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{mosimage}Celebrate our Nation's Independence Day in Johnston County. There are many July 4th celebrations -- and check out what's going on the rest of the month, too!

*~*~* Johnston County July 4th Celebrations Saturday July 4 2009 4th of July Ringing of the Bells Celebration Come join the celebration beginning at 11am, beginning with entertainment and light refreshments with ringing-of-the-bells at Noon. Everyone will get the chance to ring a bell! Enjoy a tour of the Coats Museum and House. Event time 11am. Location: Coats Estate, 3317 Old Fairground Rd., Angier. Coats Estate 3317 Old Fairground Rd. Angier, NC 27501 Admission: Free. Phone: Alice Honeycutt, 919 894-4443

Saturday July 4 2009 Archer Lodge Family Fun Day There will be a road race, kids games, bingo, horseshoes, homemade ice cream, cake walk, a band, talent show, golf, pig cook off, all ending with a spectacular fireworks display. Event time: 8am-until dark. Location: Archer Lodge Park. 14009 Buffalo Road Clayton, NC 27527 Admission: Free. Phone: Natalie Norris, 919 553-5629

Saturday July 4 2009 Benson's 4th of July Fourth of July Celebration with food, games, entertainment, and live music. Event time: 3pm - 9:30pm. Location: Singing Grove, Benson. Admission: Free. Phone: Matthew Smith, 919 894-5117

Saturday July 4 2009 Celebrate Cleveland - July 4th Event Independence celebration for families - Begins with breakfast with the youth of Oakland Church 7:30am, parade at 10am,followed by games, music, entertainment, and food. Walk-on ballgame at 1pm, music and street dance at 7:30pm and fireworks at 9:15pm. Location: Old Cleveland School, Hwy 1010, 8968 Cleveland Road Admission: Free Phone: Cookie Pope, 919 934-6187

Saturday July 4 2009 July Art Reception and Mural Unveiling Art Reception and unveiling of a mural painted by artist Penny Evans. Event time: 6-9pm. Location: 131 E. First St., Clayton. 131 E. First St. Clayton, NC 27520 Admission: Free. Phone: Donna Light, 919 585-2461

Saturday July 4 2009 Pine Level's 4th of July Softball games, band, fire truck rides, entertainment for all. Fireworks begin at 9pm. Event time: 6pm-9:30pm. Location: Sam Godwin Park, Pine Level. Admission: Free. Phone: Connie Capps, 919 965-2284

Saturday July 4 2009 Selma's All American Festival Celebrate Independence Day with live entertainment, food, crafts, children's area, all ending with fireworks! Meet at Selma's Visitor Center for a walking tour of the historical Selma district. Event time: 5pm-9:45pm. Walking tours begin at Noon, 2pm & 4pm. Location: Raiford & Railroad Streets, Historic Uptown Selma. 100 N. Raiford St. Selma, NC 27576 Admission: Free. Phone: Joe Carter, 919 975-1411

Saturday July 4 2009 Smithfield's Friends of the 4th There will be food, entertainment and lots of fun ending with a fireworks display. Event time 5pm-dark. Location: Town Commons, Smithfield. Admission: Free. Phone: Chris Johnson, 919 934-0887

Wednesday July 1 2009 Kenly Public Library Summer Program Be creative at Kenly Public Library Summer Program. Featuring Chick-Fil-A Cow. Event time: 10:30am. Location: Kenly Public Library 205 E. Edgerton St. PO Box 519 Kenly, NC 27542 Admission: Free. Phone: Dianne Bailey, 919 284-4217

Wednesday July 1 2009 - Friday July 31 2009 Lazy-O-Farm Summer Dayz Learn how seeds and cows provide lots of your favorite foods. Bag up your own dirt and seeds to take home for planting. Make and eat ice cream and butter, hop on a hayride and visit the barnyard animals! Picnic shelter available. Location: 3583 Packing Plant Rd., Smithfield. 3583 Packing Plant Rd. Smithfield, NC 27577 Admission: Call for prices and appointments. Phone: Tami Thompson, 919 934-1132

Thursday July 2 2009 - Monday July 6 2009 July 4th Summer Sale Merchants offer special savings of 25% to 65% off all specially priced merchandise. Hours: Mon-Sat 10-9, Sun 11-7. Location: Carolina Premium Outlets, Smithfield. 1025 Industrial Park Dr., Ste. 905 Smithfield, NC 27577 Phone: Crystal Yelverton, 919 989-8757

Friday July 3 2009 - Friday July 31 2009 Country Tonight! Come hear the best country music from today and yesterday and comedy that will keep you laughing in your seat! Each week, Country Tonight offers a featured band that performs some of your favorite country songs. With a little family comedy added to the show, you have the ingredients for a night of fun! Show time: Doors open at 7pm, show starts at 7:45pm. Additional July dates 10, 17, 24, 31 Location: Corner of Webb & Waddell Streets. 112 N. Webb St. Selma, NC 27576 Admission: Call for ticket prices and this week's featured band Phone: Bowie Martin, 252 237-6199

Wednesday July 8 2009 Kenly Public Library Summer Program Be creative at Kenly Public Library Summer Program. Featuring Judi Levy and Her Morgans. Event time: 10:30am. Location: Kenly Public Library 205 E. Edgerton St. PO Box 519 Kenly, NC 27542 Admission: Free. Phone: Dianne Bailey, 919 284-4217

Wednesday July 8 2009 Music for the Lunch Bunch A series of summer concerts held every Wednesday at 12:15pm, featuring local artists performing a variety of music, with particular emphasis on classical music. Location: First Presbyterian Church, Smithfield. Admission: Free. Phone: Zilphia Adcock, 919 553-1930

Saturday July 11 2009 - Saturday July 25 2009 American Music Jubilee This Branson-style variety show will delight audiences of all ages with comedy, music and fun. Matinees: 1:40pm, Evenings: 7:40pm. Toll free 1-877-843-7839 or (919) 202-992. July Show dates: 11, 18, 23, 25 Location: Rudy Theatre, Selma. 300 N. Raiford St. PO Box 429 Selma, NC 27576 Admission: Call for show times & ticket prices. Phone: Spook Joyner, 919 202-9927

Saturday July 11 2009 Bookfair and Homeschool Conference Event will include 12 workshops and 35+ vendors of new and used educational materials. Workshop sessions: 10:30am, 12noon, 1:30pm. Location: Hocutt Memorial Baptist Church, 215 Robertson St., Clayton. Admission: Free. Saturday July 11 2009 Canaanland Anniversary Canaanland, a southern gospel trio from Princeton, NC who are best known for their spirit-filled anointed services! Special guest for the evening will be The Royal Descendants. Show time: 7pm. Location: Paul A. Johnston Auditorium, Johnston Community College, Smithfield. 245 College Rd. Smithfield, NC 27577 Admission: $1.00 at door. Phone: Ken Mitchell, 919 209-2099

Wednesday July 15 2009 Music for the Lunch Bunch A series of summer concerts held every Wednesday at 12:15pm, featuring local artists performing a variety of music, with particular emphasis on classical music. Location: First Presbyterian Church Admission: Free. Phone: Zilphia Adcock, 919 553-1930

Thursday July 16 2009 - Saturday July 18 2009 James Gregory "Funniest Man in America" For almost over two decades, the unforgettable caricature of veteran comic James Gregory has stood grinning: his blue shirt untucked, his arms outstretched, a carefree welcome to a down-home, hilarious storytelling experience. The trademark caricature is the essence of James Gregory´s comedy: whimsical reflections on life from the front porch. Show times 8pm & 10:15pm Location: Laugh Out Loud and Comedy Club and Lounge, US Hwy 70 West, Clayton. 8928 US Bus Hwy 70 W. Suite 500 Clayton, NC 27520 Admission: Call for ticket prices. Phone: Matt & Tonia Mayle, 919 359-8565

Thursday July 16 2009 Legends of Beach/Town Square Concert Series Bring a blanket or sit on the grass and enjoy the music. Refreshments, including soft drinks, beer and wine will be available. Event time: 7pm-9pm. Location: Town Square - 100 W. Main St., Clayton. Admission: Free. Phone: Bruce Naegelen, 919 553-1545

Sunday July 19 2009 Coats Estate Open House Visit the Coats House and Museum, located on the Coats Estate. The Coats bell collection includes 60+ bells. You have the opportunity to ring the bells and tour the museum. Event time 3pm-5pm or by reservation. Location: The Coats Estate, 3317 Old Fairground Rd., Angier. Coats Estate 3317 Old Fairground Rd. Angier, NC 27501 Admission: Free Phone: Alice Honeycutt, 919 894-4443

Wednesday July 22 2009 Kenly Public Library Summer Program Be creative at Kenly Public Library Summer Program. Featuring Museum of Natural History. Event time: 1pm. Location: Kenly Public Library 205 E. Edgerton St. PO Box 519 Kenly, NC 27542 Admission: Free. Phone: Dianne Bailey, 919 284-4217

Wednesday July 22 2009 Music for the Lunch Bunch A series of summer concerts held every Wednesday at 12:15pm, featuring local artists performing a variety of music, with particular emphasis on classical music. Location: First Presbyterian Church, Smithfield. Admission: Free. Phone: Zilphia Adcock, 919 553-1930

Thursday July 23 2009 Sundown in Downtown Bring your family and enjoy a concert under the stars featuring CC Ryder. Event time: 5:30pm-9pm. Location: Singing Grove, Benson Admission: Free. Phone: Loretta Byrd, 919 894-3825

Saturday July 25 2009 - Sunday July 26 2009 NCUSFA Hit-N-Run Girl's Fastpitch Softball Tournament This Girl's Fast Pitch Softball Tournament will be an opportunity to see some of the best fast pitch softball players in our area. Concession with an assortment of food/beverage available. No alcohol is permitted on premises. Event times: Sat 8:30am-10pm, Sun 8:30am-5pm. Location: Clayton Community Park - 1075 Amelia Church Rd., Clayton. 340 McCullers St. PO Box 879 Clayton, NC 27520 Admission: Call for prices. Phone: Jonathan Allen, 919 553-1551

Wednesday July 29 2009 Kenly Public Library Summer Program Be creative at Kenly Public Library Summer Program. Featuring Hubert Staggers Vocals. Event time: 10:30am. Location: Kenly Public Library 205 E. Edgerton St. PO Box 519 Kenly, NC 27542 Admission: Free. Phone: Dianne Bailey, 919 284-4217 Wednesday July 29 2009 Music for the Lunch Bunch A series of summer concerts held every Wednesday at 12:15pm, featuring local artists performing a variety of music, with particular emphasis on classical music. Location: First Presbyterian Church Admission: Free. Phone: Zilphia Adcock, 919 553-1930

Thursday July 30 2009 - Monday August 3 2009 Annual Tax Free Weekend Back-to-school sale is held in conjunction with North Carolina's Tax Free Weekend. Merchants offer added savings on specially priced merchandise. Hours: Mon-Sat 10-9, Sun 11-7. Location: Carolina Premium Outlets, Smithfield. 1025 Industrial Park Dr., Ste. 905 Smithfield, NC 27577 Phone: Crystal Yelverton, 919 989-8757