🇺🇸 The First 4th of July Celebration
America turns 250 this Saturday! Did you know Winston-Salem is home to the first official 4th of July celebration?
Plaque in Salem Square
Background: On May 16, 1783, North Carolina Governor Alexander Martin issued a proclamation that the 4th of July would be “a Day of Solemn Thanksgiving to Almighty God.”
What Happened: The Moravians decided to observe the “Day of Solemn Thanksgiving” with church services, trombone music, and a Lovefeast on July 4, 1783. This was nearly 90 years before Independence Day became a federal holiday in 1870!
Check It Out: A plaque commemorating the event was unveiled in the middle of Salem Square on Salem's 200th anniversary in 1966. You can see it during the Declaration of Independence reading held in the square on July 4 at 11:30 AM & 2:30 PM.
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🗓 Events
Thursday, July 2
Cornhole Tournament - Grab a pint and compete for a $50 gift card at Game On Brewpub! 6 PM
Country Music - Enjoy an East of Texas dinner while Krystal King performs on the patio. 6-9 PM
Food & Fireworks - Celebrate 4th of July early with food trucks and fireworks in Rural Hall! 6 PM
Friday, July 3
Wise Man Weekend - Kick off your 4th of July celebrations with live music, shaved ice, food trucks, face painting, and more! Runs through Sunday.
Comfy Club - Work on your personal project in the company of fellow crafters with Mac & Cheese Productions. 6 PM
Camel City Shake - Don’t miss The Ramkat’s annual 4th of July music festival! Runs through Saturday.
Saturday, July 4
America’s Birthday Bash - Take the kids to Kaleideum for painting, a bike parade, drone demonstrations, and sensory-friendly fireworks! 11 AM - 4:30 PM
Hot Dog Eating Contest - Cheer on the competitors and enjoy $2 hot dogs all day at Earl’s. 4 PM
Free Concert - Salem Band performs "Stars & Stripes Forever" and other patriotic favorites in Salem Square. Bring lawn chairs or blankets. 7:30 PM
Walking Tour - Celebrate 250 years of America by exploring Winston-Salem’s history with MUSE WS. Additional tour on Sunday.
Tiki Talk - Cookout, kiddie pools, and cocktails — join easytalk for a casual 4th of July party. 12-6 PM
🗞 Other News
👗 Now Open: Twins Vintage has moved to a new location at 835 Burke Street! Best friends Xiomara and Abby opened the original storefront earlier this year and quickly outgrew the space. Stop in for curated vintage clothing, thrift finds, furniture, and home decor. Bonus: They provide immigrants, asylum seekers, and those having to start over with free clothing and housewares!
🔨 Repairs: Hanes Park’s track is closed for resurfacing and repair work that should finish up around the start of the school year. The Hanes Park tennis courts will remain open during the project. Miss running laps? Check out the Happy Hill Park track!
☕️ Coming Soon: The Twin City Silver Bullet is a converted 1967 Airstream serving locally roasted coffee and Dream Kreams’ ice cream! Veteran-owned and veteran-staffed, all proceeds will support Twin City Veterans Bridge. Attend the soft opening on July 4 at the corner of Country Club Road and Pennsylvania Avenue.
💯 Tribute: We love this post highlighting words of wisdom from local residents who are 100 years or older! Audrey Clampitt (102 years old) shared, “If I see something that needs doing, and I can do something about it, I do. If I can’t do anything about it, I move on and don’t worry about it.”
🍦 Ice Cream: Twin City Sweets kicks off their Harry Potter month this weekend! We can’t wait to try the Butterbeer, made with cream soda, vanilla ice cream, and butterscotch syrup. Note: The ice cream stand will be closed for the 4th of July.
A MESSAGE FROM GOODWILL NWNC
8 Facts About Goodwill
Most people think Goodwill is just a thrift store. But the store is actually the means to the end — it funds the mission: employment and training programs that help people find hope, opportunity, and jobs. And they've been doing exactly that for 100 years, starting in 1926 with nothing but an idea and $500.
Do you know these facts about Goodwill NWNC?
Goodwill was originally founded to help adults with disabilities build independence through work, before expanding its mission to include individuals with socioeconomic barriers to employment.
Goodwill is one of 156 independent community-based Goodwill® organizations that make up Goodwill Industries International (GII).
Goodwill serves 31 counties in North Carolina and is headquartered in Winston-Salem.
Goodwill's programs reach a wide range of people: foster youth, veterans, single parents, justice-involved individuals, and people with disabilities.
Goodwill provides skills training in high-demand fields like healthcare, welding, and truck driving.
Of every dollar spent in Goodwill stores, 87 cents goes back into the mission.
The jobs Goodwill helped people land in 2025 are projected to generate $142 million in economic impact in 2026.
In 2025 alone, Goodwill served over 33,000 people and placed 4,183 of them in jobs.
As Goodwill NWNC enters its next century, the mission remains the same: help people find hope, opportunity, and jobs. So, shop at Goodwill, donate what you no longer need, and share what they actually do, so they can help the next person.
👀 Poll results: Our parks need more:
Dog parks - 32%
Playgrounds - 48%
Sports fields - 10%
Basketball courts - 10%
Nora K. chose playgrounds and also wants to see “sidewalks/pedestrian accommodations to access the playgrounds.”
Meredith W. shared, “As a parent of small children, I spend a LOT of my time at parks. Winston-Salem has a great selection of playgrounds all across the city, and my children love them. But they’ll outgrow them eventually... so please share the word that Winston-Salem needs a park like this one so that older kids, teens, and adults can all experience the benefits of a playground!”
SPONSORED
Upcoming Events
Evening in the Atrium - “America’s Got Talent” finalist DaShawn Hickman takes the stage at 500 W 5th on July 16, with complimentary bites from Twisted Pine Catering.
Beat the Heat 5K - Run in this popular evening race on July 18 at the Fairgrounds and celebrate your finish with free pizza, subs, and beer!
🌀 The Wrap
🤝 Samaritan Ministries urgently needs volunteers to prepare and serve dinner to their guests on July 3 & 4. Don’t have the time? You can purchase items from their Amazon wish list!
🤠 Team member Jacob is flying to Texas tomorrow to be with his family for the 4th of July. He’s looking forward to seeing his nephew, Henry!
🎆 Guide of the Week: 4th of July Events
THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNERS
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