An American Celebration on Saturday, July 4th

DALLAS, NC – “An American Celebration,” a day filled with family fun, food and music is coming up Saturday, July 4^th from noon until 2:00pm at the Gaston County Museum of Art & History, 131 W. Main St., on the historic court square in Dallas.

This free event, which is open to the public, is sponsored by the Museum and CaroMont Health and leads up to the county-wide 4^th of July parade that kicks off at 2:00pm in Dallas.

“We’re excited to host an afternoon of fun and games for families on this special day in our nation’s history,” says Alexandrea Pizza, the director of the Art & History Museum. “But it’s also a celebration for the Museum, as we’re celebrating our 50^th anniversary this year!”

The celebration will include arts and crafts for the children, a foam party play area, hot dogs and free Tony’s ice cream, a Karma cakes sale (with proceeds benefiting the Museum), a cooling down spray station courtesy of the Dallas Fire Department, music by DJ Alfredo, and the Great American Apple Pie Bake-Off.

“Here is the chance for home bakers of all ages to compete for the best apple pie in Gaston County!” Ms. Pizza says. “We’ll have prizes for three different age categories, with celebrity judges awarding ribbons for the pies with the best flavor, appearance and creativity.” Age groups are 10-14 years, 15-18, and 19 and older. A $200 gift card to Webb Custom Kitchen will be awarded to the top winner.

Registration for the Bake-Off is at noon with judging at 12:45pm. The Bake-Off is free to enter.

Following the celebration in the Museum’s back garden, visitors are encouraged to join the community around the historic court square for the county-wide 4^th of July parade. The Museum’s second floor porch will serve as the announcement center for the parade, which will wind for a mile-and-a-half through downtown Dallas.

For more information about the celebration, visit www.gastoncountymuseum.org