Hooray for the Red, White & Blue

There’s no better time to break out the red, white and blue to celebrate America than on the 4th of July.

“The Fourth of July—also known as Independence Day or July 4th—has been a federal holiday in the United States since 1941, but the tradition of Independence Day celebrations goes back to the 18th century and the American Revolution,” according to history.com.
Fireworks, parades, picnics, and other special events traditionally mark the holiday throughout the country, and DeKalb County has a wealth of celebrations planned including:

Avondale Estates
A morning parade is a tradition in Avondale Estates and this year is no different. The parade begins at 10 a.m. at the intersection of Berkeley Road and Clarendon Avenue on July 4 and will travel on Clarendon Avenue to S. Avondale Road. Residents are invited to “decorate wagons, scooters, strollers and bicycles to show off their patriotic spirit” and be part of the Patriotic Brigade that will lead the parade. Participants should assemble on the front lawn of the Dekalb School of the Arts by 9:30 a.m. to be marshaled into the parade.

Chamblee
Fourth of July music and fireworks in Chamblee has a new location this year—the new Chamblee City Hall, 3518 Broad St. Music will begin around 6:30 p.m. with The Ashley Stewart Band and The Platinum Band are scheduled to perform. Due to the new location, the bike parade will no longer be held, according to the city’s website. “We welcome you to dress in your best 4th of July gear and we will have a few goodie bags for the kiddos,” states the site. Food vendors will be at the celebration, and attendees can bring their own refreshments.

Decatur
Multiple activities are planned in Decatur to celebrate Independence Day. Children and adults on floats, wagons, bicycles, and skates are the highlight the Pied Piper Parade on July 4. Parade line-up begins at 5:30 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Decatur, 308 Clairemont Ave. At 5 p.m. at the Decatur community bandstand, Summer Covers Concerts on the Square begins with MetroGnomes followed by Ghoststories at 7 p.m. Fireworks blast off at approximately 9 p.m.

Dunwoody
Billed as Georgia’s largest Independence Day Parade, Dunwoody’s parade steps off at 9 a.m. July 4 at Mount Vernon Road and Jett Ferry Road traveling along a 2.7-mile route. The event features adorned floats and vintage cars with marching bands, clowns, and animals also part of the procession.

Stone Mountain
Stone Mountain Park’s Fantastic Fourth Celebration runs for seven days. It’s been voted the “Best Place to see Fireworks in Atlanta” by Atlanta Journal-Constitution readers, a “Must-See Fireworks Show” by USA Today and one of Reader’s Digest’s picks for “America’s Most Spectacular Fourth of July Fireworks.” Light and drone show as well as fireworks nightly. For schedule and ticket information, go to stonemountainpark.com.

Tucker
City of Tucker’s Independence Day celebration kicks off at 6 p.m. July 3. The festivities take place along Main Street in downtown Tucker where food trucks, vendors, and a free concert with music by Mark Ware can be found. A “spectacular” fireworks show is planned for after dusk.