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The Oakboro July 4th Celebration and Parade, that unfortunately had to be cancelled this year, traces its origin back to the summer of 1958.

During that year, the fire department in town sponsored the event as a way to raise money to purchase a new fire truck.

This celebration, however, was not the first July 4 event in Oakboro. In 1933 the community held a July 4 event as a fundraiser to raise money for a town baseball team.

According to early Stanly News & Press accounts, organizers expected 200 people to attend and more than 5,000 showed up.

This first version of the Oakboro July 4 Celebration was held each year through 1941, when it was cancelled due to World War II.

The organizers of the current event are looking forward to being able to celebrate again in 2021. {Lewis P. Bramlett – Stanly County Historical Society}