There’s no better day in Peachtree City than the Fourth of July. It’s the one time each year when the town’s defining elements of community, golf carts, and green spaces come together and show the city at its absolute best.

The parade kicks off in the morning, but preparations begin well in advance. Organizations meticulously decorate their floats while families personalize their golf carts. Road closure signs go up along Peachtree Parkway days beforehand, signaling what’s to come.

As dawn breaks on the Fourth, the parade route comes alive with early birds staking out their spots. Tarps and towels line the streets with latecomers squeezing folding chairs into whatever space remains.

The parade itself rarely changes, and that is part of its charm. Families line the street as fire trucks, decorated golf carts, and local groups entertain the crowd and toss out candy (yes, candy throwing is officially back this year!). If you have been once, you know what to expect. But even if you have been ten times, it still feels special.

One year, though, stands out. In 1995, former President Jimmy Carter served as Grand Marshal. Mayor Bob Lenox gave him a leather tool belt emblazoned with the city’s logo. Carter used that belt for nearly 25 years on Habitat for Humanity builds, working on 35 projects across 14 countries. When he returned it in 2019, it came with a handwritten note and sawdust still in the pocket. Today, the belt is on display in the lobby at City Hall.

After the parade, the city’s energy shifts into the neighborhoods. Cookouts get underway. The smell of hamburgers and hotdogs fills the air. Many people hang out by the pool while others may gather around a TV to watch the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest. (Joey Chestnut makes his return this year—much like the tossed candy.)

As the sun begins to drop, attention turns to Drake Field. This year, there will be food trucks and a DJ on site. And once the sky finally darkens, the fireworks begin. It may not be the biggest fireworks show in Georgia, but it’s always undeniably impressive. And as they erupt over Lake Peachtree, they bring the day to a close exactly as it should: loud, bright, and shared.

That sense of collective experience is why the Fourth has become my favorite holiday. You spend the day with your family and your neighbors. You run into people you haven’t seen in a while. It’s a great reminder of what makes Peachtree City special and why it was just named one of the nation’s best small towns for raising a family.

Have a great Fourth of July!