Independence Day falls on a Thursday this year, meaning many people will be enjoying a four-day holiday weekend starting today! To help celebrate, here is this week's list of weekend events a day early, with plenty of fireworks and fun for your Fourth of July.
FOURTH OF JULY EVENTS:
Event Name: Fireworks at Laurel Park in Gainesville
Event Date & Time: July 4, 9:00 a.m.–11:00 p.m. (Fireworks start at dark)
Event Location: Laurel Park, Gainesville
Event Details: Hall County Parks and Leisure announces a day of fun celebrating! Arts and crafts vendors, food and drink vendors, splash pad fun, music and live broadcasting with WDUN. Fireworks show begins at dark. Admission fee is $10 per car.
Event Name: 67th Annual Thomas-Mashburn Steam Engine Parade in Cumming
Event Date & Time: July 4, 10:00 a.m.
Event Location: Tribble Gap Rd. from Forsyth Central to the Cumming Fairgrounds.
Event Details: This tradition features every sort of steam engine you can imagine! Following the steam engines are bands, local organizations, music and more! Get there early for a good spot and bring some ear plugs for the little kids who will be delighted to hear the loud sounds of the steam engines!
Event Name: Fireworks at Cumming Fairgrounds
Event Date & Time: July 4, 4:00-9:00 p.m.
Event Location: Cumming Fairgrounds, Cumming
Event Details: The celebration includes live music, alcohol, food, kids’ zone, vendors and more. Free admission and parking, but no outside food or drinks. Fireworks show begins at 9:30 p.m.
Event Name: Car Show, Parade, Kids Zone, Free Concert & Fireworks in Dahlonega
Event Date & Time: July 4, 8:00 a.m.–11:00 p.m.
Event Location: Downtown Dahlonega
Event Details: There’s a full day of fun in downtown Dahlonega! It starts at 8 a.m. with a Firecracker 5K hosted by the Sheriff’s Office starting at the Visitors Center. From 10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. a Car Show will have music, food and door prizes. At 12 p.m. the food trucks will open. Hear the Declaration of Independence read from the balcony of the Dahlonega Gold Museum at 2:35 p.m. A parade will take over the streets at 3 p.m. around the square, and the Kids Adventure Zone opens at 4 p.m. in Hancock Park. Hang around for a free concert at 6:30 p.m. and then make your way to the UNG Drill Field for a free fireworks show for the entire community. Bring blankets or chairs and enjoy the show!
Event Name: Fireworks in Helen
Event Date & Time: July 4, 9:00 p.m.
Event Location: Downtown Helen
Event Details: Fireworks will be held at dusk behind the Alpine Village Shoppes and Helen Welcome Center.
Event Name: Parade and Fireworks in Braselton
Event Date & Time: July 4, 5:00 p.m.–11:00 p.m.
Event Location: Historic Downtown Braselton
Event Details: Enjoy food from local food trucks beginning at 5 p.m. on the Braselton Town Green and at Northeast GA Bank. A patriotic parade will begin at 6 p.m. which will run from Hwy. 53 at the Braselton Tech Entrance, going right on Hwy. 124 and ending at the Free Chapel drive. Live music will be open for the community to enjoy from 6:30–9:30 p.m. at the Braselton Town Green. Fireworks will begin at dark and will be visible throughout downtown Braselton and Hoschton.
Event Name: Sparkle in the Park Fireworks & Fun in Lilburn
Event Date & Time: July 4, 5:30 p.m.–10:00 p.m.
Event Location: Main St., Lilburn
Event Details: Food vendors and activities will make this a fun, family event. At 7:30 p.m. The Glow Band will take the stage. At 9:30 p.m. vendors and music will end for the fireworks show to begin. Pre-fireworks activities include a photo booth, balloon art, face painting, inflatables and a train ride. Some activities may cost, but otherwise the fireworks and concert are free and open to the community.
Event Name: Parade and Fireworks in Demorest
Event Date & Time: July 4, 2:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m.
Event Location: Downtown Demorest
Event Details: Join us in Demorest starting at 2 p.m. for food, crafts, bounce houses, a petting zoo, cornhole/horseshoe tournament and more. The parade starts at 4 p.m. Music begins at 6 p.m. featuring John Berry and Joe Olds Band. Fireworks will begin at dark, around 9:45 p.m.
Event Name: Fireworks at Margaritaville, Buford
Event Date & Time: July 4, 10:00 p.m.–11:30 p.m.
Event Location: Lake Lanier Islands, Buford
Event Details: Lake Lanier Islands will have fireworks for 3 days. Enjoy 3 nights of fireworks over the water and live music. There is a cost to get into the park, but fireworks may be seen by boat from the water, as well.
JULY 5 – 7 EVENTS:
Event Name: 131st Anniversary of Winder
Event Date & Time: July 5, 6:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m.
Event Location: Jug Tavern Park, Winder
Event Details: This celebration will feature a variety of activities, including live music from the Swingin’ Medallions, food trucks and a fireworks show at 9:30 p.m.
Event Name: First Friday Concert Series, Gainesville
Event Date & Time: July 5, 7:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m.
Event Location: Historic Downtown Gainesville Square
Event Details: Bring your blankets and chairs and enjoy dinner around the square before enjoying music presented this month by The Soul Purpose Band. Vendors will be on the square, as well so you can enjoy browsing. Reminder, the City of Gainesville will close traffic around the square until Monday morning for this weekend. This will allow for expanded outdoor dining, sidewalk sales and live entertainment all weekend long.
Event Name: First Friday Concert Series, Dahlonega
Event Date & Time: Friday, July 5, 6:30 p.m.–8:30 p.m.
Event Location: Hancock Park, Dahlonega
Event Details: Bring your lawn chairs and blankets to Hancock Park the First Friday of every month (May – October) to enjoy awesome bands and music with friends. July’s artist is Radford Windham and Step Back Cadillac. This is a free event for the community to enjoy.
Event Name: Summer in the Branch
Event Date & Time: Sunday, July 7, 6:30 p.m.–8:00 p.m.
Event Location: Flowery Branch Amphitheater, 5603 Mitchell Street, Flowery Branch
Event Details: Calling all music lovers! Get ready for an epic night of a free concert in downtown Flowery Branch. Listen to live music and grab a delicious bite from one of the food trucks!
