MS236
North Carolina 4th of July Festival, Southport

The North Carolina Fourth of July Festival is an annual event held in Southport, North Carolina. The festival was officially organized in 1972 to celebrate our nation's independence. This collection allows a look at behind the scenes work that is involved in making the festival happen each year. Planning for the festival takes an entire year; as soon as one festival is over it is time to start planning the next festival. The majority of the collection is correspondence from the members of the Fourth of July Committee to organizations or people who they wanted to participate in the festival. The collection also has some VHS tapes of parades and pageants held during the festival and also some unique artifacts like pewter medallions and a red, white and blue telephone.

This Collection has been designated Accession Number 236 of the Manuscripts Collection, Special Collections Department, William Madison Randall Library, University of North Carolina Wilmington, 601 South College Road, Wilmington, North Carolina 28403-3297.

There are no access restrictions on the use of this collection.

Processed by Jennifer Dail
Manuscripts Collection
William Madison Randall Library
The University of North Carolina Wilmington
Spring 2007

Inventory
Manuscript/Box/File

236/1/1
Invitation and Request letters and letters of reply, 1967-1968

236/1/2
Invitation and Request letters and letters of reply, 1969

236/1/3
Military correspondence involving invitations and requests for the festival; U.S. Coast Guard Questionnaire sheet, 1969

236/1/4
Business invitations, 1969

236/1/5
List of patrons and donations; Fourth of July Committee notes; Expenditures; Sample Program, 1969

236/1/6
Correspondence regarding invitations to the festival, 1970

236/1/7
Military Correspondence regarding a visit from the Coast Guard's "Eagle" training ship to the festival, 1970

236/1/8
Fourth of July Committee Meeting minutes, 1970

236/1/9
List of exhibits, festival information, copies of festival schedule, 1970

236/1/10
Bank records and statements, 1970

236/1/11
Invoices and receipts, 1970

236/1/12
Forms and letters from the U.S. Coast Guard and Federal Aviation Administration concerning an aerial demonstration for the festival, 1970

236/2/1
Correspondence, replies to invitations and requests; letter regarding maritime parade in New York, 1971

236/2/2
Correspondence, 1971

236/2/3
Military Correspondence, 1971

236/2/4
Fourth of July Committee Minutes, 1971

236/2/5
Fourth of July Committee memos and member lists; publicity list; schedule of events, 1971

236/2/6
Receipts and Invoices, 1971

236/2/7
Bank Statements, 1971

236/2/8
Newspaper clippings, 1971

236/2/9
Schedules of events; map of parade route and booths, 1971

236/3/1
Correspondence to and from the Fourth of July Committee, 1972

236/3/2
Military correspondence involving invitations and requests for the festival; thank you letters from committee, 1972

236/3/3
Fourth of July Committee memos; festival schedules, 1972

236/3/4
Articles of Incorporation, 1972

236/3/5
Correspondence to participants of the festival and thank you letters to them,1973

236/3/6
Correspondence regarding R/V Dan Moore and fisheries display and Anheuser-Busch Budweiser Clydesdales, 1973

236/3/7
Invitation and Request letters and letters of reply, 1973

236/3/8
Navy correspondence; request form from Armed Forces to participate in public events, 1973

236/3/9
Fourth of July Committee minutes, 1973

236/3/10
Fourth of July Committee memos, 1973

236/3/11
Miscellaneous Correspondence; information about the New Bern/Craven county Bicentennial Festival, 1974

236/3/12
Fourth of July Committee minutes and memos, 1974

236/3/13
Tentative schedule for 1974 festival

236/4/1
Correspondence with possible festival participants, 1975

236/4/2
Fourth of July Committee minutes, 1975

236/4/3
Invitation list; schedule for visiting queens; special events expenses, 1975

236/4/4
Correspondence, 1976

236/4/5
Military Correspondence, 1976

236/4/6
Fourth of July Committee minutes, 1976

236/4/7
Fourth of July Committee memos; miscellaneous, 1976

236/4/8
Correspondence, 1977

236/4/9
Military Correspondence, 1977

236/4/10
Fourth of July Committee memos, 1977

236/4/11
Information about festival entertainment, 1977

236/4/12
Letters; routes for parade/posters, 1977

236/4/13
Copies of artwork for souvenirs and medallions, 1977

236/4/14
Correspondence, 1978

236/4/15
Military correspondence, room requests, 1978

236/4/16
List of visiting queens and schedules; list of exhibits, 1978

236/4/17
Invoices and receipts; phone records, 1978

236/4/18
Essay contest, "Happiness is...Celebrating the Fourth of July in Southport" 1978

236/4/19
Contracts with entertainers, 1978

236/5/1
Correspondence and donation requests, 1979

236/5/2
Military correspondence, 1979

236/5/3
Fourth of July Committee minutes, 1979

236/5/4
Fourth of July Committee memos, 1979

236/5/5
Budget, 1979

236/5/6
Receipts and Invoices, 1979

236/5/7
Phone records, 1979

236/5/8
Bank statements, 1979

236/5/9
Financial statements, 1979

236/5/10
Information concerning festival entertainment, 1979

236/5/11
Bank statements, 1980

236/5/12
Fourth of July Committee memos, 1980

236/5/13
Letters, budgets, fliers, 1980

236/6/1
Correspondence, Donation Requests, 1980

236/6/2
Invoices and receipts, 1980

236/6/3
Budget, 1980

236/6/4
Insurance, 1980

236/6/5
Phone Records, 1980

236/6/6
Patriot's Ball, 1980

236/6/7
Correspondence, 1981

236/6/8
Fourth of July Committee memos, 1981

236/6/9
Invoices and receipts, 1981

236/6/10
Phone Records, 1981

236/6/11
Bank statements, 1981

236/6/12
Newspaper clippings, 1982

236/7/1
Correspondence, 1982

236/7/2
Correspondence, 1982

236/7/3
Fourth of July Committee memos, 1982

236/7/4
Invoices and receipts, 1983

236/7/5
Bank statements, 1983

236/7/6
Phone Records, 1982

236/7/7
Queen's pageant, schedule for visiting queens, 1982

236/7/8
Copies of schedule for visiting queens; festival events schedule, 1982

236/7/9
Press packet for the singer "Jadi", 1983

236/7/10
Correspondence, 1983

236/7/11
Fourth of July Committee minutes, 1983

236/7/12
Fourth of July Committee memos, 1983

236/7/13
Phone Records, 1983

236/7/14
Contracts with entertainers, 1983

236/8/1
Budget, 1984

236/8/2
Planning memo, 1984

236/8/3
Invoices and receipts, 1984

236/8/4
Freedom Run, 1984

236/8/5
Fourth of July Committee memos, miscellaneous, 1984

236/8/6
Financial Records and permits, 1984

236/8/7
Ann Sophia Drew Diary, 1984

236/8/8
Festival history, 1984

236/8/9
Correspondence, 1984

236/8/10
Fourth of July Committee memos, 1985

236/8/11
ABC Permit,1985

236/8/12
Letters of praise to 'Concert Staging Inc.', 1985

236/9/1
Silent Auction, 1986

236/9/2
Invoices and receipts, 1986

236/9/3
Correspondence, 1986

236/9/4
Entertainment, 1986

236/9/5
Press Clippings, 1986

236/9/6
Patriot's Ball, 1986

236/9/7
Cruise raffle, 1986

236/9/8
Budget, 1986

236/9/9
Fourth of July Committee memos, 1986

236/9/10
Ms. Liberty Ball, 1986

236/9/11
Correspondence, 1986

236/9/12
Pamphlets, 1986

236/9/13
Festival schedule, 1986

236/9/14
Committee memo, finances, 1986

236/9/15
Bar-B-Q Fundraiser, 1986

236/9/16
Bank statements, 1986

236/9/17
Fourth of July Committee minutes and reports, 1986

236/9/18
Invoices and receipts, 1986

236/9/19
Tax and incorporation papers, 1986

236/9/20
ABC Permits, 1986

236/9/21
Festival By-laws, 1986

236/9/22
Insurance, 1986

236/10/1
Military Correspondence, 1986

236/10/2
Military Correspondence, 1987

236/10/3
Fourth of July Committee minutes, 1987

236/10/4
Freedom Run, 1987

236/10/5
Correspondence, 1987

236/10/6
Fourth of July Committee finance report, 1987

236/10/7
Invoices and receipts, 1987

236/10/8
Entertainment, 1987

236/10/9
International Festival Association Meeting, 1987

236/10/10
International Festival Association Directory, 1987

236/11/1
Correspondence; Festival Letters; thank you cards, 1989-1990

236/11/2
Festival Sponsors; media and publicity, 1990

236/11/3
Military Correspondence, 1990

236/11/4
Correspondence; Business information, 1989-1990

236/11/5
Medallion; Fourth of July Committee Records; NC Lighthouses/Churches/Tours, 1989-1990

236/11/6
Correspondence/Catalogues; T-shirt committee, 1989-1990

236/12/1
Fourth of July Committee list; guests and volunteer information, 1990

236/12/2
Internal memos; state and municipal correspondence, 1990

236/12/3
Festival schedules, 1990

236/12/4
Fourth of July Committee minutes and memos, 1990

236/12/5
Queen's pageant records; Queen's photo; 4th of July photos, 1990

236/12/6
Parade and Freedom Run, 1990

236/12/7
Patriot's Ball, 1988-1992

236/12/8
VIP Luncheon, 1988-1990

236/12/9
Clippings and papers on the NAACP complaint concerning the Queen's pageant, 1990

236/12/10
Insurance Documents, 1990

236/12/11
Entertainment Memo, fireworks, 1990

236/12/12
Airshow, 1990

236/13/1
Committee Memos, 1992

236/13/2
Budget, 1992

236/13/3
Fourth of July Committee minutes, 1992

236/13/4
Correspondence, 1992

236/13/5
Festival Schedule of events and parade line up, 1992

236/13/6
Fourth of July Committee minutes and sponsorships, 1992

236/13/7
Insurance policy; Department of Revenue Privilege License, 1996

236/13/8
Tax receipts, 1997

236/13/9
Fourth of July Committee minutes, 1998

236/13/10
Bank Statements, 1998

236/13/11
Invoices and receipts, 1998

236/13/12
Committee memos, 1998

236/13/13
Bank statements, 1998

236/14/1
Bank deposits; sponsor list, 1999

236/14/2
Bank deposits; sponsor list, 1999

236/14/3
Bank deposits; sponsor list, 1999

236/14/4
Festival Board of Directors Agenda, Financial Reports, 1999

236/14/5
Committee Banking Records, 1999

236/14/6
Bank Book; Committee Banking Records, 1999

236/14/7
Committee Banking Records, 1999

236/14/8
Committee Phone Records

236/14/9
Committee Tax Information and Insurance Policies, 1999

236/14/10
Invoice, Billing

236/14/11
Invoice, Billing

236/14/12
Invoice, Billing, Contracts

236/15/1
Fourth of July Committee minutes

236/15/2
Parade line-ups, 1999

236/15/3
Parade line-ups manuscript, units 1-105

236/15/4
Postage; Responsibility lists for committees

236/15/5
Festival coupons; membership cards, miscellaneous

236/16/1
Drafts of Festival By-laws, 1972-1999; Articles of Incorporation

236/16/2
By-laws; Committee Responsibilities, Planning Document

236/16/3
Committee Responsibilities, Planning Document

236/16/4
Entertainment Records; Patriot package; press releases and clippings, 1999

236/16/5
Parade entry applications, 1999

236/16/6
Parade rules, 1998; Shriners, entertainment, memos, 1999

236/16/7
Fourth of July committee correspondence; Allan Bradley Music CD "The Wall"

236/16/8
Profiles on Mike McIntyre as congressman and colonel; reply from John Edwards, 1999

236/17/1
Blank memos; Carolina Power and Light Company documents

236/17/2
Copy of Irvin M. Lurie's death certificate, May 19, 1980

236/17/3
Jeff Marshall notes on Sliding Filament Theory; 1984 Flag Catalogue; Festival documents

236/17/4
Business catalogues, 1970s-1980s; Photos of festival highlights, Southport history

236/17/5
Empty photo holders, 1987-1988; Meal tickets, 1990s

236/18/1
Military and General Clippings, 1996-1997

236/18/2
Festival Naturalization Ceremony, Documents with names and countries, July 3, 1996

236/18/3
William Bennett Biographies; Clippings from Naturalization Ceremony, 1996

236/18/4
Clippings from Naturalization Ceremony; correspondence, 1996

236/18/5
Copies of flag code and constitution, 1995-1996

236/18/6
Festival and Naturalization Ceremony clippings, 1997

236/18/7
List of applicants for the Southport Naturalization Ceremony; profiles, 1997

236/18/8
List of Naturalizationapplicants; profile and correspondence of key speakers, 1998

236/18/9
Naturalization ceremony clippings and other documents, 1998

236/18/10
Naturalization documents; Naturalization ceremony photos, 1999

236/18/11
List of applicants and countries for Naturalization ceremony; profile of speaker, 1999

236/18/12
Clippings of Naturalization ceremony from The State Port Pilot, 1999

236/18/13
Naturalization Documents, Correspondence, List of applicants, profile of speaker, 2000

236/18/14
Naturalization Ceremony news clippings, 2000; copies of pages from book "Joshua's Dream" by Susan S. Carson

236/18/15
Naturalization lists and agendas, 2001

236/18/16
North Carolina Secretary of State biography and information, 2001; email dated June 11, 2001; miscellaneous biography

236/18/17
Festival and Naturalization Ceremony clippings, 2001-2002

236/18/18
Flag certification, 2002

236/19/1
1979 Festival Booklet; 1985 Queen's pageant booklet and official festival program

236/19/2
Clippings on festival from The State Port Pilot; Azalea Festival Guide, 1990

236/19/3
Festival clippings from Brunswick Beacon, Wilmington Morning Star, Encore, 1990

236/19/4
Festival clippings from The State Port Pilot, 1990

236/19/5
Festival clippings from The State Port Pilot, 1991

236/20/1
Fourth of July Committee Records and News, 1999

236/20/2
North Carolina Festival Edition of The State Port Pilot, 1999

236/21/1
Festival Correspondence, Office Memos, 1987

236/21/2
ABC Correspondence, 1987

236/21/3
Insurance policies

236/21/4
Festival budgets, schedules, minutes; performance and fireworks information

236/21/5
Festival line-ups and route maps

236/21/6
Patriot's Ball, 1987

236/21/7
Indigo Plantation information; release of Bald Head Landing

236/22/1
Celebration North Carolina, Governor Martin, 1990

236/22/2
Festival Bylaws, 1985 and 1999

236/22/3
County of Brunswick Lease Agreement and Amendments, 1976 and 1996

236/22/4
Miscellaneous Committee Notes and Festival List, 1991-1996

236/22/5
Bank Statements, 1994-1995

236/22/6
Festival Budgets, 1991-1996

236/22/7
Festival Minutes, Financials, 1990-1993

236/22/8
Festival Minutes and Finances, 1994-1997

236/23/1
Festival Bylaws and Rules, 1999

236/23/2
Budget Reports, 1999

236/23/3
Festival Agendas, 1999

236/23/4
Festival Minutes and notes, 1999

236/23/5
Board of Directors Records, 1999

236/23/6
Festival Sponsorship records, 1999

236/23/7
Fundraising, 1999

236/23/8
Little, Tiny and Junior Miss Pageant information, 1999

236/23/9
Merchandise Sales, 1999

236/23/10
Festival correspondence about arts and crafts, 1999

236/23/11
Concessions, 1999

236/23/12
Festival Entertainment, 1999

236/23/13
Media and Public Relations, copy of Carolina Living (June 1999)

236/23/14
Visiting Queens, 1999

236/23/15
Opening Ceremonies, 1999

236/23/16
Flag Raising, 1999

236/23/17
Beach day itinerary, 1999

236/23/18
Naturalization Ceremony, 1999

236/23/19
Freedom Run and Patriot's Ball, 1999

236/23/20
Parade Records, 1999

236/23/21
Shriners, 1999

236/23/22
Staging for Festival, 1999

236/23/23
Necessity Stations, 1999

236/23/24
Fireworks, 1999

236/23/25
Military Exhibits, 1999

236/23/26
Hospitality, 1999

236/23/27
Vietnam Moving Wall, 1999

236/23/28
Legal, insurance, notes, 1999

236/23/29
Schedule of Events, 1999

236/23/30
Festival Correspondence, thank you notes, 1999

236/24/1
Committee Minutes, 1998

236/24/2
Parade Line-ups, schedules, 1998

236/24/3
Address Lists, 1998

236/24/4
Parade Correspondence, VIP List, 1998

236/24/5
Patriot's List, DAR, 1998

236/24/6
Budget Reports, 1998

236/24/7
Committee Agendas, 1998

236/24/8
Parade Applications, 1998

236/24/9
Parade Applications, 1998

236/24/10
Parade Units 1-66, 1998

236/24/11
Parade Units 67-105, 1998

236/25/1
Committee, North Carolina Natural and Economic Resources, 1976-1977

236/25/2
International Festival Association, Hawaii, 1977

236/25/3
Committee Receipts and Invoices, 1979-80  

236/25/4
North Carolina Freedom Run Forms, 1980

236/25/5
Festival Budgets and Memos, 1988-1989

236/25/6
Patriot's List

236/26/1
Committee Journal, Festival Notes, 1968-1970

236/26/2
Pageant Souvenir Programs, 1970

236/26/3
Dogwood Festival Program, 1973

236/26/4
Pageant Programs, 1974

236/26/5
Postcard, Pageant Programs, 1975

236/26/6
Festival of States, Kentucky Derby Festivals, 1976

236/26/7
Festival Programs, 1976-1977

236/26/8
Decorating Committee, Pageant Souvenir Booklets, 1978

236/26/9
Promotions Catalog, 1978

236/26/10
Festival Programs, 1979

236/26/11
Queen's Pageant Programs, June 20, 1981

236/26/12
Queen's pageant, June 15, 1985

236/26/13
North Carolina Calendar of Events, 1987

236/26/14
Festival Anniversary Booklet; Various buttons

236/26/15
Miscellaneous catalogs and booklets, 1976 -1999

236/26/16
Texas Pete Racing

236/26/17
Old Guard of the Army photos

236/26/18
"God Bless the USA" songbook

236/26/19
Army News Releases (note: Tomb of the Unknown Soldier)

236/27/1
Parade Schedule, Line up, 1973

236/27/2
Parade Itineraries, 1975

236/27/3
Events, 1977

236/27/4
Schedules of events, 1978

236/27/5
Committee Members, Minutes, 1978

236/27/6
Schedule of events; list of visiting queens, 1979

236/27/7
Sponsorships for festival, 1980

236/27/8
Committee statements on income and expenses, 1979-181

236/27/9
Schedule; Freedom's Run Correspondence, 1980

236/27/10
Festival Correspondence (letters), 1973-1990

236/27/11
Committee memos

236/27/12
Committee land agreement

236/27/13
Bank records and statements, 1970-1979

236/27/14
Army boating guidelines, 1972

236/27/15
NC Festival rough draft of official program

236/27/16
Various Constitutional Resources and clippings; Bicentennial

236/27/17
Southport History; Brochures

236/27/18
Bald Head Island Depiction (HUD), Cape Fear Corporation

236/28/1
State Port Pilot clippings, 1970

236/28/2
State Port Pilot clippings about the Festival; Queen's pageant and parade marshal, 1970

236/28/3
State Port Pilot clippings about the Festival, 1970

236/28/4
State Port Pilot clippings about the Festival, March-June 1970

236/28/5
State Port Pilot clippings about the Festival, July-August 1970

236/28/6
Star News and State Port Pilot clippings about the Festival, 1975

236/28/7
State Port Pilot clippings about the Festival, Queen's Pageant, 1980

236/28/8
Department of Transportation Envelope to Southport (notes on back)

236/28/9
North Carolina Festival Program (2 copies), 1999

236/28/10
State Port Pilot clippings about the Festival, 2001

236/29/1
Festival photographs, 1963-2003

236/29/2
Southport photographs, 1970s-1980s

236/29/3
Festival and Southport photographs, 1970s-1980s

236/29/4
Queen's pageant and festival photographs, 1970s

236/29/5
Winston-Salem High School Photographs

236/29/6
Festival Photographs, 1975-1979

236/29/7
Festival Entertainment Photographs (including autographed photo of Jim Varney), 1987

236/29/8
Festival Photographs, 1970s-1980s

236/29/9
Various Photos and Portraits

236/29/10
Festival Photographs, 1960s-1970s

236/29/11
Festival Photographs (color), 2003

236/30/1
Festival slides, 1970-1979

236/30/2
Festival slides, 1970-1979

236/30/3
Festival slides, 1970-1979

 236/30/4
Festival slides, 1972                                                                      

236/30/5
Festival slides, 1975

236/30/6
Festival slides, 1976

236/30/7
Festival slides, 1976

236/31/1
Festival slides, 1976

236/31/2
Festival photograph slides, 1977

236/31/3
Festival photograph slides, 1979

236/32/1
State Port Pilot newspapers; Festival artwork, 1975

236/33/1
Festival nametags; large photos of festival and memorabilia, 1975

236/34/1
Festival Program, 1975

236/34/2
Program from the International Festivals Association, 1987

236/34/3
Pamphlets and Festival Postcards

236/34/4
Bank Records, 1978-1979

236/34/5
Bank Records, 1980-1981

236/35/1
Photograph slides, 1971-1978

236/35/2
Photographs

236/35/3
Beach photograph slides, June 1985

236/36/1
Video of parade and pageants, 1998

236/37/1
Artifacts, medallions, phone, video, audio, 1960s-1994

 

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