Residents Gather for Fourth of July Celebration Despite Record Heat

July 4 brought with it sun, humidity and a high of 100 degrees — yet the town of Tarboro still managed to throw an exciting celebration for America’s 250th birthday. Those willing to brave the temperature had a blast at the Tarboro Summer Fest and later witnessed a display of colorful fireworks in Braswell Park.

“I’ve got a fan and a tent, and I’m in the shade,” said Christine Petriken, one of two face painters who attended Summer Fest. “So I tried to keep everything cool.”

The temperature made it especially challenging for the face painters, who at times had issues with kids beginning to sweat the paint right off. Despite that, they kept at it and managed to create art for kids of all ages.

“We’re having a blast,” added Petriken.

Summer Fest’s attractions also included children’s rides, games, refreshments and even a small train that both kids and parents enjoyed riding around the park. Justin Arostegui — who attended with his wife, Kaylee Velez-Arostegui, and their daughter, Gianna Arostegui — said the train was his daughter’s favorite part of the celebration.

“We’re just kind of letting her burn off energy until her naptime,” he explained as Gianna sat for her face to be painted.

Justin Arostegui works with Greenville Fire and Rescue. Though he does not live in Tarboro, he drives through every day on the way to work.

“I thought it would be cool for my daughter to come out here,” he said.

Once he and his wife thoroughly exhausted Gianna, they planned to grill out and then go watch the fireworks in Braswell Park.

Furry friends were commonplace at the outdoor event, but at least one dog was on the clock. Two-year-old K-9 Rex walked with his handler, Tarboro police Officer Matthew Boyette, who said both of them were enjoying the event — and in Rex’s case, enjoying the attention and affection from revelers.

“It’s always good for dogs to be able to acclimate with the community,” Boyette said.

Though the day was hot, Rex seemed to be bearing the heat quite well. Boyette promised the dog was being well cared for, and said the two were trying to “stay in the shade as much as we can.”

Attendees who found the heat too much to bear for long stretches of the day were able to go get a refreshment at one of the local food trucks.

“Everyone loved coming to our spot,” said Pamela Peterson-Dickens, owner of Sweet P’s Galaxy Lemonade. “Because we had fans.”

Her food truck, known for its sparkly lemonade in a variety of flavors, had two streams of air pointed to cool off customers as they waited to be served.

However, customers weren’t the only people struggling with the heat. Denise Davis, the owner of Sunset Slush, said she also was taking steps to cope with the temperature.

“[I] just stay hydrated and try to stay cool, take some breaks, get in the car real quick in the AC. Yeah, that helps a lot,” Davis noted.

She planned to show up to watch the fireworks later in Braswell Park, where she would be selling more Italian Ice.

“We try to do all the events we can because we love the community,” she explained. “We love the kids.”

And by the sound of it, everyone gathered at Braswell Park loved the fireworks.

The time-honored tradition was met with a huge round of applause, a fitting way to culminate a day chock-full of celebrating 250 years of independence.