Photo by Laura Moon
Click to enlarge photos.By Talia Mollett
Marietta Daily Journal Staff Writer
MARIETTA - The sky over Marietta was lit up last night with fireworks for the Fourth of July, but before the explosives were shot, the celebration started with a bang in the morning at the city's annual "Let Freedom Ring" parade.
Thousands of residents clad in red, white and blue lined the street to wave flags as floats passed by. Some people were out as early as 8 a.m. to find the perfect spot for catching a glimpse of parade entrants.
The parade began at 10 a.m. at Roswell Street Baptist Church before marching into Marietta Square and winding its way down to North Marietta Parkway.
There were 107 entries in the parade with 28 floats and more than 1,000 participants. Entries included Georgia Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle, Cobb County government officials, veterans of the Armed Service and marching bands that got the crowd grooving.
The parade also featured original cast members from the movie "Gone with the Wind" and dance performances from the Twilight Twirlers, Little General Cloggers and Royal Elites Drill Team.
One unusual guest at the parade was Santa Claus. Straight from the North Pole, Santa traded in his traditional sleigh to be escorted by a horse-drawn carriage in the event. Rudolph and the other reindeer were absent.
Servicemen were decked out in military uniforms to show their patriotic spirit. Among them was Vinings resident Ethan Moffitt, 27. Moffitt served in the Navy on the U.S.S. Bunker Hill in the Iraq War. This was his first time attending the city's annual Fourth of July parade.
"I really enjoyed it. It was nice to see all the servicemen being honored by Marietta and the crowd," he said. "The Fourth is really about patriotism and freedom, and it's nice to see people come together to celebrate what our forefathers fought for."
The Marietta Police Department Sky Watch platform was not at the parade.
After the parade, the Square hosted more than 80 vendors for an arts and crafts show. Residents mingled, eyed hand-crafted gifts and feasted on cotton candy.
For playful visitors, the city also had carnival games and moonwalks.
Other events conducted around town for the Fourth of July included a special barbecue at Jim Miller Park. Republicans rubbed elbows for the GOP barbecue, which featured Sen. Saxby Chambliss, who was also in the parade.
Grover Park hosted live music throughout the day for the Fourth. The band Peachtree Station and country crooners Scott Thompson and Jason Michael Carroll sang to the audience catching sunrays and picnicking on the holiday.
By night, some children were weary. The crowd got fired up again when the city shot off fireworks from the First United Methodist Church parking lot.
tmollett@mdjonline.com
Comment on this Story
Posted Comments
We almost didn't attend the festivities this year after being let down from last year's fireworks. I have to say it was MUCH improved. Glad we went!!!
Why is it whenever there is a picture of a child attending a public event, like the recent parade in Marietta or when politicians go for a publicity shot with children say at a local school the child that is picked seems to always be a black? Aren't white children photogenic enough? What is the stigma they collectively have that automatically exempts them from consideration of being in a publicity picture published in the paper or on a newscast?