Happy

birthday, America!

You've

survived another year and your country loves you. In

fact, this year celebrations in the south metro area will

start early with some Fourth of July festivities

beginning this Saturday.

The

Peachtree Peddlers Flea Market in McDonough will have its

sixth annual Concert in the Country and Fireworks

Extravaganza Saturday, July 1. There will be live

entertainment all day in the market's new Showcase Event

Centre, including a gospel concert by the Hinton's, a

magic show by Lee Cox, a concert by the band Station 8

and a premier performance by Boyd Williams. Williams has

played with Fleetwood Mac and Black Sabbath.

There will

be fun for the entire family with games, rides,

performances, civil war reenactments, living history and

more. A barbecue cook off, a chili cook off and an apple

pie bake off also are planned. Peachtree Peddlers is just

off Interstate 75 at exit 221 in McDonough. Phone

770-914-2269.

Shannon

Mall in Union City will have festivities Sunday, July 2.

Radio Disney and DJ Rockin' Robin will kick off the

celebration at 4 p.m., providing entertainment, games and

prizes for the kids. At 6:15 p.m. magician Ken Scott will

amaze audiences with his spellbinding magic show. The

celebration then moves outside to the parking lot for a

free concert by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra at 7:30

p.m., followed by a spectacular fireworks display.

July 3 will

be an off day as many people have to work. But the Fox

Theater in Atlanta will show the film "Erin

Brockovich." The film stars Julia Roberts as a woman

who rises up, fights the system and wins. Tickets are

$6.50 and go on sale at 6:30 p.m. the day of the show.

The film will start at 8 p.m. but sing-along activities

begin at 7:20. Phone 404-881-2100.

As for July

4, nearly every place you can think of (with the

exception of Covington) will have a Fourth of July

celebration. Peachtree City's kicks off with a parade at

10 a.m. The parade begins at Booth Middle School,

proceeds north on Peachtree Parkway, crosses Ga. Highway

54, turns left on Flat Creek Road and crosses Hwy. 54

again before ending at City Hall.

Following

the parade at 1:30 p.m. is the annual Fire Department

Expo at Drake Field. The Fire Department will showcase

its equipment and conclude the expo with a water battle

at 3 p.m.

The

Peachtree City Wind Ensemble will offer its annual

concert at City Hall Plaza at 7 p.m. The concert is free

and will be followed by a fireworks display over Lake

Peachtree at 9:30 p.m.

Many sites

in Atlanta, such as Stone Mountain, Turner Field, Six

Flags and Centennial Park also will offer similar

activities. Phone these locations for information or stop

by. Most importantly, have a safe and happy Fourth of

July and give America a big hug. She deserves it.

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