Fireworks Friday to kick off Fourth of July weekend

"The firework show in Washington is Friday night at 9:30!" Tourism Director Ashley Barnett said. "Not Saturday night, no matter what you've heard."`

With Friday night's big fireworks display and Saturday morning's annual Fourth of July Parade, preparations are nearly complete for this weekend's Independence Day celebration, Barnett says, but the wrong date was published in the Rayle EMC publication and others, and she's concerned that some people will miss Friday night's big show.

The big annual fireworks display by Melrose Pyrotechnics is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. Friday night. The change in date saved thousands of dollars in a time of tight budgets. "Several cities like Thomson are having fireworks Friday night, too, but a lot of places have just cancelled fireworks completely because they can't afford it."

Despite the change in days from July 4 to Friday the 3rd, the crowd is expected to be as large as in previous years. "We're expecting a tremendous crowd," she said.

Friday evening's celebration will kick off at 6 p.m. with music, food vendors and some arts and craft vendors, she said. The Square will close at 5:30 p.m. Friday.

Even with the annual fireworks display set for Friday night this year, thousands of people from all over the area are expected to view the show from The Square. Early Saturday, the twelfth annual Independence Day Parade will be held at 8 a.m. at Fort Washington Park behind the Courthouse. Made up of walkers, bicycles, strollers, scooters, and animals on leashes, the parade will form at the park and move to The Square, then proceed down to Liberty Street, east to Jefferson Street, and back to the Park.

A short program including the reading of a portion of the Declaration of Independence, pledge to the flag, and patriotic songs, will be held at the park. Prizes will be given for the best decorated participants.

Twelve years ago, 44 people joined in the first parade and it has since grown to over 100 people plus dogs. Vietnam veteran Bobby West and his faithful friend Franklin will again serve as the parade's Grand Marshal.

"Come join us at 8 a.m. while it is cool," said Jo Randall, organizer of the parade. "It's a great way to begin the day that celebrates our country's independence." Those who cannot walk the route are invited to bring lawn chairs for the program.

In addition to the weekend's festivities, the Robert Toombs House State Historical Site will be open again Saturday for the first time since state budget cuts forced cutbacks in operational days for the site. A special program, Toombs Honors Independence Day, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. will have living history performers interpreting the Toombs' family contributions to Independence Day.

Callaway Plantation will also be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.