ON FRIDAY WATCH THE KADESH CHURCH JULY 5 DISTRICT CHOIR CELEBRATION VIDEOS HERE
FAMILIES GATHERED FROM NEAR AND FAR TO PARTAKE IN EASTERN NORTH CAROLINA'S LANDMARK CELEBRATION
To say it was a busy week is definitely an understatement. Our coverage is categorized by event.
The Reading of the Declaration and the speeches, recognition leading up to it including a variety of pictures are their own section. The parade and the afternoon activities are grouped in a second photo gallery and the Floating Tea Party is yet another section. It is highly recommended to watch the entire video of the Twenty-Seventh DAR Sponsored event. Although it’s 90 minutes, it is without commercials, is mixed with history, humor and quips, offers magnificent costuming, pageantry and heartfelt emotional speeches making it an Americana movie Souza would have been proud to play in. Finally, the short video of the Waving on the Shore of Edenton’s Waves, with all its bells and bells and more bells and whistles is worth the view.Enjoy.
Sitting in my office Monday morning editing videos from the weekend's events, I found myself still mesmerized by what our community had just experienced. As I reflected on Edenton's week-long celebration of America's 250th birthday, I realized the red, white and blue extravaganza had packed more into a few short days than anyone could have imagined.
In many ways, this weekend may one day be remembered as an important moment in our own community's history. The speeches delivered during the Daughters of the American Revolution's annual Reading of the Declaration of Independence were inspiring and carried messages that will resonate for years to come.
The celebration actually began a week earlier with another wonderful evening hosted by the Chowan Arts Council honoring Mary Small for her years of service as Board President. Guests gathered on the patio, enjoyed music by the Michael Clark Band, and spent the evening visiting with friends while celebrating Mary's many contributions to the arts community.
On Wednesday, I stopped by Shepard-Pruden Memorial Library to view its beautiful American Independence display in the large window overlooking the patio. Library Assistant Erica Newman once again demonstrated her creativity by incorporating her American Girl dolls dressed in period clothing, including a wonderful recreation of Betsy Ross sewing the nation's first flag. If you haven't seen it yet, stop by before the display changes. It is well worth the visit.
John and I were up early Saturday morning to position our cameras for the DAR's 250th Anniversary celebration on the Courthouse Green. There is simply nothing quite like Edenton's annual Fourth of July Reading of the Declaration of Independence before a crowd of nearly 1,000 people. This year, however, the program reached an entirely new level as our community celebrated America's semiquincentennial.
Sponsored each year by the Daughters of the American Revolution and coordinated for the past 27 years by Beth Taylor, the ceremony has become one of Edenton's most treasured traditions. Beth has announced this will be her final year coordinating the event, and I honestly cannot imagine anyone topping what she and her team accomplished this year.
The Courthouse Green and the surrounding homes were filled with friends, neighbors, visitors, families, and, perhaps most importantly, children experiencing history together. New additions to the program included several guest speakers and a beautiful Brass Quintet, commissioned by the Rev. Melody Perdue of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, which provided the perfect musical backdrop for the morning. Rev. Perdue also offered the day’s prayer and benediction.
As they have for the past decade or so, members of Unanimity Lodge laid a wreath at the foot of Joseph Hewes' monument, honoring one of Edenton's most distinguished Founding Fathers.
Each speaker brought a meaningful message.
Chowan County Commission Chair Bob Kirby spoke thoughtfully about the importance of volunteerism and community service.
Edenton Mayor Hackney High expressed and focused gratitude for the sacrifices of those who came before us and reminded everyone to cherish the freedoms our forefathers fought to secure while continuing the pursuit of life, liberty, and happiness.
Edenton Historical Commission Executive Director Robert Leath shared the remarkable story of Joseph Hewes, one of the three North Carolinian signers of the Declaration of Independence and one of Edenton's greatest historical figures.
Edenton Orator Jonathan Tobias delivered a passionate presentation titled ‘Why Are We Here Today?’ provoking thought among the crowd, reminding everyone that “patriotism is not simply inherited—it must be protected, nurtured, and passed to future generations”.
Chris Grimes, Chaplain General of the National Society Sons of the American Revolution, led the audience in reciting the American's Creed, inviting everyone to participate together.
Retired Senator Bob Steinburg delivered a thoughtful reading of the Declaration of Independence, carefully emphasizing the significance of every word. Throughout the ceremony, outstanding musical selections by Chris Nagle added moments of reflection and inspiration.
It was, without question, one of the finest community programs I have ever attended.
The best way to describe the morning is simply to encourage you to experience it yourself by watching the videos. If you were unable to attend, I hope you will take the time to listen to each of the speeches. Every one of them was thoughtful, encouraging, and remarkably relevant. They reminded us that this is our country, this is our time, and each of us has a responsibility to become actively involved in preserving the freedoms so many sacrificed to secure. We truly do make a difference.
Following the ceremony, hundreds gathered along the waterfront to participate in "Flags Across America," waving American flags as a drone captured the unforgettable scene from above.
As the Courthouse Green emptied, children and families quickly lined up for Edenton's annual decorated bicycle and golf cart parade. Bright red, white, and blue decorations filled the streets as another chapter of the celebration began.
The 250th Anniversary Committee, the Edenton Police Department, town and county employees, and especially Timmy Turner, Main Street Edenton's Event Coordinator, whose months of planning and countless hours of work helped make the weekend such an overwhelming success deserve a standing ovation and three cheers. Their dedication was on full display from the beginning to the end of the weekend.
The day continued with smiles everywhere as children enjoyed games sponsored by the Edenton Optimist Club, cooled off with ice cream on a sweltering day that topped 100 degrees, and filled the waterfront with laughter.
One of the afternoon's biggest hits was the "Anything That Floats" competition, sponsored by Harbor Town Cruises and organized by Managing Director Ted Warren. Creativity was everywhere, but first-place honors went to Bayside Bakery & Boards. Owners Heather and Patrick Sexton paddled their inflatable horse pulling a giant 250th birthday cake to victory, earning a grand prize of a private Albemarle Queen cruise for up to 100 guests. It was one of the day's funniest and most memorable moments.
As evening settled over Edenton Bay, music by The Main Street Band filled the Herringbone Restaurant's waterfront while families relaxed, danced, and visited with friends before the fireworks.
Then came the grand finale.
For more than 40 years, the Edenton Optimist Club has provided our community with an Independence Day fireworks celebration, and this year's spectacular display did not disappoint. Brilliant bursts of color illuminated the sky over Edenton Bay as thousands of spectators cheered from the waterfront.
As John and I walked through the park before the show, I was genuinely astonished by the number of people gathered along the shoreline. The waterfront was filled with families enjoying food trucks, vendors, music, and simply spending time together. I honestly cannot remember ever seeing so many people enjoying our beautiful park.
Wow. What a day. What a town. What an incredible community.
It was a day filled with gratitude, patriotism, laughter, friendship, and memories that will last a lifetime.
Thank you, Edenton, for hosting a celebration we will never forget. It is a memory I'll truly cherish.
Karen Foley
The biggest cake in Edenton on the Fourth of July wasn't sitting in a bakery window—it was floating across Edenton Bay.
Complete with three towering layers, waving American flags, glittering stars, sparkling streamers, and even a floating horse with the Sexton riding on top, the patriotic masterpiece attempted to glide across the harbor as Heather and Pat Sexton paddled furiously in Edenton's inaugural Stars, Stripes and Floating Tea Party Costume Parade.
For a few minutes, spectators weren't watching a boat parade, they were watching the bakery on the water.
The Sextons, owners of Bayside Bakery and Boards, transformed their floating platform into an oversized patriotic cake that looked almost too real to float. As they paddled through the inner harbor, it appeared they were racing to get a fresh batch of chocolate chip cookies out of the oven before they became too crispy for consumption. Bayside’s baked good are amazingly consistent in quality and flavor, too crispy, never.
Since there was cake, you also needed a tea pot so Deanna Robin, Mike Ricci and Terry Wlodark, as George Washington crossed the harbor guided by Mike also rapidly paddling after taking a short dip to cool off before the strenuous effort of guiding the tea pot to harbor.
The competition was close but in the end, the judges agreed it was the authenticity of the horse – Revere’s Ride and all that was the icing on the cake.
When judges announced the Sextons as the grand prize winners, Heather had one more surprise for the crowd.
"Sweets are on us for the next 30 minutes," she announced.
The unexpected giveaway sent smiles across the waterfront and plenty of people hurrying toward Bayside Bakery and Boards to celebrate with an actual dessert.
According to Albemarle Queen Managing Director Ted Warren the baked goods were plentiful.
“They cleared out the entire bakery. We had boxes of baked goods. We actually gave some to the Shelter I believe,” said Warren.
Another winning gesture for the bakery.
The event was the brainchild of Harbor Town’s Ted Warren, who has long said his goal was not simply to promote cruises aboard the Albemarle Queen, but to create events that encourage visitors to discover everything Edenton has to offer—from its historic downtown and waterfront to its restaurants, shops, and local businesses.
The Floating Tea Party Parade did exactly that. The Herringbone Restaurant was packed with Independence Day revelers and the overflow crowd enjoyed the event.
The event's grand prize was unlike any other—a private charter aboard the Albemarle Queen, valued at $2,000, that can be used for birthdays, weddings, family celebrations, or just for an enjoyable ride with Ted.
From floating cakes and tea pots to patriotic costumes and cheering friends, the afternoon demonstrated that some of the best Fourth of July memories don't require engines or elaborate productions—just imagination, community spirit, and a willingness to paddle and paddle and paddle.
Friday, July 10 — Thursday, July 16, 2026
☀️ Sunny to partly cloudy and very hot
High: ~99°F • Low: ~80°F
Dangerous heat develops. Stay hydrated and limit prolonged outdoor activity.
⛈️ Humid with afternoon thunderstorms
High: ~93°F • Low: ~73°F
A few storms may become strong with heavy rain, gusty winds, and localized flooding.
🌦️ Humid with intervals of sun and scattered showers
High: ~83°F • Low: ~70°F
A noticeably cooler day following Saturday's storms.
☁️ Mostly cloudy with a few morning showers
High: ~80°F • Low: ~67°F
Clouds linger with lower humidity arriving later in the day.
☁️ Mostly cloudy and humid
High: ~85°F • Low: ~68°F
Quiet weather returns with only a slight chance of an isolated shower.
🌤️ Partly sunny and warmer
High: ~91°F • Low: ~72°F
Summer heat begins building again.
☀️ Mostly sunny, hot and humid
High: ~93°F • Low: ~73°F
Classic mid-July weather returns with abundant sunshine.
A week of changing summer weather unfolds across Edenton. Friday opens with dangerous heat, with temperatures approaching the century mark before a cold front brings a round of thunderstorms Saturday afternoon. Some storms could produce heavy rainfall, gusty winds, and localized flooding.
Behind the front, Sunday and Monday offer a brief break from the extreme heat, with highs falling into the lower 80s and more comfortable conditions settling in. By the middle of the week, sunshine and humidity steadily return, pushing temperatures back into the 90s by Wednesday and Thursday.