Southport to host annual naturalization ceremony during NC 4th of July Festival

SOUTHPORT, NC (WWAY) — Dozens of people are set to officially become United States citizens this week at a naturalization ceremony in Southport.

This 27th annual naturalization ceremony is part of the NC 4th of July Festival.

The event is happening on Friday, June 3 at 12 p.m. on the Fort Johnston Garrison Lawn.

Participants will be administered the oath of citizenship by the Honorable Richard E. Myers II, Chief U.S. District Judge, Eastern District of North Carolina.

Organizers anticipate 50 to 60 people will become citizens at the ceremony.

“It’s just really nice to see their faces light up and their families all celebrate with them. It’s a special event,” said Trisha Howarth, a festival committee member and naturalization ceremony co-chair.

The ceremony will be preceded by a performance from the Wilmington Virtuosi Brass beginning at 11 a.m.

Organizers said the keynote speaker for this year’s Naturalization Ceremony will be Dr. Yousry Sayed.

Dr. Sayed is a former UNCW chemistry and biochemistry professor and academic administrator who founded Quality Chemical Laboratories in the late 1990s.

The Naturalization Ceremony is sponsored by and organized by Downtown Southport, Inc.

The Brunswick Town Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution will host a new-citizen reception and present flags to the new Americans.

For more details about the events happening as part of the NC 4th of July Festival, click here.