The City of Woodstock is gearing up for its annual July 4th Spectacular, promising a full day of festivities that include a road race, a parade, a family festival, and an evening fireworks display. The event, set for Thursday, July 4th, 2024, draws locals and visitors to celebrate Independence Day with a range of activities that cater to all ages.
Early risers can kick off the day with the Freedom Run, with streets closing as early as 6:45 a.m. to accommodate the event. Participants can register for the 5K, 1K, and Tot Trot, with the starting line at the Woodstock Arts Event Green. The road race will necessitate closures along Main Street, Rope Mill Road, Market Street, and Chambers Street, but roads are expected to reopen around 8:30 a.m. following the race, except for Market Street which will stay closed until 10:30 a.m. for the awards ceremony, according to the City of Woodstock's official announcement.
Later in the morning, Main Street and Rope Mill Road will shut down once more for a vibrant parade featuring Grand Marshal Russell Vaudrey, a WWII Army Air Corps veteran. Set to start at 9:45 a.m., the parade route will span from Woodstock Elementary School through downtown, concluding near Sam's Club off GA-92. Rain or shine, floats and participants will march unless extreme weather poses a risk. All roads are expected to open again by 11:30 a.m.
A family-friendly festival will take over the Park at City Center right after the parade, running until 3 p.m. The festival promises an assortment of attractions such as a foam party, games, arts and crafts, and live music for the community to enjoy. The day concludes with what's described as a “truly spectacular fireworks celebration” close to GA-92 and I-575 after dusk. For more details on the day’s events, festival-goers can refer to woodstockga.gov/4th. For those staying overnight, hotel information is available on the Visit Woodstock website, and providing an exit traffic plan is the Woodstock Police Department to ensure a smooth departure post-celebration.
