July 9, 2010



Ocracoke islanders and visitors celebrated Independence Day with most of the usual activities and programs, including square dancing, a sand sculpture contest, and the much loved Old Time parade.

The only thing missing this year was the annual fireworks display.

For a number of reasons, the Ocracoke Civic and Business Association cancelled the fireworks this year.

A major reason for the cancellation was the horrific accident as a crew from a South Carolina pyrotechnics company was setting up on the morning of  July 4 of last year.  An explosion blew apart the truck in which they were working, killing four of the crew and seriously injuring another.

The dead and injured and their families were remembered with a moment of silence after this year’s Old Time Parade.

Also, islanders decided to raise funds to purchase a headstone for one of the victims, Lisa Simmons, 42, of Goldsboro, N.C.

A group on the island has determined that a headstone can be purchased for $1,000.  Any extra funds raised would go to the families of the other victims.

The Ocracoke Civic and Business Association officers have agreed that checks and money can be given through them to the recipients.  You can mail contributions to PO Box 456, Ocracoke, NC 27960. Checks should be made payable to OCBA with Fireworks Casualty Fund in the memo. The deadline for the project is July 15.

Ruth Fordon, editor of the Ocracoke Observer, said this year’s July Fourth observance was a “very calm and peaceful day.”

She said that it was “quite healing after the tragedy of last year.”

CLICK HERE TO SEE A SLIDE SHOW OF JULY FOURTH ON OCRACOKE

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