Local Independence Day traditions inspire

WALNUT COVE — Fourth of July celebrations commemorate the July 4, 1776 signing of the Declaration of Independence, but for Stokes County business owner Aaron Shaver, the holiday represents an additional anniversary.

“My first event was the Lawsonville fireworks,” said Shaver, owner of Town Fork Mobile Kitchen, thinking back on things just a few minutes before the fireworks started at this year’s “First to Celebrate the Fourth” in Walnut Cove on July 3.

Town Fork has been a vendor at the annual Independence Day event since the Lawsonville fireworks were discontinued.

Shaver, of Germanton, noted how that first event helped shape his business.

“I didn’t intend on being a hibachi food truck; I was going to be a smash burger, roving little gourmet truck,” he said, but the Lawsonville event already had a taco truck and a burger truck.

So Shaver changed gears.

“I was like, what can I do to not be in anybody else’s lane, to be different and what could I do fast,” he said. “I ended up doing this, and it went over really well, so then I did it again...and now that’s what I do.”

Shaver described Walnut Cove’s 2024 event as fantastic.

“Definitely a good crowd,” he said. “It’s always a good crowd, but I think it’s a little bigger crowd this year actually.”

The food truck operator said his history with “First to Celebrate the Fourth” goes way back, well before he started Town Fork.

“We’ve lived in this county for 25 years, and my kids have grown up coming here every Fourth of July,” he said. “It’s a nice, small-town, hometown event, and it’s grown over the years.”

Shaver’s more recent visits to the annual event have been work related, but it’s still a family affair. His 20-year-old daughter, Addy, spent the evening working too.

“I love it,” said Addy. “When I was little, I used to be one of the kids standing up at the front dancing the whole time, that was the best.”

Addy Shaver said that while it was a bit strange to work at the event it was still a great experience.

“I love that we still get to see the fireworks every time and see everybody,” she said.

The popular event was held at Lions Park in Walnut Cove, which was soon filled to capacity. By 8 p.m. nearby business lots were filled with overflow traffic eager for a good view of the fireworks.

Other vendors included Kona Ice, Rub & Grub and Boy Scout Troop #444.

The Phase Band provided musical entertainment.

“It’s going great,” said Earnest Johnson, band manager and performer.

“The crowd is very motivated...very responsive,” he said. “We just love coming to Walnut Cove. They always welcome us with open arms.”

While on a break from dancing, Patrina Adams, of Walnut Cove, sat with Frances Martin and Phyllis Hairston. Adams said she was having a good time.

“Truly, yeah,” she said.

“The band’s awesome....They always do a great job,” said Martin, adding that the trio had seen the band perform at one of The Cove Group’s downtown concerts the previous Thursday.

The annual event is a tradition for lots of folks.

“Every year,” said Sam McBride, of Walnut Cove, there with his wife, Jennifer, and son Codey. The McBrides like to tailgate in a pickup and showed up last year at 3:30 p.m. to grab a spot in the front parking row at the top of the hill. This year, the couple had to work, and their 5:30 arrival got them through the gate, but a row or two back.

“The event is going absolutely great,” said Mayor Nellie Brown. “The crowd is large this year, we’ve got people from surrounding areas...family, friends, everybody is bringing the kids out, which is nice to see all the young children running around having a good time.”

Brown thanked a long list of those who helped make the day special: the citizens of Walnut Cove, the Phase Band, the Walnut Cove Lions Club, Wetzel Pyrotechnics for the fireworks, Cook Rental for the bandstand, Royal Luxury Rentals for the restrooms, the vendors: Walnut Cove Boy Scouts Troop 444, the town staff, the Stokes County Sheriff’s Office, Chief Brian Booe and the Walnut Cove Fire Department, Walnut Cove Fire Marshal Jason Farris.

Brown also thanked the veterans for their service, and noted that all the town commissioners attended the event.

Andrew Smith, retiring building inspector, delivered the invocation at the event and was honored for his retirement. Smith started working for the town in 1985.