Signs of economic recovery are popping up in Peachtree City in the form of “For Sale” signs in many neighborhoods. But the real land grab is more than a month away, when folks eager to watch the July Fourth parade and fireworks start to stake out prime real estate.
Peachtree City is about to amend its ordinances so that its roadsides and lakesides don’t turn into a patchwork “shantytown” (as administrators have called it) days before the holiday. Things got particularly cluttered last year when people started putting out tarps and blankets half a week in advance.
Some residents complained about the unsightliness, as well as the dead grass that resulted. That’s no small thing in a city that prides itself on keeping its green space green and not brown.
The parade and fireworks are major community events. It certainly seems like darn near everyone in town lines Peachtree Parkway to watch all sorts of floats, bands and yes, decorated golf carts cruise by.
Kids love it not only for the fire trucks that honk their horns but for the bucketloads of candy and other goodies that get tossed into the crowd. (And if it’s an election year, you get even more swag.)
It’s such a family event that even the dogs in attendance get biscuits thrown their way.
The area around Lake Peachtree where the fireworks go off has limited space, and visibility gets a little harder each year because of the trees.
It’s human nature to want a good seat, and once the first person puts a blanket out, others follow quickly.
But now the City Council feels compelled to control such compulsions and is proposing that no one be allowed to snag a spot until Independence Day dawns. Having been either in or at the parade for 19 years now, I’m skeptical – and not just because I’m not a morning person.
With some roads closed and traffic rerouted to allow the floats to assemble in the morning, spectators will have a harder time getting to their viewing areas.
Families with small children won’t want to show up three hours in advance; you can’t keep kids entertained that long without some early fireworks of their own. Having one parent prep the space and then go home and come back again is a hassle, especially if you’re going any distance by golf cart and need to recharge.
And no matter what your age, without public restrooms, answering nature’s call in the midst of the festivities is going to be either difficult or difficult to explain if you get caught.
Personally, I think letting folks set up the night before the parade works better. There’s easier access, no competition with parade setup and minimal impact on the scenery.
In the fireworks area, perhaps make it 3 p.m., which is six hours before the show starts. The parade crowds have cleared out and everyone’s back home going for a swim, taking a nap, getting ready to grill or possibly celebrating their independence by getting the heck away from other people for awhile.
It’s great having events that bring so many friends and neighbors together for some fun. Let’s just be careful that our parade doesn’t turn into either a mad dash or a marathon.
Jill Howard Church has lived in Fayette County since 1994. Reach her at jillptcblog@aol.com.
