Community Corner

Marietta, Cobb Celebrate Fourth of July in Grand Fashion

Check out the most patriotic listing of Fourth of July events in Cobb County available anywhere!

1. A full day of celebration in Marietta kicks off with the Marietta Freedom Parade 2011 at 10 a.m. from and along a route that travels past Marietta Square. The city’s Fourth in the Park also includes 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.

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2. For years, Marietta residents scaled the walls of Northcutt Stadium to watch the fireworks, secretly watching the display from one of the best vantage points in town. This year, the Marietta Schools Foundation will sponsor Red, White and Big Blue and turn one of the city’s best secrets into a premier celebration site.

Beginning at 6 p.m., the evening will include live music from the band Glow, Rita's Ice, fun houses for children, and Williamson Brothers BBQ. Admission is $3 per person, and 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.

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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. The begins its Fourth of July festivities at 7 p.m. Saturday with a Summertime Pops! concert featuring patriotic classics from Broadway and beyond with the Georgia Symphony Orchestra. The free concert will be held in the church amphitheater. For information, call 770-429-7016 or go to georgiasymphony.org.

From 5:30 to 10:15 p.m. on July 4, the church will host the Great American Family Picnic, which includes Williamson Brothers BBQ. For information, visit www.mariettafumc.org/greatamericanfamilypicnic.   

6. In neighboring Kennesaw, the city’s open-air concert series on Sunday will feature "a tribute to legends" with musical acts honoring performers ranging from Elton John and Billy Joel to the Eagles and Doobie Brothers. The concert concludes with a fireworks show. For information and schedule, call 770-422-9714 or go to www.kennesaw-ga.gov.

7. A bit further north to Acworth, the city will hold its Fourth of July Fireworks celebration at about 9:30 p.m. at Cauble Park on Monday.  Local bands will take the stage beginning at 4 p.m. with headliners Flashback at 8 p.m. with fireworks beginning at approximately 9:30 p.m. A limited amount of tables are available for purchase. For information about this free event, call 770-917-1234.

8. Mount Paran North Church is offering a free Fourth of July event at 7:30 p.m. Sunday. Celebrate the 4th of July with fireworks and patriotic music featuring the Georgia Symphony Orchestra. For information, call 770-429-7016 or go to georgiasymphony.org.

9. Over in Powder Springs, the city will host its Independence Day Celebration at the city’s historic square. The event will be from 4 to 10 p.m. on July 4 and will feature festival foods, entertainment and a fireworks demonstration. For information send an email to  ktpeterson@cityofpowdersprings.org or call 770-943-1666.

10. For a more political bent, both of the major political parties will hold their own Fourth of July events.

The Cobb County Republican Barbecue will run from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on July 4 at . Many elected officials and candidates for the 2012 elections will be attending, with Williamson Brothers Bar-B-Q catering. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for children ages 5 to 10, and free for those under 5. Tickets are available at www.CobbGOP.org. For information, call Billie Dendy at 770-820-4717 or dendybillie@comcast.net.

The Cobb County Democratic Party will hold its 2011 Annual Herb Butler Independence Day Picnic from noon to 3 p.m. at Rhyne Park in Smyrna. The candidates will attend the gathering. The cost is $10 per adult and $5 for children 12 and younger per plate.


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