Independence Day celebrations got off to an early start Thursday in Cave Spring’s Rolater Park.
The third annual event began at noon with swimming and inflatables. Food, live music, pony rides, and of course, fireworks to follow beginning at 6 p.m. “We hold the celebration on the 3rd so it won’t interfere with folks enjoying the Fourth of July festivities in Rome,” said Larry Hestley, chairman of the Cave Spring Activities Committee that organized the event.
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Hestley said that last year’s celebration brought 4,000 to 5,000 spectators throughout the evening and during the fireworks and expected more this year.
“We served 670 barbeque plates last year, along with hotdogs, and tonight I’ve got 900 barbeque plates,” he said.
Laney Parker of Roswell brought her 9-year-old daughter Elisabeth Parker along with her for the night.
“My sister, who lives here in Cave Spring, told me about the event this year and said we just had to come. I love the small-town, family-oriented atmosphere. My daughter and I have enjoyed some great barbeque too. This event might just become a family tradition for us,” Parker said.
Leeanne Johnson, who owns an event-promoting business, was hired by the Cave Spring Activities Committee to help organize and promote the celebration. She also secured the musical talent for the evening.
“We are so excited about the entertainment tonight,” Johnson said. The Thomas Abbott Band performed first, filling the air with sounds of country bluegrass music.
“We play a mix of classic country and southern rock. We’ve got something anyone can enjoy really,” said Abbott. The band’s debut CD, “Coming Home,” was released two months ago.
They decided to perform a special song for the event, written about a WWII veteran.
“This song is the story of one man’s life, but it is for every veteran,” Abbott said.
Seth Rice and Tyler Rice of Cedartown played with Jonathan Balas of Nashville. Balas released his first CD last year and has a song featured on the MTV series “Laguna Beach.” Haley Hicks, a Cedartown native persuing her music career in Nashville, also preformed.
“My favorite thing was the grape sno-cone and pony ride,” said Ben Kruger, 5, whose mouth was rimmed with purple dye.
The celebration concluded with a fireworks display put on by the Cave Spring Fire Department at about 9 p.m.
PARADE TODAY
Cave Spring will have its annual Independence Day parade today beginning at 9 a.m.
The parade has historically been an event Norman Rockwell would be proud of — kids in wagons, marchers and local folks in costumes. Often so many of the town folk participate that it’s hard to tell the difference between participants and onlookers.
Walkers are being asked to line up on Alabama Street, others line up on Perry Farm Road. For more information call 706-777-8743.
