While the Town of Hillsville has a long-standing tradition of hosting Independence Day festivities, July 4th celebrations will be spreading further out into Carroll County this year.

Fancy Gap will host various events Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. DeeDee Price said the new Fancy Gap Pickin’ Porch will host an all-day jam session July 4th. Food and refreshments will be available all day and artisans and craftsmen will be set up at several Fancy Gap businesses, including Fancy Gap Designs, Fancy Gap Dress Shop, Carolina Log Furniture and the Blue Ridge HOST Visitors Center.

“We’ll have a blacksmith, a potter, a wool-spinner, an Alpaca wool-weaver, a stained glass maker, a puppet maker, a woodturner, a scrollsaw artist, and Joanne Easter will do her woodcarving,” Price said. “We will have a lot of food — roasted corn, fresh lemonade, smoothies, hopefully barbecue. Then people can go up afterward to the Hillsville Parade and Fireworks.”

Additional activities are planned on July 4th at Fancy Gap Pottery and Fabric Outlet. Fancy Gap Pottery and Fabric Outlet owner Gina Isom said crafters and a pony wheel with live ponies will be at the business from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Sugar Creek Three will sing at noon, and a Relay for Life team will be there with hot dogs.

The Town of Hillsville’s July 4th activities will begin early with the Carroll Wellness Center 5K Fun Run/Walk. Registration begins at 7:15 a.m., with the run set for 8 a.m. A Kids’ run will start at 9 a.m.

Lambsburg will also host activities at the Lambsburg Community Center beginning at 5 p.m. on July 4. Children’s activities will include a big bounce house with a slide. There will also be live music with the Country Magic Band from Mount Airy, N.C. Food and drinks will be available at the concession stand and the event will culminate with a fireworks show at dusk. Lambsburg Community Center will also have a drawing for prizes and will be selling 50/50 tickets. Any proceeds derived from these events will be used for renovation and maintenance of the Lambsburg Community Center.

Hillsville’s Fourth of July Parade will begin at 4 p.m. This year’s theme is Historic Hillsville Salutes America. Sebert Sisson will serve as the Grand Marshal. Floats will begin lining up at 3 p.m. on Edgewood Drive. In order to be considered for judging, entries MUST be in line by 3:30 p.m. Prizes will be awarded for Most Patriotic, Most Original and Best Overall. First place in the Most Patriotic competition will receive a certificate and $100. Second and third places will receive a certificate. Most Original and Best Overall winners will receive $100 and a certificate.

Opening ceremonies will begin at the Grover King VFW Post 1115 building at 5 p.m. Hot dogs will be served and music will begin at 5:30 p.m. Face painting will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. outside at the VFW. A horseshoe tournament will begin at 6:30 p.m. The first-place team will receive $10 each and a hat. Second-place team receives $10 each and third-place team receives $5 each.

Beach band, watermelon, and kids games begin at 6:30.

Fireworks will start at approximately 9:30 p.m.