Celebrate Independence Day in style without having to fight snowmageddon-sized traffic. Check out these (mostly free) celebrations that are just a stone's throw away from Conyers-Rockdale.
Prelude, Gwinnett County Historic Courthouse Lawn, Historic Downtown Lawrenceville
July 3, 7 p.m. Free. Kick off your 4th of July holiday with a free one-of-a-kind celebration, Prelude. Lawrenceville's renowned Aurora Theatre will perform a Broadway Musical with a full orchestra, followed by a dazzling fireworks display. 678-226-6222
Independence Day Concert and Picnic at the Cultural Center, Madison
July 3, 7 p.m. Free. Come on down for an evening of picnicking and patriotic tunes. Don't forget to decorate your table - prizes will be given for "Most Patriotic" table decorations. Concert ends at dusk and is followed by professional fireworks, presented by the City of Madison, at Heritage Park. So come out and be ready to reach for the stars and stripes in this family fun filled event.www.mmcc-arts.org
Community BBQ, Conyers
July 4, noon. Free. Head out to Veal Street Park to fix yourself a plate of delicious barbecue and enjoy good company and family-friendly activities in this community event. Levett Funeral Home of Conyers hosts their annual Community BBQ with family friendly activities. 770- 483-9885.
Stars and Stripes Circuit, Conyers
July 3-13. The Georgia International Horse Park is proud to present a Stars and Stripes Circuit featuring some of the fastest horses in the Southeast. This free seasonal event includes multiple derbies and competitions celebrating the best in equine excitement.
www.georgiahorsepark.com
July 4th Parade & 175th Birthday Celebration, Oxford
July 4, beginning 10 a.m. Free. Calling schools, churches, sports teams, businesses, families, civic groups, neighborhood groups or individuals who are ready to share in the celebration: make plans to march, play, ride, sing or dance in the parade. Create a float, decorate a bike, put on a costume and show your community spirit and celebrate Independence Day and the City of Oxford's 175th Birthday! 770-786-7004
9 a.m.: Parade line-up begins
10 a.m.: Parade begins on Pierce Street at Haygood Avenue, ending at Old Church
Immediately following parade: Vendors, food (free watermelon and popcorn from the Oxford Lions Club, paid concessions), music, prizes for best float categories
8th Annual July 4th Festival, Fanfare, and Fireworks, Porterdale
July 4, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Free. Spend an afternoon engaging in outdoor crafts and activities, browsing local vendors, snacking on delicious food. A live concert by an eight-piece band, "Az Izz," starts at the Historic Porter Memorial Gymnasium at 6 p.m.; concert tickets $10 a seat or $100 for table of eight. Fireworks to follow at dusk.
www.facebook.com/MainStreetPorterdaleGa
11 a.m.: Activities downtown, including vendor booths, kids' area, food, adult beverages, live music
1 p.m.: Sanctified Revival (at Jimbo's Grill at the Mill, free)
3 p.m.: Flow Motion (at Poplar and Main Street near BC Crowell Park, free)
3 p.m.: Shane Millwood Band (at Jimbo's, free)
4:45 p.m.: Flow Motion (at Poplar and Main Street near BC Crowell Park, free)
6 p.m.: Az Izz, an eight-piece band from Atlanta (in the Porter Memorial Gymnasium; $10 a seat, $100 for an eight-person table)
6 p.m.: Thomas Tillman Band (at Jimbo's, free)
6 p.m.: Wrestling show (at The Main Event, free general admission, $20 for premium ring-side seats)
9:30 p.m.: Fireworks
10 p.m.: The DC3 (at Jimbo's, free)
Independence in the Park MusicFest 2014, Covington
July 4. Free. Come early and browse the shops and eateries that line the Downtown Covington Square. As the town begins to buzz with live music, many local food vendors will be setting up to fill the air with the scents of festival food. When the cool of the evening sets in, two stages will give way to nine bands and multiple hours of live music of all types. The music will lead us up to an extraordinary display of fantastic fireworks at dusk. www.independenceinthepark.com
Noon: Activities open downtown, including food, vendors, kids' area, arts and crafts booth, dunking booth
3:30 p.m.: Samuel and Caleb (free)
4 p.m.: The Vista Kings (free)
5 p.m.: TK Adams with the Newton County Community Band for his final performance (free)
6 p.m.: Grassville (free)
6:30 p.m.: Judah Swilley (free)
7 p.m.: Poynte (free)
7:30 p.m.: Straight No Chaser (free)
8:20 p.m.: The Drive Time Band (free)
9:15 p.m.: Corey Crowder (City of Covington honoree, free)
9:40 p.m.: Fireworks (free)
10-11:30 p.m.: After Bang Street Dance with Blue Max and The Josh Millwood Band (free)
Fantastic Fourth Celebration, Stone Mountain Park
July 3- 5, Parking $10. Stone Mountain Park transforms the Lasershow Spectacular in Mountainvision and its famous natural amphitheater with "More Lights, More Lasers and More Music!" The show includes a lighting feature at the base of the mountain shining up like fingers of light showcasing the 825 foot mountainside. A special patriotic fireworks display will follow the show.http://www.stonemountainpark.com/events/fantastic-fourth-celebration.aspx
Pied Piper Parade, Decatur
July 4, 6 p.m. Free. Decorate your wagon, ride your bike, skate or walk in this event. The City Councilmen will lead the parade in the mini-firetruck. Neighborhoods and organizations are encouraged to make floats and join the fun. The concert, featuring the Callanwolde Concert Band, begins at 7 p.m. in the Community Bandstand. Fireworks begin at dark (approximately 9 p.m.) and are shot from the top of the DeKalb County parking deck. 404- 371-8386.
4th of July Celebration, Centennial Olympic Park, Atlanta
July 4, 6 p.m. Free. This celebration offers fun and entertainment for the entire family. All five military branches will perform All-American songs, dancers will light up the stage, and patriotic music will take place throughout the evening. Gates open at 6 p.m. and fireworks will take place after the sun sets. www.centennialpark.com/index.php/plan-your-visit/event-calendar/springsummer-events/4th-of-july
Lenox Square's Legendary 4th of July Event, Atlanta
July 4, 6 p.m. This year's activities will include the largest fireworks display in the Southeast, musical entertainment and food concessions. For the second year, Lenox Square will host its talent search, ‘Atlanta's Next Legend,' where the crowned winner will perform in front of crowds filled with family and friends. Stick around to enjoy the largest fireworks show in the Southeast. 404- 233-6767
Fourth of July Extravaganza, Children's Museum of Atlanta
July 4, noon. $12.75. Children can make their own flag to wave in The Museum's Fourth of July Parade. After the parade, families can show their pride by singing a roaring rendition of "The Star Spangled Banner" followed by "You're a Grand Ole Flag!" The patriotic program will conclude with bursts of laughter, as kids participate in an innovative indoor "fireworks" display that involves dancing and popping bubble wrap. 404-659-5437
Loganville Independence Day Parade, Loganville
July 4, beginning 10 a.m. Free. This year's festivities are bigger and better than ever with participants from all over. The parade kicks off at 10 a.m. and features marching groups, floats, military branches and many others marching through downtown's Main Street. Come out and join us for this fun filled patriotic event.
http://loganville-ga.gov/events/parades/
Star Spangled Snellville, Snellville
July 4, 3 p.m. Free. Plan on an unforgettable experience the entire family will enjoy. Festivities begin at 3 p.m. with family friendly entertainment, including the tastes and smells of some of the finest holiday foods on the Towne Green along with a large playground of inflatables, train rides and a space ball. Bring your blankets and chairs to assure your seats for the music and fireworks show. http://www.snellvilletourism.com/events/star-spangled-snellville
Freedom Fest, Monroe
July 4, 5 p.m. Free. The Mission of Freedom Fest is to provide a family event on the Fourth of July that allows all who come and participate in worshiping and fellowshipping while expressing our love for this country and those who serve it in our Armed Forces. Free activities, food, and music will take place before the fireworks light up the sky when the sun goes down. 404- 992-5050
