Columbia Countythrows birthday party for America
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Ron Owings gives his 6-year-old daughter, Courtney, a free ride as American flags wave in the breeze at the 17th annual Grovetown Fourth of July barbecue.
Photo by Jim Blaylock
For those willing to brave the heat and the rain, Columbia County had many options for celebrating the Fourth of July.
County activities began in earnest the night of July 3 at the fireworks spectacle at the Liberty at the Lake celebration on Clarks Hill.
Residents kicked off the festivities on the Fourth the next afternoon at the 17th annual Grovetown barbecue.
About 2,100 people showed up for the free lunch and the chance to spend time with members of the community.
"Our community is so strong, and a lot of people get to spend time with people they might not see very often," said World War II veteran and Grovetown Mayor Dennis Trudeau. "It also gives a chance for our community to honor veterans and for them to spend time with each other."
Trudeau spent much of the afternoon putting together meals for those physically unable to get their lunches. Some of those meals were delivered to individuals at the barbecue, and about 400 others were delivered to homes of those who didn't attend.
Mayor Dennis Trudeau and Lucy Zimmerman prepare boxes of barbecue for the elderly who were unable to attend the Fourth of July picnic. More than 300 dinners were delivered by the Grovetown Fire Department.
Photo by Jim Blaylock
Candy Estes, a lifelong Grovetown resident, attended her first barbecue and said it would become an annual trip for her and her husband.
"It is good to get out here and be around fellow members of the community," she said. "I don't recognize most of these people, so I can meet some new people."
Estes joined many area residents who headed to Patriots Park after the barbecue.
The festivities at the park began at 4 p.m. Around the baseball fields, dozens of games including a rock wall and water balloon slingshots were open to children who purchased tickets.
Adults could visit the numerous vendors who set up along the walkway around the baseball fields.
Both children and adults were involved in games such as pie-eating contests, sack races, balloon tosses and plastic pig-tossing contests.
Kendra Browning, 3, makes her way to a table with a plate of free barbecue at the 17th annual Grovetown Fourth of July Barbecue at Goodale Park.
Photo by Jim Blaylock
The main attraction for most attendees was the traditional fireworks show.
"We got here early enough to get a good seat," said Michael Dueringer. "We love coming down to this show. It sure beats the one downtown (in Augusta)."