Dark clouds and rumbling thunder may have kept some folks away, but they didn’t stop the festivities at Pitts Park in Clarkesville on Friday.
Several hundred people turned out for the city’s big after-the-Fourth of July celebration called Red, White & Tunes. The evening of free, family-friendly entertainment has become a summer staple in Clarkesville. People sprawled out in the park in their lawn chairs and on blankets to listen to the live band and to watch fireworks light up the night sky.
The Masterpiece Band performed a range of classics from Motown and Soul to pop music. They provided the soundtrack for much of the evening during which kids played in bounce houses and chomped down on snow cones trying to stay cool in the mid-summer heat.
While it threatened to rain just hours before the event kicked off, it never did. Most of those who attended say they’re glad that they did. “Great concert! Have that group back,” commented Cheryl Bryant on Now Habersham’s Facebook page. Judy Medlin said, “We were there, it was great!”
Racin’ and cruise-in
Prior to the concert, Volunteers for Literacy of Habersham County held its 8th annual rubber duck race on the Soque River. Several thousand yellow rubber ducks were dropped into the river from the Judge Homer Sutton Bridge on GA 197 North for a race to the finish line. Those holding the tickets corresponding to the first three ducks to cross the finish line won.
This year’s $1,000 grand prize went to St. Mark Knights of Columbus. Joshua Newsom of HEMC won $500 for second place. And Andrea Windham Sweetser won $250 for third place.
There was also a classic car cruise-in on the town square in Clarkesville for visitors to enjoy.
The evening was capped off by a fireworks display choreographed to patriotic music.
