Henry Daily Herald

No matter how high the temperatures, fireworks by the tons are expected to be part of the many celebrations set for Independence Day in Henry County.

A day before the official observance, residents of Lake Dow Estates will have their Seventh Annual Fireworks Display, starting at 9 p.m. It will take place at the Lake Dow dam area, near the Pilgreen’s parking lot. Call (770) 957-7759, for more information.

Then, on Wednesday, the City of McDonough will host its Sixth Annual Ice Cream Social and Patriotic Program in the city square, beginning at 7 p.m. There will be FREE ice cream (vanilla and chocolate) while supplies last, and the singing of patriotic songs.

When the McDonough event ends, residents may drive down to the Nash Farm and Battlefield to attend the Henry County Fireworks Extravaganza, at 100 Babbs Mill Road, in Hampton.

Elsewhere in the county, the City of Hampton will hold a Fourth of July parade starting at 10 a.m. Attendees are asked to dress in their red, white and blue. The parade begins at Hampton Elementary School, 10 Central Ave., Hampton, and proceeds through downtown Hampton and back to McBrayer Park.

Later in the evening, there will be racing and fireworks at the Atlanta Motor Speedway to celebrate America’s birthday. AMS will actually offer fans two nights of fireworks, both Wednesday, July 4, and Friday, July 6. Gates will open at 6 p.m.

AMS will host a special Wednesday night edition of Thursday Thunder on July 4, which will be highlighted by the Papa John’s Pizza Fireworks Extravaganza. In addition to a full racing program on the speedway’s quarter-mile “Thunder Ring,” fans will see a fireworks display. Thursday Thunder will also run its regularly-scheduled event on Thursday, July 5, said AMS officials.

Then, on Friday, July 6, the speedway’s Friday Night Drags & Show-N-Shine will feature another fireworks display prior to drag race eliminations. Spectator gates will open at 6:30 p.m.

To cap everything off, there will be a Fourth of July Night Hike, at the Panola Mountain State Park, starting at 8:30 p.m.