CLARKESVILLE, Ga. — Clarkesville is preparing to celebrate summer with the return of Red, White and Tunes, a family-friendly evening of live music, fireworks and patriotic festivities that organizers say has become a community tradition.
The annual event will be held Saturday, July 11, from 5 to 10 p.m. at Pitts Park. Admission is free.
Hosted by the City of Clarkesville and Clarkesville Main Street, the celebration will feature live music, food vendors, bounce houses, face painting, beer and wine sales, and a fireworks display to close out the evening.
New attractions honor America’s 250th
New this year, organizers are adding a Little Liberty Wagon Parade for children and a hot dog eating contest sponsored by Hangry’s Grill as part of the nationwide celebration of America’s 250th anniversary.
“It’s really just historical,” Economic Development Director Yvonne Marinelli said of the nation’s semiquincentennial. “That’s a huge landmark for us.”
How the event got its start
Marinelli said Red, White and Tunes grew out of a decision nearly a decade ago to separate the fireworks show from Clarkesville’s longtime Mount Laurel Festival.
At the time, the festival included an evening fireworks display after a full day of activities. Organizers realized many attendees were too tired to return later that night, leading the city to create a standalone summer celebration centered on music and fireworks.
“The folks who were in charge of planning all of that felt like it would just serve the community better to kind of break that up into two different things,” Marinelli said.
Music for every generation
Entertainment this year will be headlined by Atlanta-based Mixtape, a band known for performing popular hits from the 1990s. Local musician Matt Sinks will open the evening.
Marinelli said the city wanted a lineup that appealed to a wide audience.
“The ’90s was just such a wonderful era of music and artists,” she said.
She said pairing a regional touring act with a well-known local performer gives attendees something familiar while introducing them to new entertainment
.
“I’m always going to root for the local guys,” Marinelli said. “It’s nice to be able to have that mix.”
Community support fuels the celebration
Community support has also helped the event continue to grow.
Marinelli said Red, White and Tunes has attracted 38 sponsors this year, with businesses and organizations contributing funding, services and resources to help make the event possible.
She also recognized the Kiker family for once again allowing the city to use its pasture as the launch site for the fireworks display.
Sponsorships are helping provide several free attractions, including face painting by Tanya Fowler of The Artful Barn, bounce houses and other family activities.
“Everyone has generously donated, whether it’s their property or a monetary donation,” Marinelli said.
Showcasing Clarkesville
As Clarkesville’s economic development director, Marinelli said the event is about more than entertainment.
“We want people to come to Clarkesville. We want people to enjoy our community,” she said.
She hopes visitors will not only spend the evening at Pitts Park but also discover Clarkesville’s walkable downtown.
“I want them to see that we have a really awesome variety of restaurants and eateries and shopping, all walkable downtown,” Marinelli said.
Marinelli said Red, White and Tunes has developed into a signature event that residents now anticipate each summer.
“I feel like we have built this really strong brand of what people can expect,” she said.
She also noted that Clarkesville intentionally schedules the event for the Saturday following Independence Day rather than July 4.
“One great thing about all of the different municipalities in Habersham is that we collaborate; we don’t compete,” Marinelli said.
She said the schedule complements Demorest’s longstanding Fourth of July celebration while giving residents and visitors another opportunity to enjoy a hometown fireworks show if they were out of town for the holiday or simply want to celebrate again.
What attendees need to know
Organizers encourage attendees to bring lawn chairs or blankets for the concert and fireworks. The event will be held rain or shine.
Parking at Pitts Park will be limited to vendors and accessible parking. Visitors are encouraged to park along Washington Street, Ga. 197, at the old Habersham County courthouse property or on the downtown square before walking to the park.
The gazebo at Pitts Park will serve as the event’s information hub, where visitors can register for the Little Liberty Wagon Parade and hot dog eating contest, purchase commemorative America 250 T-shirts and pick up complimentary bottled water.
Children may register for the Little Liberty Wagon Parade at the event or in advance by contacting Clarkesville’s economic development office at (762) 230-1962.
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