Fun Happenings at the Fourth of July Festival Week In Southport

The 4^th of July Holiday Festival Week was a big one for the Brunswick Town Chapter that began with a Naturalization Ceremony where over 100 new citizens were sworn in as American Citizens. The event, sponsored by the NC Fourth of July Festival and the United States Department of Homeland Security’s Bureau of Citizenship & Immigration Service, was kicked off with music from The Brunswick Big Band.

Co-Chairman, Naturalization Ceremony, Theodore T. Carlsen, husband of Brunswick Town Chapter member, Fran Carlsen welcomed a large crowd of dignitaries,  family, and friends. Both Fran and her husband have been an integral part of the ceremony for many years. Posting of the Colors was beautifully handled by the South Brunswick High School JROTC. (Our Chapter awards a scholarship to the outstanding JROTC student each year.)

The National Anthem was sung by the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office Quartet, followed by the Canon Salute by the Southport Historical Society & 13^th Battalion NC Light Artillery. The Mayor of Southport, J. V Dove, spoke and announced with pride that Southport had been notified a few days before that the Festival was voted by Southern Living Magazine as the “Best Beach Town in America for the Fourth of July Celebration!”  

The Keynote Speaker was Jon Evans, Anchor/Reporter WECT/Fox Wilmington who related his own family’s experience with immigration and how opportunities exist. He praised the group saying that he realized how difficult the process is to become a US Citizen and thanked them for their hard work. Other dignitaries offered congratulatory remarks.

NC DAR State Vice Regent Carole Weiss, was an honorary guest. Carol Jutte, Regent and Pat Gooding, Vice Regent handed out American Flags and Constitution Bookmarks to each new citizen. It was thrilling to watch the broad and grateful smiles as they took their flag and bookmark.

All new citizens and their families were invited to attend a reception given by the Brunswick Town Chapter. Member volunteers made sandwiches, cookies and Lemonade.  

The next day, DAR Brunswick Town Chapter members proudly carried its DAR Chapter Banner, and walked in procession with other members who were riding in five golf carts, all decorated with red, white, and blue and American Flags in the 46^th Annual 4^th of July Parade! The parade winded through the streets of this quaint little town by the sea that was once a fishing village. The parade has been  a tradition in Southport that dates back to 1795 when local citizens held its first parade that was called,  “The Festival of Free Men.”

Members shouted “Happy Birthday” along the parade route and children of all ages shouted it back! The day was truly a rewarding experience and every member who volunteered said that they were looking forward to doing it again next year!

Carol Sutter, Anne Barnhill, Annetta Clark and Pat Steele make sure all the cupcakes are positioned just right!

L to R Brunswick Town Chapter Regent Carol Jutte, NC Vice Regent Carole Weiss, and Brunswick Town Chapter Vice Regent Pat Gooding

Martha Koletar, dressed as Betsy Ross greets new American citizens and their family at the reception sponsored by the Brunswick Town Chapter

Pat Tucker and Connie Hendrix take a moment out from making sandwiches to admire the food just waiting for new citizens and their families to enjoy!

Regent Carol Jutte puts the finishing touch on one of the golf carts!

L to R: YvonneBrown, Martha Koletar, Liz Collet, Kathy Johnson, Dianna Suttle, Lynn Deen, Jean Green, Mary Sands, Vice Regent, Pat Gooding; Regent, Carol Jutte; Diane Price and Pat Tucker

Pat Tucker, Martha Koletar, Carol Jutte and Pat Gooding get ready for the parade!

Diane Price and Yvonne Brown are probably discussing Diane's Library. Who knows what Carol Jutte is doing! She is always making or doing something constructive!