Patriotic decorations, parade and fireworks planned
Gilmer plans to mark the 250th year of our republic in style.
“It’s obviously a very cool milestone to be alive during this time,” Gilmer County Chamber of Commerce President Kyle Ray said. “I’m old enough to remember 200 years, too.”
Festivities will last all day.
“It’s a good opportunity to unite everybody under one purpose, celebrate together and have some fun,” he said.
The United States is the world’s oldest continuous constitutional republic.
Ray said he hopes the event will bring business, visitors and excitement to the downtown.
“It’s a great opportunity for the community to come together and celebrate the history of America,” Ray said.
Events on Independence Day will begin with a decoration competition between downtown businesses.
Ellijay’s businesses will be creating decorations and displays to show their patriotic spirit.
“Hopefully, it’ll have a good impact across the community,” he said.
On Saturday, July 4, anyone can walk through Ellijay, pick the best-decorated business and vote for it at the Welcome Center, located at 10 Broad Street, Ellijay.
Voting ends at 5 p.m. on July 4.
The winner will receive the praise and respect of the community in the form of bragging rights.
At 3 p.m., vendors will open booths along Broad Street in Ellijay’s downtown, along with games for kids.
This year, the Chamber of Commerce has about a dozen different businesses participating.
“We have snack vendors, food vendors and some craft vendors,” Ray said.
This opening time gives celebration attendees plenty of time to experience the downtown.
Ellijay’s Tabor House Museum and Welcome Center both have America 250 attractions on display.
At 7 p.m., the parade will start.
A procession of floats, trucks and community groups starting at Sailors Drive will proceed along River Street, then finish at the Ellijay Elementary School.
Dave Garner and John Davis from Ellijay’s WPGY radio station will be broadcasting live from the downtown Ellijay Welcome Center.
There will likely be many tourists attending the event too.
“A lot of people will be off Friday, and it’s typically a very popular time for us to come into town,” Ray said.
At dusk, the city will put on its much-anticipated fireworks show put on by the city of Ellijay.
This year the fireworks show will be about 25 percent longer than usual, Ellijay Mayor Al Hoyle said.
With an increased budget for the occasion, the city has gone all out with its fireworks supplier, Atlanta Pyrotechnics.
“We wanted something really special because it is the 250th,” Hoyle said. “My hope is that it will be fantastic.”
He’s not the only one with that hope. Between local businesses, nonprofits, clubs, patriotic groups, churches and government organizations, the Fourth of July this year will definitely be a celebration for the ages.
“We’ll make it special and something to remember,” Ray said.