It’s time for lazy days at the lake, burgers and hot dogs on the back porch grill, and fireworks lighting up the night sky! Here in North Georgia, we are proud Americans and we go all out to celebrate this great country that we love so much! Here’s a round-up of what to expect in Blue Ridge and the surrounding areas this Fourth of July.
Photo Courtesy of Blue Ridge Freedom 5K and 10K
If you want to start the morning off healthy, you could run in the Blue Ridge Freedom 5k or 10k which features a scenic route through beautiful and historic Blue Ridge. What a great way to start the holiday weekend!
Whatever you do, don’t miss the Old Timers 4th of July Parade! Any place downtown is a good viewing spot to enjoy the colorful floats, antique vehicles and marchers dressed in patriotic attire! The parade is from 10am-11am on July 4th. And don't miss all the festivities at Ellijay's annual 4th of July Celebration on the 4th as well! All the fun kicks off in Downtown Ellijay at 2pm with local vendors and kids activities, and a 4th of July Parade at 7:30pm featuring decorated floats, community groups, and plenty of red, white, and blue. And following the parade there will be fireworks show that will light up the night sky!
Head over the state line for some rodeo fun! The Annual Great American Rodeo will be on the old baseball fields by the river in Copperhill, TN on July 4th & 5th. There will be exciting rodeo events, delicious food vendors, a bounce house, a kids calf scramble, and lots of family fun!
A great way to view the fireworks is by train, on the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway "Firecracker Special". Celebrate the birth of our great nation on Saturday, July 5th for their Firework Special train. The train will depart Blue Ridge at 7:00 pm to enjoy the great Copper Basin Fireworks display just after dark and then return to Blue Ridge by 11:00pm. Bring your lawn chair and sit outside the train to view the fireworks! Activities in downtown McCaysville/Copperhill will be in full swing when you arrive. Lots of vendors for food and things to do for the kids until the fireworks start. **Customer Reservation Changes subject to $5 Change Fee**
Be dazzled with one of the largest displays of fireworks in the Copper Basin on Saturday night, July 5th at 9:30pm. Anywhere downtown is a great viewing area! And the American Legion in Ellijay will be hosting a Red, White, and Boom Party on July 5th that includes music, duck races, food, raffles, and a fireworks show.
Lake Blue Ridge Fireworks –"Fire in the Sky"– on the night of the 4th — are being put on by the Lake Blue Ridge Civic Association. Fireworks are set off on the Lake Blue Ridge Dam and are viewable by boat, at various viewing locations along the shoreline, and from a large area adjacent to the Lake Blue Ridge Marina.
Speaking of boats – get ready for the Independence Day Boat Parade on Lake Nottely on Saturday, July 5th starting at 11am. Anyone with a boat and the spirit to decorate is welcome to attend and be part of the fun! Or come out for the 4th of July Lake Chatuge Boat Parade in Hiawassee! The boats will parade past the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds where the judges will be positioned. Come on by and find a good spot to watch the patriotic boats go by!
In Blairsville, their annual 4th of July Fireworks are on July 4th in Meeks Park, beginning at 7:30pm with food vendors, bounce houses, a raffle and a fireworks show at dark. Or head to Vogel State Park for a full day of 4th of July fun! The day will start with a flag raising ceremony to honor our Veterans, then will be followed by a bike parade, sand castle contest, field games, a 4th of July concert and so much more! And further north in Hiawassee you can catch a free concert by the Nathan Morgan Band and then a Fireworks show at the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds.
Be sure to check out some of our local wineries and breweries for great live music and special 4th of July concerts all weekend long! Aside from great celebrations, we also are fortunate to have some wonderful local restaurants and fabulous little places to shop. However you spend your 4th of July celebration, we hope that it is spent with friends, family, and lots of good food!
Happy Birthday, America! We are so very grateful to live in the beautiful United States of America. It is an absolute honor to live in the land of the free and the home of the (very) brave! Thank you to all of our men and women that have sacrificed and continue to sacrifice to defend our great nation and allow us to enjoy the comfortable life we get to live.
