June 24, 2026
Heart of Brevard
While many communities focus their Independence Day celebrations on July 4, Brevard’s America 250 Celebration begins with a special Friday night kickoff that organizers hope will draw residents and visitors downtown for a unique one-night-only experience.
On Friday, July 3, downtown Brevard will transform into a street festival featuring two headlining bands, a beer garden showcasing local and regional breweries, food vendors and the ceremonial tapping of the community’s Patriot’s Pint -locally crafted beers created in honor of America’s 250th anniversary.
The evening’s music lineup features Red Clay Revival, known for blending Southern rock, country, bluegrass, and Americana into a high-energy performance, followed by The Empire Strikes Brass, the nationally-recognized Asheville-based band whose signature sound combines New Orleans brass traditions with funk, rock, hip-hop and pop influences.
“America only turns 250 once,” said Nicole Bentley, executive director of the Heart of Brevard downtown business organization, in a news release. “We wanted to create a celebration worthy of that milestone. Friday night’s kickoff festival gives residents and visitors an extra opportunity to experience downtown Brevard in a way we don’t typically get to offer. With two incredible headlining bands, the Patriot Pint tapping, local food and craft beverages, and a downtown full of energy, it’s the perfect way to kick off a historic holiday weekend. We hope people will come downtown on Friday and make a full weekend of it—celebrating our nation’s history, supporting local businesses, enjoying great music, and spending time with friends and family in the heart of our community.”
The celebration continues on Saturday, July 4, with patriotic programming beginning at 11 a.m., including a flag-raising ceremony, community birthday cake, youth bike parade, classic car show, family activities, live music, and an old-fashioned Main Street square dance led by Whitewater Bluegrass Company. The event will conclude with a performance of the Star-Spangled Banner by local singer-songwriter Airely Hart and Brevard’s annual fireworks display.
At just 13 years old, Hart is a ninth-generation Transylvania County resident whose family roots in the region trace back to the Revolutionary era. A talented singer-songwriter, she performs both original music and traditional folk songs, carrying forward a rich musical heritage while connecting with a new generation of listeners.
Heart of Brevard
The America 250 Celebration takes place July 3–4 in downtown Brevard and is free and open to the public. Activities include live music, food and craft vendors, a beer garden, patriotic programming, public art installations, family activities, and fireworks as the community joins in commemorating the nation’s 250th anniversary.
For more on this event, visit brevardnc.org.