2025 Fourth of July Celebration

Name: 2025 Fourth of July Celebration
Start: 2025-07-04
End: 2025-07-04
Location: Montreat Conference Center

Montreat Super Strong

July 4, 2025 Special Events

Event sponsored by Montreat Conference Center

Traditionally a homecoming holiday that brings extended Montreat families together from all over the country, the Fourth of July celebration at Montreat truly captures the essence of American life and has become a popular celebration for everyone in the area. Join us for a parade and a variety of fun events for the whole family! This year’s theme is Montreat Super Strong, and our 2025 parade marshal is Jane Bannerman.

A livestream of the Fourth of July parade will be available starting at 10:30 a.m. EDT on Friday, July 4. Tune in here or on our Facebook page to watch from wherever you are—the parade will be streaming live from Lookout Drive.

Schedule

Note that the flag raising has been moved to 10:00 am prior to parade unit formation and the parade. In the event of severe inclement weather, we will post updates about plans for the parade here on our website, as well as on Facebook and Instagram.

Friday, July 4th

7:00 am | Annual Gait Race 5k, Montreat Gate

8:00 am–9:00 pm | The Huckleberry is Open, Moore Center

9:00 am–5:00 pm | Montreat Store is Open, Moore Center

10:00 am | Pre-Parade Flag Raising, Anderson Auditorium Lawn

10:00 am | Parade Units in Formation, Geneva Place at Appalachian Way

10:30 am | Fourth of July Parade

2:00–4:00 pm | Ice Cream Social and Open House, William Black Lodge

2:00–6:00 pm | Free Pool, Boats, and Tennis

2:00–3:00 pm | Lawn Games on Anderson Auditorium Lawn

2:30–5:00 pm | Silent Auction at The Currie Craft Center and Sally Jones Pottery

2:30 pm | Pops at the Games hosted by Montreat's Office of Development, Moore Center Field

3:00 pm | Old-fashioned Games on Moore Center Field

7:00-10:00 pm | Fourth of July Big Circle Mountain Dance, Patricia Cornwell Tennis Center

Parade Participation

If you would like to participate in the parade, please download the 2025 July 4th parade application, pick up a paper copy at Anderson Auditorium, the Post Office, or the Montreat Store and turn it in to the Montreat Store or email it to taylord@montreat.org , or complete your application online. Applications are due by Friday, June 27th.

Please ensure that all parade entries maintain the spirit of this event. Parade participants will assemble on Geneva Place at Appalachian Way. The flag raising will take place on the Anderson Auditorium field at 10:00 am. Parade units are to be in place no later than 10:00 am. The parade starts at 10:30 am. Use all of your imagination and creativity to help us celebrate Montreat’s rich heritage!

The 2025 parade theme is Montreat Super Strong.

The Montreat Fourth of July Parade is sponsored by Montreat Conference Center.

Afternoon Activities

Silent Auction at Sally Jones Pottery and Currie Craft Center

The Sally Jones Pottery and Currie Craft Center will host their annual silent auction from 2:30-5:00 pm on Friday, July 4th. The auction features beautiful handmade items including pottery, jewelry, fused glass, quilts, paintings, and made by our staff, our visiting potters, artists in residence, and local artisans. We will be offering clay demonstrations, as well.

The auction supports the continuing ministry at the Currie Craft Center and Sally Jones Pottery at Montreat Conference Center. Look for the table with donation and endowment information, including the newest endowment, The Marilyn Jones Endowment.

"Buy it Now" is our tiered pricing system, and you can buy it and take it with you! The bid sheet will have three time slot bidding lines. The 2:30 pm line will be priced higher than the 3:30 pm or 4:30 pm lines and you decide to "Buy it Now" or wait and see if it's still available when you come back.

Afternoon Games

Montreat Conference Center staff will organize a few games on Anderson Lawn beginning at 2:00 pm. The greasy pole, hog call, and a few others will be returning at 3:00 pm on Moore Center Field. The swimming pool, tennis courts, paddle boats, and canoes will also be open to the public and free of charge from 2:00 - 6:00 pm. And don't forget to visit the Montreat Store (open 9:00 am-5:00 pm) in the Moore Center Building for snacks, t-shirts, and souvenirs!

Pops at the Games

Members of Montreat's Office of Development will be giving out popsicles at the Fourth of July games on Moore Center Field from 2:30 pm until they are gone. Look for us at the table with coolers and stop by for your complimentary pop!

These afternoon games and activities are sponsored by Montreat Conference Center.