5 Things you Need to Know Today

1) Happy Fourth of July!

When you want it to rain, it's hot and sunny. When you want sun, it pours. That may be the case today, but hopefully it will clear up.

There is a 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms this morning and then it will be mostly sunny, with a high near 92, according to the National Weather Service.

Tonight there is a 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms with a low around 69.

2) The annual Fourth of July Parade gets going at 10 a.m. along the traditional Church Street route, from Fairburn Road west to Rose Avenue.

This ever-popular annual event is a must-see on the Fourth. Beauty queens, politicians, local sports teams, businesses, law enforcement plus others will be featured in the fun and colorful parade.

3) There will be a host of activities to enjoy from 10 a.m. til 5 p.m. today at Hunter Park. The Annual Independence Day “SHARE House Festival” is holiday fun for all ages including art and craft vendors, the Douglasville Idol competition, entertainment, children's activities, BBQ, and more.

After the parade to a gain access to Hunter Park for the festival activities, the community will only be able to enter from Pinecrest and the rear gate to Hunter Park. 

There will not be access to Hunter Park from Gurley Road. Overflow parking will be available at the Board of Education. If there are citizens with special needs there will be limited parking at the Hunter Park Community Center. This entrance will be open, but manned by a police officer for the purposes of traffic control.

Admission is free.

4) Fireworks will take center stage tonight around 9 p.m. in the Arbor Place Mall area. Fireworks are deployed from the West Pines Golf Course; best viewing location is the Arbor Place Mall parking lot or the high school.

5) In Philadelphia in 1776, the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence, which proclaimed the independence of the United States of America from Great Britain and its king.