Noted as Black Card Magazines favorite spots to watch fireworks and Coastal Living’s 10 Spots to Celebrate the Fourth  the Battleship North Carolina and the City of Wilmington present the 2013 17th Annual Battleship Blast Fireworks show sponsored by WECT TV-6 and 102.7 WGNI on Thursday, July 4, 2013.

The spectacular is one you will not want to miss. For the first time in the history of the Battleship Blast, the show will shoot from a barge, courtesy of Atlantic Diving. At 9:05 pm, the fireworks will begin and the 20 minute fanfare will amaze.

Starting at 5:00 the 4th of July Riverfront Celebration begins in downtown Wilmington as the Street Fair kicks off the festivities.  Entertainment provided by Heart & Soul in Riverfront Park with food, music and more fun on Water Street.

Then, at 9:05pm when the sun has just set the Battleship North Carolina hosts the 17th Annual Battleship Blast fireworks show. As you look over the river from downtown Wilmington the sky spectacular will begin. Zambelli Fireworks, one of the largest pyrotechnics company in the world, is making their debut in Wilmington, North Carolina, and is guaranteed to dazzle residents and visitors alike. Bring the entire family and enjoy an explosive evening!

The only place you need to be this holiday is downtown Wilmington for the best view of fireworks.  For those viewing along the river bring your radios and tune in to WGNI 102.7 FM. Choreographed music to the fireworks spectacular will be simulcast on WGNI 102.7 FM and to those not able to be downtown, WECT TV-6 will broadcast and stream live starting at 9:05pm.

The entire Battleship complex on Eagles Island will be closed at 5:00pm and all vehicles will be required to leave by 5:30pm. Therefore, come early and visit the equally impressive Battleship North Carolina before the activities in the evening.

Parking Information
• City decks located at 115 Market St. and 114 N. 2nd St., the County deck at 212 N. 2nd St. and the Wilmington Convention Center deck will charge a $7.00 event fee.  Parking on street is free.

Street Closures
• Water between Market and Grace and the 00 blocks of Market and Princess will close at 1:30 pm (event area); Chestnut between 3rd and Front will close as early as 5:00 pm (for traffic purposes).
• Areas west of 3rd St. towards the river will close as early as 6:00 pm once parking is no longer available.  If you are planning on parking in the downtown district or in one of the parking decks arrive early.

Important Traffic Information
• Vehicles should park on the side of downtown (with Chestnut St. being the dividing line) that is closest to the direction they will travel after the fireworks have ended.
• Traffic parked south of Chestnut St. will be diverted south towards Market St., Dawson St. and the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge – includes the City parking decks in the 100 block of Market St. and in the 100 block of N. 2nd St.
• Traffic parked north of Chestnut St. will be diverted north towards MLK Parkway and the Isabel Holmes Bridge – includes the NHC parking deck in the 200 block of N. 2nd St.
• Expect delays when arriving and leaving the downtown area due to large volumes of traffic for the event.  Those using parking decks can expect longer delays due to high volumes exiting at one time.
• No standing, stopping or parking on bridges, roadways or along medians on route 17, 74/76, 133 or 421 – police will monitor these areas and towing will be enforced.
• A detour will occur at the 421 N. ramp from 74/76 as early as 6:00 pm or when necessary.
• For traffic information call 511 or visit the NCDOT TIMS website at tims.ncdot.gov/tims/.

Boating Traffic
• Authorities will maintain a safety zone for 30 minutes after the fireworks around the launch site.  No thru boating traffic will be allowed.

Visit the Battleship North Carolina online at www.battleshipnc.com/