Our nation’s birthday is celebrated coast to coast with fireworks, picnics and festivals. Metro Atlanta is no different. Several cities have Fourth of July events that offer a fun time for your family. Here are some great ways to celebrate Independence Day that are just a short drive away:

ACWORTH – JULY 4

Concert and Fireworks sponsored by The City of Acworth and the Acworth Business Association. Live music will start at 4pm. Fireworks will begin at approximately 9:30pm. Food vendors will be on site. Free admission. Free shuttle service available from Downtown Acworth. Located at Lake Acworth Beach at Cauble Park, 4425 Beach Street, Acworth. More info: 770-917–1234 or visit www.acworthparksandrecreation.org.

ALPHARETTA – JULY 4

Celebrate July 4th with family and friends at Wills Park! Entertainment and children’s activities will be on the lawn behind the Alpharetta Community Center from 6-9pm. Food vendors will be located throughout the park from 6-10pm (cash only please). Food selections include hot dogs, hamburgers, barbeque, ice cream, shaved/Italian ice, and more! Bring your lawn chairs and sit back to watch our spectacular fireworks show at dusk. Located at Wills Park, 1825 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta. More info: 678-297-6130 or www.alpharetta.ga.us.

DUNWOODY – JULY 4

Annual Dunwoody Salutes America Fourth of July Parade hosted by the Dunwoody Homeowners Association and the Dunwoody Crier Newspaper. Begins at 9am at the Mount Vernon Shopping Center. Features marching bands, local personalities, and floats. Festival with live entertainment, activities, children’s area, and Dunwoody United Methodist Boy Scout barbeque follows at Dunwoody Village: 5483 Chamblee Dunwoody Road, Dunwoody. This year’s theme: Duty, Honor & Country. More info: 770-354-7653 or www.dunwoodyga.org.

EAST COBB – JULY 4

Indian Hills Country Club (IHCC) hosts a Membership Appreciation Day which features fireworks at dusk. IHCC allows the community to come by, grab a seat on the lawn, and enjoy the fireworks extravaganza. Indian Hills Country Club, 4001 Clubland Drive, Marietta/East Cobb.

KENNESAW – JULY 3

Salute to America, a pre-Independence Day celebration, will feature high-energy, live music performances and family entertainment from 6-10pm. From The Blast Band’s high-energy party tunes to the sounds of Tusk, the ultimate Fleetwood Mac tribute band, audiences will be treated to two stages of live music, festive street entertainment, food vendors, and kid’s activities. The evening will be capped off with a brilliant fireworks finale beginning at 9:30pm. Free admission. Blankets, chairs and coolers allowed. Tables for 6 available for rent at $75. Food and beverages for sale. No alcohol. Concert begins at 7:30pm at The Depot, 2828 Cherokee Street, Kennesaw. More info: 770-422-9714 or www.kennesawjuly3.com.

MARIETTA – JULY 4

Fourth in the Park celebration presented by Marietta Parks and Recreation.Marietta Freedom Parade starts at 10am at Roswell Street Baptist Church, 774 Roswell Street SE, Marietta, and ends at North Marietta Parkway. Followed by concerts, museum tours, arts and crafts show, food, carnival games, and fireworks finale at dark in Glover Park/Marietta Square. More info: 770-794-5601 or www.mariettaga.gov.

POWDER SPRINGS – JULY 4

20th Annual Independence Day Celebration. Bring your chairs and blankets, relax, eat mouth-watering delights while enjoying entertainment on the big stage, let the kids play on a variety of interactive inflatable activities, then get ready for a tremendous patriotic program delivered by Mayor Al Thurman and finally end with a phenomenal fireworks show! Celebrate from 6-10pm. Powder Springs Town Square, 4484 Marietta Street, Powder Springs. More info: 770-423-1330 or www.cityofpowdersprings.org.

ROSWELL – JULY 4

Annual Fireworks Extravaganza presented by the City of Roswell. Live entertainment, children’s carnival, and food. Bring picnics, lawn chairs and blankets. Band performances at 6pm and 7:30pm. Fireworks begin at dark. Roswell High School, 11595 King Road, Roswell. More info: 770-641-3705 or www.roswellgov.com. BBQ and Bluegrass at Barrington. Enjoy barbeque and bluegrass music in the backyard of Barrington Hall. The King family, who built Barrington Hall, held a 4th of July barbecue for their friends and neighbors in the 1800s. Revisit their tradition with live music, barbecue, beer, soft drinks, and desserts for sale. A children’s area will keep the youngsters occupied with games and crafts. Free. 11am-5pm, Barrington Hall, 535 Barrington Drive, Roswell. More info: 770-641-3705 or www.roswellgov.com.

WOODSTOCK – JULY 4

Stars and Strikes July 4th Spectacular begins at 10am with a parade that startsat Woodstock Elementary School (230 Rope Mill Road, Woodstock) and follows main street to Sam’s Club at Hwy 92. Food vendors, children’s activities, musical entertainment, and crafts until 3pm at The Park at City Center, 101 Arnold Mill Road, downtown Woodstock. Fireworks begin at dusk behind the Target Shopping Center at Hwy 92 and I-575. More info: www.woodstockparksandrec.com.

Reprinted from EAST COBBER’s June/July 2016 issue

What are your Fourth of July plans this year? Please share with our readers below!