If you go
Powder Springs Day and 175th Birthday Celebration
5 p.m. Oct. 3: Ribbon cutting of cultural arts center, 4181 Atlanta St.
Information: 770-439-3600
5K run, parade and festival
8 a.m. 5K run; 10 a.m. parade; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. festival in the park; 6 p.m. celebration on the square on Oct. 5
Information: www.cityofpowdersprings.org; 770-423-1330
There’s a long tradition of marking “Powder Springs Day” in the west Cobb County town. But this year’s event on Oct. 5 will be one of the most memorable, as it not only marks an anticipated annual party; it’s also a giant celebration of the city’s 175th birthday.
The milestone will be feted with the traditional parade along the main thoroughfare and a party in the city park. But there will be more activities that extend long into the evening, winding up with a fireworks display on the town square. The event will also draw attention to many of the positive changes that have taken place in town in the last several years, said Mayor Pat Vaughn, who has lived there for 25 years and is in her eighth year in office.
“We’ve seen many wonderful changes, many brought on by the growth we’ve had,” she said. “We’ve seen a lot of improvements to our streetscapes. We have a new city hall, police station, library and a recreational system anchored by the beautiful trail system that’s like our own I-285 running around the city. And it connects with the Silver Comet [Trail], so now almost all our neighborhoods can get on a trail.”
The city continues to improve the walking and biking system, working now on a linear park that will run along side part of the Comet Trail and will feature a concession stand and rock climbing area. Another community project makes its debut on Oct. 3, when the ribbon is cut on the new cultural arts center adjacent to the library. Getting it opened has been a long process, said Vaughn.
“We tore down the old Power Springs Elementary to build the new library in 2007, and we always planned to finish the building, but we ran out of funding,” she said. “It’s been sitting there since, but we were finally able to finish it with some bond and SPLOST money we had left. We pushed to finish it for this big anniversary.”
Vaughn envisions the site hosting recitals, plays, performances - and perhaps more.
“We have a room in our library dedicated to our history, including a replica of the old school that stood on the site,” she said. “My dream is to someday have a satellite of a college that could use that room and theater to teach the arts.”
Those who attend the ribbon cutting will get a preview of a video made about the city’s history that features former mayors and council members. The video will also be shown on Oct. 5 as part of the concert on square that begins at 6 p.m. before a performance by the Little River Band. In addition, many of the officials in the film will be part of the parade that begins at 10 a.m., following a 5K run through downtown.
Vaughn expects quite a turnout for the day-long party, even though the city is home to only 13,000 residents. “But you’d be surprised how many people live in unincorporated Cobb who think they’re in the city,” she said. “And we’re happy to claim them.”
Each Saturday, we shine a spotlight on a local neighborhood, city or community. To suggest a place for us to visit, e-mail H.M. Cauley at hm_cauley@yahoo.com or call 770- 744-3042.
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