COVINGTON, Ga. — Thousands poured into and around the Covington Square on Sunday, July 4, for the annual Independence Day fireworks show. It was the first major public event held in Newton County since the COVID-19 pandemic began almost 18 months ago. 

In a regular year, a festival with live music, food vendors and activities is held in addition to the fireworks display; however, organizers opted this year to limit the event to only a fireworks show out of concern of potentially causing a local spike in COVID-19 cases.