Atlanta goes big on July 4, with heavy artillery fireworks and the nation's largest 10K, but some of the best entertainment available is the small-scale, low-tech variety happening right in your own front yard.
In neighborhoods all over town — and all around the country — residents are making their own fun with spontaneous parades.
What we've noticed about Atlanta's neighborhood celebrations is they are short on marching bands and politicians in cars, but they are long on spirit.
Here are three parades we checked out.
Huntley Hills
This Chamblee subdivision stages a homegrown July 4 parade every year that is ideal for families with children, bicycles and patriotic dogs.
"There are no floats, no car with the mayor, none of that," co-organizer Leslie Freyman said. "Everybody brings bikes and dogs and scooters and strollers and decorates them, then walks about half mile, if that. Then they get Popsicles."
The parade starts at 10 a.m. at the Huntley Hills Swim Tennis Club and winds its way back around to the club. Afterward, those who are members engage in watermelon polo, watermelon-eating contests and other traditional American sports.
Some also will attend Chamblee's more formal celebration in nearby Keswick Park, which includes bounce houses, face-painting, a corn-hole competition, live music and fireworks. For information: http://hhstc.blogspot.com/.
Peachtree Heights East
Like a well-tended bonsai tree, the humble parade around the duck pond in the Peachtree Heights East neighborhood, near Peachtree Battle, has endured for decades without ever growing up.
Founded by a resident who wanted to avoid taking his children downtown for the real thing, the parade is sponsored by the Ladies of the Lake Garden Club, and each year a member of the club dons a special tiara to ride in a convertible and become grand marshal.
One year's parade featured a dancing Bobcat tractor, and another included a well-dressed tortoise on a leash, but children on two- and three-wheeled vehicles make up the bulk of the participants.
Tens of thousands of runners will pass the neighborhood on nearby Peachtree Road during the early-morning race, and many residents trek to the mouth of Lakeview Avenue to watch them go by, then return to the pond in time for the 10 a.m. step-off.
"We play patriotic music on a boombox," outgoing club president Toni LePage said.
Ansley Park
Though coordinator Nancy Zintak claims the unofficial rules forbid any planning or decorating until 48 hours before the event, the Ansley Park neighborhood in Midtown puts on a robust show to celebrate the nation's birthday.
There is usually a mannequin dressed as Lady Liberty, assorted middle-age majorettes and even a star-spangled float. "It's probably 15 years old, and it's just as unorganized as it was when we started," Zintak said.
The tradition began when three friends were reminiscing about their favorite July 4 memories, and all three said their own neighborhood parades were the best part of Independence Day.
With her five children and her neighbor's six children, Zintak practically had enough participants for a parade at the get-go. The affair has grown since then to about 125 marchers.
"We literally only have maybe two observers because everyone else is in it."
Children on bikes and trikes, various costumed walkers and a float carrying the public address system line up on Peachtree Circle at 17th Street at about 6:30 p.m. Preceded by teenage marshals on bicycles, the crowd then strolls to the Ansley Golf Club, where many stay for the fireworks.
About the Author
