GARNER, N.C. (WTVD) — Hundreds of people gathered at Lake Benson Park in Garner on Wednesday to celebrate Independence Day a night early, but everyone who spoke to ABC11 expressed a level of hope and optimism for the country’s future.
With last week’s presidential debate seen by many as a major debacle for President Joe Biden and political divisions and concerns on the rise, the people of Garner took the opportunity to come together Wednesday to celebrate America’s birthday, putting political tensions on hold overnight.
Children played football and families laid out on blankets to watch fireworks, but there were no signs of division.
“At the end of the day, we’re all Americans and we should all come together,” said Felix Almanta, who had just returned from a tour of duty at Fort Jackson and spent the night at Garner’s Fourth of July celebration.
“With so much division in the country, I think it’s really important to focus on our small communities, like where we grew up, where we grew up in Garner, coming here and remembering why we love this beautiful country,” said Judge Racewell, another attendee.
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Another added: “Stay positive today, don’t be negative.”
The event featured food trucks, fireworks and performances by Bull City Syndicate and the North Carolina Symphony Orchestra.
Another attendee said, “The best thing is to just love other people.”
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