Parades, Fireworks highlight Fourth of July activities in Newnan, Peachtree City
Pictured above is a scene from the 2022 4th of July Parade in downtown Newnan. (Photo by Prudence P. Harms)
From Staff Reports
Parades and Fireworks highlight the Fourth of July on Tuesday both in Newnan and Peachtree City.
The Fourth of July Parade in downtown Newnan kicks off a 9 a.m. as does the 50th Annual Parade in Peachtree City. Then later in the evening, the Rotary Club of Newnan hosts its Let Freedom Ring Fireworks Show while our neighbors in Fayette County will also have a fireworks show over Lake Peachtree.
As of Monday morning, the National Weather Service in Peachtree City says the Independence Day forecast will have a 30 percent rain chance both in the afternoon and evening hours. It will be partly sunny during the day with the temperature near 75 degrees when the parades start and later rising to about 90 degrees. By the time the fireworks begin around 9 p.m., look for the temperature to be near 77 degrees. Of course, the forecast is subject to change.
The Newnan parade is hosted by Main Street Newnan and will begin from the Veteran’s Memorial Park (Temple Avenue) and proceed south down Jackson / LaGrange Street. It will end just past Newnan City Hall.
Veteran James ‘Jim’ Rogers will be Peachtree City’s Grand Marshal of its 50th annual Fourth of July Parade.
Peachtree City’s 50th annual Fourth of July parade started in 1973 as the brainchild of Sallie Satterthwaite. It’s grown from a small gathering of participants to a yearly event that attracts more than 10,000 people.
James “Jim” Rogers, a 94-year-old veteran of multiple foreign wars, will serve as grand marshal. Rogers served in World War II, the Korean War, and multiple tours in Vietnam. During his service to our country, Rogers received multiple medals including the World War II Victory medal, United Nations Service medal, and the Bronze Star. He is currently a Life Member of Peachtree City’s Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9949.
Rogers will lead over 100 registered participants in the parade which steps off at 9 a.m. at the intersection of Pinehurst Drive and Peachtree Parkway and use the northbound lanes of Peachtree Parkway. It winds down Peachtree Parkway for 1.8 miles before turning left onto McIntosh Trail where it ends at the McIntosh Trail Recreation Complex. A panel of three judges award trophies to parade participants in several categories, including the Mayor’s Trophy, Most Creative, Most Patriotic, Grand Marshal Trophy, and the top three spots for golf cart entries. People should expect delays on Crosstown Drive, McIntosh Trail, Peachtree Parkway South and Robinson Road starting at 7:30 a.m. prior to the parade.
Later in the evening, the Rotary Club hosts its yearly Fourth Fireworks Show as gates open at 5 p.m. This year, the event will take place at the Coweta County Fairgrounds instead of Newnan High’s Drake Field due to the ongoing construction on campus.
The Fireworks Show will feature an assortment of food trucks along with live music by 6 Feet Back, a high-energy local band with members from Newnan, Palmetto and Peachtree City playing songs from the ‘70s and ‘80s.
Parking arrangements will be handled by members of the White Oak Golden Kiwanis Club of Coweta County. Free celebration gear will be available until supplies run out.
As always, the event is free and open to the public. Fireworks are expected to begin at nightfall.
For real-time alerts regarding the 2023 Rotary Fireworks Extravaganza, please text Fireworks23 to 67283.
Due to parking restrictions, attendees are encouraged to carpool and arrive early. Once parking is full, the gates to the fairgrounds will be closed until the fireworks are completed.
The finale of the July 4th in Peachtree City is their respective Fireworks Show, which is held over Lake Peachtree and begins at approximately 9 p.m. Drake Field will be closed since that is the location of the fireworks lighting. Peachtree City officials say to park where it is safe and legal to do so since there is no designated area to congregate. The Fireworks Show is meant to be enjoyed from various locations around the city.
Other local activities include …
July 4th Star Spangled Beach Party / Callaway Gardens
All Day at Callaway Gardens, 17800 Hwy. 27, Pine Mountain GA
Enjoy the final day of the weekend holiday with family adventures on the sunny shores of Robin Lake Beach with beach volleyball, putt putt, and water activities like stand-up paddleboarding. Play all day on floating obstacle course Aqua Island, where your family can race across twisting bridges, scale towering inflatable mountains, and slip down gigantic slides into the sparkling waters below. The day will end with a bang thanks to our nightly Fireworks Extravaganza; a spectacular salute to summer. Click HERE for tickets.
Food Truck Frenzy / Peachtree City
6 to 9 p.m. at The Avenue, 239 City Circle, Peachtree City
Who wants to cook out? After your 10k or parade and before your firework festivities, take a break to enjoy your Independence Day festivities with dinner, live music from The Southside Band and activities at The Avenue Peachtree City’s Food Truck Frenzy! At least a dozen Food Trucks plus the Avenue restaurant will be open to serve you.
