Northwest Georgia's July 4th Plans Not Phased By Rain Chances

There’s a small chance that rain may put a damper on some of the Independence Day festivities planned around the region, with scattered thunderstorms forecast each day through Monday.

The National Weather Service is predicting a 30% chance of showers Wednesday afternoon, when Summerville hosts its Celebrate Independence Festival & Fireworks Show. However, the day is expected to be “mostly sunny,” with a high near 93 cooling off to a low of 74 in the evening.

The free community event will be held at the Chattooga County Agricultural Center, 33 Middle School Road. Live music, food trucks and kids’ activities start at 4 p.m. with the fireworks scheduled for 10 p.m. A cornhole tournament and a costumed Patriotic Foot Parade are among the other events. Organizers say bring lawn chairs, blankets and dancing shoes.

On Thursday, celebrations are planned in Rome, Calhoun and Cartersville. Cave Spring’s traditional Fourth of July Parade, set for 9 a.m., may miss the scattered showers forecast to start around 11 a.m.

Parade participants will line up between 8:15 and 8:45 a.m. before heading through the downtown district. Motorized vehicles and horses go to Perry Farm Road. Those who prefer to walk gather at the old depot on Alabama Street.

The chance of precipitation later is up to 40%, although the NWS is still forecasting mostly sunny skies with a high of 95 degrees. That drops to a low around 75 in the evening and a 20% chance of running into isolated showers and thunderstorms.

♦ Rome’s Patriotic Party in the Park — at Ridge Ferry Park on Riverside Parkway — starts at noon, with food trucks, live music and games. A splash zone with four water inflatables will open at 1 p.m. Entrance to the event is free, but parking is $5 per vehicle and wristbands for the splash zone are $5 per kid.

The fireworks show, consisting of over 1,500 shells, will be shot from the top of Jackson Hill starting at approximately 9:15 p.m.

♦ Calhoun’s Star Spangled Celebration starts at 5 p.m. at the Cherokee Capital Fairgrounds, 1060 Liberty Road, off Ga. 53.

Free admission, with live music and food vendors on tap. It’s the best site to view the annual laser light and fireworks display that will begin after dark. The event is set to conclude at 10 p.m.

♦ More than 15,000 are expected to celebrate the Fourth of July at Dellinger Park, 100 Pine Grove Road in Cartersville. Admission is free but parking is $10 per vehicle.

Live entertainment, arts and crafts and kids activities start at 4 p.m. Fireworks will launch about 9:30 p.m. and wrap up at 10 p.m.

The free First Friday Concert in downtown Rome may take some decision-making as showers and thunderstorms are likely but mainly before 8 p.m., according to the NWS. Carl and The Floor Walkers open the show at 7 p.m., followed by headliners The Georgia Thunderbolts.

Showers and thunderstorms are more likely Saturday when Fairmount has planned its annual Independence Day celebration on the Square from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event includes food, crafts, raffles, live music and inflatables.

But, as of Tuesday, the NWS was holding out hope that the heavy weather won’t start creeping in until after 2 p.m.