Published Sunday, July 05, 2009

Patriotic parade rolls through downtown

The 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.