Newton County will celebrate Independence Day this weekend with music, a parade and lots of fireworks in three cities.

After two years of postponements, cancellations and scaled back events, the city of Covington will host a more “true” version of its renowned Fourth of July celebration on the Square Monday, July 4, titled Independence in the Park.

“We are excited to present the return of great live music, food, and fun, along with the Southeast’s best fireworks display, to our downtown area to help celebrate the birth of our great nation,” said Ken Malcom, city community development director.

In 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the annual fireworks show was first postponed to Labor Day, and then later canceled altogether. 

In 2021, while the novel Coronavirus continued to impact the nation, a small-scale event was held to celebrate Independence Day that only included a fireworks show.

This year, Community Development Manager DJ Waller said he and event organizers were ready to bring back a holiday event that was more in line with celebrations of old.

“We are excited to bring a true Fourth of July celebration back to Covington. While this event won’t be as large scale as pre-pandemic years, we will still have food, live music and the best fireworks show around.” 

Waller said a few food vendors would be on site to assist local restaurants with serving the thousands of spectators expected to flood the Square on Monday, July 4. A normal, large-scale event has drawn about 50,000 to the city in years past. The celebration has been deemed one of the best Independence Day celebrations across the Southeast. 

Live music will sound off beginning at 6 p.m. as the band 7 Sharp 9 is slated to take the stage, followed by Emerald Empire Band at 8 p.m., Waller said.

In addition to the live music, Waller said there would be many “yard games” set up around the Square for families to enjoy, including corn hole, giant Jenga, giant Connect 4 and checkers.

The fireworks display will begin at 9:45 p.m., Waller said.

The Square will be closed off to traffic starting at 4 p.m., he said. For a traffic and parking plan, visit https://bit.ly/OperationRedWhiteAndGo.

• Newton County Community Band is set to present a “Patriotic Celebration Concert” Sunday, July 3, from 7-8 p.m. at Legion Field at 3173 Mill St. in Covington.

The free concert is part of the Arts Association in Newton County’s Live at Legion concert series and will include a special tribute to its founding director who died earlier this year. 

"During the concert, we will be honoring the late Mr. Timothy K. Adams, founding director of the Newton County Community Band. He made a profound impact on the Arts Association in Newton County and we miss him dearly," an Arts Association email said.

For more information, visit https://www.newtoncountyarts.org/live-at-legion.

• Porterdale will celebrate the country’s independence Sunday, July 3, with music and a “Light Up the Sky” fireworks display in the historic downtown area starting at 5 p.m. 

Food vendors will be on hand. Music will be performed by DJ Scottie starts at 7 p.m., followed by a fireworks display at dark, city officials said. 

For more information, call 770-786-2217 or visit https://m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100069363003053. 

• Oxford will revive an annual tradition Monday, July 4, with the Oxford Fourth of July Parade and Celebration.

Hosted by the city of Oxford and Oxford Lions Club, the parade is set for a 10 a.m. start.

City leaders chose to cancel the event in 2020 and 2021 to protect against the spread of COVID-19.

The parade lineup will begin at 8 a.m. at Oxford Baptist Church and judging will begin at 9 a.m., according to information from the city.

The parade route begins on Haygood Street behind Oxford Baptist Church and includes Bonnell, Queen Ann, Stone, Haygood, Asbury and Watson streets and ends on Wesley Street. 

The celebration after the parade is scheduled for Asbury Street Park at 105 W. Watson St. Attendees are urged to bring chairs or blankets. Food service begins at 11:30 a.m., followed by a welcome and an awards ceremony at noon, according to information from the city.

Josh Milwood and the Sandy Creek Band with special guest April Allen, and Drew Garner, will provide the music. Free ice cream and popcorn will be offered.

More information is at https://www.oxfordgeorgia.org/July4thParade.aspx.