Murphy – Konehete Park will serve as center stage for the town’s Fourth of July celebration, hosted by the Cherokee County Recreation Department.
Starting at 10 a.m. Monday, July 4, the holiday will include a fishing derby, bouncy houses and face painting for kids. Adults will be on alert, scanning the sky for the noon peanut drop.
Recreation Director Phillip “Peewee” Davis is taking extra precautions this year.
“We’ll drop 50 pounds of peanuts from an airplane. If you find one, see me for a cash prize,” Davis said with a laugh. “We are using a special paint this year to avoid people painting their own peanuts and attempting to cash them in.”
The recreation department invited multiple food vendors. Meanwhile, the town expects up to 4,000 people for a day of fun.
The fireworks show starts at what local residents call “dark-thirty,” which is loosely translated to a half-hour after sunset. Davis said there are no bad seats.
“Some people sit up at the high school, but the trees cover up the lower ones,” he said. “Really, anywhere in the park is good.”
Leading up to the fireworks, Downtown Development Director Laura LaChance will oversee a Fourth of July Parade. Anyone is welcome to join in the seventh-tenths of mile walk from L&N Depot to the park.
“You can just show up,” she said. “Parents can pull kids in wagons or people can just walk, cycle, drive or ride motorcycles.”
The parade starts at 5 p.m., with the lineup forming at 4:30 p.m.
Because Andrews will hold its celebration two days earlier, Murphy Mayor Tim Radford said, “Cherokee County residents have lots of choices and activities this Independence Day holiday.
“In Andrews, there’s a day filled with fun activities Saturday, July 2, and in Murphy, another exciting day of fun Monday, July 4, at Konehete Park. Families are sure to enjoy the celebrations! I want to remind folks that anyone can show up and participate in the Murphy parade.”