Fourth of July Parade Celebrates Patriotism, History, and Local Flair

Peachtree City celebrated the nation’s 249^th birthday with, as usual, a festive parade. Spectators arrived dressed in red, white, and blue, with outfits ranging from a simple red tee shirt and blue jean shorts to colorful tutus and face paint. The parade’s floats were just as varied, with some featuring dancing, some featuring pets, and some featuring Revolutionary War costumes.

Notable floats include the Sons of the American Revolution, as well as its counterpart, the Daughters of the American Revolution. These organizations are focused on preserving American revolutionary history through the efforts of local descendants of American Revolution soldiers, so it is no surprise that the SAR was decked out in American Revolution Gear. The local Sons of the American Revolution chapter was chartered in 2002, and, like Fayetteville and Fayette County, is named after the Marquis de Lafayette.

The oldest military organization in Peachtree City, Post 9949 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, had a race car at the parade- one that they also use, the driver, Jim Droskinis, stated excitedly, at racing events in Senoia, which occur two Saturdays a month. “The Senoia Race Track is like a family. Race car drivers stick together, help each other out, except when on the track. Then we become mortal enemies, but we respect each other.” Droskinis noted that the camaraderie between race car drivers is reminiscent of that between brothers in arms, which is a part of why the sport means so much to him. More information on the VFW organization can be found here: https://vfw9949.org/.

The parade also featured several Peachtree City hallmarks, such as an abundance of golf carts and a float dedicated to the late Flat Creek Floyd. A dragon boat float was also present, of course, featuring the local champions. The city’s well-developed, ever-present pickleball culture was represented by a float manned by Ace Pickleball Club, which will soon be replacing what used to be Kmart at Crosstown Drive. This private organization hopes to provide further opportunities for pickleball players to hone their skills, which is excellent in light of the well-chronicled local recreation controversy regarding pickleball courts.

Anyone who has grown weary of pickleball will be glad to hear that the president stated that the organization also hopes to jump on an even newer, even more hip sporting craze currently sweeping Europe- the game of “padel” (pronounced here like the word “paddle,” although it is pronounced with the accent on the second syllable across the pond). The club’s president displayed a padel paddle, which is shaped like a tennis racquet, but is made of solid material rather than netting, and has little round holes in it.

A first-time viewer of the parade stated that she had come in unsure what to expect. Some had told her it was “overhyped,” others that it was something they looked forward to every year. Obviously, standing outside in the July heat spectating an event is not everyone’s cup of tea- especially in the South!- but for many, the display and the festivity is worth it.