A lingering threat of rain all day never stopped visitors to the downtown area on July 4th.

The annual Beach Party drew in the morning to set up the downtown as the local band poured music down the boardwalk and through the parking lot below. The entire area crawled with people as the parade began at 6pm.

Locals and Tourists mingled down the street to honor the day of celebration. one couple, Shannon and Mark, was visiting Ellijay for the very first time. As they strolled down the boardwalk they were in awe of the town. The atmosphere grabbed them as they said, “We love the people here, and the whole town just has a great vibe.” After the parade, and a few dining suggestions for the “local flavor”, the two set off for dinner and fireworks wondering what it’d be like to live “in a quaint small town.”

As the parade began, everyone pressed close to the streets. The younger children begged for the candy they knew was coming, while the adults started grabbing cameras and waving flags as the military honor guard drew closer.

Everything from old cars to Civil War Reenactors and cows in a convertible rolled through the downtown square for the Independence Day Celebration.

As the parade drew to a close, very few people moved from their spots as the people of Gilmer County and surrounding areas extended there own addition to it. A column of cars twice as long as the regular parade followed through sporting American Flags, Rebel Flags, the old Georgia State Flag, and even the Dixie Flag to celebrate what they called, “Heritage not Hate.”

It was more than a motto to Rose Smith, who flew her flags to honor her family stating, “My Dad was in the army and he fought for our heritage.” Several others agreed with a general consensus offering up that these flags are part of our history and we should never let them fall or be forgotten for any reason.

The celebration concluded with the Annual City Fireworks shot off down by the Elementary School. Crowds still held tight to the balcony over the balcony above the 1907 Bar & Restaurant, Bunk’s on the Boardwalk, and the lawn’s of several generous downtown residents to catch sight of the night’s lights.