It is also a place where many of those locations are right next to a sandy beach to “dock” your pontoon boat while you enjoy your picnic. Numerous families have also come here year after year for the grand fireworks display celebrating our national heritage of freedom to swim in the clear, clean water.

The focal point for the special weekend spearheaded by the Vance County Tourism Board, is at the Satterwhite Point. This peninsula includes a large grassy expanse with food trucks gathered in the afternoon and DJ music entertainment by the community building, just a short walk from your boat. If you didn’t bring your own hamburger and hot dogs, there is a variety of enticing, flavorful food assortment from barbecue to funnel cakes served while children dance to the music. At dark the spectacular fireworks begin.

Those with their own boat who don’t have it docked at one of the two commercial marinas in the recreation area, or at one of the campgrounds, can easily launch from the multiple boat ramps in the region. They can then beach their boat for the day, set up their picnic area, and have fun until they go on the water to watch the fireworks. In July 2022 we caught up with some families celebrating the holiday, including the Browns.

He now administers a family-run, 100- acre farm with his wife Tay and their eight children. With all his gifts, talents, and blessings, Brown asked God what He would have him do after an epiphany concerning his life and the anniversary of the death of his brother, Lunsford Bernard Brown II, who was slain while serving in Iraq.

“What should I do to serve and show love for our neighbors and give back to the local community?” said Jason. “He pointed me toward food insecurity and agriculture. I know we are in America but there are so many food insecure families and food deserts that are all around us. This is one area I can give back and do my part.”

Jason purchased the Premier pontoon ten years ago and has kept it in excellent condition. He has an enclosed storage shed that keeps it out of the sun and after every single outing the family vacuums and wipes everything down to protect the vinyl and other parts of the boat.

“We make sure the cloth canopy is always dry, so no mildew or moisture will rot that canopy,” explains Jason. “It’s just a little bit of attention to detail that goes a long way. I want to keep it and it will serve my family a lot longer by taking care of it.”

This is where Beth Champion stayed with some of her family and friends while deciding when to have hot dogs and other picnic staples. Her husband Carson would steer the boat while Carson Champion and Griffin Dixon played on tubes as they cruised around the lake. The boys enjoy testing their agility by skipping over rough waves and trying to just kneel, “hands free,” on the tube as they try to stay on.

The largest marina in the North Carolina section of the lake is Steele Creek Marina & Campground, separate from the seven Kerr Lake State Recreation Area parks and campgrounds. With over 300 boat slips along four docks, the marina also has a marina store, fuel dock, boat hauling service, and pontoon boat rentals.

Word quickly spread around A Dock that crispy nuggets of striped bass (Rockfish) and catfish with a “potluck” side dish would be held by their marina gazebo that evening. Randy Owen, known as the best fisherman on the dock, would be sharing his fish treasures as he does several times a year, with the Fourth of July weekend being exceptionally popular and now traditional.

When asked where he finds those fish, he smiles and says they move around a lot.

No planers are used in the summer, only jigged with 2-foot, 20-pound test leaders and three ounce weights attached to 20-pound mono-filament fishing line on the reel. If there is no live bait that he usually gets under the Nutbush low bridge, he uses a 3- or 4-inch long metal spoon and drops it to where the fish are, while making an up and down motion for enticement.

He typically brings in 9- or 10-pound fish. For the fish fry this evening, he cuts it into bite-sized pieces and covers the fish with locally ground MOSS’ Seafood breading, which is sold at the local Food Lion Supermarket. There is no additional covering before dropping them into the hot oil for frying.

Enjoying time with neighbors and friends has brought the dock members together, something they especially enjoy during the holiday weekend. Coming together helps them appreciate what the Fourth of July really means in America, and that’s freedom.

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