4th of July 2015 by Forsyth County News

6A | FORSYTH COUNTY NEWS | ForsythNews.com

WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2015

City celebrates with fireworks, parade By Megan Reed

For the Forsyth County News

Cumming will be continuing its traditional Independence Day celebrations this week, with fireworks on Friday and a parade on Saturday. The fireworks will begin about 9:30 p.m. Friday at the Cumming Fairgrounds. Dave Horton, director of the fairgrounds, said about 20,000 to 25,000 people go to the fairgrounds each year for the show, although the fireworks are visible elsewhere. Horton said people will park and tailgate “anywhere there’s asphalt,” with some popular places being the Lakeland Plaza shopping center and along Market Place Boulevard. “There’s quite a number on the outskirts that never even come in [to the fairgrounds],” Horton said. The gates to the fairgrounds will open at 6 p.m. Vendors with food and activities will be set up at that time. Admission and parking are free. The July Fourth fun will continue the next morning with the ThomasMashburn Steam Engine Parade. The parade, a Forsyth County July Fourth tradition, will be passing through downtown Cumming. The 58th annual proces-

sion will begin at 10 a.m., making its way down Tribble Gap Road from Forsyth Central High School to the Cumming Fairgrounds. Cindy Hansard, one of the parade’s organizers, is the great-granddaughter of its founder, Glen Thomas, who she said collected steam engines and wanted to honor the military on Independence Day. “[He] got up one Fourth of July morning and decided to ride around the square in honor of all the veterans and celebrate the birthday of America,” Hansard said. More than a half century later, veterans are still honored each year during the parade. While the mayor of Cumming, H. Ford Gravitt, and several members of the Cumming City Council lead the procession, veterans are the first to march. Other participants include local politicians and businesses, church groups and nonprofits. People riding aboard the floats, steam engines and cars in the parade will be throwing candy to the crowd as the procession passes. What makes the parade unique, however, are the steam engines. The machines are a tribute to Forsyth County’s

agrarian past, and the parade provides collectors with the opportunity to showcase their engines. However, the noise can be intimidating for some spectators, said Forsyth County Fire Division Chief Jason Shivers. “It’s just a loud event, and that’s part of the fun,” he said. According to Shivers, the noise can be especially frightening for children. He encouraged paradegoers to bring along hearing protection, such as earmuffs or earplugs. “We’ve been fortunate that in the last few years the weather has been fairly mild,” he said. “But historically, the Fourth of July during the parade is quite hot and humid. “Considering the heat that we’ve had thus far this year, I think that’s a safe bet that everyone should certainly prepare for a hot and humid parade this Fourth of July.” Shivers recommended that parade attendees stay hydrated, wear a hat and sunscreen, bring water and eat a full meal beforehand. Children and the elderly, he said, are especially susceptible to heat-related medical problems. The fire department, along with other emergency services personnel, will be available during the

File photos

The fireworks will begin at about 9:30 p.m. Friday at the Cumming Fairgrounds, followed by the annual Thomas-Mashburn Steam Engine Parade at 10 a.m. Saturday.

parade if anyone needs assistance or medical help. “We always provide good emergency staffing along the parade route,” Shivers said. Small utility vehicles and a bike team will be stationed along the route and will respond to both in-person inquiries from parade attendees and 911 calls. Cumming police and t h e Fo r s y t h C o u n t y Sheriff’s Office will also be present to provide help if needed. Because of the parade’s

If you’re going • The city of Cumming’s Fourth of July festivities begin at 6 p.m. Friday at the Cumming Fairgrounds with vendors and music. Fireworks begin at 9:30 p.m., followed by the annual dance contest at 10 p.m. • The 58th Annual Thomas-Mashburn Steam Engine Parade kicks off at 10 a.m. Saturday on Tribble Gap/Castleberry roads. • All festivities are free and open to the public.

popularity, the downtown area can become crowded and congested with pedestrian and vehicle traffic, according to Cumming police.

Officers will be directing traffic and monitoring the area before, during and after the fireworks Friday night and parade Saturday.

2nd Annual

A boy throws candy off a float during last year’s parade. Below, a steam engine makes its way down Tribble Gap Road.

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Dance contest follows festive show on Friday Participants can let loose on stage By Megan Reed

For the Forsyth County News

The fun at the Cumming Fairgrounds doesn’t end after the fireworks Friday night. People of all ages can stick around to participate in a dance contest at the fairgrounds, an annual post-fireworks tradition. The contest, which will start about 10 p.m. at the Sawmill Stage in the center of the fairgrounds, is also a great way to wait out the post-fireworks traffic. About 20,000 to 25,000 people are usually inside the fairgrounds to see the fireworks each year, so the contest has

become a popular event for people to continue the celebration, said Dave Horton, director of the fairgrounds. Horton said about 150 to 200 dancers take part in the competition, which is sponsored by Thunder 104.3 radio station in Dahlonega. A local band, Across the Wide, will be playing both during the dance contest and before the fireworks. Judges from the radio station look through the crowd and find 10 dancers to take the stage and perform. The winners are then chosen based on the audience’s applause. Horton said younger dancers usually get the most excitement from the audience. “It helps to be a younger one,” he said. “When the audience is judging, as a rule, cute wins.”

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WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2015

Heat, noise highlight the holiday forecast Water, sunscreen are recommended By Megan Reed For the Forsyth County News

F o r s y t h C o u n t y ’s Fourth of July festivities are a popular draw each year, but attendees should follow safety precautions in order to prevent injury or illness, authorities said. The Thomas-Mashburn Steam Engine Parade, which will be rolling through downtown Cumming on Saturday morning, is known for its festive steam engines. But those engines have loud whistles, which can be disturbing for some people, especially young-

er attendees with more sensitive ears. Forsyth County Fire Division Chief Jason Shivers recommended that anyone attending the parade bring earplugs or earmuffs to protect themselves from the noise. Shivers also encouraged parade attendees to drink plenty of water before and during the parade due to the high temperatures expected that day. The fireworks at the Cumming Fairgrounds on Friday night also attract large crowds, which can lead to traffic problems in

the area. O ff i c e r s f r o m t h e Cumming Police Department and the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office will be patrolling the area and directing drivers. While many attend the fireworks in downtown Cumming, others choose to celebrate Independence Day at home with their own fireworks. The fire department recommends people wear eye protection when shooting off fireworks, light only one at a time and limit their use to outdoor spaces.

Fireworks are unpredictable, so injuries can occur even if a person is careful. Those who choose to use fireworks are urged to follow the safety tips below, provided by the National Council on Fireworks Safety: • Always read and follow label directions • Have an adult present • Buy from reliable sellers • Use outdoors only • Always have water handy (a garden hose and a bucket) • Never experiment or make your own fireworks • Light only one firework at a time • Never relight a “dud” firework (wait 15 to 20 minutes and then soak it in a bucket of water) • Never give fireworks to small children • If necessary, store fireworks in a cool and dry place • Dispose of fireworks properly by soaking them in water and then disposing of them in a trash can • Never throw or point fireworks at other people • Never carry fireworks in a pocket • Never shoot fireworks in metal or glass containers • The shooter should always wear eye protection and never have any part of the body over the firework • Stay away from illegal explosives • Remember to dial 911 for any emergencies Source: National Council on Fireworks Safety

Turtle racing tradition stands the test of time By Megan Reed

For the Forsyth County News

A Cumming restaurant is continuing an Independence Day tradition this year with the 13th annual turtle race. After the 58th Annual ThomasMashburn Steam Engine Parade, children ages 18 and younger can bring their turtles to The Foster House, 305 West Main St., to test the reptiles’ speed. Patricia Hamby said daughter Amanda Davis, with whom she owns the restaurant, started the turtle race because of fond memories of similar events from her own childhood. The former Forsyth County Bank, which is now a Wells Fargo branch, used to play host to a turtle race, and Davis wanted to revive the tradition, Hamby said. This year’s race begins at 1 p.m. Saturday, although Hamby said most participants arrive about 30 minutes

Children ride on a float during the 2014 Thomas-Mashburn Steam Engine Parade.

Also, even though fireworks can be seen as a family activity, children should not handle them, and no one younger than 12 should use a sparkler.

“Many people do not realize that sparklers burn at temperatures of approximately 2,000 degrees, which is hot enough to melt some met-

als,” Shivers said. If a firework does not work properly, avoid touching it for 20 minutes and then soak it in a bucket of water.

Members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9143 hand out candy during last year’s parade.

Fireworks safety tips

Competitors ‘just go wild’ sometimes

File photos

If you’re going The annual turtle race follows the 58th Annual Thomas-Mashburn Steam Engine Parade in the parking lot of The Foster House, 305 West Main St. in Cumming. Registration starts at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, with racing set for 1 p.m.

early to register. Hamby said about 40 people typically take part each year, with at least two races held to accommodate the crowd. The race also draws people from outside of Cumming, she said. “I’ve been surprised. Everybody’s not from Cumming,” Hamby said. “I guess the word has gotten out.” Turtles who participate begin inside a circle and then must travel to the finish line in another circle. Hamby said the turtles are surprisingly fast, so the races usually last less than five minutes. “It’s amazing how quickly the race is over,” she said. “There’s always one or two turtles that just go wild.” Cash prizes will be given to the owners of the winning turtles, and barbecue plates will also be sold at the event.

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WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2015

After Dark Presented by

Friday, July 3rd, 2015 Cumming Fairgrounds Gates Open at 6:00pm. Fireworks Begin at 9:30pm.