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Fourth of July celebrations on July 2nd

Look for the musicians of the Atlanta-based Seed & Feed Abominable Band to be dressed in their best red, white and blue finery when they take part in the Fourth of July parade through downtown Blue Ridge, Ga., on Saturday, July 2. Look for the musicians of the Atlanta-based Seed & Feed Abominable Band to be dressed in their best red, white and blue finery when they take part in the Fourth of July parade through downtown Blue Ridge, Ga., on Saturday, July 2.

By Staff Report June 30, 2016 5 min read

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July 2 Independence Day holiday events

The all-ages flag-making contest at DeSoto State Park shows off the entrants' creativity. Materials and rules can be found in the Improved Campground pavilion. Entries must be turned in by 9 a.m. CDT Saturday, July 2, at the Nature Center. Winners will be announced at the ice cream social at 4 p.m.

Atlanta-based band Drivetrain will headline the Stars & Stripes Celebration in Crossville, Ala., on Saturday, July 2.

Fourth of July holiday events

BLUE RIDGE, GA

* July 2: An old-fashioned Fourth of July parade through downtown Blue Ridge gets the day started at 10 a.m. The Seed & Feed Marching Abominable Band, known as Atlanta’s wildest community band, will be among the highlights. At 3 p.m., the focus shifts to Lake Blue Ridge Marina, 335 Marina Drive, for BBQ, Beer & Boom. The Country Outlaws will entertain. At dusk, fireworks will be shot over Lake Blue Ridge, where some of the vessels from the previous night’s Light Up the Lake Boat Parade will be afloat. blueridgemountains.com, lakeblueridge marina.com.

CAVE SPRING, GA

* July 2: This picturesque town about 15 miles south of Rome, Ga., begins the day with a 5K race through downtown ($30 entry fee). The community pool at Rolater Park will be open for swimming, and starting at 6 p.m., an oldies band, Misdemeanor, will entertain until the fireworks show at 9 p.m. On Monday, July 4, the town’s 31st annual Fourth of July Parade will take place at 9 a.m. Spokesman Billy Abernathy says the event started as “two kids in a wagon” and now draws a homespun collection of residents on lawn mowers and tractors. www.cityofcavespring.com.

CROSSVILLE, AL