For generations, the Fourth of July celebration in Southport has been more than fireworks and parades — it has been a treasured hometown tradition that brings the community together in a spirit of patriotism, pride, and celebration.
This year, Wade’s Jewelers is honored to partner with the Southport Fourth of July Pageant by creating a custom crown that will be worn by this year’s pageant queen — a one-of-a-kind piece designed to celebrate both the beauty of the event and the heart of the community behind it.
Known throughout southeastern North Carolina for craftsmanship, service, and family values, Wade’s Jewelers sees the project as more than jewelry-making. It is an opportunity to invest in a tradition that has united families and visitors in Southport for decades.
“The Fourth of July in Southport is something truly special,” Murray Cadenhead says. “It represents community, history, and hometown pride. We wanted the crown to reflect the elegance of the pageant while honoring the spirit of the town itself.”
The custom-designed crown features classic patriotic inspiration paired with timeless elegance, symbolizing leadership, grace, and the enduring traditions that make Southport unique. The piece is being handcrafted with attention to detail and designed specifically for the young woman who will represent the community during one of the town’s most celebrated events.
“The crown was designed with the idea of creating a classic modern look that can last for decades . It started as a hand-drawn sketch, then moved into CAD drawings where countless details and many versions come together in exacting precision. A 3D model was created to verify the design concept. Next came more refinements and because of the size, it was divided into smaller sections to be cast in sterling silver,” Murray relates.
“The assembly was completed with old-world torches and hours of polishing. A total of 576 red, white, and blue cubic zirconia stones were all set by hand.”
The Southport Fourth of July Festival and pageant have long served as a gathering place for residents, families, and visitors alike, reminding everyone of the importance of preserving local traditions and supporting one another. Partnerships like this one between local businesses and community organizations help keep those traditions thriving for future generations.
For Wade’s Jewelers, supporting events like the pageant is part of a larger commitment to community involvement and celebrating life’s meaningful moments, from engagements and anniversaries to hometown milestones like this cherished festival. As Southport prepares for another memorable Independence Day celebration, the new crown serves as a sparkling reminder that small-town traditions continue to shine brightest when a community comes together.
Any content, resident submissions, guest columns, advertisements, and advertorials are not necessarily endorsed by or represent the views of Best Version Media LLC (BVM) or any municipality, homeowners associations, businesses, or organizations that this publication serves. BVM is not responsible for the reliability, suitability, or timeliness of any content submitted, inclusive of materials generated or composed through artificial intelligence (AI). All content submitted is done so at the sole discretion of the submitting party.
