INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATIONS
Courtesy of Lakeside on Lanier News
Communities in and around Lake Lanier celebrate Independence Day with hometown fun that shows off their heritage. From greased pole climbing to running 5Ks, vintage music to patriotic pops, tractor parades to boat parades, the shorelines and headwater towns burst with an array of festivities. Here’s a look:
Blairsville
- July 4 – 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, 706 745-2628.
- July 4 – Red, White & Blairsville – Food trucks, bounce houses, and fireworks, 7:30-10 p.m., Meeks Park, 11 Pool Lane. www.visitblairsvillega.com.
Braselton - July 4 – 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.
Buford - Margaritaville Lanier Islands, Buford – Water park, live music, fireworks, 7650 Lanier Islands Pkwy. See website for details. www.margaritavilleresorts.com.
- Mall of Georgia Family Fun Day, Buford – Village Amphitheatre, 4345 Buford Dr. Details: www.mallofgeorgia.com, 678 482-8788.
Cumming - July 4 – 67th 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.
- July 4 – Run, White & Blue 10K/Fun Run/5K, Cumming – 7:45/8/8:30 a.m., Halcyon, 6365 Halcyon Way. $25-$45. www.runnersfit.com.
Dahlonega - July 4 – 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, For schedule see www.dahlonegadda.org.
Gainesville - July 3- 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. $25 individual, $35 per ticket reserve table for 8. www.theartscouncil.net.
- July 4 – 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, kid’s activities, music, splash pad, and more; fireworks at dark visible from numerous points around the north end of Lake Lanier, 3100 Old Cleveland Hwy. $ 10 per car. Rain date Aug. 3.
- July 6 – Red, White & Boat, Gainesville – Celebration at marina for tenants only, July 6; 9 p.m. fireworks visible from various points on the lake, Gainesville Marina, 2145 Dawsonville Hwy.
Helen - July 4- 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.
Hiawassee - July 4 – Fireworks at the Fairgrounds, Hiawassee – Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds annual blast in the mountains with live 60s-70s music with Vintage Vixens, 6-8 p.m., fireworks 9:45 p.m. July 4, 1311 Music Hall Rd. www.georgiamountainfairgrounds.com.
Mountain City - July 6 – July Evening of Fun, Mountain City – Line dancing, snacks & old fashioned games to celebrate Independence Day, 4-6 p.m., Black Rock Mountain State Park, 3085 Black Rock Mountain Pkwy. $5 parking. 706-745-2141, www.gastateparks.org.
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