Community Corner

Fourth of July Celebration Approaches for Athens

Athens' traditional community Star Spangled celebration in Bishop Park will include food, free music, a parade and a firework show.

 

Athens citizens will show off their patriotism and enjoy community during next week's Fourth of July community blowout in Bishop Park. 

The traditional gathering, which was cancelled last year due to inadequate funding, is ready to go this year, complete with food, fun, music and, of course, fireworks.

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Robin Stevens, the community outreach coordinator for Athens-Clarke County's Department of Leisure Services, said she is excited the event was able to procure several sponsers this year. 

"n 2008, the event had been funded by the county, and it was actually cut by the county budget," she said. "So we had to move to private sector to fund it, and we were able to do that for three years. But last year, probably because of the economy, it didn't happen. Many businesses may not know or fully understand how important this event is for the community. So those businesses that are more civic-minded usually step up. I just hope more businesses understand how important it is for a community to have a Fourth of July celebration."

Find out what's happening in Athenswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The evening will include a kid's parade for ages 3 to 11 at 6 p.m., where children are encouraged to decorate their bikes, wagons and tricylces in a patriotic manner. Stevens said Mayor Nancy Denson would be handing out prizes in categories such as most creative and most patriotic.

Afterwards, attendees can enjoy the '80s-inspired band Highballs and food from local vendors such as Harry's Pig Shack, Stevie B's Pizza and Suno's.

The Classic City Band will perform patriotic tunes leading up to the closing event — a fireworks display at 9:30 p.m.

Stevens said they expect about 5,000 people to come to the park and thousands more to watch the fireworks display from outside its borders. Because of the number of people in attendance, people who come to the celebration are discouraged from bringing their pets or any outside celebration toys, such as sparklers or noise makers. 

Only those who can't get on the ground should bring chairs. Most everyone will be on blankets.

Sponsers of the event include , , , Athens Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram, , McDonald's, the and


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