2026 Fourth of July Celebration

Name: 2026 Fourth of July Celebration
Start: 2026-07-04
End: 2026-07-04
Location: Montreat Conference Center

It's a Party! America Turns 250

July 4, 2026 Special Events

Event sponsored by Montreat Conference Center

Join us for Montreat Conference Center’s annual Fourth of July Celebration, an event which welcomes Montreat friends from all over the country. Throughout the day, we will offer a variety of events and activities for the whole family! This year’s theme is It’s a Party! America Turns 250, and our 2026 parade marshals are Lolly and Allan Hightower.

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

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.

Saturday, July 4th

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

8:00 am–5:00 pm | The Huckleberry is Open, Moore Center

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

10:00 am–5:00 pm | The Good Steward is Open, Moore Center

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

10:00 am | Parade Units in Formation

10:30 am | Fourth of July Parade

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

2:00–5:00 pm | Free Pool, Boats, and Tennis

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

2:00–5:00 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 pick up a paper copy of the 2026 Fourth of July Parade application at the Post Office or the Montreat Store and return it to the Montreat Store or email it to taylord@montreat.org. You may also complete the application online. Applications are due by Monday, June 29.

Please ensure that all parade entries reflect the spirit of this event. The flag raising will take place on the Anderson Auditorium field at 10:00 a.m., and all parade units should be in place by that time. The parade will begin at 10:30 a.m.

Use your imagination and creativity to help us celebrate Montreat’s rich heritage. The 2026 parade theme is It’s a Party! America Turns 250.

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 4th of July Auction from 2:00- 5:00 pm on Saturday, July 4th. Pottery staff, visiting artists and some very generous and talented community members will have a gorgeous collection of hand-crafted items for purchase including pottery, jewelry, fused glass, fiber arts, paintings, prints, and more! Smaller items will be available for immediate purchase, while silent bidding on larger items will be open until 5:00 pm.

The auction supports the continuing ministry of the Currie Craft Center and Sally Jones Pottery at Montreat Conference Center. Please make a point to stop by the pottery to share in this joy-filled celebration!

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 - 5:00 pm. And don't forget to visit the Montreat Store (open 9:00 am-5:00 pm) and the Good Steward (open 10:00 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.