PINEHURST – The annual summer spectacle known as Pinehurst Days is next weekend, and although the Independence Day holiday is almost a month past, America's 250th birthday will be at the forefront once again. 

"Our goal is to make this year a celebration of our Founding Fathers," Pinehurst Days Co-Chair Brad Kitchen said. "We wanted to do our part and celebrate America."  

Held annually during the first weekend in August, this year's event kicks off Friday, July 31, with vendors at the BMX Park throughout the day, the Lions burger stand opening at 1 p.m. and the annual Lions Club Steak Dinner from 5 to 8 p.m., featuring live music and community fellowship. 

Saturday is when the festival heats up, beginning with a Lions Club breakfast, followed by the popular Comancheros Car Club's 21st Annual Rod and Custom Show. Registration begins at 8 a.m., with classic cars, awards, raffles, auctions and activities drawing automotive enthusiasts from throughout the region. 

No local festival would be complete without a parade, and the annual Pinehurst Days parade plans to up the ante this year. 

"We tried last year, but we misplaced them, but this year we're going to hand out 1,000 4" by 6" American flags during the parade," Kitchen said.  

The fortuitous mistake in 2025 paved the way for an incredible coincidence in 2026, which Kitchen hopes to capitalize on by encouraging people to dress in their best 1776 or colonial garb. 

"We want a big turnout for the parade, and we want to see people in costume," Kitchen said. "We're talking wigs, knickers, the whole thing."  

This year, the parade's grand marshal is P-K Lions Club Centurion member Bob Fischer, who will lead the procession from an antique Model A Ford. The parade, which is open to anyone, starts at 11 a.m., with sign-up and staging beginning at Auto Kolor at 10 a.m. 

New this year is a local celebrity dunk tank featuring Pinehurst Police Chief John Richter, as well as a firehose hockey event. 

"On a hot day, these will be fun activities to participate in," Kitchen said.  

The car show, vendors and other activities will continue throughout the day, building toward the festival's unofficial main event: the Burn Outs. 

The showcase of revved engines, squealing tires and smoke attracts thousands each year, and this year is expected to be another success. 

The Burn Outs are being presented by Hit Hard or Go Home, a local group also known as the Page Posse. Led by Paul Twidt, Chad Weeks, Tim O'Brien and Josh Greenwood, the group has organized demolition derbies at regional festivals for years, but this is its first time running the burnouts. 

They are taking the reins from Nick and Miranda Elam, who brought the event back to life after it had disappeared for years. When they couldn't do it this year, Hit Hard or Go Home stepped up. 

"Nick and Miranda have done an awesome job bringing it back," Twidt said. "I enjoy the carnage - it goes right along with demo derbies. You get raw horsepower, the smell of the burnt rubber and smoke. It's just good ol' wholesome fun."  

The burnouts will be at 7 p.m. on Silver Valley Road near Real Life Ministries. The event is free to watch, with entry fees for participants. 

Twidt has organized several prizes for competitors, including cash, trophies and various custom swag.

The celebration concludes Sunday, Aug. 2, with vendors returning to the BMX Park and the annual BMX Bike Race showcasing local talent and providing excitement for competitors and spectators alike. 

For more information about Pinehurst Days 2026, community members can visit the Pinehurst Days Facebook page.