Маленький городок в Северной Каролине празднует 250-летие США и чествует ветеранов

Rowan County town dubbed ‘Heart of America’ by US president celebrates country’s 250th birthday Former President George H.W. Bush visited the town of Faith in 1992 FAITH, N.C. (WBTV) - As America inched closer to its 250th birthday, communities across the U.S. geared up for a red, white and blue celebration. In one small North Carolina town near Charlotte, the Fourth of July isn’t just a holiday -- it’s a tradition more than a century in the making. Faith, NC: Where the Fourth of July is ‘Central’ It doesn’t take long to get through Faith -- especially if you’re riding with Mayor Randall Barger. “How fast does this thing go?” a WBTV crew asked, eyeing Barger’s everyday ride: an appropriately decorated street-legal golf cart. “It’ll go 25,” Barger replied. This time of year, the mayor -- a Faith native -- logs countless trips around town, back and forth from his home just a few blocks away. Pretty quickly, we learned why. It’s essentially Fourth of July Central. Especially the mayor’s house. “The winds got to some of my banners,” Barger said, pointing out some of the red, white and blue that hangs from his porch, fences and even the trees around his home. A celebration dating back to 1903 Faith’s Independence Day tradition started in 1903, Barger said. With a few pauses over the years -- including during both world wars -- the town of about 800 people has spent generations building a reputation as one of the most patriotic places around. And they’ve had some notable visitors. When a president came to Faith On July 4, 1992, former President George H.W. Bush came to Faith. There was cheering, a softball game and even snacks. Bush famously called Faith the “Heart of America.” “What did that mean for a sitting president to come here and call Faith the most patriotic city in North Carolina?” WBTV asked Barger. “That meant a lot to us,” he said. “And I was one of the lucky ones. I got to drive the car for his press secretary and his doctor.” Kevin Cauble, the current chairman of the town’s Fourth of July Committee, said Bush’s visit wasn’t random. “From what I understand, he had asked … what the most patriotic town … in North Carolina [was], and they told him Faith, so that’s why he came to Faith,” Cauble said. Cauble knows the operation inside and out. “I’m the commander of Faith American Legion here, and I’m the chairman of the Fourth of July Committee this year,” he said. A retired Marine, Cauble keeps the massive volunteer effort moving. More than a party -- a mission to honor veterans For more than a week, Faith is wrapped in patriotic pride -- concerts, cookouts, carnival rides and finally the big Fourth of July parade. But for the people behind the scenes, it’s about much more than celebration. It’s built on volunteer hours and civic groups working together. “It’s the Faith American Legion … the Faith American Legion Auxiliary, and the Faith Civitans,” Cauble said. Each year, organizers estimate the celebration brings in 20,000-30,000 visitors and around $40,000 -- money that is then donated to charities across the state. And while the holiday celebrates the birth of a nation, Cauble said the central focus is honoring those who served. “It’s nice to see the camaraderie … and be able to see what we have and what we’ve done to allow the freedom in the world that we have today,” he said. Barger echoed that message. “Our veterans are who we honor. That’s what we do. It’s for the veterans,” the mayor said. “They sacrificed a lot for us.” And for the town, keeping the tradition alive matters -- especially as the country celebrated its 250th birthday. Copyright 2026 WBTV. All rights reserved.