The 250th anniversary of America’s signing of the Declaration of Independence will resound around Lake Lanier and mountain headwater towns with both new-fangled flair and old-fashioned tradition. Expect a “super fireworks display” to light up the night over Lake Lanier at Laurel Park in Gainesville July 4, said Dennis Fletcher, coordinator of the annual blast organized by the Paul E. Bolding Post 7 American Legion. Big booms will cap off the all-day celebration that brings thousands to the park for food, games, music and fellowship. “We pack that park every year. I don’t know how it could get much bigger. It should be a great time,” Fletcher said.
Up in Cleveland, a Run to Freedom 5K, food trucks, music and fireworks culminate a year-long America 250 celebration in the city’s first big July 4 party. City manager Kevin Harris said although nearby locales have hosted Independence Day events, this is the first year Cleveland will go all in.
Some celebrations feature patriotic costume parades and old time American games like watermelon seed-spitting and pole-climbing contests. And keep an eye out on the lake for boats decked out in red, white and blue and fireworks reflecting on the water from numerous shoreline displays.
Here’s a look at where to celebrate:
Blairsville
o 5K, Classic Old-Fashioned Games, Blairsville – 7:30 a.m. 5K run/walk, followed by Veterans’ Salute, bike parade, sandcastle contest, greased pole climb, seed-spitting contest & more at one of the nation’s oldest state parks, July 4, Vogel State Park, 405 Vogel State Park Rd. www.gastateparks.org, 706-745-2628.
o Red, White & Blairsville – Food trucks, bounce houses, and fireworks, 7:30-10 p.m. July 4, Meeks Park, 11 Pool Lane and across the street at North Georgia Tech. www.visitblairsvillega.com.
Braselton
o Celebrate the 4th, Braselton – Live music, parade, fireworks, patriotic laser show, 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/laser show between 9-9:30 p.m., July 4, Town Green, 9924 Davis St. www.explorebraselton.com.
Buford
o Landshark Landing Lanier Islands, Buford – Outdoor firepits, food & drink, live music, fireworks, 7650 Lanier Islands Pkwy. Fireworks 9:30 p.m. July 4, live music 7-10 p.m., www.margaritavilleresorts.com.
Clermont
o Clermont Celebrates America 250 – 4 p.m. car show, food, 7 p.m. live music, fireworks at dark, July 3, 639 Main St. www.clermontga.com.
Cleveland
o America 250, Cleveland – Run to Freedom 5K 8 a.m., vendors, food trucks, family activities 4 p.m., fireworks at dark, July 4, Freedom Park, 66 E. Kytle St.
Cumming
o 69th 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 July 4; 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.
Dahlonega
o 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, July 4. For schedule see www.dahlonegadda.org.
o Games on the Square, Dahlonega – Post-parade summertime games: watermelon seed-spitting competition, egg race, balcony view of town parade prior to games, 2-3 p.m. July 4, Dahlonega Gold Museum, 1 Public Square. $5. www.gastateparks.org, 706-864-2257.
Flowery Branch
o Celebrate Freedom 250, Flowery Branch – Food trucks, live music with Boys in the Band, high energy show, 6:30-9:30 p.m. July 3, 5210 Railroad Ave. www.flowerybranchga.org.
Gainesville
o Red, White & Boat, Gainesville – Celebration at marina for tenants only, July 3; 9 p.m. fireworks visible from various points on the lake, Gainesville Marina, 2145 Dawsonville Hwy.
o Fly Betty Band/Food Trucks/ Fireworks, Gainesville – Local party band celebrates July 3 on Midland Greenway, followed by fireworks, 4-6 p.m. pre-show, 7 p.m. main concert, 682 Grove St. www.exploregainesville.org.
o Sand Castles, Show Cones, Water Wars, Gainesville – Teams compete for best castles on the beach, 11 a.m; cool off with $1 red, white & blue snow cones, 1 p.m. at Picnic Shelter 3; fend off water squirters manned by park staff looping through campgrounds and cottages 3 p.m., July 4, Don Carter State Park, 5000 N. Browning Bridge Rd. $5 parking. www.gastateparks.org, 678-456-7726.
o 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.
Helen
o 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. July 4, 1074 Edelweiss Strasse. 706 878-2181, www.helenga.org.
Hiawassee
o Family Fun & Fireworks at the Fairgrounds, Hiawassee – Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds annual blast in the mountains, festivities begin at 3 p.m., fireworks over Lake Chatuge at 9:45 p.m. July 4, 1311 Music Hall Rd. www.georgiamountainfairgrounds.com.
Mountain City
o Hike, Bike Parade, Picnic, Line Dancing, Mountain City – 9 a.m. hike to Greasy Creek Waterfalls followed by 11 a.m. picnic & old-fashioned games; 2 p.m. campground bike parade, 4 p.m. line dancing, July 4, Black Rock Mountain State Park, 3085 Black Rock Mountain Pkwy. $5 parking. www.gastateparks.org. 706-746-2141.
Tallulah Falls
o Red, Ride & Blue Parade, Hotdogs, Slip & Slide, Tallulah Falls – Ride a bike, skateboard, skates or other non-motorized wheeled object in patriotic costume parade, get wet on slip & slide, eat hotdogs, play games, 5-7 p.m. July 4, Tallulah Gorge State Park, 338 Jane Hurt Yarn Dr. $5 parking. www.gastateparks.org, 706-754-7981.
Photo: by Vicki Hope
