There will still be a Fourth of July parade through downtown Ellijay this year, although leadership and management of the event is changing.
The parade had been presented by the Downtown Ellijay Business and Community Association (DEBCA) the past few years. The merchant’s organization recently folded, and it was not determined who would present the parade this year.
After the Gilmer Chamber learned of this situation, it was decided that the chamber board would take on organization of the parade for 2023. That decision was reached just last week, and much still remains to be done before now and July 4, noted Jennifer Grimmer, Gilmer Chamber CEO.
“We are first going to (have to) secure the parade permit,” Grimmer added.
Ron Cheslock, Gilmer Chamber tourism director, said the date and time for the parade is Tuesday, July 4, with an earlier start time of 10:30 a.m. For the past several years, it started at 6 p.m. The route will remain the same, beginning at Sailors Drive and ending at Ellijay Elementary School.
The parade theme is “A Star Spangled Summer,” and the grand marshal has yet to be determined, Cheslock noted. The chamber is currently signing up parade participants, and there will be no entry fee asked of those who participate.
A digital application is available on the chamber website (gilmerchamber.com), and the deadline to submit applications is June 30, Cheslock said.
The Independence Day parade has been presented by several different community groups over the years, including the local Downtown Development Authority and, most recently, DEBCA. This will be the Gilmer Chamber’s first time leading the parade, although the chamber did previously sponsor the downtown July 4 fireworks display in the mid-1990s.
“We felt it was important for us to still provide (this event) for the merchants, the visitors and everybody to participate in,” said Cheslock.
Fireworks provided by the City of Ellijay at dark will also be part of this year’s Fourth of July festivities.