Once again, Tweetsie Railroad lights up the Blue Ridge Mountains with the High Country's most spectacular Fourth of July fireworks show.

As North Carolina's first theme park and an American icon, Tweetsie Railroad is the perfect place to celebrate our nation's independence.

Now in its 53rd year, Tweetsie Railroad will honor America with an event to remember Sunday, July 4, with festivities including evening entertainment and more than 200 large-caliber pyrotechnic mortar shells which are certain to dazzle guests of all ages.

The park will remain open until 9 p.m.

The famous Tweetsie Railroad Wild West train ride adventure will continue into the early evening as the excitement builds in advance of the fireworks display.

Additional live shows will be scheduled throughout the day, and the fireworks display will begin at 9:30 p.m.

Tweetsie Railroad opened on July 4, 1957, and was a dream of Grover Robbins Jr., who brought the famed East Tennessee and Western North Carolina Engine Number 12 (known as "Tweetsie" to the local residents) back home to the mountains of North Carolina.

The original run on that July 4 was a one-mile scenic trek that took guests to a picnic area and then backed up into the Tweetsie train station. Today, visitors are taken on a scenic and exciting three-mile journey through the mountains into the days of the frontier.

Parking for July 4th is $5 per vehicle; Tweetsie's Golden Rail Season Pass holders park for free.

In the event of severe inclement weather, Tweetsie Railroad will hold a rain date on July 5.

Tweetsie also offers an optional dinner and exclusive fireworks viewing area in the Hacienda, with a special buffet chicken and barbecue dinner with all the trimmings.

Adult tickets for the dinner are $12.95, children ages 3-12 are $9.95 and children 2 and under are free. Dinner tickets can be purchased at the park on July 4th.

Tweetsie Railroad is open seven days a week until Aug. 22 before returning to the weekend schedule from Aug. 27 through Oct. 31, including Labor Day Monday.

The 2010 season ends Sunday, Oct. 31.

The park's regular hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., but will be open until 9 p.m. on July 4th, and also from 7:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. for the Ghost Train Halloween Festival Friday and Saturday nights in October.

Daily admission is $32 for adults and $22 for children ages 3 through 12. Children 2 and under are admitted free.

Print-at-home tickets and Golden Rail Season Passes are available at tweetsie.com.

Tweetsie Railroad is located in the Blue Ridge Mountains on U.S. 321 between Boone and Blowing Rock, North Carolina.

For more information about the 2010 season at Tweetsie Railroad, call 1-877-TWEETSIE or visit www.tweetsie.com.