City offices will be closed on Friday, July 3 to celebrate Independence Day. The holiday changes our trash and recycling schedule for Thursday and Friday customers. Thursday routes will be collected on Wednesday and Friday routes will be collected on Thursday. Utility bills can be paid online or over the phone, and don't forget we have a kiosk at the center in the first drive-thru lane that takes cash or credit card payments 24/7 and credits them instantly to city or Greenlight bills. As always, emergency services and utilities will be staffed and ready to respond in an emergency.
Plenty to do here this weekend
It's going to be a hot one in Wilson this weekend, so here are some cool suggestions.
The city pools at Wilson Recreation Center, 500 Sunset Road NW, and Reid Street Center, 901 Reid St. E, will be open 1-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. There's a small fee per person.
The splash pad at Gillette Sports Complex, 3238 Corbett Ave. NE, is open 10 a.m.-7 p.m. daily, although it does close 2-3 p.m. for maintenance. It is free to use.
The mini-train at Wilson Recreation Center Park will be operating in the shade on Sunday from 1-5 p.m. There is a small fee to ride.
The Oliver Nestus Roundhouse Museum, 1202 Nash St. E, will continue its concert series this Sunday and what's cooler than a night of jazz? The Mavis Swan Poole Jazz band will perform a free concert beginning at 6 p.m. Bring a lawn chair or blanket and relax in the shade.
The Wilson Farmers & Artisan Market will not operate this weekend but will return Saturday, July 11, 8 a.m.-noon.
Fireworks light up Wilson skies this weekend
If you want to celebrate the big 2-5-0 with fireworks, you will have plenty of chances.
Wilson County Fairgrounds on U.S. 301 has traditionally had a large, free show, but they are saying they will go even bigger this year. The parking lot will open at 5 p.m. Saturday and local food trucks and vendors will be available. The fireworks will start around 9:15 p.m.
The Wilson Warbirds will have fireworks after their games Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. The challenge is anticipating what time the shows begin, but you can follow the games' progress on www.milb.com. Or, hey, why not go to the games? The Warbirds have special activities planned for the weekend: wilsonwarbirds.com/america
If you're planning to attend the baseball game on Saturday night, please note some on-street parking will be unavailable and a few intersections closed. These changes are necessary for increased pedestrian traffic expected on July 4.
Be careful with home displays
Reminder -- North Carolina prohibits residents from using most fireworks that fly into the air or explode. You are allowed sparklers, fountains, smoke devices, and novelty items like poppers, snakes, and glow worms. Most stores in this state won't sell illegal fireworks; the main issue is people buying them from other states.
Even legal fireworks can be dangerous. Always use them responsibly and have water or a fire extinguisher nearby. The drought (more details below) make the risk of fire worse so please monitor all uses. Loud noises can frighten pets or other animals so be considerate.
And please do not fire off guns into the sky; those bullets always come down and sometimes cause damage or injury.
