Considering this year marks the 250th anniversary of the United States of America, Saturday’s Fourth of July celebrations felt particularly special, and Union County came out in force to observe the birthday of the nation.
A patriotic staple for years, the Blairsville-Union County Chamber of Commerce’s annual Freedom & Fireworks celebration inside Meeks Park drew a hefty crowd to watch not just from the park itself, but from across the road at the North Georgia Technical College, down at the Maj. Leon Davenport Veterans Building, along the sides of Georgia 515 and many other places.
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This year, guests and organizers alike noted that there was a greater attendance than usual, and some vehicles were seen parking in grassy areas just to find a place to hunker down for the evening. Even so, there was an influx of camaraderie.
In fact, the massive prayer circle out on the Sorghum Field was met with joy by all who attended and even by many who observed it, and happy tears and shouting were a moving sign of the Holy Spirit’s presence.
It started when the band, Found in You, pieced together from members of two different churches, suggested taking a break from the music to make time for testimony, which resulted in an entire chain of people linking hands and praying over others.
“We love praying with people, we love coming with our church,” said Allison Dockery of Fellowship of the Hills. “No matter if they turn away from it or not, they’re getting seeds planted in their heart, mind, will and emotions, and that is the most beautiful part. No matter who we talk to about God, it’s here.”
“The freedoms we have here, not just in everyday life, but (in religion) – I can be here today and enjoy the fireworks, but I can also be here and worship the God that I serve, which to me is everything,” added her husband, Steven, whose entire face above the beard was painted with the American flag. “You look at how long we’ve been able to do what we’ve done and the freedoms that we’ve had for 250 years, (and it) is amazing.”
Their son, Kayden Dockery, was in agreement with both, believing that the best part of the event was “seeing all these kids having fun and playing and all these adults being able to talk to other adults and make friends and all these churches coming together to make one church.”
Meanwhile, 2-year-old Brecken Abrams had plenty of opportunities to play ball out in the sunshine with his grandfather, Dan Wickersham.
As a veteran, Wickersham was grateful for the impressive turnout at Blairsville’s July 4 observations. Having mostly served in Vietnam, he has seen public opinions around the military shift from outright hostile to far more welcoming.
“This area is very patriotic,” Wickersham said of Union County. “July 4 is a recognition of the country, and it all started with the military, frankly – uprising, revolution against the English. That has quite a history to it. The veterans, per se, were really responsible for getting the independence of the United States.”
Other veterans and their family members stopped by American Legion Post 121 for a barbecue and grill dinner, but plenty of other celebrants filled their bellies at the park thanks to the charity of Full Throttle Ministries’ free meal plates.
Not only that, but the additional activities this year went over well with visitors of all ages, including popsicles to help beat the heat, a sports station and a bouncy wall. Plenty of kids especially took the field to follow in Abrams’ little footsteps and play ball of some variety – if they weren’t dazzled by sparklers, that is.
As night fell, Chamber President Steve Rowe led two lucky youngsters up to the traditional giant switch to “flip on” the fireworks. The first, Ahlayla Dinkins, enjoyed her 18th birthday on July 3 but chose to celebrate it on July 4 – and received a wonderful present in feeling “honored” to help kick off the fireworks. The second, Liam Bond, was excited about his first July 4 in Georgia after moving from Utah.
At exactly 9:30, the sky grew dark enough, and the pair flipped the switch before 2026’s outstanding display of fireworks lit up the sky over Meeks and beyond, putting a booming cap on an evening well-spent among friends and reflecting upon the things that make America worth celebrating.
