Crowds of 8,000 to 10,000 people filled The Square for last year's Fourth of July fireworks extravaganza. Wilkes County is set to celebrate the Independence Day holiday July 4, with music, food, fun, and the annual world-class fireworks display that has brought visitors from all over the state in years past.

"Bring your lounge chair and your blankets and get a spot with your friends and neighbors," said Donna Hardy. "This holiday celebration is truly a special day here in Wilkes County, and it's getting bigger and better every year."

The Square will be closed to traffic at 3 p.m., and activities will start at 4:30 p.m. Washington favorite Shameless Dave and his band, the former Miracle Whips, will bring their dancing music back to The Square, and there will be vendors offering food, handcrafts, cold drinks, and other items. There will be games for children and fun for all, Hardy said.

Ronald McDonald will present a magic show for the kids at 7 p.m.

Tuesday's celebration will conclude with the annual spectacular fireworks display at 9:30 p.m. "Melrose Pyrotechnics always does a spectacular job," Hardy said, "and they've always delivered a fireworks display that has made Washington's Fourth of July an attraction that brings people from all over. And they promised that this year will be even better."

Independence Day parade begins at 8 a.m. Tuesday The Walker girls - Cecelia, Selena, and Sylvia - and friend joined the Independence Day walking parade in 2005. This year's parade will leave Fort Washington Park (behind the courthouse) at 8 a.m., July 4. Following the parade a short program will be held at the park. Non-walkers are invited to join the celebration; just bring a chair. The parade will form at the park, go to The Square, down Spring Street, left on Liberty Street, then left on Jefferson Street and back to the park. In previous years, crowds estimated at 7,000 to 10,000 have jammed The Square and filled the crowds not only filled every nook of The Square, but down every street, sidewalk, and parking lot for blocks around. Families camped on truck beds jammed into parking lots. The town was packed.

"We've been coming to Washington for the Fourth for three years

now," said Rose McGee of Hart County last year. "Y'all just do it up right for a little town, and I get to go shopping, too."

Tuesday's observance of the Fourth of July will start, as it has for years, with an 8 a.m. parade around Downtown. Dozens of early

risers will parade the colors behind Grand Marshal Bobby West and his guide dog Franklin for several blocks, starting and ending at Ft. Washington Park.

Vendor space is still available for the celebration. Call the Chamber of Commerce at 706-678-2013.