Mark your calendars for July 3, as the city celebrates America’s freedom with an Independence Day parade, celebration and fireworks on the Square.

Parade

The Marietta Independence Day parade is scheduled to include more than 115 entries with 44 floats and approximately 2,000 participants. Entries include marching units from the city of Marietta, Air National Guard Band of the South, civic organizations, beauty queens, scouts and local businesses. The parade begins at 10 a.m. at Roswell Street Baptist Church and travels west on Roswell Street, North on East Park Square past Glover Park and the Square, down Cherokee Street and ends at North Marietta Parkway.
Parade grand marshal

The parade grand marshall will be WellStar Kennestone Hospital, which is celebrating its 60th anniversary in Marietta.

Colgate Country Showdown

The Colgate Country Showdown continues the day’s festivities on the stage in Glover Park at noon. Contestants who have won their respective singing competitions around the state will sing for the chance to appear on Nashville Star, a country music version of American Idol.
Cool off in one of Marietta’s museums

If you want to take a break from the heat, you can cool off and relax in the Marietta Musuem of History, 1 Depot Street, the Gone with the Wind museum, 18 Whitlock Avenue, or the Marietta Welcome Center, 4 Depot Street. The Marietta/Cobb Museum of Art will be closed, and the other museums will have special holiday hours. For more information, call the Marietta Welcome Center at 770-429-1115.
Fireworks

The fireworks display is scheduled to begin at 9:30 p.m. and will be shot from the First United Methodist Church parking lot. KICKS 101.5 will broadcast patriotic music during the fireworks. If bad weather is expected, the fireworks may begin a few minutes early to ensure the entire display is completed. If you want to watch the fireworks, make sure you get there early to grab a spot because traffic is expected to be heavy.

Rain date for fireworks is July 5 at 9:30 p.m.

Popular city market temporarily closed July 3

The Marietta Square Farmers Market, usually held along North Park Square, will be closed Saturday, July 3 as Marietta celebrates America’s independence. The market will return to North Park Square Saturday, July 10 from 9 a.m.-noon.

For more information, call Marietta’s Parks and Recreation Department at 770-794-5601.

The state of Georgia recently lifted the outdoor watering ban, but as the fourth of July holiday approaches, outside activities still increase the possibility of fires. Grilling, cigarettes and fireworks can cause a fire to ignite quickly.

The Marietta Fire Department reminds residents that Georgia law regulates the types of fireworks allowed and offers tips for safe usage.

Novelty fireworks allowed

• sparklers up to 100 grams each; fountains (items that say ‘Emits Showers of Sparks’ up to 200 grams total for multiple tube items or 75 grams for each individual tube
• snakes
• glow worms
• snappers
• party poppers

Illegal fireworks

• blank cartridges
• balloons requiring fire underneath to propel them
• firecrackers
• torpedos
• sky rockets
• Roman candles
• bombs
• sparklers

Fireworks Safety

• The best way to enjoy fireworks is to visit public fireworks displays put on by professionals who know how to safely handle fireworks.
• Never light fireworks indoors or near dry grass
• Always have a bucket of water and/or a fire extinguisher nearby. Know how to operate the fire extinguisher properly.
• Do not wear loose clothing while using fireworks
• Stand several feet away from lit fireworks. If a device does not go off, do not stand over it to investigate it. Put it out with water and dispose of it.
• Always read the directions and warning labels on fireworks. If a device is not marked with the contents, direction and a warning label, do not light it.
• Supervise children around fireworks at all times
• Never experiment or attempt to make your own fireworks
• Only light one firework at a time and never re-ignite malfunctioning fireworks
• Never throw fireworks at another person

Firework safety tips for pets

• Never take your pets to fireworks displays. What’s fun for you isn’t necessarily fun for pets. Large crowds and unfamiliar sights and sounds can frighten pets.
• Keep pets indoors if possible, or confined to a secure area so they won’t get scared by fireworks. Leave a TV or radio playing for company if you have to leave the pet alone.
• Don’t leave animals chained outside during fireworks. A scared animal can get tangled in a chain and get injured or break the chain and flee.
• Double-check yard gates to make sure that pets cannot escape
• Make sure all pets are wearing proper identification, including the name and telephone number of their owner
• Never leave pets in a car while you enjoy summer activities. With only hot air to breathe inside the car, your pet can suffer serious health problems, even death, within minutes. Partially opened windows don’t provide sufficient air, but do offer the opportunity for your pet to be stolen.

Two-thirds to three-fourths of all fireworks injuries occur during the four-week period surrounding Independence Day. On a typical July 4 holiday, fireworks are the leading cause of fires, accounting for more outdoor fires in the United States than all other causes of outdoor fires combined. Approximately 7,000 people are treated in hospital emergency rooms every year for fireworks-related injuries, and most of these incidents involve children.

People who are caught buying, selling or using illegal fireworks will face fines and penalties, Marietta Fire Lieutenant Tim Nalley said. “The sale and use of most types of fireworks, including firecrackers, skyrockets, and cherry bombs are still illegal in Georgia and punishable by a maximum fine of $1,000 and up to one year in jail.”

For more information call the Marietta Fire Department at 770-794-5466.

Traffic management plan and map

The Marietta Police Department has announced a plan to help motorists safely get to and from the Square July 4 when the city celebrates its 175th anniversary with an Independence Day parade and day of events and fireworks finale.

Visitors coming to the parade and celebration on the Square can use Church Street from the north, Whitlock Avenue from the West, North Marietta Parkway from the east or Powder Springs Road from the south for easiest access to and from the Square. Make sure you arrive early to get a good spot to watch the parade anywhere along the route away from the road.

The parade will run from Roswell Street Baptist Church, west on Roswell Street to the Square, then north on Cherokee Street to North Marietta Parkway.

Parking

Parking will be available in several paid and free parking lots around the Square, including the Cobb County parking deck on Cherokee Street with easy access from Waddell Street. Handicapped parking will also be available.

Lots will be marked and attended, and drivers are reminded to be careful if you park on private property because your car will be towed if it is illegally parked. Drivers are also encouraged to lock doors, roll up windows and hide valuables to help prevent them from being stolen.

Going home

With thousands of people expected to be on the Square July 4, traffic is anticipated to be heavy after the fireworks display, and drivers are urged to use caution and allow plenty of time when leaving the city.

Drivers going north, south or east of Marietta are encouraged to use Cobb Parkway (US 41) when leaving the city.

Throw away your trash

Several trash cans will be located around the Square all day during the parade and celebration. Visitors are encouraged to pick up trash and throw it in the trash cans to help keep Marietta beautiful.

The public is encouraged to leave your pets at home so they won’t get hot and won’t get scared by the fireworks. If you bring your pets, remember to get them out of the car to help them stay cool. If you bring pets to the Square, keep them on a leash and pick up after them so they, too, can have a fun, safe holiday weekend. There will be watering stations located around the Square so your pets can get something to drink to help them stay cool.

For more information, call the Marietta Police Department at 770-794-5300.