This July 4, celebrate Hillsborough’s community, history, arts and culture — and the many people and traditions that have shaped the town’s story.

The Town of Hillsborough, in partnership with Orange County, will present “Together, We Are America,” a free public festival from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. July 4 in River Park, downtown Hillsborough. The event is part of the national America 250 campaign commemorating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

“Celebrating the 250th anniversary of Independence Day is an opportunity for Hillsborough to reflect on who we are today and the value of community over the long arc of American history,” Hillsborough Mayor Mark Bell said. “Who we are now, and how we got here, is the living legacy of July 4, 1776.”

Designed as a welcoming gathering for all, the celebration invites residents and visitors of every background, age and perspective to come together to reflect on a shared past and the diverse voices that continue to define the Hillsborough community.

Activities will take place at River Park, adjacent to the Farmers Market Pavilion, and at venues throughout downtown Hillsborough. Programming includes a juried crafts market from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., live performances from 1 to 9 p.m., a light show, and historical, cultural and artistic demonstrations throughout the day. These will include exhibits, hands-on activities and living history reenactments at the Occaneechi Replica Village. A call for artists is open through April 30. 

Historic Hillsborough serves as a perfect backdrop for the occasion as it was a significant political center in early American history and the site of key Revolutionary War-era events.

“Celebrating the 250th anniversary of July 4, 1776, is meaningful to Hillsborough now because our town experienced the struggle for independence firsthand with the Regulator movement, protests against unfair taxation, and as the location for the Third North Carolina Provincial Congress where North Carolina prepared to separate from Great Britain,” the mayor said. 

The North Carolina General Assembly met in Hillsborough during the Revolution in 1778 and  1782 following the Battle of Yorktown. It also met in Hillsborough before the signing of the Treaty of Paris ending the American Revolution. Notable figures in Hillsborough during the Revolution included General Francis Nash and William Hooper, one of three signers of the Declaration of Independence from North Carolina.

The Town of Hillsborough, the Hillsborough Tourism Board and the Hillsborough Tourism Development Authority are providing funding for the event. Orange County is providing planning for the event through the Orange County Arts Commission. To learn more about the event, including volunteer and vendor information, please visit www.artsorange.org/july4.