Clean off the grills, string up the flags and buy all the fireworks from the random pop-up shops, this year’s Fourth of July celebration is just around the corner.
On Thursday, July 4, millions across the nation will gather together to celebrate the establishment of the United States of America. Independence Day commemorates the ratification of the Declaration of Independence 248 years ago on July 4, 1776.
As for the City of Athens, all city offices will be closed on Thursday and Friday, July 5, due to the federal holiday. The city sanitation routes will not be disturbed by the holiday, so all garbage bins are still picked up as regularly scheduled.
“I just hope and pray that everyone has a great holiday, and most importantly they stay safe,” Athens Mayor Ronnie Marks said. “This is truly a day for us to support, and be proud, of our independence.”
Limestone County sanitation will experience some changes throughout the week for their routes. Areas that had their garbage picked up Monday, July 1, through Wednesday, July 3, experienced no interruptions, but all Thursday garbage routes were moved up to Wednesday to accommodate for the holiday.
No sanitation routes will be run on Thursday or Friday, but the county will return to its regularly scheduled routes starting Monday, July 8.
There will be a handful of patriotic events going on across the city and county in honor of the national holiday on Thursday, and the subsequent days following the Fourth of July.
At 8 p.m. on Thursday, Athens and Limestone County tourism partnered together to host the Red, White and Boom fireworks show at Athens Middle School. Barring any inclement weather, members of the public will be able to attend the event for free.
According to city officials, parking for the event will be designated at areas around the Athens Football Stadium, off U.S. 31. There will also be parking available at Swan Creek Park, the Sportsplex and other areas to watch the event.
“That’s a day we are really looking forward to in our community,” Marks said. “It’s always pleasant, and we have a lot of people from the city and the county show up for that.”
The following day, on Friday, Serendipity Antiques and Interiors will host a Patriotic Picnic at their store location, 22335 US-72 Suite B. The event will be from 10 a.m. until sundown, and all visitors can enjoy food and a whole lot of summer sales.
On Saturday, July 6, the 18th annual Elk River Boat Party will kickoff from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Live music and entertainment will be provided, with the event free for all boaters to attend and take in on the day’s action.