Friday, June 27, 2003
|
Friday, June 27, 2003 |
|
Licensed drivers only in July 4 cart parade By MICHAEL
BOYLAN
A week from now you'll most likely be enjoying a day off from work as you celebrate the Fourth of July. For many local residents this means taking in all of the Peachtree City activities which include the parade, Fire Department demonstrations, a concert from the Peachtree Wind Ensemble and the fireworks. There are some new wrinkles to this year's events though, including a new parade route and some new parade rules. The main wrinkle is, of course, the new ruling that all drivers of golf carts must be licensed drivers. This means that each golf cart driver in the parade must have his or her driver's license. The new parade route will start on Peachtree Parkway South near the Village on the Green neighborhood and will continue north on the parkway to the McIntosh Trail Recreation Complex and Huddleston Elementary School. The parade starts at 9 a.m. but judging of the entries begins at 8 a.m. There will be awards given in the categories of Most Patriotic, Most Creative, Most Original, The Mayor's Trophy, a Grand Marshal's trophy and first, second and third place for best decorated golf cart. 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. This year, the Grand Marshals will be military personnel representing all five services who recently served in Iraq. The HumVee's leading the parade will carry a representative from each branch of military service. There will be an opportunity for the public to meet the Grand Marshals after the parade at the Shakerag Knoll picnic pavilion. As for new rules for safety, all large to small entries are strongly urged to gave spooters on all four corners and alongside of their entry. The Peachtrree City recreation department is providing fre orange vests for these spotters to wear. They can be picked up at the office Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. and vests will also be available at the parade. Large entries are required to have safety rails 36 inches tall where any person will be standing or sitting on their float. Also they must have handholds for all standing participants. Candy or other giveaway items may be thrown but these items should be tossed to the back of the crowd. If these items are left in the street, viewers are prone to go into the street to retrieve them. There will be a few free hours between the end of the parade and the beginning of the next activity, which will be demonstrations of the fire departments equipment at 1:30 and 3 p.m. at Drake Field. The Peachtree Wind Ensemble and Community Band will perform at City Hall Plaza at 7 p.m. The fireworks will start at 9:30 p.m. over Lake Peachtree and will be visible from City Hall Plaza.
|
||