Fireworks cap 4th festivities
Rome’s Patriotic Party draws thousands to Ridge Ferry Park to celebrate Independence Day.
Small bursts of Fourth of July fireworks were going off all around Rome, but the big display Tuesday night was at the Patriotic Party at Ridge Ferry Park.
Thousands of people filled the park for the annual Independence Day celebration, which started at 3 p.m. with the annual Harbin Clinic Splash Bash.
Families set up picnic spots around the grounds and children squealed with laughter on the giant inflatable water slides.
Stephen Newman of Rome brought his young sons Jude, 7, and Jonah, 2, Newman in the early afternoon. Jonah was looking warily at one of the largest inflatables, complete with climbable webbing, as his older brother chatted happily with other kids in line.
“He’s not going on that one,” Newman said with a smile. “He said he’s too scared.”
A heavy thunderstorm that rolled through the county around 1:30 p.m. left puddles in low-lying areas, but the sky was clear by the time the festivities started — and a brilliant deep blue when the contests began and Little Known Letter took the stage.
Hundreds of spectators also set up along Riverside Parkway and the section of Turner McCall Boulevard facing toward the park.
A dozen young women from the Highland Rivers Health women’s residential treatment program were laughing and waving cardboard masks of presidents’ faces, eliciting honks from drivers going by.
“I think Abraham Lincoln’s winning the popularity contest,” said Amber Drinnon. “Of course. He’s part of our freedom, and that’s what today is about.”
The group spent the day at their own celebratory “recovery picnic,” Brittney Ashley said, then headed out to watch the fireworks.
“It’s clean and sober fun,” she said with a grin.
The Rome-Floyd Parks and Recreation fireworks show went off just after a flashy display at State Mutual Stadium, an added bonus from the Rome Braves for attendees at their home game against the Greenville Drive.