DEMOREST - Demorest officials are gearing up for the city's annual Glorious Fourth of July Celebration, set for Saturday.
"It is one of the oldest and longest-running Independence Day celebrations in the southeastern United States and we're really excited about the Glorious Fourth celebration this year in particular," Mayor Rick Austin said Tuesday night.
City Clerk Marlena Sosebee said there will be 16 food vendors set up downtown near Demorest City Hall, and 15 arts and crafts vendors set up in the Craft Circle across from Demorest Springs Park.
"We've got a large number of both food vendors and craft vendors, larger than we've had in the past," Austin said.
Music in the Park will be continuous throughout the day, with concerts beginning Saturday evening.
"We've got three concerts that are lined up to occur in the evening, beginning at 6 p.m., and we're expecting a lot of people downtown for that," Austin said.
Jared Brooks will kick off the evening concerts at 6 p.m., with Steve Bryson taking the stage at 7 p.m. The John King Band, sponsored by G. Ben Turnipseed Engineers, will headline the concerts at 8:30 p.m.
Austin said The John King Band will play from 8:30 until the fireworks show at 9:30, then for about 30 minutes after.
"The fireworks are going to be shot off in the parking lot next to the Demorest Woman's Club," Sosebee said. "As we talked about in the past, you are going to have to be in the downtown area in order to see them. They're close-proximity fireworks."
City officials say they've had a number of people ask the reason for the change in the location of the fireworks show.
"There have been a number of constituents that have inquired as to why the change in the location for the fireworks," Austin said. "I will simply state that Piedmont College is the largest landholder. We're appreciative that Piedmont College is once again allowing us to fire the fireworks on property that is owned by Piedmont College, but they wanted it moved to the location that we're utilizing this year. The City of Demorest just simply doesn't have the clearance to use and to allow the fireworks to be shot the way they have, so we are grateful once again that we have a location, but that location is of another entity's choosing. We're grateful again to have it, but we are limited."
The city's evolving financial position placed the celebration somewhat in question for this year.
"One of the things that I'm really excited about is the fact that we've had some sponsors that have really stepped in and helped us make this possible this year," Austin said. "As you're aware, things have been a little bit tight financially as we have gotten a better understanding of our financial picture as a city. We had four business entities that stepped forward with some sizeable contributions to help us make our celebration something the people will enjoy and something that we can actually have this year, so we're very thankful for those sponsors."
Those sponsors include G. Ben Turnipseed Engineers; Fox, Chandler, Homans, Hicks and McKinnon of Gainesville; Consolidated Pipe & Supply; and Select Pest Control.
Again this year, United Community Bank will sponsor the fireworks show.
New to the Glorious Fourth of July Celebration this year is a 5K run, sponsored by The Torch Worship Center of Demorest. Registration for that event begins at 6:30 a.m. at Demorest Police Department on Georgia Street, or advance registration is available online.
"The Fourth will begin with a 5K run at 8 a.m.," Austin said. "People can sign up for that 5K run on thetorch.net," Austin said. "It's being sponsored by The Torch, and that race starts at 8."
Vendors and arts and crafts booths will open at 10 a.m.
The opening ceremony downtown will take place at 10:30, followed by the parade at 11.
"The afternoon events range from horseshoe tournament at noon," Austin said. "We've got a dog show that is being put on in the park with help from the Humane Society so that people can see dogs that might be adoptable and ready for a forever home. We've got our typical cakewalk that we always do as a city, and just a lot of things going on."
Faith Christian Academy will have a dunk tank and Mayor Rick Austin said he will take a turn in it if other council members will do so.
Black and white directional signs will be utilized during this year's celebration and will designate where parking is allowed and not allowed.
Austin said it is important for drivers to look for those signs to know which side of the street parking is allowed. That preserves a travel corridor for emergency vehicles.
Those in Demorest who need help or information during the event should look for city employees who will be wearing hunter orange shirts with blue letters.
Police Chief Greg Ellingson met with the Georgia State Patrol Tuesday morning and has a traffic plan in place for the event. From two to six troopers will be available throughout Saturday's event, he said.
Austin said the event will feature a fun, family atmosphere.
"There will be plenty to do from the young to the old and everybody in between," Austin said.
