Area veterans ride a float in last year’s July 4t parade in downtown Cartersville where large crowds lined the sidewalks to watch and celebrate the holiday. FILE/The Daily Tribune News
"It was great last year. We had minimal problems and you were able to see fireworks. Anytime you looked out over the horizon, you could see fireworks going off -- the show going on inside Dellinger Park and the show put on by Allatoona Yacht Club on [Lake] Allatoona. You could see the city of Kennesaw's, the city of Acworth's," said Greg Anderson, parks and recreation director.
He added the hike, which is set to begin at the West Trailhead of the Pine Mountain Recreation Area in Cartersville, is moderate to strenuous.
"Some people are going to be able to get up in 20 to 25 minutes if they run or briskly walk and some people it's going to take an hour," Anderson said. "When our economic downturn hit a couple of years ago, one of things from the council's visioning session was parks and rec was charged with providing new or additional programming that is at no charge. We've incorporated Pine Mountain in doing this. We've got our monthly moonlight hikes held every month on the full moon. We have specialty hikes, the fireworks viewing, a mountain laurel hike when the mountain laurels are in full bloom. We have several organized hikes on Pine Mountain, and it gets people aware that the facility is there and what it's used for.
"Pine Mountain Trail is open from dawn to dusk, so most people aren't up there at night. It's a whole new look when you're up there at night. You see the skylines, the lights. It's a very serene setting. You can see the fireworks at Dellinger well, but the best show we saw last year came from the yacht club on Lake Allatoona and that's really because you were sitting right on top of it."
To get to the west loop trailhead, go east of the Main Street exit off Interstate 75, then turn right at the Pine Mountain Trail and Komatsu signs. The trailhead parking area is on the left just before the gated entrance to Komatsu. Fireworks will be viewed from the David G. Archer Overlook.
Participants may want to bring a flashlight. Call 770-387-5625 for more information on Saturday's hike or other hikes, a list of which also is available at www.cityofcartersville.org under Current Events.
Fireworks over Lake Allatoona this year will be sponsored by Allatoona Yacht Club, and are set for Saturday about 9:30 p.m. The yacht club is located at 176 Websters Overlook Drive S.E. in Cartersville. For more information, call 770-974-6290.
Stars, Stripes & Cartersville, including parade and fireworks, set for Saturday
Independence Day celebrants are set to enjoy a full day of events Saturday, with the annual parade kicking off in Cartersville at 9 a.m., daylong festivities -- arts and crafts, children's activities, food vendors and live entertainment -- beginning at 10 a.m. at Dellinger Park and fireworks after dark.
The parade, festival and fireworks are presented by the Cartersville Optimist Club in conjunction with WBHF radio, with the parade expected to draw about 7,000 spectators to downtown Cartersville. The events are the club's largest fundraiser.
"In the Optimist Club, our whole focus is on children, so all the money we raise goes to help children in Cartersville and Bartow County," said Spencer Dillard, Optimist Club member, adding last year's Fourth of July celebration raised about $6,000. "It was a bad year because of the economy. Everything was down. That hurt us. There was a lot of things that we normally do that we could not do this year, such as we only gave one Etowah Foundation Scholarship this year. Normally we give two or three, but we didn't have the money.
"The economy is still not back where it should be but we're hoping it will be a good year with it being a political year. It's a fun family day. You can bring your whole family and spend the day. There'll be entertainment all day long, good food, lots of things for children to do."
Representing WBHF, Leslie Bronson said there had been 25 parade entries as of Thursday, which includes those of seven politicians.
"Since this is an election year, we have politicians so it'll be a bigger parade," she said. "They have floats advertising that they're running for election. ... We have characters -- Uncle Sam, the Chick-fil-A cow, Shrek, Sponge Bob. We're going to have a high-school band and the American Legion; Bartow County Saddle Club with horses will be there. There is a Civil War re-enactment group and they all come out in costume."
The deadline for individuals and groups to enter the parade is July 1 and the cost per entry is $30. Contact Bronson at 770-386-1450 to register.
Parade participants are asked to line up at 7:30 a.m. at Tabernacle Baptist Church, where the procession begins, and the route is as follows: Turn right on Church Street, left on Bartow Street, left on Main Street, left on Stonewall Street, left on East Church Street, ending at the church.
For information on securing vending and craft booths at Dellinger Park, call Bruce Lindler 770-387-1485.
Other local Independence Day holiday events include:
Bartow Winds Second Annual Celebration of Independence
What: Patriotic celebration of music by Bartow Winds Community Concert Band under the direction of Conductor Michael D. Elzey with special guest violin soloist Miriam Smith
When: July 1 at 7 p.m.
Where: Friendship Plaza, downtown Cartersville
Cost: Free admission, and donations accepted to support Advocates for Children
First Fridays Family Fun Night
What: Live music, children's games, contests, giveaways, photo booths, food and T-shirts; movie, "The Tooth Fairy" begins at twilight
When: July 2, 6 to 11 p.m.
Where: Friendship Plaza, downtown Cartersville
Cost: Free
Information: 770-607-3480
Red Top Mountain Nature at Night
What: Bring you flashlight and sense of adventure, and meet at the beginning of Sweetgum Trail at the Visitor Center for the opportunity to walk one of the state park trails at night, when interesting creatures come out
When: July 2, 8 to 9:30 p.m.
Where: Red Top Mountain State Park, 781 Red Top Mountain Road in Cartersville
Cost: Georgia State ParkPass $5 per vehicle
Information: 770-975-0055
Adairsville concert, art exhibit opening and street dedication
What: Sidewalk sales; Hometown USA Art Exhibit opening reception featuring local and emerging artists in all mediums; dedication and co-naming of Main Street in honor of fallen U.S. Marine Seth Sharp; Three Minutes to Fame concert to benefit Flowering Branch Children's Shelter
When: July 3, shopping all day, 6 p.m. street dedication, 6 to 9 p.m. art exhibit reception, 7 to 9 p.m. concert
Where: Adairsville's Historic Downtown Public Square
Cost: Free; donations of money and supplies, such as paper products, cleaning supplies, laundry supplies taken at Arts on the Square
Information: 770-773-3628
Red Top Mountain Real Reptiles
What: Meet at the big green and white tent behind the lodge for a closer look at some of Georgia's native reptiles -- participants will see three live, non-venomous snakes and two aquatic turtles
When: July 3, 10 to 11 a.m.
Where: Red Top Mountain State Park, 781 Red Top Mountain Road in Cartersville
Cost: Georgia State ParkPass $5 per vehicle
Information: 770-975-0055
Red Top Mountain Skins n Skulls
What: Want to know what a red fox feels like or a beaver skull looks like? Come to the green and white tent behind the lodge to feel and see different skins and skulls of animals native to Georgia
When: July 3, 2 to 3 p.m.
Where: Red Top Mountain State Park, 781 Red Top Mountain Road in Cartersville
Cost: Georgia State ParkPass $5 per vehicle
Information: 770-975-0055
Tom Clayton Memorial Car Cruize presented by Advance Auto Parts
What: The Downtown Development Authority welcomes hundreds of vintage cars, motorcycles, muscle cars and modern modified cars; oldies music and food
When: July 3, 5 to 8 p.m.
Where: Friendship Plaza, downtown Cartersville
Cost: Free to spectators, classic car owners $2 entry fee
Information: 770-607-3480
Fourth of July concert and fireworks in Acworth
What: The City of Acworth, Acworth Business Association and 106.7 Atlanta's True Oldies present one of the largest fireworks extravaganzas in metro Atlanta, including live music
When: July 4, local bands begin to take the stage at 2 p.m., headliner FlashBack at 8 p.m., fireworks about 9:30 p.m.
Where: Cauble Park, Acworth Beach, 2293 Beach Street
Cost: Free, and tables, $50 for residents and $60 for non-residents, available for the concert and include six chairs and one parking pass (if parking is available). Free shuttle service from downtown, pick up at the city hall parking lot and the post office parking lot, begins at 3 p.m.
Information: 770-917-1234 or www.acworth.org/aprd