DEL.ICIO.USThe Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 07/04/08
Dunwoody wrapped itself in red, white, blue and hoped-for independence on Friday with its largest-ever Fourth of July parade.
Organizers estimated more than 32,000 residents and holiday visitors lined the curbs along Mount Vernon Road and Dunwoody Village Parkway for the "Dunwoody Salutes America" parade, a few thousand more than in previous years.
 Hyosub Shin/hshin@ajc.com | ||
| 2008 Miss Georgia Teen USA Shannon Gerachty waves a hand to spectators during the parade. | ||
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"It was excellent ... probably the best ever," Pam Tallmadge, event co-chairwoman, said of the turnout – boosted, organizers said, by WSB-TV's decision this year not to hold its "Salute to America" parade, one of the nation's largest.
Elsewhere, communities across metro Atlanta observed Independence Day with festivals, parades, concerts and evening fireworks, though scattered showers that arrived in the afternoon threatened to put a damper on some of the celebrations.
Among those with front-row seats along the 2.5-mile Dunwoody parade route were Roslyn Grossman of Dunwoody and her dogs, Figet and Rudy. The Chihuahua mixes showed their patriotism by sporting red or blue-colored bandanas around their necks.
"They wanted to be here with us. They wanted to participate," Grossman said. "We just adopted them, so this is their first parade."
Mark Emery and his buddies used the occasion to tailgate.
"With the war and everything, I think everybody is out in support of this country," Emery said, as he mixed a bloody Mary.
Participant numbers also hit a high of 136 and included a number of first-timers, such as Atlanta's Douglass High School Marching Band. The 116th Army Band from Fort McPherson also made an appearance during the parade organized under the theme, "Celebrating Freedom."
Out in force were volunteers with "Dunwoody Yes," a grassroots effort to make Dunwoody one of DeKalb County's newest cities. Neighboring Sandy Springs and other Fulton County communities already have taken the plunge.
Some volunteers marched in the parade as others passed out information, sold fund-raising magnets, and collected donations in support of their cause.
"We're very pleased with the amount of interest we've had," said volunteer George Binder. "People have been very receptive. We've actually had people who live in Sandy Springs giving donations and buying magnets."
Denis Shortal, co-chairman of Dunwoody, Yes, said the fight for cityhood boils down to resident interest in controlling their community's destiny when it comes to zoning, taxes and representation. The referendum comes up for a vote later this month.
"All that comes down to Independence Day," Shortal said. "Our hope is that we can become an independent city come July 15. Voters will decide."
Later Friday, in downtown Atlanta, an early afternoon rain that lasted about 15 minutes barely registered with the thousands taking advantage of family friendly activities at Olympic Centennial Park.
Along with music and food, young visitors could try their hand at arts and crafts, such as frisbee painting and making holiday head gear. Of course, the ever-popular water fountains were packed.
"We stood there and watched the rain, but they still played in the fountain," said Alyson Weston of Marietta, referring to her three children and others from her group at the park.
Steven Kemp, 9, who tried his hand at T-shirt painting, said the trip down from Flowery Branch was worth it.
" You get to make a lot of stuff. It's really fun," Steven said. "You get to watch things and share different cultures.'
The Stepleman family drove in from Marietta to celebrate the birthday of their daughter, Rebecca, who turns age 5 on Saturday.
"The activities around here are just fabulous for all the kids. They've done a great job," said Rebecca's father, Reed Stepleman. "It's very family friendly."
Isolated to scattered rain showers are likely to linger for the next few days, according to the National Weather Service.
Dan Darbe, a senior meteorologist, blamed the wet weather on warm temperatures and a series of disturbances in the upper level of the atmosphere.
Hit-or-miss showers fell throughout central Georgia. Locally, they traveled along a line from Carroll County to Roswell and moved eastward through Atlanta and north DeKalb into Clayton, he said.
"The biggest thing is that they will continue through the weekend," Darbe said, adding that severe weather isn't expected but can't be ruled out.
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