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The small town of
Faith is located in
eastern Rowan County.
Since 1946 the small
town has hosted a
Fourth of July
celebration with patriotic
pride. A week-long
celebration requires a
great deal of planning
by the sponsoring
organizations and community
volunteers. The Faith Fourth
of July Celebration is
sponsored by the Faith
American Legion Post
#327, the Faith American
Legion Auxiliary Unit
#327, The Faith Civitans,
and the Faith Jaycees.
The celebration has been
called one of the
biggest Fourth of July
Celebrations in the
state of North Carolina.
The town of Faith
was incorporated in 1903
and around that time
a handful of area
residents gathered to honor
their Confederate War
veterans with a picnic
and games. The Peeler
family, operators of a number
of business's in Faith,
was instrumental in
these initial get togethers
on the Fourth of
July. The Fourth
Celebrations were more
like family picnics with
few activities. A
citizen remembers the
greasy pole that proved
a challenge for one
soldier in the crowd.
Also,
races were a favorite
and a horse drawn
merry-go-round was a rather
unusual attraction.
The
Faith's Fourth of July
Celebration was originally
sanctioned by the town
government in 1920,
the sad conditions of
wars and general
economic distress intervened.
Gatherings were sporadic.
The end of World War II
brought back happier
times. The annual
celebration was revived.
Before Ray McCombs, life
long resident and active
supporter of the celebration
made a comment that
organizers received quite
a shock when twice as
any participants showed up
as were expected. It
also noted that food
quickly ran out and
Faith's cooks went to
their own kitchens to
bring more food.
Strategic planning takes
on a clear meaning
for those with the
responsibility for the
upcoming celebration.
Currently 30,000 people
attend the mile-and-a-half
parade. Most of these
stay for the day
in Faith .
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