Area residents celebrate the Fourth

Published 9:06 pm Saturday, July 4, 2009

For some revelers, the Fourth of July offered the chance to catch up with friends at backyard cookouts. Others spent the day at their jobs while those fortunate to have the holiday off played at the lake.

At Heritage Point Park in Dalton, area residents had a variety of activities to choose from to celebrate Independence Day. Children climbed on inflatable slides. Old-timers took part in a “legends” softball game. A few brave souls faced off in eating competitions of Krystal hamburgers and Little Debbie snack cakes. Others just soaked in the ambiance.

But whatever the activity — or non-activity — residents chose for July 4, they were tied to a common theme of celebrating freedom. Despite the festive atmosphere at Heritage Point, many north Georgians weren’t forgetting the significance of Independence Day.

Among several concession stands selling food and refreshments, along with children’s voices carrying through the air as they ran around the playground, David Guess of Calhoun paused to reflect about the Fourth of July.

“I can’t help but think about all of our troops,” Guess said. “With all the unrest in Iran, the Middle East and all of the uncertainty in North Korea, you try your best not to take anything for granted. These people, and all of the veterans before them, are risking their lives everyday.”

Raul Diaz had the day off from a local carpet mill and brought his family to the park. He said his family planned to have a cookout later in the evening.

Because of the down economy, he said this Independence Day was more low key than previous years. The family usually takes a trip to a beach in Florida or South Carolina, but uncertainty about the economy made the decision to stay home easy.

“You know, with gas prices going up again and less work around town, we just decided to save some money and stay home,” Diaz said. “What they’re doing here at the park is great. The kids are having a good time. The weather is nice — not too hot. We’re really excited about the fireworks.”

In Chatsworth, the annual Wagon Train also took on a patriotic theme. The Murray County Saddle Club dedicated its opening ceremonies Saturday night to members of the military, with a special emphasis on members of the Charlie Troop, the Dalton-based National Guard Unit.

Earlier this year, 86 members of the unit left for a year-long deployment in Afghanistan. The 15 or so soldiers who did not deploy were invited to the Wagon Train ceremony.