Independence Day filled with Red, White & Brew

Murphy – The Murphy Business Association and Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce are collaborating to bring excitement to town on Independence Day. 

Chamber Executive Director Sherry Raines said association leaders met with chamber officials after being approached by the Town of Murphy to include a festival for Independence Day since the annual spring festival was canceled due to COVID-19. The chamber began fundraising and marketing the event, and since then have received donations from local sponsors. 

“We have received tremendous support from Cherokee County Tourism Development Authority, Erlanger Western Carolina Hospital, Harrah’s Casinos, area businesses and a local donor,” Raines said.

Red, White & Brew will be the first of its kind and will host several vendors, food trucks, bands and local wineries and breweries. The event will be from 2-8 p.m. Saturday, July 3, downtown on Tennessee Street. The street will be closed for the vendors, bands and beer garden.

Local breweries and wineries will be set up with their spirits including Appalachian Grail Brewing Co., Balsam Falls Brewing Co., Eagle Fork Winery, Ferncrest Winery, Hayesville Brewing Co., Hoppy Trout Brewing, Innovation Brewing, Lazy Hiker, Nocturnal Brewing and Snowbird Mountains Brewery. 

More than 40 vendors have already signed up for the event. The vendor registration deadline is Friday, and entry forms can be found online at wherencbegins.com. 

Live bands and performances will be happening throughout the event:

• 2- 2:45 p.m. – Pressley Girls.
• 3- 4:15 p.m. – Dottie, the band.
• 4:15-4:45 p.m. – Veterans presentation.
• 4:45-6 p.m. – Sugah and Thuh Cubes.
• 6:30-8 p.m. – Rob Leines. 

A rain date has been scheduled for Sunday, July 4, if there is any adverse weather Saturday. As of Tuesday morning, there is only a 30 percent chance of waterworks of July 3.

Murphy Recreation Park will host all-day fun at Konehete Park. Beginning at 10 a.m., a horseshoe tournament will be held at Pavilion 3.

Also beginning at 10 a.m., kids get 12 and under will have fun at a fishing tournament behind Field 2 at the pavilion on the river. Bait will be provided, all kids must bring their own poles. 

At noon, the annual peanut drop begin at Field 1. A plane flies over the park and drops peanuts then kids find the winning colors for prizes. 

At 1 p.m., field games will begin at Field 1 with water balloon toss, sack races, egg toss and three-legged race. Bounce houses will be set up around the park and all-day passes are $10, or individual tickets can be purchased. 

Several informational booths, food vendors and arts and crafts vendor will be set up throughout the event. Beginning at 6 p.m., the ReMax hot-air balloon will be tethered in the park to give rides for $5. Masks are required and provided for all riders. 

Fireworks provided by the Town of Murphy will begin at dark around 9:30 p.m. Cherokee County Recreation Park Director Phillip “Pee-Wee” Davis advises attendees to plan to be at the park by 9 p.m. to get seating for the show.