2 days of July Fourth fun, fishing, floating and fireworks!

From kayaking to kabooming, you can enjoy it this holiday on the Catawba.

Whether you like fishing, hiking, paddling, dancing or gazing at fireworks, you can do it within a stone’s throw of the Catawba River this Tuesday and Wednesday as the Catawba River District celebrates our national birthday.

Here are details

July 3-4 celebration at U.S. National Whitewater Center

With music starting each afternoon at 4 p.m., the party will continue each night with a fireworks show. Fireworks will launch from Hawk Island and the show will display over the whitewater river. USNWC recommends that you come early so you can enjoy the festival atmosphere, which includes free samples of Edy’s Slow Churned Ice Cream, all day long. DETAILS.

Performance schedule:

Tuesday, July 3

• 8 p.m. – Tab Benoit
• 6 p.m. – Eric Lindell
• 4 p.m. – Sol Driven Train

Wednesday, July 4

• 8 p.m. – Moreland & Arbuckle
• 6 p.m. – These United States
• 4 p.m. – Have Gun, Will Travel

July 4 sunset kayak tour

Enjoy Lake Wylie at sunset by joining this paddle from McDowell Nature Preserve, starting at 6:30 pm. During this class you will learn the basics of flat water kayaking while watching the sunset over Lake Wylie. You will also learn some of the history of the lake. The event costs $15 and is for adults and youth 16 and older. McDowell Nature Preserve is at 15222 York Road, Charlotte. Call 704-588-5224 for details, reservations.

Fireworks over Lake Wylie

The annual tradition on Lake Wylie has thrilled viewers for generations. Fireworks are set off at dusk (about 9:45 pm) on July 4 from Camp Thunderbird, south of the Hwy 49 Buster Boyd Bridge. Best Viewing: The Buster Boyd Bridge Boat Landing, T-Bones on the Lake outside deck, Rey Azteca deck at Lake Wylie Plaza, Lake Wylie Italian and Pizza on patio at Lake Wylie Plaza. DETAILS

July 3 Full Moon Hike

Perhaps you prefer nighttime quiet to echoing fireworks. Then go to Latta Plantation Nature Preserve on Mountain Island Lake for the Full Moon Hike, 9-10:30 p.m. July 3. Experience the magic of hiking in the nature preserve guided by the light of the full moon. Easy terrain. 2- to 3-mile hike. $4/person. Ages 12 and older. The park nature center is at 6211 Sample Road, Huntersville. Register get more details by calling 704 875-1391.

Fish for free on the 4th statewide

Anyone 16 and older can fish for free on July 4 across North Carolina. Although no fishing license is required to fish on July 4, the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission reminds anglers that all other fishing regulations, such as size and creel limits and lure restrictions, still apply.

To give anglers a better chance of catching fish, the Commission stocks a variety of fish in waters across the state — including trout and channel catfish. The agency also provides free access to fishing sites across the state, including public fishing areas and boating access areas. A list of more than 500 fishing areas open to the public is on the Commission website.

• Fishing advisories – Many NC rivers and lakes contain substances that make some fish unsafe to fish, especially for children and women of childbearing age. DETAILS
• July 4 fishing contest for kids – Crowders Mountain State Park. 6-8 pm at the park lake. The park will provide all the equipment your kids need. DETAILS