A festive crowd of hundreds gathered in Clarkesville’s Pitts Park on Saturday for an evening of free music and fireworks. Rising music artist Dylan Armour headlined the traditional post-Fourth of July celebration Red, White, & Tunes.
While the joyous atmosphere contrasted sharply with events 600 miles away in Butler, Pennsylvania, the July 13 event in Clarkesville celebrated the best of America, even in these politically divided times.
Clarkesville Main Street Director Colby Moore said, “It was a great turnout. We had more than we had last year.”
Last year’s crowd was estimated at about 2,500.
Family-friendly event
The family-friendly event offered food and fun for all. Around a dozen vendors were set up in the park, offering a variety of food and drinks, face painting, and a bouncy house.
The community event brought people and families from all over Northeast Georgia. Billy Buchanan of Murrayville brought his family from north Hall County to the event. He learned of the Red, White, and Tunes festival last year after attending the local hospital’s grand opening.
Heat only ‘hiccup’
“It was hot. That was the only hiccup,” Moore said when asked how the evening went.
Due to the heat, the city provided free water to keep eventgoers hydrated. Moore said other than the heat, “it was a good day.”
The band entertained the crowd at Pitts Park for nearly four hours in the summertime heat and drew high praise from Moore and those who enjoyed their music.
“The Dylan Armour Band was just fantastic. They put on a tremendous show,” the Main Street Director said. He added the fireworks by Atlanta Pyrotechnics were “great as always.”
Unlike in years past, the band kept playing during the fireworks show. They performed their cover of the iconic Southern rock song “Free Bird” by Lynyrd Skynyrd. It was a highlight for Moore, who said the finale was “something to be seen for sure.”
