From symphonic concerts to rock n’ roll, greased pole climbing to watermelon eating, car shows to bicycle parades, and fireworks over water and mountains, Independence Day festivities around Lake Lanier and headwater mountain towns celebrate the All-American holiday.
Here’s a look:
July 3rd
Patriotic Pops Concert, Gainesville. Northwind Symphonic Band performs annual patriotic concert on the lawn, gates open 7 p.m., music starts 8 p.m. , Smithgall Arts Center, 331 Sprint St. SW. Bring lawn chairs, picnic; food truck available. $30 individual, $40 per ticket reserve table for 8. theartscouncil.net.
July 4th
Fly Betty Band/Fireworks, Gainesville. Local party band celebrates July 4 on Midland Greenway, followed by fireworks, 4-6 p.m. pre-show, 7 p.m. main concert, 682 Grove St. www.exploregainesville.org.
Laurel Park Celebration, Gainesville. American Legion – Paul E. Bolding Post 7 presents an all-day Fourth of July celebration. Gates open at 9 a.m. with food vendors, kids’ activities, music, splash pad, and more; fireworks at dark visible from numerous points around the north end of Lake Lanier, 3100 Old Cleveland Hwy. $15 per car.
68th annual Thomas Mashburn Steam Engine Parade/Independence Day Celebration, Cumming. Parade with sports teams, dance academies, antique cars, tractors and steam engines on Tribble Gap Road from Forsyth Central High School to Cumming Fairgrounds. 10 a.m.-noon; Independence Day Celebration with children’s activities, food, vendors, live music, adult beverages, and more 4-10 p.m., fireworks 9:30 p.m. Cumming Fairgrounds, 235 Castleberry Rd. www.cummingfair.net.
Celebrate the 4th, Braselton. Food, music, parade, fireworks; food trucks/family activities, 5 p.m., parade on Ga. 53 begins at 6 p.m., live music 6:30-9:30 p.m.; fireworks between 9-9:30 p.m., Town Green, 9924 Davis St. www.explorebraselton.com.
Red, White & Blairsville. Food trucks, bounce houses, and fireworks, 7:30-10 p.m., Meeks Park, 11 Pool Lane and across the street at North Georgia Tech. www.visitblairsvillega.com.
Fireworks at the Fairgrounds, Hiawassee. Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds annual blast in the mountains with Nathan Morgan Band, 6-9 p.m., fireworks 9:45 p.m., 1311 Music Hall Rd. www.georgiamountainfairgrounds.com.
Parade and Celebration, Dahlonega. Firecracker 5K, car show, patriotic parade, free concerts in Hancock Park, food trucks, reading of Declaration of Independence, DJ and fireworks show on University of North Georgia drill field at dusk, 4. For schedule see: www.dahlonegadda.org.
Old Fashioned Celebration, Blairsville. 7 a.m. 5K/1-mile fun run, 9:30 a.m. flag raising ceremony, followed by bicycle parade, pedal boat races, greased pole climbing, watermelon eating contest and other family activities at one of the nation’s oldest state parks, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., Vogel State Park, 405 Vogel State Park Rd. 5K/fun run $20, $5 parking. www.gastateparks.org/vogel, 706-745-2628.
Lake Walk/Patriotic Crafts, Mountain City. Start the day with an easy guided walk around the lake, 10-11 a.m., continue with making patriotic crafts and learning about bald eagles, 2-4 p.m., Black Rock Mountain State Park, 3085 Black Rock Mountain Pkwy. $5 parking. 706-746-2141, www.gastateparks.org/BlackRockMountain.
Annual Fireworks at Dusk, Helen. Bring lawn chairs and blankets, view fireworks from Alpine Village Shoppes and Helen Welcome Center. Arrive before 9 p.m., 1074 Edelweiss Strasse. (706) 878-2181, www.helenga.org.
Sand Castle Competition, Gainesville. Teams of 6 or less have 45 minutes to build sandcastles judged for creativity, neatness, details, stability & height; prizes for 1-3 place, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Don Carter State Park beach, 5000 N. Browning Bridge Rd. $5 parking. www.gastateparks.org/DonCarter, 678-450-7726.
July 5th
Red, White & Boat, Gainesville. For tenants only – Celebration at marina – 9 p.m. fireworks visible from various points on lake, Gainesville Marina, 2145 Dawsonville Hwy.
July 4th Weekend (4th – 6th)
Landshark Landing Lanier Islands, Buford. Outdoor firepits, food & drink, live music, fireworks, 7650 Lanier Islands Pkwy. Fireworks 9:30 p.m. July 4-5, live music 7-10 p.m. July 4-6, www.margaritavilleresorts.com.
