4th of July sees larger crowds and parade participants
Community, News July 6, 2022
ELLIJAY, Ga. – The crowds have returned and celebrations were in full swing in Ellijay, Georgia, where the Fourth of July concluded with good feelings among those putting on the event.
Left, Seth Teagarden of Gumdrop Fun Shop sits with parade Grand Marshal Dale Spilberg, right, during Ellijay’s 4th of July Parade in 2022.
Partnered with the city of Ellijay and the Gilmer Chamber, the Downtown Ellijay Business and Community Association (DEBCA) hosted the Fourth of July celebrations with full returns to classic events and vendors in the downtown parking lot. Tourists and Citizens alike strolled the streets of Downtown Ellijay while listening to music, shopping, and playing games in the area while waiting for the evening to fall.
At 6 p.m., 34 separate groups joined into the annual 4th of July parade up River Street, around the square, and down North Main Street with Steve Dusek as the MC announcing the groups and their floats.
This years winners of the parade float contest went to Bradburn Towing for First Place in the commercial category and the Robbie Lit Band for First Place in community individuals. Robbie Lit also shared their float with the Gilmer County Animal Shelter.
“I felt like we had broken out of COVID cover,” said DEBCA President Pam Burns as she spoke on the large crowd and the festivities. She called it a “really good day” for both Ellijay and Gilmer as she heard reports from visitors to the area, vendors in the celebration, and those who stayed to watch the fireworks that the City of Ellijay hosted. She also noted that the parade’s judges were also visitors to our county.
Bradburn Towing won First Place in the commercial category for best float with their army jeep towed on the bed of one of their trucks.
Burns also was a part of last year’s celebrations and noted a distinct increase in the number of people who were involved in the parade and those watching in the streets. Even the parking lot only had enough room for one or two more vendors.
The day saw the return of many usual faces from the community as well as new faces making their splash in the area. From the in-costume reading of the Declaration of Independence to two live renditions of the National Anthem, the day held more than just vendors and parades during its events.
The city also got to meet Dane Spilberg, the first winner of Gumdrop’s Golden Ticket Contest. As the first winner, Spilberg received the Key to the City and was hailed as Grand Marshall alongside Seth Teagarden of the Gumdrop Fun Shop, on River Street, who played Willy Wonka for the parade. Spilberg received the Kay to the City from Ellijay Mayor Al Hoyle who presented the key just before the start of the parade.
Robbie Litt won first place in the community individuals category of best float with their partnership with the Gilmer Animal Shelter float the provided live music along the entire parade route.
Burns said it was the special efforts of people like Hoyle and volunteers like Mona Lowe and Steve Dusek who helped to make the day a truly special event. DEBCA also hosts other holiday parades downtown, such as the Light Up Ellijay Christmas Parade. Alongside volunteers, these events are brought together. But DEBCA still needs more, according to Burns. She said that at least 20 people could make the events go much smoother and easier. She compared the Fourth of July saying that DEBCA itself hosted five volunteers running throughout the day.
And running through the day herself, making sure everything progressed as normal, it wasn’t until late that evening that Burns said she received her own special moment of the day.
Walking through the downtown area, Burns said she saw people everywhere, on sidewalks, in yards and fields, eating at tables, and all getting ready for the soon to launch fireworks display. It was then, Burns said, that she was overcome with the people and the day. “This is a sense of community,” she said.
It is the driving force behind a community celebration, it is also the driving force behind Burns and DEBCA as she stressed both the business and community sides of the association.
Ellijay celebrates downtown for Independence Day
Community, News July 7, 2021
ELLIJAY, Ga. – Celebrations of Independence Day were in full swing this weekend with vendors, parades, and fireworks in Downtown Ellijay as the Downtown Ellijay Business and Community Association (DEBCA) hosted their 4th of July events.
Winner of the commercial category float contest, Moo-Bears Ice Cream is pictured here with the classic Pink Cadillac and trailer.
The celebration went all afternoon and evening as music flooded the streets, both live and recorded. On River Street, the Band Raven played during the day’s celebrations, the parade came down River Street, around the square, and along North Main just after 6 p.m. Other celebrations not connected to DEBCA or the city went on like live music at Mr. P’s Takeout where Rich Mountain Ramblers started playing just after the parade.
With police out in support of the celebration, the Ellijay Police Department offered help and guidance in the events and traffic control all day while also starring with their own representatives in the parade alongside Ellijay’s Fire Department and Gilmer Fire and Rescue. When asked just after the parade, local police said the day had gone very well with no real incidents or issues during the celebrations.
Georgia Speaker of the House, David Ralston joined in Ellijay’s Independence Day parade.
The parade was lead by cadets of Gilmer’s 507th Civil Air Patrol.
A huge turnout saw the mass of crowds returning to Downtown Ellijay that it hasn’t really seen since Christmas of 2019 as many events were cancelled or diminished after the COVID-19 outbreak in March of 2020.
The parade saw floats ranging from an antique GMC pickup for highlighting Shelter Dogs for Veterans to the Ellijay Jeepers to an appearance from Georgia House Speaker David Ralston.
Winner of the non-commercial category, Friends of Gilmer Animal Shelter is pictured here with their “decked-out” patriotic Jeep.
Winners from the parade competition included Moo-Bears Ice Cream for the commercial category and Friends of Gilmer Animal Shelter for the non-commercial category.
The city of Ellijay hosted their fireworks display just after dark in downtown Ellijay launching their show from behind the Ellijay Elementary School on McCutchen Street. Many people set up early in Harrison Park and along McCutchen Street along with more all over the Downtown area to view the display that saw some locals launching fireworks right up to and just after the city’s show.
To see more photos of the parade, the float contest winners, and fireworks from the Independence Day celebrations check out FYN’s Facebook Album.
Plan for Independence Day in Ellijay this Sunday
News July 1, 2021
ELLIJAY, Ga. – Coming right alongside many other events returning to normal this year, Ellijay’s Fourth of July celebrations are returning to the rather normal procession of things.
That may typically sound boring, but for many citizens, normal is exactly what they are looking for this summer. Returning to major public events after over a year separated, the Downtown Ellijay Business Association (DEBCA) is hosting the downtown party with music and a parade.
With the Fourth of July falling on Sunday this year, reports are that Ellijay will have vendors returning to the River Street lot, another return to normal, as they have in previous years. The parade will also return as the cap of DEBCA’s evening before handing over the festivities to the City of Ellijay. The city will then wait for dark before setting off their fireworks display.
For those wishing to view the show, it can typically be seen from almost anywhere downtown as the city launches the display from behind the Ellijay Elementary School.
Police are always on hand during the event providing safety with the crowds that typically start about noon, and stay in the area until after the display. Visiting the downtown area early can provide a day full of entertainment and shopping, but crowds begin tightening up closer to 6 p.m. as citizens find seats to watch the parade.
Update given for fireworks details in Ellijay
Community, News June 17, 2020
ELLIJAY, Ga. – The City of Ellijay is offering a few updates to its Fourth of July Celebration this year with an official start time and clarification on viewing.
According to Gilmer Chamber President/CEO Paige Hutto, the fireworks for this year’s celebration are starting at 8:45 p.m. As previously reported, they will be launched from the area behind Ellijay Elementary School. These details are very similar to previous years for the celebration.
However, other details are coming brand new this year. The city is trying to take steps forward this year as they attempt to improve awareness and marketing for the celebration in addition to providing options for citizens wishing to continue social distancing.
The Chamber has been updating citizens in that area. like their post last week about the fireworks display saying, “the awesome folks at the City of Ellijay are working out specifics on how to keep our citizens safe during the fireworks show.”
Hutto clarified that while meetings are being held over details for safety and viewing zones, they are not currently closing off areas. Hutto explained that the city is not trying to set places where you can or cannot watch from, but rather finding options for viewing to help the crowds spread out, and seeking ideas so that everyone can enjoy the show safely.
She confirmed that city officials have been talking about this event for some time and making decisions to provide for citizens and that the Chamber is dedicated to spreading any new details the city has as soon as they come available just as they did with the aforementioned post.
Ellijay will have Fireworks without a parade for July 4th
News June 15, 2020
ELLIJAY, Ga. – Chamber President/CEO Paige Hutto (formerly Paige Green) spoke with Ellijay City Council Members this week about details that many citizens are seeking regarding the upcoming 4th of July Celebration including the parade and fireworks.
She confirmed that there will not be a parade, but the Chamber will be spending this week in talks with Ellijay Police Chief Edward Lacey for details about safety, social distancing, and options for citizens to view the display. She confirmed with FYN that the fireworks will be launched from the area behind Ellijay Elementary School as normal. However, she mentioned thoughts about finding a way for citizens to view them like a “drive-in” movie theater, staying in vehicles or the bed of a truck to watch.
However, the thought was merely a preliminary thought, as she asserted that more details and discussions must be had with authorities on options and plans.
During the City Council Meeting, Hutto explained that they would be addressing these details more over the coming week and sharing that information with the public.
During the discussion, the council questioned for details on why there would not be a parade. Hutto explained that the original decision not to have a parade was made weeks ago based on Executive Orders from the Governor and the situation at the time. However, as times have changed and more people are returning to social and normal events, there simply was not enough time to plan a parade.
The process takes, typically, four to six weeks to plan and prepare for a parade. Now, as they return to plans for the celebration, the two and a half weeks set up is not sufficient to accomplish the entire process.
In addition to preparation, there were questions of who would assume responsibility for the festivities like a parade, be it the chamber or merchant’s association or another. Ultimately, the focus moving ahead, according to Hutto, is solely focused on putting on the fireworks display for citizens and accomplishing this safely for all involved.