Take time out from floating in the pool or flipping burgers to check out some public Independence Day celebrations happening in the area.
Fireworks
The City of Covington, Newton County and The Church at Covington will sponsor the third July Fourth Fireworks Extravaganza from 4 p.m. to midnight at The Church at Covington on Ga. Highway 142 in Oxford.
The free event will feature food vendors, inflatables for children with no admission fee and live music. Bands playing the event include Mother's Finest, Johnny Roquemore, the Apostles of Blue Grass, Sol Factor, Blu Maxx, Hannah Thomas and others.
Fireworks will begin just after dark at approximately 9:30 p.m.
Shelter will be provided in the Fellowship Hall and youth building in case of inclement weather.
Parade
The City of Oxford and the Oxford Lion's Club will host their annual Fourth of July Parade and Celebration - starting at 10 a.m. at West Moore Street and Haygood Avenue.
People wanting to participate should register by 9:30 a.m. at the tent located on Haygood Avenue next to the tennis courts. Prizes will be given to the most patriotically decorated truck, car, float, bicycle, riding mower and most unusual entry.
The parade will head down Ga. Highway 81, which will be closed as participants make their way down to West Watson Street.
It will end on Wesley Street and West Clark Street.
Awards for best decorations and recognition of Citizen of the Year will be presented immediately after the parade at Old Church on Wesley Street.
Long-time Oxford resident Gwen Green has been named as the city's Citizen of the Year for her constant efforts to beautify the community. Green will ride on an antique fire truck during the parade.
After the parade, concessions and free watermelon and popcorn will be offered to the tune of live music at Old Church.
Car show
The Social Circle Lion's Club will host the city's Fourth of July Celebration in downtown Social Circle on East Hightower Trail.
The event will start with a cookout at 11 a.m. with hot dogs and hamburgers for sale.
At 1 p.m. the car show will begin and feature a wide variety of vintage and contemporary trucks and cars. The entry fee is a new, unwrapped toy or a donation to the Egelston Children's Hospital in Atlanta.
The prize for overall best in show is a 6-foot trophy.
The celebration will feature live music and children's activities also.
