A parade, fireworks and good ol'fashion family fun are planned in Newton County for the Fourth of July. Here's the lowdown on events happening all over the county.
COVINGTON:
Covington's Fourth of July event Independence in the Park 2012 will begin at 2:30 p.m. Sunday on the square. The event is being hosted by downtown business owner Mack McKibben and the city of Covington and will feature more than seven hours of non-stop music leading up to fireworks at around 9:30 p.m.
"We are going to have two stages set up that day so there will be non-stop music," McKibben said. "While one band or performer is setting up, another one will be performing on the other stage that way no one is going to be able to say they were bored during the event."
The north stage will be set up at the courthouse while the south stage will be set up in front of the Thai restaurant on Monticello Street. There will be eight bands and three solo acts lined up for a variety of entertainment.
"We have all types of genres from country to hard rock," he said. "It will certainly be a fun filled night."
McKibben's group, The All Star Band will be the last musical act to take the stage before the fireworks. The All Star Band consists of about 40 musicians and dancers and will perform songs from popular musicians such as Lionel Richie, Michael Jackson and Adele.
During the event, Covington Community Band member T.K. Adams will be honored.
"We are going to present him with a special plaque and keys to the city," McKibben said. "I am so excited we are doing this for him. He deserves it as hard as he works for our community. He is an outstanding guy and musician."
The event is free, and the public is encouraged to arrive to the square as early as possible to get a good seat and find a place to park.
"We are expecting over 6,000 people to come this year," McKibben said. "The police department will help us with parking, but we expect that it will still be an issue."
The event will have face painting for kids and lots of food vendors to choose from. Fireworks will begin at approximately 9:30 p.m.
On Wednesday, July 4 the Community Band will host a free concert on the square which is a fitting event according to McKibben.
"T.K Adams' birthday is actually on July 4," he said. ‘It will be just another fitting tribute to him."
OXFORD:
Oxford City Hall will be hosting a parade on Wednesday, July 4. The line-up will begin at Haygood Avenue staring at 9 a.m. The parade will begin promptly at 10 p.m. There will be no sign-up or pre-registration to be in the parade. Everyone who would like to participate in the event is welcomed. The only requirement is that citizens do not throw candy to children but hand it to the children instead.
PORTERDALE:
Porterdale presents the 6th annual July 4th Celebration on Wednesday in the town's Historic Mill Village. A parade will begin at 4 p.m. and will feature music from AmeriCopia and Studio 253 featuring Isacc Bramblett performing in the Alley from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. A wrestling cage match from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. will follow, and fireworks will begin at dark.
SOCIAL CIRCLE:
Social Circle is having a full day of festivities July 4, including an antique car show on E. Hightower Road from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., followed by a parade at 5:30 p.m. on Cherokee Road/Ga. Highway 11.
In the evening, a gospel concert will be held at 6:30 p.m. at Social Circle High School, featuring artists Luke Carter, Austin Wallace, Crystal Padilla, Spiritual Tones, Gospelettes and Savannah Martin. Food vendors will be at both the car show and concert.
The town's fireworks show is expected to start after 9:30 p.m. and will last around 25 minutes, said Better Hometown Manager Mike Miller. The $6,500 show was paid for by donations from local businesses and churches. Music will be coordinated to play with the fireworks on WMSL 88.9 FM.
