Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

By Emily Williams

The Fourth of July is a day to celebrate our independence as a nation and the beautiful freedom that comes with our autonomy. We remember our forefathers who fought to emancipate us from colonial rule and who worked fervently to build a government system by and for the people of the United States of America. 

Because our freedom is something to celebrate, communities across the country go all out on providing memorable events and activities to give this special day the credit it deserves. Neighborhoods hold block parties with tasty burgers and lawn games. Town halls host amusement rides and concerts. And no matter where you go, you can always count on an extravagant fireworks show. 

The Town of Columbus does not hold back on this holiday, hosting an annual Fabulous Fourth of July Celebration that attracts up to 8,000 people. 

Columbus Town Manager Timothy Barth and Town Clerk Daisy Trejo share behind-the-scenes details of their town’s biggest event, their lineup of vendors and performers for their 61st annual celebration, and the reason why they do it year after year. 

Columbus has hosted the Fabulous Fourth of July Celebration since 1963. “The idea was to provide a family-friendly festival for the townspeople,” says Barth in response to the reason behind its founding. “It has just grown over the years. A lot of people come from the surrounding areas. It’s not just for Columbus. It’s in Columbus, but people from all over South Carolina and North Carolina come here.”

To facilitate such a grand event each year, all town employees work tirelessly to ensure the entire day runs smoothly. Members of the town hall administration and the public works department help vendors set up as early as 6 a.m. and stay until midnight to clean up trash. The Columbus Police Department also manages traffic and parking throughout the day. 

“We also have amazing volunteers, and without them, we wouldn’t be able to make it happen,” says Trejo. “There is a Fourth of July committee, and Ms. Lisa Krolak has been leading it for many years. She gathers people together to volunteer. Ms. Lisa deals a lot with the music and the stage, and she promotes the festival anywhere she goes.” 

Public promotion to attract vendors and sponsors has been an integral part of helping the celebration flourish, especially after complications caused by COVID. The pandemic led to certain vendors retiring, so Daisy worked to reach out to vendors at other festivals in the area, and she began to promote the Fabulous Fourth on Facebook. Daisy’s efforts to reach new vendors and continue to attract old ones have not been in vain. “There are a lot more vendors this year than we have had in the past,” she shares, with the total number of vendors reaching sixty-six, all ranging from crafts to food to nonprofit organizations. Some of the vendors at this year’s celebration include Paul Dale BBQ, GEO to Gems Jewelry, Timeless Elegance, Happy Lizard Boutique, and The Front Porch Churn. 

The town has also been able to attract more of a variety of performers in recent years. “There’s quite a wide range of performers with different music,” Tim says. “It’s not all the same.” This year’s lineup ranges from the folk music of Bobby Wynn to the blues of Patrick Ballard to the rock of Black Jack, so every attendee is sure to hear music they enjoy. 

None of this would be possible without the support of the wonderful sponsors the Town of Columbus is so thankful for: The Red Bell Run Foundation, Nelon-Cole Termite and Pest Control, St. Luke’s Hospital, Dentistry 2000, Rosa Aguirre with Keller Williams, King Smoke and Vape, and O’Reilly Auto Parts. The support of these sponsors allows the town to provide this event year after year—a day of celebration and of fostering community connection. 

According to Tim, “The 4th is a way that the town can give back to the community and provide the community with something that brings everybody together. People come out to enjoy the music, the rides, the fireworks. It’s just a very family-friendly activity.”

Daisy even remembers enjoying the family-friendly event when she was a child, and those memories of celebrating her nation’s independence with loved ones still bring her joy to this day.

Daisy is not alone in appreciating the Fabulous Fourth—Tim shares that the event has been voted by the townspeople as the best event of the year on multiple occasions. “We’ve made a commitment to continue to do this every year,” he states. “When somebody comes, usually they enjoy it so much that they’ll come back in succeeding years.”

One of the greatest draws is the fireworks show that concludes the festivities. People will sit out on their porches, anticipating the annual fireworks display they know and love so much. Tim says the show is so big people can see it from Stearns Park all the way to the Tractor Supply store. In reference to those who come downtown just for the fireworks, Tim exclaims, “You should see the sea of vehicles parked out there! It’s quite impressive.”

As the Fabulous Fourth continues to deliver a wonderful experience for the community and visitors each year, Daisy hopes to see the event continue to grow. Specifically, she hopes to attract more vendors and sponsors. Daisy is confident that they can, especially with the progress they have made with obtaining vendors since the pandemic.

Aside from growth in terms of vendors and monetary support, Tim does not foresee any other growth, nor does he think it is necessary. “We maximize the space we already have, but I think it is a very appropriate size,” Tim states. “This is a really good event that takes a great deal of staff time to put on, but they do a great job with it.”

“We work very well together, all the staff and volunteers,” adds Daisy. “We make it happen that day somehow. It takes a lot of time, a lot of effort, and a lot of communication, but the team that we have is good.”

The Fourth of July is a beautiful day for every American to reflect on the freedom this country offers. It is also a wonderful opportunity for people to get outside and spend time getting to know their neighbors. For those living in Polk County or the surrounding areas, there is arguably no better place to celebrate than in the heart of downtown Columbus. 

Visit Columbus if you are looking to make plans this upcoming 4th. Festivities begin at 10 a.m. and conclude with a fireworks show starting at 9:45 p.m. Vendors will be set up on Mills Street, and Mr. Floyd Suavé’s car show can be found on East Mills Street from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Ticketed carnival rides and free lawn activities provided by Crossroads Baptist Church will be available in Stearns Park, and the stage for live performances will be located in front of the courthouse. 

For more details, visit www.columbusnc.com.