No one’s quite sure what to expect when the fireworks go off in Demorest on Sunday: It will be the first time they’ve been launched from a new location in years.
After canceling last year’s celebration due to COVID, the city, which canceled then rescheduled its fireworks this year, moved the discharge site south. Now, instead of being shot from the low-lying lot adjacent to the Demorest Women’s Club on Central Avenue downtown, the fireworks will launch from the baseball field behind Concord Baptist Church (old Demorest Elementary School) three-tenths of a mile away.
The location sits higher, and the fireworks will launch higher than in previous years, say city officials, but since they’ve not been shot from this location before, it’s hard to say where the best viewing will be.
“If you want to ensure you see the fireworks, be in and around Concord Baptist Church,” says Demorest Mayor Rick Austin.
Logistically, that poses a bit of an issue. Before the fireworks, the city will host a live country music concert in Demorest Springs Park. And, while Austin says people will be given time after the concert to make their way to the church, they’ll have to be careful. “We urge people to come out and celebrate with us, but also be aware that we’re not stopping traffic on [Historic Highway] 441.”
City Manager Kim Simonds says she did not ask for the road to be closed because there’s “no need.” There’s no downtown festival this year and no parade. Simonds canceled the parade due to a lack of participation. “We only had 14 entrants after we advertised for over a week. Our usual parade has approximately 60 entrants and we had hoped for at least half that,” she tells Now Habersham.
Demorest Police will be stationed along the highway to help pedestrians cross.
“We will have an officer at the intersection of Central Avenue and Georgia Street after the concert for those who want to cross to get closer to the fireworks,” says Demorest Police Chief Robin Krockum. “We will have another officer at the intersection of Central Avenue and Alabama Street for those who want to cross the road there.”
Police will remain at both intersections to help pedestrians cross safely after the fireworks, as well.
Drivers are urged to use extreme caution and be patient when traveling through Demorest Sunday evening. Chief Krockum says there may be “slight delays” around 9:15 p.m. as officers assist people crossing the road to view the fireworks.
Country music singer/songwriter John King, a Demorest native, will again headline the July Fourth concert. Country music artist Gregg Erwin of Ellijay will also perform.
“We hope everyone has a good time and enjoys the show,” adds Krockum.
With no parade and no festival, Demorest’s Glorious Fourth may not be as glorious this year as in years past. Still, after a year of longing for a pre-pandemic normal, it’s a start.
“It’s going to be a bit different this year, but the good news is we’re going to do it,” says Austin. “Hopefully, next year, everything is back to normal. We’re getting there, but we’re not quite there yet.”
The free concert in Demorest Springs Park begins at 6:30 p.m., followed by fireworks at dusk, around 9:15 to 9:30 p.m.
