Route changing for July 4 parade

Registration set for Monday

Those who want to be part of the July 4th parade in Peachtree City are reminded that registration starts Monday at 8 a.m. sharp.

There are only two ways to register: by calling the Recreation Department at 770-631-2542 at or after 8 a.m. (No registrations will be taken before 8 a.m.), or by coming to the Recreation Administration building at 191 McIntosh Trail, near the Amphitheater. Doors will open promptly at 8 a.m. there also.

Parade organizers stress that registering soon pays off. "We normally fill the parade to capacity by the second or third day," said Susan Taylor, parade coordinator. "People need to be persistent and keep calling until they get us. We will have extra people answering phones that morning."

The number of entries will be limited, so early registration is encouraged. Participants will be assigned a parade number that will be mailed soon after registration ends, along with all the parade rules, to the contact person.

To register, you must know the approximate length of the vehicle to be used or the number of walkers in the group. Each family, organization, political candidate, business or other group will be allowed one entry. An entry is one car, one truck or a car pulling a float, or two golf carts traveling in tandem.

No undecorated cars, trucks, or vans will be allowed as an entry unless they are pulling a decorated float. Trucks and floats carrying people are required to have side rails at least 36 inside high surrounding the area of riders and have handholds for all standing participants.

Parade organizers strongly urge that large vehicles or floats have "spotters" (people on both sides of the vehicles) to keep the crowd a safe distance from the vehicles. Bright orange safety vests are available free of charge at the Recreation Administration building on McIntosh Trail to help identify spotters.

"People are urged to pick up their vests at our office before parade day," said Sherry McHugh, the city's recreation administrator. "We really want the spotters to stand out in the crowd to keep the route safe." McHugh added that vests will also be available on parade day.

Awards will be presented in the categories of Most Patriotic, Most Creative, Most Original, a Mayor's Trophy, a Grand Marshal's trophy as well as a first,second and third place awards for golf cart winners. Winners will be recognized and receive their trophy at the next City Council meeting following the parade.

Those who have viewed the July 4th parade for years from the same spot on the familiar route that started at Booth Middle School might want to check out new vantage points on the south side.

This year's parade route will be changed due to restrictions placed by the Department of Transportation on parade traffic crossing Ga. Highway 54.

"The parade has gotten more extensive over the years, and the intersection of 54 and Peachtree Parkway was always a precarious bottleneck mixing pedestrians and moving vehicles," said Randy Gaddo, Leisure Services Director. "Last year was the last time the DOT would approve that route, and then only after we ended the parade short of crossing 54 a second time at Willowbend."

This year, parade entries will be lined up on Peachtree Parkway South near the Braelinn Golf Course. The parade will proceed north on the parkway, turn left on McIntosh Trail and disburse at the McIntosh Trail Recreation Complex and Huddleston Elementary parking lots.

The new route, approximately the same length as past years, was chosen because of its centralized location, having plentiful viewing spaces, and because it allows police to best control access and traffic.

Residents can access Braelinn Shopping Center from entrances on Crosstown Road and from Ga. Highway 74. The Braelinn Golf course has also worked out a modified entrance plan for its patrons.