Fourth of July celebrations throughout the area

Local residents can celebrate the Fourth of July freely in 2021 since the COVID restrictions of 2020 have been removed. Whether you choose to attend all the Independence Day celebrations you can or enjoy something close and stay home, area events include fireworks, a rodeo and a parade. Here is a roundup of what’s happening for the Fourth of July in and around Clay County, starting with an array of fireworks shows:

• Clay County’s main event will begin at 6 p.m. Saturday, July 3, near Chatuge Dam. Head to Pavilion No. 3 at the Clay County Recreation Park where food and games for the kids, will be followed with live music by Steven Phillips and Midnight Express, starting at 7 p.m. At 10 p.m. enjoy the fireworks from your boat, the Chatuge Dam parking lot, Clay County Recreation Area or Gibson Cove Campground.

• You can see fireworks the next night, too, when Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds hosts its annual Fourth of July  fireworks. Family friendly, free admission and free parking. Live music from 6 to 8:30 p.m. with a special performance by Vintage Vixens. Fireworks start at 9:45 p.m.

• Fourth of July Fireworks at Meeks Park will also light up the sky on July 4. Beginning at 7:30p.m., there will be food, bounce houses, face painting and fun for all ages. Across  the road on the North Georgia Tech campus, several food trucks will offer an assortment of favorites. Admission and parking are free; however, a limited number of reserved prime parking spots are available. Prizes have been donated by local businesses for a raffle to support the fireworks show. Fireworks will be around 10 p.m. Sunday, July 4. Meeks Park, 1/2 mile west of Blairsville on HWY 515W. Visit: www.visitblairsvillega.com for details.

• An old-fashioned Independence Day parade is planned for the Hayesville Square at 5 p.m. Sunday, July 4. Parade entrants should begin lining up at the school parking lot at 4 p.m. Bring lawn chairs, then enjoy family games on the square following the parade. Parade entrants, contact Pam Roman at (828) 389-3704 or pam@ncmtnchamber.com. 

• The Bar W Rodeo will return to Cutworm’s Corral on July 3 and July 4. Join the rodeo fun at 4637 Downings Creek Road in Hayesville. Gates open at 6 p.m. with the rodeo at 8 p.m. $15 for adults, $10 kids five to 10. Cash only at the gate or online at Eventbrite. Facebook.com/BARWRODEO.

• Fireworks, music, arts and crafts and more will be happening during Murphy’s Red, White & Brew on Tennessee Street in downtown Murphy. From 2-8 p.m. Saturday, July 3 there will be a beer garden with several breweries and wineries along with the live music of several bands. A veteran’s organization presentation will be around 4:15 p.m. and fireworks will occur at dark in Konehete Park.

• A Rubber Ducky Race will be hosted by United Way of Cherokee and Clay Counties at 2 p.m. Sunday, July 4 at Konehete Park in Murphy, behind the Murphy Fitness Center. Ducks are $10 each or three for $25 and prizes range from $100 to $300. Ducky purchase will benefit local agencies in Clay and Cherokee Counties. Rain Date is Saturday, July 10.

While July 4, 2021 will be on Sunday, the official government holiday will be Monday, July 5.