Demorest Springs Park was filled with lawn chairs, picnic blankets, and red-white-and-blue pride as the city’s beloved Glorious Fourth celebration returned in full spirit Friday. This community celebration has been a tradition since the 1890s.
The day began with Demorest’s traditional Fourth of July parade, which made its way through downtown, delighting crowds with classic cars, veterans, costumed children, and marching bands. Patriotic decorations fluttered from nearly every building and float.
Sarah Rumsey, the City of Demorest’s Utilities Clerk and one of the event’s chief organizers, was thrilled with the turnout.
“We were guessing over 2,000 people would show up today,” she said, but was not aware of the turnout at the time. “I think a lot of people came out for the parade and then went home to cool down, but I think they’re gonna come back for the music. I’ve seen nothing but sweaty, smiling faces.”
Rumsey also highlighted one of the day’s traditions: “We had 29 cakes at our cake walk and I think all of them went to a good home.”
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Food, fun and fireworks
Among the many vendors who lined the park was Lynn Madison, who has been part of the Glorious Fourth for more than a decade.
“We’ve been doing the 4th of July thing here for 12 years,” she said from behind her concession stand. “We used to only sell Italian ice, and then we did lemonade, and now we do food. It just depends.”
According to Madison, the event had evolved in recent years, especially in the wake of the pandemic. “After COVID it changed,” she noted. “A lot of the vendors here found another event to go to. But we just came back when we could.”
Next year, Madison said she “probably won’t be doing food.”
“It’s a lot of work to come and set up. It takes a week just to get ready for it.” Reflecting on earlier days, she added, “I usually work out of my bus through the back window. We used to travel all over Georgia. We used to go to Robbinsville, but it got too far and we got too old.”
By late afternoon, families had settled into the shaded green space surrounding the playground, waiting for the live music from Tad Boemer and Troubadour Project to begin. Children climbed slides and played tag while parents sipped drinks from coolers or caught up with old friends. At 9:45 the night’s big finale began: a fireworks display shot from behind City Hall.
Among those smiling faces watching the fireworks was Dominic Benson, who attended the event with his family. “We come as often as we can,” he said. “I grew up coming here, and now my kids are doing the same.”
Benson said his favorite part of the day is always the parade. “Seeing the veterans ride through and everyone clapping, that’s always a fun time,” he said. “You feel like part of a good community here.”
