Published Monday, July 06, 2009

Jackson music debut highlights Rotary's Newnan celebration

The Times-Herald

Newnan marked America's Independence Day with style, capping off a day of festivities with a patriotic parade and community celebration.

It was a chance for families to relax together as they awaited the evening fireworks show at Newnan High School's Drake Stadium. Thousands gathered in the stands and in groups of folding chairs or on blankets, enjoying a pre-fireworks program by local performers the Musicologists headed by Doug Kees. Helping rev up the crowd was the Newnan High School Band drum line.

As time neared for the evening's main event, there was presentation of the colors by a Georgia State Patrol honor guard, complete with bagpiper leading the way. Among the speakers, a reminder of our nation's future came with a group of young students brought by state Rep. Lynn Smith, so the crowd could hear their young voices repeating the Pledge of Allegiance.

But the addition to the celebration that brought a quiet over the crowd was a new recording of the nation's anthem, The Star Spangled Banner, done by country music star and Newnan native Alan Jackson. The rendition in Jackson's mellow tones made its world debut at Newnan's celebration. "It is all yours," emcee John White of the Newnan Rotary Club told the gathering.

White gave a big "thank you" to Cathy Wright, director of the University of West Georgia Newnan Center, who talked her famous brother into making the recording for his hometown celebration.

The big fireworks show by Atlanta Pyrotechnic International Inc. was coordinated with a music soundtrack put together especially for the show. It was given to the company to select fireworks that portrayed the songs. But unlike some of the larger shows that are fired electronically, the Newnan fireworks are coordinated by workers lighting the big shells by hand.

The effect was spectacular during the half-hour show, with bursts of red, white and blue at the appropriate times or flower-like displays during softer sections. It met with cheers of an appreciative audience.

Earlier in the evening, Mainstreet Newnan's annual parade departed downtown Newnan at 6 p.m., leading the way out LaGrange Street to the stadium. Grand marshals this year were members of the Veterans Memorial Plaza committee, the group that planned the recently-dedicated addition to the Newnan city park at Jackson Street and Temple Avenue.

Awaiting at the stadium were fields for youngsters to run, play and work off some energy. There were several bounce houses and inflated slides to enjoy, along with clowns and artists making balloon animals -- all to create a family-friendly atmosphere. The Rotary Club had concessions for those who wanted a snack or cool drink.

"We had a great evening of fun for all who came," said Rotary Club President Doug Cantrell. "I had several people approach me with positive comments about the evening ... I had one man stop me from Florida and commend us for such an event. His comment was he had lived in Florida all his life and never experienced such a wonderful evening for his family provided at no cost."

Doug Kees was joined for the evening entertainment by fellow musicians and instructors Torrie Boyd, Lacy Yates, Patrick Thompson and Bob Boyce. A stage was set up opposite the main stands, and this year's fireworks show was launched from Waterworks Road behind the stage.

The annual event is coordinated by Newnan Rotary Club with funding from the city of Newnan, Coweta County and local businesses.