By: Stephanie Reynolds
THE 4TH OF JULY!!! Oh, how I love this holiday!
It is a holiday of dream-to-reality — the longing for beach vacations and sultry evenings on the porch that we shiveringly clung to in January are realized! Sand in our toes, sweet tea in our hands, and half of summer still stretching out before us. Delicious!
It also is the broader dream-to-reality of humanity: freedom attained, promises filled, potential realized. It is the holiday of some of the highest virtues of mankind—bravery and sacrifice, paying in struggle now so descendants can play (at the beach!) later in freedom.
It is a day to start thinking bigger, to shake off the inertia of the past, and to think more, try more, do more!
And we are starting this year right here in Athens-Limestone!
Y’all may or may not know that our office hosts the fireworks display for Athens-Limestone County. We have greatly enjoyed lighting up the night sky with a million little jewels every year, but it’s time to do more. We want to celebrate the whole gorgeous, beautiful evening with YOU!
Please accept our very heartfelt invitation to join us at the Sportsplex at 4 p.m. on July 4th (4 on the 4th—easy to remember) for our Red, White, and BOOM! 4th of July party. We will have food trucks, vendors, and a Battle of the Bands!
Let me tell you why I love this so much, why it is more than just a party. Each part of the event was created with YOU, our neighbors and friends, in mind.
Firstly, the location: Every year my kids and I park at the Sportsplex to watch the fireworks. The viewing is EXCELLENT and the traffic is easy. Our amazing police do a great job, and the access is wonderful. I know there are a lot of places to park along Hwy 31, but honestly, I find this to be faster to get in and out of, and the fireworks are RIGHT THERE and easy to see. There is plenty of grass for the littles to run in, as well as the playground! Far from the busy street, safe and cool (well, cooler, anyway) grass instead of pavement.
Secondly, with supporting our local neighbors with their small businesses, non-profits, and cottage industries with a vendor fair: Small business is the heart, soul, and strength of a community—what is more American than growing big dreams from small business!
Thirdly, I wanted to support local bands: How many amazing musicians are tucked in garages and basements and just need a stage and someone to say, “Yes! We want to hear you! Come play!” I am pre-screening the bands and the line-up is ahhhmazing!
Fourthly, we wanted to make it easy for the party to continue for you and your family. You don’t even have to cook, we will have plenty of food trucks to please everyone!
We can’t wait to celebrate this glorious holiday with YOU!
Note: There are still a few vendor slots available. Please contact me (Stephanie) at 256-529-7758 or stephanie@exploreathensal.org
By: Stephanie Reynolds, Athens-Limestone Tourism Association
June 20, 2025
