Looking for something to do to celebrate our nation’s Independence Day? Here are a few ideas

As always the biggest event of the weekend is the Festival For the Eno. The festival runs all weekend, and features over 80 performers on 4 separate stages. Plus it ends at 6PM, so you would still have time to make the fireworks!

Durham’s fireworks celebration will be in the American Tobacco complex. There will be live music starting at 5:30, a baseball game at the DBAP starting at 6:50 [the USA National Team vs. Guatemala] and fireworks after the game — probably around 9PM. Admission to the stadium will be free after the 7th inning stretch [around 7:30]

Chapel Hill’s fireworks will go off at Kenan stadium on UNC’s campus. The stadium gates will open at 7PM with live entertainment until the fireworks start at 9:30PM. Admission is free.

Have fun this evening, and remember what we are celebrating.

The blog at the Independent reported this afternoon that the Varsity Theater in Chapel Hill will be closing tonight. The owners, Bruce and Mary Jo Stone said in a statement that the Varisty could not compete with newer multiplexes like Southpoint Cinemas and that the theater could not find a niche running small run specialty films. The statement also noted that downtown Chapel Hill was not conducive to running a theater that catered to older [read non-student] customers.

As the owner of a business that used to be on Franklin Street, I certainly understand the Stone’s position. It’s hard for a business model not tightly focused on the students and their unique schedule to succeed there. I wish them all the best in wherever they go from here.