It’s Monday and the beginning of one of the biggest holiday celebrations in the United States…the 4th of July!!

The celebration starts today with many fairs around the country…think traditional favorites like carnival rides, a circus, farm animals, and games, as well as a concert and spectacular fireworks.  For others the celebration might be a family/neighborhood BBQ.  Hamburgers, Hot Dogs, Potato Salad, Lemonade.  I am already hungry!!

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If Clay Aiken is with his family in North Carolina, there are plenty of things that he could do.  According to The News & Observer:

On July 3rd – Wake Forest – Fireworks and food vendors will be highlights of the event, which will take place at Wake Forest High School Stadium, and The Band of Oz will perform beach music at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $5 and available for purchase online; children 6 and under get in free. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. There will also be a children’s parade at 10:30 a.m. along North Main Street and West Juniper Avenue. At Holding Park starting at 11 a.m., there will be games, crafts and giant inflatables. Bring cash. Alcoholic beverages and smoking are prohibited. Info: wakeforestnc.gov/july4.aspx.

On July 4th – Cary – From 3 to 10 p.m., the town will have its celebration in Koka Booth Amphitheatre. There will be watermelon eating contests, a Ferris wheel, a scavenger hunt and music by the N.C. Symphony and the Cary Town Band. Fireworks will start after the symphony’s 7:30 p.m. performance. The event is free, save for some of the amusement rides and pub tables. Pets, hula hoops and weapons are prohibited. Info: boothamphitheatre.com.

July 4th – Durham – Durham’s Independence Day Celebration, sponsored by Durham Parks and Recreation and the Durham Bulls, includes baseball, fireworks, food and fun. Fireworks happen after the game, and tickets to the game are strongly encouraged, as the gates will open during the 7th inning for general admission based on availability. Tailgating, alcohol in parking decks and watching from parking decks are prohibited. Areas where the game can be viewed outside the ballpark are Tobacco Road Sports Cafe, the grassy area behind Diamond 3, Ponysaurus and Burt’s Bees, outside of the North Deck. Info: durhamnc.gov/1008/Independence-Day-Celebration.Additionally, the Children’s Independence Day Parade at Durham Central Park starts at 9:30 a.m. (prep), followed by fire truck tours and free popsicles. Info: bit.ly/2tN4ga6.

In 2014, Clay celebrated the holiday by marching in a few community parades.

Back in 2007, Clay was the featured act at the 4th of July concert outside of Dallas, in Frisco, Texas.  

The following video is just a bit of this fun concert.

How are you celebrating the holiday?