By Jon Show — My family has spent nearly 30 years celebrating Independence Day in and around Lake Norman, and, in my opinion, few places offer a better Fourth of July experience.

Our neighborhood usually begins the festivities at the pool before moving down the hill to take part in a series of “athletic” events inspired by the movie “Revenge of the Nerds.” But we’ve done all kinds of things with the kids over the years, including many Fourth of Julys on the lake.

As we celebrate 250 years of independence, here are some suggestions for getting the most out of your holiday weekend.

Fireworks

The Peninsula Club offers an extensive fireworks show that is closed to the public by land but highly visible from the water and many locations along the shoreline.

New to Cornelius and don’t have a boat? If you can access any shoreline, you’ll catch hours of personal and professional fireworks displays in the distance.

If you’re on the water, make sure your navigation lights are working, review right-of-way rules and plan to travel at idle speed on your way back to the dock.

Pro tip: If you’re looking for a prime viewing area that’s a little easier to navigate than the main cove near the clubhouse, try Ramsey Creek or the small cove west of the clubhouse. Both spots are popular, but on the south side of the lake there’s far less boat traffic heading home afterward.

Free Fishing Day

I’m not suggesting you try to fish Lake Norman’s warmer-than-usual waters in the midday heat on the Fourth of July, but if you’re looking for an early morning activity, it’s the one day each year that North Carolina residents can fish without a freshwater license.

Don’t have fishing equipment? Cornelius Parks and Recreation has a free tackle loaner program. Just make arrangements today before Town Hall closes for the long weekend.

Pro tip: For young children, pick up some red worms at 7-Eleven, put them on a small bobber rig and you’ll catch bream all morning. For catfish, cut off some excess fat from your brisket or pork butt, place it on a large hook with a sinker, toss it into deeper water and wait for a catfish to bend the rod in half.

Birkdale parade

From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Birkdale Village hosts its annual bike parade, where children can bring a bike, decorate it with patriotic items provided by Birkdale and participate in a short parade that ends at a fire engine displaying a massive American flag. Participants also can expect a celebratory spray from local firefighters.

Bike decorating begins at 10 a.m., and the parade starts at 11 a.m. Following the parade, a block party will feature face painting, balloon art, magicians and more.

If you can’t walk to Birkdale and want to avoid the inevitable search for a parking spot, valet parking will be available in front of Dick’s Sporting Goods.

Pro tip: Get there early or decorate your bike at home if you want to avoid navigating a crowd of kids and a pile of decorations.

Day on the lake

If you’re relatively new to Lake Norman, there’s a reason you’ve been bombarded with water safety messages over the past month (check out tomorrow’s newsletter).

If you’re navigating the main channel, keep your head on a swivel, and don’t forget to check behind you often. In my experience, people aren’t trying to be dangerous; they simply don’t understand right-of-way rules or how to safely overtake another vessel.

Everyone should wear a life jacket in the water. Don’t dive headfirst into the lake. Keep swimming activities in coves, and don’t pull children on tubes through the main channel. There’s a reason longtime residents harp on safety: No one wants anything bad to happen during what’s supposed to be a time of celebration.

Pro tip: The lake is a blast on a holiday weekend, but the influx of inexperienced boaters creates a less safe environment than on most weekends. Pick a cove far enough from the dock to feel like you’re out on the lake, but keep it closer than you normally would. If a tie-up spot is popular on most weekends, it’ll be overrun this weekend.

Stay safe and have a happy Fourth of July!