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Published Sunday, July 05, 2009 in Local
Photo by Jeffrey Leo
Lauren anderson Kaitlyn Anderson Jacob Anderson wave their flags as the 4th of july parade starts in downtown newnan.
Patriotic parade rolls through downtown
By Ellen Corker
The Newnan Times-Herald
A festive Fourth of July Parade organized by Mainstreet Newnan helped launch Newnan's annual Independence Day celebration, leading the way to Newnan High School's Drake Stadium for an evening of entertainment and fireworks.
The parade stepped off at 6 p.m. with local veterans leading the way handing out hundreds of small American flags so that spectators along the route from downtown to the high school could wave the red, white and blue.
Grand Marshals this year were members of the city committee who planned the new Veteran's Memorial Plaza. The plaza, used for Memorial Day and Veterans Day ceremonies, is in the city park at Temple Avenue and Jackson Street where the July Fourth parade began.
Mainstreet Director Linda Bridges Kee said Newnan's Fourth of July events this year were planned as "a celebration of our wonderful country and those who have fought for our freedom." Among the parade entries were salutes to all those who have served in the military through the years.
There were the bright lights and horns of fire trucks, as well as several area heavy-duty wrecker service organizations with their big rescue equipment.
Area churches -- among them New Heights Baptist, Royal Baptist and Faith Creek United Methodist -- joined the procession, adding music and colorful banners.
Several groups also passed out bottles of cold water to keep area citizens cool during the evening's celebration.
Adding light touches were the Coweta 4-H Poultry Chain group with their caged chickens and several members dressed in costume as giant poultry, as well as a tiny car with a big horn from the Fayette Shrine Club.
The procession included pageant winners and local politicians -- several in classic convertibles. Marching was a combined "tri-high" band with students from Newnan, Northgate and East Coweta high schools.
The Newnan High band drum line was set to rev up the crowd at Drake Stadium before the fireworks show -- an annual event sponsored by the Newnan Rotary Club with funding from the City of Newnan and Coweta County along with local merchants.
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Some people had a problem understanding the meaning behind the signs asking people to respect the bump out areas and insisted on walking and sitting on the plantings. Organizers did a great job of putting a small town America spin to an enjoyable parade. I especially enjoyed seeing the Mayor getting behind the "old-timey" car giving it his push power. Thank you to the groups passing out water bottles--you kept a lot of us from passing out.
Posted by eddie p at 6:59 PM
I agree Mike. We have the greatest land in the world...I just hope our current way of government doesn't become a new standard for the future. We really have to get back to the ideals of our founding fathers.
Posted by Weirdo at 4:03 PM
This is what America is all about, people of all faiths and nationalities, coming together to celebrate this country's 233rd birthday. Where else in the world do you see this many people of so many faiths and nationalities living together under one flag. I feel blessed to have been born an American.
Posted by mike at 2:58 PM
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Fourth of July Parade
7/5/2009
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This is a beautiful sight to see, three fresh-faced little ones learning early how lucky they are to be Americans and what patriotism is all about. They are my wonderful grandchildren, and I couldn't be more proud of them, and of my kids for teaching them such an important lesson!
Posted by Grandma Betty at 9:28 PM