hall, or you can download it here.

Happy Mother’s Day!