Cartersville’s annual Fourth of July celebration returns in 2025 with events on Friday, July 4th. The events are presented by the Rotary Club of Etowah with WBHF FM 100.3 and AM 1450 coordinating the parade with the Rotary Club. The presenting sponsor for the parade is Shottenkirk Honda. The parade down Main Street in downtown Cartersville begins at 9 a.m. in the Tabernacle Baptist Church parking lot. The procession, which leaves Douglas Street, turns right onto Church Street, then continues to make a left on Bartow Street, left on Main Street, left on Tennessee Street and left on East Church Street. It ends back at the church.
This year’s Grand Marshal is Tyler Heath whose strength, resilience, and spirit have deeply moved the Cartersville community. At just 28 years old, Tyler faced a life-altering moment. On August 23rd, 2024, while mountain biking alone on the trails in Acworth, a sudden crash from a downhill drop sent him over his handlebars. He landed headfirst, resulting in a C6 spinal cord injury, an injury that typically affects the arms, torso, and legs. But Tyler’s story didn’t stop at injury. It started there.
Since that day, Tyler has inspired us all with his relentless work ethic, his contagious positivity, and his refusal to give up. His motto? Anything is possible. Through social media and real-life connections, he’s become a light for others going through similar challenges, especially those he met at the Shepherd Center in Atlanta — many of whom he still supports and encourages to this day.
He recently achieved something remarkable: movement in all the toes on his right foot, an incredible feat for someone with a C6 injury. And if that weren’t enough, he’s also stood for 16 minutes with assistance, a massive leap from the one or two minutes he could manage at first, due to low blood pressure.
With his grit, hope and humor, Tyler reminds us all that strength isn’t just physical — it’s in the attitude you bring, the effort you give, and the people you lift along the way. We will also be honoring our veterans and first responders.
“Shottenkirk Honda continues their commitment and leadership in supporting our parade as the presenting sponsor, and our club is extremely appreciative. Our parade continues to grow, and we are still actively looking for parade participants”, stated WBHF station manager and Rotary Club of Etowah member, Matt Santini, when asked about the parade. “The Fourth of July Parade is one of the community service projects that we have taken on here at WBHF, and we are working with the Rotary Club of Etowah to continue the tradition of this parade.”
Proceeds from the parade benefit local charities through the Rotary Club of Etowah. A parade application and information about the parade can be found on the Etowah Rotary Club website at etowahrotary.com/4th-of-july or you can find the link at wbhfradio.org.
The July 4th Celebration at Dellinger Park is a community- wide event that includes Arts & Crafts, children’s activities, entertainment and the largest fireworks ever!! Bartow County and the City of Cartersville are the presenting sponsors of the events at the park. All activities at Dellinger Park are on the huge football field. Park activities start at 4:00 p.m. and continue until 10:00 p.m.
VIP Tables are available at Dellinger Park. For $200 you get a reserved table for ten that will give you a great view of the Coosa Valley Credit Union Stage and the fireworks show and a reserved parking spot at the park. These tables must be reserved in advance of the event. The VIP form is also available online at etowahrotary.com/4th-of-july.
Admission to Dellinger Park is free and parking is $10.00 per vehicle. More than 15,000 people are expected to celebrate the Fourth of July at Dellinger Park. Organizers of the activities at Dellinger say that the fireworks display is presented by HSAGP Energy, and Glenda Mitchell Law Firm has a special fireworks viewing area. Spaces for that are being given through an online contest on their social media pages. Fireworks will launch from Dellinger Park about 9:30 p.m.
There will also be live entertainment on the Coosa Valley Credit Union Stage that will feature local entertainment all day then Scott Thompson performs an acoustic show starting from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m., then Scott Thompson and Peachtree Station perform at 8:00 p.m. and take us on a musical ride until fireworks!
