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Published Tuesday, July 07, 2009 in Local

Rains don't stop parade, fireworks in Haralson

By Winston Skinner

The Newnan Times-Herald

From "cool" to wet to "wow" -- to wet again -- Haralson's Independence Day celebration was punctuated by thunderstorms.

Haralson held its celebration of America's birthday the day after the official July 4 observance. The early evening parade was a success -- with floats, emergency vehicles and carts drawn by a donkey and a goat.

The parade wound through the small town in southeastern Coweta County and ended at a spot on Line Creek Road near Shaddix Road. The broad expanse of green was set aside for a band concert and the fireworks display, but blasting gusts of rain drenched the crowd, bringing a quick end to the concert and thinning the crowd for the pyrotechnics in the night sky.

By the time the fireworks began, there were only about a dozen vehicles -- lined up drive-in movie style. Passengers got out to see most of the display. The rains returned, however, and the final brilliantly blooming bursts of color were viewed through windshields.

The parade started at the old Haralson School building, which now houses the local Head Start program. City Hall is also on the property.

Sheriff's cruisers, a fire truck and an ambulance were in the procession. Jack Thompson brought a large John Deere tractor to pull a float prepared by -- and filled with -- members of his family.

Mt. Pilgrim Lutheran Church had a tan pickup in the parade, as well, and there were several motorized carts and a 1933 Ford Tudor Deluxe Touring Car.

Members of Mt. Zion Baptist Church dressed country style -- many in overalls, straw hats and bandannas -- to promote the church's upcoming Vacation Bible School -- to be held July 13-15 with the theme, "Country Fair Camp."

Eric Spencer, one of the organizers of the parade and festivities, brought "the biggest vehicle in the parade," he joked, a tiny remote-controlled racecar that wove in and out of the procession. Mayor Ted Bateman waved to the crowd from a convertible.

Bo Rosemas, a member of the Haralson City Council, worked with Spencer to organize Sunday's events. She walked along the parade route behind the participants and was visibly pleased with the turnout and the parade. Rosemas spoke of the community feeling of such gatherings in Haralson and "the quaintness of it."

The parade ran from the school to Highway 85, down Depot Street and Addy Street and then back along the state highway to Line Creek Road and the fireworks site.

People lined the downtown area to watch the parade, and children and adults grappled for candy tossed from various parade vehicles. Daniel Radcliffe, 6, who came from McDonough to enjoy the parade with relatives, had one word to describe the experience -- "Cool!"

Bottom Line, a band from Newnan, began playing at the fireworks area -- while vendors and a carnival ride occupied another spot on the grounds. Soon, sweeping gusts of rain came, along with lightning and thunder.

Most people left, but a few remained, and Spencer kept communicating both with Bateman and with the representatives from Pyrotecnico, the fireworks company. About 8:45, the fireworks crew took advantage of a break in the rain -- and the fireworks display illuminated the south Coweta sky, sometimes with a little help from the moving storm clouds.

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