Published Saturday, July 04, 2009

Parade, fireworks tonight

The Times-Herald

The red, white and blue will be out in full force today as Newnan celebrates America's Independence Day.

This evening's Fourth of July Parade and the Newnan Rotary Club's community celebration and fireworks cap a day of festivities in Coweta, including downtown Newnan's Homemade Ice Cream Festival and Market Day, and the annual Puckett Station festival and barbecue in Moreland.

Main Street Newnan's patriotic parade steps off at 6 p.m. Grand marshals are members of the Veterans Memorial Plaza Committee. The parade route begins at Temple Avenue and Jackson Street and continues south through downtown and out LaGrange Street to Newnan High School.

There the Rotarians have another action-packed evening in store for revelers who plan to celebrate the Fourth of July at the annual Drake Stadium bash and fireworks display.

A special version of the National Anthem has been created just for the Newnan celebration by Newnan native Alan Jackson.

According to Rotarian John White, the club approached Cathy Wright, who heads the University of West Georgia's Newnan Center, about asking her brother to record a special version of the National Anthem for the event.

"We can't say how grateful we are to Cathy for arranging this, and especially to Alan for taking time out of his very busy schedule to do this for us," White said. "It is a wonderful recording, and I know everyone at the program will love it."

Both Jackson and his wife, Denise, grew up in Newnan and have family here.

Once Jackson's version of the anthem ends, the biggest part of the show begins -- the fireworks display.

The evening's fun starts earlier in the evening after the Newnan Fourth of July parade winds its way through downtown and disbands on Armory Road at Newnan High School.

Parade entrants can make their way to Drake Stadium to join the crowd of thousands for an evening of food, fun and fireworks, all organized by the Rotary Club.

The excitement begins about 6:30 p.m. when a five-piece band headed by local musician Doug Kees starts to perform, according to White. Kees' Musicology Band also includes instructors Torrie Boyd, Lacy Yates, Patrick Thompson and Bob Boyce. They will plan a variety of hits all evening as crowds collect at the stadium prior to the big fireworks show.

A bounce house and slides will be on hand to entertain kids. Additional face-painters also have been added to accommodate anyone who wants some festive face paint to celebrate the nation's birthday, White said. There will be clowns, and several artists creating balloon animals. Those wanting a cool drink or something to eat may choose from the wide selection of food and drink offerings.

About 9 p.m., the main program leading up to the fireworks begins. The Newnan High School Band percussion section was scheduled to start things off. "A big noise like that will really get people excited and ready for the show," White said.

After local dignitaries are recognized, the nation's colors will be presented for the first time by an honor guard from the Georgia State Patrol. "We're honored to have that group join us this year," White said. The crowd will join in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag and then sing along with the special version of the National Anthem recorded by Alan Jackson.

Then it is time for the big show.

The fireworks are again provided by Atlanta Pyrotechnics International Inc. White says their show is always great but is unusual in at least one way.

Most major fireworks production companies set off their explosives via a computer that is synched to specially-recorded music. But the soundtrack for the Newnan show was produced locally and given to Atlanta Pyrotechnics with instructions to listen closely to the music and fire the appropriate explosive at the right time, White said.

"The music is great and they've done a great job of coordinating the music and fireworks," he said. "We get great comments on it every year, and I know this year's show will be even bigger and better."

White stressed that while the Newnan Rotary Club is charged with staging the event, the celebration is sponsored by the city of Newnan, Coweta County and local merchants.

"We just put it together and produce the show," White said. "But it is our local leaders and merchants that make it happen. We're just glad to help."

A section of the Drake Stadium field will be marked off because of a problem with the grass the school has had with wet weather and playoffs, notes Rotary President Doug Cantrell. "This will not present a problem with our fireworks" and should just be a small inconvenience on the field, he said.

The school also is opening the lower practice field for the spectators, he said.

Parking is available in the Newnan High parking lots and on nearby neighborhood streets. Organizers ask those using street parking to take care not to block driveways or reduce access for emergency vehicles.

Schedule of events:

Today

* 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. - Newnan Main Street Market Day, Court Square, downtown.

* 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.

Tonight

* 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, slides, face-painting, clowns for kids. 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 Pyrotechnics International Inc., 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.