It's All About Our Independence Today

1. Just about everything is closed today--from government offices to banks to schools to your office -- so there's probably no good reason for a patriotic Mariettan to stop along the Marietta Freedom Parade route at 10 a.m. today. The parade starts at and ends up near Marietta Square for the city's Fourth in the Park celebration.

The Square will host free live concerts, museum tours, an arts and crafts show with more than 80 vendors, food, carnival games and fireworks finale. The whole event includes 110 entries, 2,000 participants and an estimated 30,000 spectators.

A fireworks finale starts at dark. Other events include a National Bell Ringing ceremony at 2p.m. and a parade awards ceremony at 2:15 p.m.

For information, call Marietta Parks and Recreation at 770-794-5601 or visit this link.

2. Where's the best places to watch fireworks in Marietta this year. Of course, there's Glover Park. But there's also Northcutt Stadium, a former secret spot for fireworks gazing. This year, the Marietta Schools Foundation will sponsor Red, White and Big Blue at 6 p.m. with live music from the band Glow and many other events. Admission is $3 per person, and BBQ from Williamson Brothers BBQ is $6 per plate.

All proceeds will go to the foundation's Mentoring for Leadership program benefitting Marietta students in grades 6 through 12.

Premiere parking will be available in the and parking lots for $5 for the evening.  All parking proceeds will go to the marching band.

For information, call Vicki Hunt at 770-247-1012 or visit www.mariettaschoolsfoundation.com.

3. The , per usual, offers a variety of great options to celebrate this and every holiday. For July 4, the theater opens its rooftop terrace first for the Marietta Freedom Parade. For $10, visitors can enjoy a “Bird’s Eye Parade View” of the floats, marching bands, beauty queens and military outfits. But only the first 100 people who sign up will enjoy this commanding view and a cash bar. The Strand recommends guests purchase tickets in advance as the event has sold out the past two years.  

And later that day, the Strand opens the terrace again for Marietta’s fireworks display. This event costs $15 and is limited to the first 120 people.

The fireworks will light the sky after dark, estimated to be between 8:30 and 9 p.m. and The Strand’s doors and bar will open at 6 p.m.

For information about either event,  call 770-293-0080, visit http://www.EarlSmithStrand.org  or send an email to friends@earlsmithstrand.org.

4.  The will host its own Fourth of July celebration as it provides tables up to eight guests so they can bring a picnic dinner, beverages and decorations for a prime seat to view the fireworks. The event begins at 6 p.m., and tables require a minimum $120 donation.

This event is sponsored by the Cobb Landmarks and Historical Society. To reserve a table, mail a check to: Cobb Landmarks, 30 Atlanta St., Marietta GA 30060 or visit www.cobblandmarks.com/calendar.php.

5. If you didn't know a few moments ago that today was the Fourth of July, you certainly knew it by the time you got to this entry. But did you know it was also Independence from Meat Day? Marietta Patch didn't either and doesn't plan to celebrate it any time soon. Pass the ribs.