THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, July 2, 1994 TAG: 9407020580
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT
LENGTH: Long : 115 lines
Dennis Anderson isn't waiting for the Mid-County Bridge.
When built, the planned span will allow him to drive from his home on the Currituck County mainland straight across the sound to Corolla.
His monster truck can make the watery trek now.
At 4 p.m. Monday, Anderson - who owns the world famous Grave Digger truck - will make the maiden voyage in his newest vehicle: The Sound Digger.
The crossing on chest-high tires will kick-off a free Fourth of July festival on the northern Outer Banks - one of the largest fireworks affairs in the Albemarle area.
``We're expecting about 20,000 people for the afternoon activities and 9:30 p.m. fireworks,'' Judy Wilson said Friday. ``We're having something for every age group. And everyone is invited.
As president of the Corolla Business Association, Wilson helped plan the beach community's second annual Independence Day celebration. It all begins at 4 p.m. at the Whalehead Club on N.C. Route 12. Events will last until 11 p.m.
About 40 craft booths and nine local food vendors will set up on the Club's grassy 28-acre lawn. A moon bounce, dunking booth and other games will be available for minimal costs. And the original Rhondells will perform at 6 p.m., 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. on a temporary stage overlooking the Currituck Sound.
Funded with a $15,000 grant from Currituck County, the fireworks will be ignited by a professional pyrotechnics company and will last about 45 minutes. Tours of the Gatsby-era Whalehead Club mansion will be offered throughout the day for $3 each. Currituck County residents will be admitted for free.
``All proceeds from the July 4 festival will go into restoring the Whalehead Club,'' said Wilson, whose group donated $10,000 to the county-owned mansion last year. ``We're doing this all for the county residents - and for our summer visitors.''
Because parking is limited, county officials are asking festival-goers to walk or ride bicycles if possible. Boaters are welcome, as long as they anchor at a safe distance from shore. For smaller crafts, 58 boat slips will be available on a first-come basis at the Whalehead Club. Launching boats from the Club's public docks will be prohibited Monday because of security concerns. All events are handicapped-accessible.
``We'll have four public parking lots set up in the Whalehead subdivision and we'll run shuttle buses from there to the festival grounds every hour,'' Currituck County spokesman Charlie Hartig said. ``There will be signs to the parking areas as soon as you cross into Currituck County on the beach road.''
Three radio stations will broadcast live from the gala. The Guinness Book of World Records will be on hand to watch Anderson's crossing. And Hartig promised to auction autographed basketball shoes from Alonzo Mourning and Larry Johnson of the Charlotte Hornets - sizes 19 and 20, respectively.
``We're hoping to expose and promote the Whalehead Club and bring everyone in the county together for a day of fun,'' Hartig said. ``The Corolla festival has become the premiere outdoor event on the Outer Banks of North Carolina.''
Other Albemarle area July 4 activities include:
MANTEO: Celebration at the waterfront kicks off at 1 p.m. Children's attractions from 1:30 to 6 p.m. include face painting, paper hat making and a wacky hat contest. Games such as an egg toss, sack race, watermelon eating contest and a crab-walk race will be from 3 to 5 p.m.
Fireworks begin at 9 p.m. across from the Manteo Waterfront.
Throughout the day, refreshment stands will sell fish, shrimp, crabs, chicken, sausages, gyros, Philly steaks, hot dogs, funnel cakes, Sno-cones, shaved ice, popcorn, candy, fresh fruit and drinks.
Entertainment includes performances by the Haven Creek Baptist Church Choir, the Penny Loafers, Positive Force, a street dance with Johnny Shores' ``Wild Hearts'' band, and others.
HATTERAS VILLAGE: Fireworks show at the ferry docks is to begin at 8:30 p.m.
OCRACOKE ISLAND: A sand sculpture contest at the National Park Service lifeguard beach opens the Ocracoke Preservation Society's July Fourth celebration at 9:30 a.m.
The celebration also features skydiving and windsurfing demonstrations, a visit from Ben ``Blackbeard'' Cherry and a block dance.
A parade begins at 3 p.m. at Captain Ben's parking lot. Fireworks are scheduled to begin at 9 p.m. on the beach.
On July 4, hours of operation for the ferry between Hatteras and Ocracoke will be extended until midnight.
WASHINGTON: A carnival will be held at the Washington Square Mall in Beaufort County on Saturday and Monday. On Monday, two bands - The Fabulous Four and the Country Reign Band - also will perform.
For details, call (919) 946-1625.
BELHAVEN: The 52nd Independence Day Celebration begins at 9 a.m. Events include boat tours, museum visits, a raffle, bingo, races, arts and crafts, music, patriotic contests, a beauty pageant, dancing and a fish fry.
The parade is scheduled for 11 a.m., and the fireworks will begin at 9 p.m.
For details, call (919) 943-3055.
EDENTON: The 14th annual Fourth of July Celebration kicks off at 9 a.m. with an antique car show at the foot of Broad Street in Edenton.
Cars will roll in all morning and be on display all day. Judging begins at 1 p.m. An awards ceremony follows at 3:30 p.m.
Meanwhile, concession stands and games get underway about 1:30 p.m. at the waterside parks off Broad Street. The festival features a dunking booth, children's sack race, penny hunt, Optimist Club train rides and a watermelon eating and seed spitting contest officiated by the North Carolina Watermelon Queen.
At 4 p.m., live musicians and various local performers will entertain guests with song and dance. Foods include popcorn, Sno cones, hot dogs and hamburgers. The evening will be capped around 9 p.m. with fireworks donated by Edenton and Chowan County businesses, civic groups and residents.
The gala is sponsored by the Chowan-Edenton Optimist Club.
AHOSKIE: This Hertford County town will host an Independence Day gala with fireworks about 9:15 p.m. behind Hertford County High School.
Before and after the display, music will be provided by disc jockey Jay Jenkins. The Ahoskie Fire Department will serve beverages, hot dogs, Sno cones and cotton candy.
ELIZABETH CITY: The Elizabeth City Jaycees are coordinating a fireworks display scheduled to begin about 9 p.m. on the Pasquotank River.
The $6,500 package also is sponsored by Elizabeth City, Pasquotank County and The Daily Advance. by CNB