Published Friday, July 03, 2009

Homemade Ice Cream Festival joins Newnan's holiday lineup

The Times-Herald

The annual Homemade Ice Cream Festival joins Main Street Newnan's lineup for the Fourth on the Court Square Saturday.

During the day downtown, before the patriotic parade and Rotary Club-sponsored fireworks that evening at Drake Stadium, the community will be able to enjoy Market Day, the annual Homemade Ice Cream Festival, a family fun ride area and music from Pickin' on the Square.

The day's main event -- the Homemade Ice Cream Festival -- will begin at noon, with area non-profits selling their best homemade ice cream for $1 a bowl. Main Street Newnan will hold a judging at 12:30 p.m. for the top three best flavors.

Signed up for the competition are non-profits the Church of God of the Union Assembly, Kiwanis of Historic Newnan, Global Partners in Life, Christ Presbyterian Church, the PEO Sisterhood, and two returning winners -- Fairywood Thicket and Heatherwood Baptist Church.

"It should be lots of fun," notes Main Street Director Linda Bridges Kee, and the price has not gone up -- tastes are $1 per bowl just as it has been in the past, she said.

"All proceeds go to non-profits. This is truly one of our most popular family fun events of the year," she said.

Adds Main Street Coordinator Ashley Daniel, "The annual Homemade Ice Cream Festival is not only a fun time to sample some of the best homemade ice cream around, it is also a great opportunity for local organizations to raise money for a good cause."

Market Day kicks off at 10 a.m. with more than 60 vendors showcasing the best homemade, homegrown and handmade items in the area. "And we have confirmed that Mr. J.C. Redwine will be showing up with his fresh produce that he will pick that morning," Kee said.

A first for the downtown Fourth celebration is the family fun ride area featuring low cost rides for the kids plus real artisan face painting "with plenty of red, white, blue and sparkle," said Kee.

Starwalk Enterprises will be setting up several rides and attractions on South Court Square beginning at noon. Tickets will be sold for $1, with the number of tickets varying by ride. Tickets may be purchased during the event in the attractions area.

"Some of the attractions coming from Starwalk include the Spin Out Ride, The Turbo Swing and The Monkey Bungee Trampoline," said Kee. "This is definitely going to be a fun addition to the day's events!"

Musicians gathering for Pickin' on the Square, an event normally held the second Saturday of every month, will be performing acoustically throughout the day downtown.

The annual Fourth of July Parade steps off at 6 p.m. with Grand Marshals being members of the Veterans Memorial Plaza Committee.

The parade will begin at the corner of Temple Avenue and Jackson Street and continue south through downtown and out LaGrange Street, ending at Newnan High School.

"This year's Fourth of July will be a celebration of our wonderful country and those who have fought for our freedom. We hope the community will come out and celebrate with us!" said Kee.

Fireworks sponsored by Newnan Rotary Club with the help of the city of Newnan and Coweta County will follow the parade at dusk at Drake Stadium, where there will be pre-fireworks musical entertainment and kids activities.

For more information about the parade, contact Ashley Daniels, Main Street Newnan coordinator: office, 770-253-8283; cell - 404-606-4251 or fax, 770-253-8753.

Schedule of events:

Saturday - Day

* 8:30 a.m. - Patriotic bike parade, dog walk, Moreland.

* 9 a.m. through afternoon - Puckett Station Arts and Crafts Festival, Moreland.

* Moreland Barbecue - Plates $8. Serving 11 a.m. (lines form 10:30), Lewis Grizzard pavilion behind Moreland Mill.

* 10 a.m. - Market Day, Court Square, downtown Newnan.

* Noon - Homemade Ice Cream Festival, Court Square.

* All day - Family ride area and "red, white and blue" face painting, South Court Square in downtown Newnan, tickets $1 with number of tickets varying per ride; music from Pickin' on the Square groups.

Saturday - Evening

* 6 p.m. - Newnan Fourth of July Parade from downtown to Newnan High School.

* 6:30 p.m. - Community celebration at Drake Stadium, music by Doug Kees band; bounce house and slides for kids, face-painters, clowns. Concessions. Sponsored by Newnan Rotary Club with funding from Newnan, Coweta County and local businesses.

* 9 p.m. (dusk) - Pre-fireworks show with Newnan High School Band percussion section and debut of Newnan native and country music star Alan Jackson's recording of the National Anthem.

* At dusk will be the fireworks show by Atlanta Pyrotecnic, with a show designed to follow Newnan's specially-recorded music soundtrack.

Sunday

* 7:30 p.m. - Haralson parade.

* 8 p.m. - Concert, Haralson, band Bottom Line.

* 9:15 (dusk) - City of Haralson fireworks display.