Birthday celebrations are happening all across the country today as the United States of America turns 243 years old.
Here’s a list of some of the places in North Georgia where you and your family can enjoy Fourth festivities and fireworks:
Dahlonega will hold its annual 4th of July Celebration with a day full of activities. Highlights include a parade downtown at 11 a.m. followed by a patriotic ceremony at the courthouse at noon. There will be bounce houses and family-friendly activities in Hancock Park and around town throughout the day. Fireworks will be fired at dark from the University of North Georgia Drill Field.
Demorest will host its annual Independence Day Celebration downtown. Highlights include a parade down Central Avenue/Hwy. 441 at 11 a.m. and concerts in Demorest Springs Park beginning at 5 p.m. This year’s headliner is local country music recording artist John King. He’s returning home to Demorest fresh off his latest appearance at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. Fireworks are scheduled around 9:30 p.m. To view the fireworks, be sure to be in downtown Demorest by 9 p.m. Central Avenue/Hwy. 441 will be blocked to traffic approximately 30 minutes prior to the fireworks display.
Dilliard will host a free fireworks display that will be visible for miles around. Park your car along Highway 441 North and get out your lawn chairs. The fireworks will begin around dusk.
Hall County will join in the nation’s birthday celebration with a July 4th festival and fireworks at Laurel Park on Lake Lanier at 3100 Old Cleveland Highway. Gates open at 9 a.m. There will be kids rides, arts & crafts, food, and music throughout the day. Fireworks will be held at dusk and the rain date is scheduled for July 6. Admission is $10 per car.
Helen will host its annual Fireworks at Dusk. The fireworks will be fired between 9 p.m. & 9:30 p.m. behind the Alpine Village Shoppes and Helen Welcome Center.
Hiawassee will host its annual 4th of July Boat Parade on Lake Chatuge starting at 10:30 a.m. Boats will parade past the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds, under Anderson Bridge, and past the Hiawassee Beach. After the parade, spend your day on the lake or rest up for a Freedom Explosion at the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds. The Chris Clinton Band will perform from 6-9 p.m. There will be food and drinks available along with activities for children. Fireworks will be shot off from the ball field at 9:45 p.m. Organizers say the parking lot at the fairgrounds is the best place to view the fireworks.
Homer and the Homer Volunteer Fire Department will host the town’s annual fireworks display. The event will be held at Banks County High School, located just south of Homer on State Route 164. Show time will be at approximately 9:30 p.m.
Atlanta, of course, hosts some of the biggest Independence Day celebrations around. More than 200,000 people are expected to converge on the city for the annual AJC Peachtree Road Race, the largest 10-kilometer race in the country. The annual tradition kicks off just before 7 a.m., so plan to get there early, especially if you want a coveted seat along the race route. In the evening, get fired up at one of Metro Atlanta’s many fireworks celebrations, including events at Centennial Olympic Park and Stone Mountain Park.
After-the-Fourth Celebrations
If you’re looking to enjoy fireworks after the Fourth, you can head up to Lake Burton in Rabun County. There will be a fireworks display there on Saturday, July 6, between 9:30-10:30 p.m. The fireworks will be shot from the south end of Billy Goat Island.
Find more July Fourth events at www.exploregeorgia.org/calendar-of-events.
