By admin 
GARNER, N.C. (WNCN) — Triple-digit temperatures are impacting July 4th celebrations across central North Carolina. Some events are starting later and ending earlier to avoid the worst of the heat.
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“I feel like the people are still going to show up. It’s the 4th of July, it’s the 250th year anniversary,” said Lance Bradner, owner of the Celtic Company.
Bradner hopes to have a busy night at his ice cream stand during Garner’s Independence Day celebration.
“Fortunately I’m serving ice cream, so it’s cold,” Bradner said. “The hot weather is great for ice cream, because I feel like it melts a little bit and you just have to eat more of it to be out here.”
His ice cream is just one way to keep the 10,000 people expected for the festivities cool. The town also set up multiple cooling areas and has free water stations.
“Usually if you’re coming to a Garner event, it’s all about fun and food, but today it’s all about staying cool and being careful,” said Garner Mayor Buddy Gupton.
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While other local events, including Knightdale and Cary, adjusted the timing of their events, the biggest change for Garner’s celebration was the loss of the North Carolina Symphony.
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“We were disappointed, of course, that the Symphony will not be able to play because it’s just too hot for their instruments,” Gupton said. “But thank goodness for our local band Brickhouse, these guys are pros, they’re tough, they’ve been knocking it out since 2000.”
The North Carolina Symphony apologized for not being able to perform in both Garner and Cary because of the heat, saying in part, “This marks the first time we have been unable to participate in these cherished community traditions because of extreme heat.”
Gupton says there will be more first responders on hand this year compared to years past because of the scorching temperatures.
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