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Loganville gears up for July 4 celebration
Published June 29, 2007
LOGANVILLE — Fourth of July celebrations mark the July 4, 1776 Declaration of Independence from Great Britain and for many it is more about fireworks, parades, barbecues, picnics, beers and all the fun stuff.
Most of these traditions go back as far as the first anniversary of the country’s independence and they haven’t evolved much since then, according to the Wikipedia encyclopedia. Even the fireworks have been a tradition since July 4, 1777, when celebrations kicked off in the morning with a thirteen gun salute in Bristol, Conn., Rhode Island and Philadelphia. This was followed by toasts, speeches, prayers and a day of music, parades, troop reviews and finished up in the evening with another 13-gun salute and fireworks. The traditional displaying of the red, white and blue also went back that far, and in 1778 then General George Washington marked the Fourth of July with a double ration of rum for his soldiers.
Massachusetts became the first legislature to recognize the Fourth of July officially and in 1870 the U.S. Congress made Independence Day a holiday, although unpaid, for federal employees.
Celebrations also symbolize the country’s commitment to freedom and the courage often necessary to maintain it. The signatories to the Declaration of Independence risked being hanged for treason by the leaders in Great Britain because of their quest for the country’s independence.
The Fourth of July celebration in Loganville has a more recent history with 2007 being only the second annual Fourth of July Parade in the city. Lt. Col. Darrell Golliher, of the Civil Air Patrol, as a member of the Loganville Citizen’s Advisory Committee, was responsible for bringing the idea of the parade to the city. He solicited the help of Patrick and Sharon Fenneran who headed up the Parade Committee to bring the first Fourth of July parade to the city last year.
This year it has been expanded to bring a full array of festivities to the city, beginning at 10 a.m. with the parade, followed by crafts and free festivities for children, music and entertainment. A concert will be put on by Golden Productions at the First United Methodist Church of Loganville at 2 p.m. and the Oasis Church will end the day’s activities with a fireworks display.
“It is essentially three organizations — the parade committee, Golden Productions and the churches — coming together to provide one big event for the community,” said Fenneran. “It’s a blessing because since I’ve been here people always left Loganville on July 4th and now they get to stay and celebrate here at home.”
Concessions begin at 5 p.m., and an outdoor service at the church will be at 7 p.m. The mayor and city council will be on hand for the ceremonial “flipping of the switch” at 8:45 p.m. and fireworks begin at dark.”
“The Oasis Church desires to be a leader in our community by providing many events that attract families,” said Pastor Troy Smith of the Oasis Church. “The Octoberfest has been a huge success the past two years and now we are hoping that the July 4th Freedom and Fireworks will be just as exciting and successful. We want the city of Loganville and Walton County to know that we are here to serve you not only through a church that reaches out to the lost and provides restoration, but also through fun, family events. We invite everyone out for this fun-filled day. “
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