Dunwoody 4th of July Parade and other area events

4th of July - Dunwoody Parade 9 am Mount Vernon & Jett Ferry heading towards the Village.

I love the Dunwoody 4th of July Parade as it is the epitome of a community event where we gather to celebrate this country's independence, those who sacrificed for it and even in times of strife where we know our country and it's people are not perfect; we still celebrate America. For all her faults, she’s still a shining beacon, the hope of the world and the only country we have.

Dunwoody Homeowners Association and the Dunwoody Reporter newspaper will host the annual Independence Day Parade on Monday July 4th featuring marching bands, floats, clowns, animal units and local celebrities. In 2021 the parade attracted over 2,500 participants and 35,000 spectators!

The parade route is approximately 2.7 miles and steps off from the intersection of Mount Vernon Road and Jett Ferry Road at 9:00 a.m., proceeds west on Mt. Vernon to Dunwoody Village, turns right onto Dunwoody Village Parkway, circles around the Parkway, and left into Dunwoody Village in between First Watch and Citizens Bank . Volunteers will guide parade participants to parade parking (Post Office Side). The Festival Area will be on the Walgreens side of Dunwoody Village. It takes approximately 1 hour to walk the entire parade route.

Parade spectators are encouraged to setup chairs along Mt. Vernon and circle around the Dunwoody Village Parkway into Dunwoody Village. Spectators will be blocked from viewing on the east side of Jett Ferry on Mt. Vernon due to the staging and setup for parade participants. Viewing will start on the west side of Jett Ferry on Mt. Vernon.  (I always smile as see numerous parade viewing spaces reserved the night before be it with tents, blankets or chairs as it reminds me of the practice of Dibs after a Chicago snowfall.)

Mt. Vernon Road, between Jett Ferry Road and Dunwoody Village, will be closed from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. [times are approximate; contact the Dunwoody Police Department for specific questions about road closures and traffic information].The Parade Grand Marshal for 2022 is my friend and former Councilwoman Pam Tallmadge.

The parade will have many of the same participants as it has for many years, community organizations, politicians, old cars, swim tennis associations, Dunwoody High School participants, fire trucks, etc but I am personally exited for the 116th National Army Guard Marching Band, the Dunwoody Precision Lawn Chair Drill Team, the Seed & Feed Marching Abominable, the Atlanta Falcon Cheerleaders, a huge potato and my good friend Santa Claus.

After the Parade, please join the Dunwoody community in front of the US Post Office in Dunwoody Village for family fun and great food. Troop 266 will be selling delicious BBQ (chicken or pork), slaw, watermelon, homemade brownie, and tea or lemonade.  

Fireworks !!!!!

3rd of July - Lillian Webb Park & Downtown Norcross Fireworks - 9:30 pm

Downtown Norcross is a great little destination with a few great restaurants, drinking establishments, shops and public parks with a train running by to wave to.  When my children were little Thrasher Park was our favorite place to visit because of the big trees, shaded playground and the regular train running by.  Norcross does a nice family event on the 3rd; get out there by mid-evening to layout the blankets and set some chairs; more then likely there will be friends and neighbors from Dunwoody surrounding you. Walk the downtown, visit the shops, food trucks, listen to the band & DJ until the fireworks show kicks off at 9:30.

4th of July - Keswick Park Fireworks in Chamblee - 9:30 pm

For many years our family would do the Dunwoody parade, spend the afternoon doing numerous events (watermelon races, splash contests, diving for change or beer, water volleyball)  at my local swim tennis club and then if we still had the energy we would head over to Chamblee to see the fireworks show at Keswick.  The show is usually quite impressive.

4th of July - City Springs Fireworks in Sandy Springs - 9:30 pm

Living on the Southside of Dunwoody, Keswick Park in Chamblee is easy for me but I know many of you are closer to Sandy Springs who also puts on a nice fireworks show preceded by a band.