By Megan Horn and Enoch Autry
The United States of America celebrates its 250th birthday on Saturday, July 4, and Rabun County is the place to be for days of fun-filled activities.
Don’t miss out on all of the exciting Independence Day events that are planned. Check the special section in this week’s edition of The Clayton Tribune for additional details on the happenings around the county.
Make your plans to mark the many patriotic events off your to-do list.
City of Clayton July 1 patriotic drone show
The City of Clayton held a patriotic-themed drone show during the evening on July 1. The event featured kids’ activities, music, food and 200 drones. The show was hosted by the Clayton Merchants and Business Association (CMBA) and the City of Clayton.
Sky Valley celebrates Independence Day from July 1-3
The City of Sky Valley has week-long activities scheduled to celebrate 250 years of American Freedom.
-Community members were invited to an ice cream social and an activity to write letters to active duty soldiers on July 1.
-On Thursday, July 2, at 9 a.m. at the city pavilion in Sky Valley there will be a patriotic walk and letter writing to active duty soldiers. The Patriotic Walk Trail is from the City Pavilion to Tahoe Road, approximately 1.5 miles round trip. The trail difficulty is easy-to-moderate. The free community walk begins at 9 a.m. No registration is required and pets are welcome.
The culmination of Independence Day activities will take place on Friday, July 3.
-There will be a Sky Valley Property Owners Association (POA) pancake breakfast from 8 a.m until 10 a.m. at the lakeside pavilion.
-Registration for the rubber duck race begins at 10 a.m. with the race starting at 11 a.m.
-All veterans are invited to join the city for the raising of the flag at the Old Lodge Flag Pole as the National Anthem is sung at 11:30 a.m.
“We are honored to recognize your service and dedication to our country during this special ceremony,” Sky Valley officials said in an email to community members. “Thank you for your service!”
-The Independence Celebration Parade starts at noon with a hot dog cafe immediately following at the city pavilion. The route will travel from Tahoe Lane down to Sky Valley Way to the City Park.
There will be kids’ activities during the day and fireworks at dark.
-The Sid Weber Memorial Cancer Fund BBQ dinner will be from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Tickets are advance purchase only.
Contact Sky Valley City Hall at 706-746-2204 or visit skyvalleyga.com for more information.
Rabun Ramble in Lakemont July 4
Rabun Ramble’s 20th race is scheduled on Saturday, July 4, as America celebrates 250 years.
The race starts at 7:30 a.m. as both the 5K and 10K start and finish at the Lake Rabun Pavillion. Lake Rabun Road will be closed to motorists at 7 a.m. sharp from Piney Point to Tame Turkey.
The Rabun Ramble is an annual fundraiser for the Lake Rabun Foundation, a fund of the North Georgia Community Foundation, and net proceeds go to the foundation. Donations also are made directly to Rabun County EMS and the Lakemont Wiley Fire Department Association.
Lake Burton Fun Run July 4
The 42nd edition of the Lake Burton Fun Run will take place on July 4. Participants will take the two-mile trek from Moccasin Creek State Park to LaPrade’s Marina.
For America’s semiquincentennial anniversary, the Lake Burton Fun Run will have The Star-Spangled Banner sung at the starting line by Hank Bramlett of Cornelia, Ga.
Lineup for the run will start at 8:15 a.m. and the run begins at 9 a.m.
Proceeds from the run go to Lakes, Tallulah-Persimmon and Wildcat volunteer fire stations as well as Rabun County Search and Rescue and the Rabun County Sheriff K-9 Corps.
Family-style meals at The Dillard House
The Dillard House: A Mountain Farm Resort will have delicious meals for the whole family to enjoy this weekend.
Dillard House officials said they will remain open throughout the holiday weekend and look forward to welcoming guests to enjoy the restaurant, accommodations and the hospitality that has made the Dillard House a destination for generations.
The Independence Day menu includes BBQ ribs, smoked pulled pork, smoked chicken thighs and fried chicken. The sides are calico salad, baked beans, macaroni and cheese, collard greens and corn on the cob. Dessert includes banana pudding and peach shortcake.
The cost is $35 for adults and $20 for children.
They also will have fun for the whole family including popsicles by the pool, lawn games, evening fire pits and s’mores, watermelon socials, children’s activities, pool time, and an America’s 250th birthday cake celebration.
The Dillard House is located at 768 Franklin Street, Dillard.
The City of Dillard and Dillard House, however, will not be hosting fireworks this year because of safety concerns with ongoing Highway 441 construction.
250th celebration at Flat Creek Baptist Church
Flat Creek Baptist Church, 56 Barracuda Lane, Lakemont, invites community members to a night of fun, food and fireworks on Saturday, July 4, starting at 6:30 p.m. The 250th celebration of the USA has free admission and is being presented by the Gragg Family. Donations are accepted and tickets are required. Everyone is welcome and there will be a family-friendly fireworks show at dark.
Rodeo comes to Rabun Arena for patriotic show
The rodeo also will be in town this weekend as the Bar W Rodeo Company returns to the Rabun Arena, 100 E. Boggs Mountain Road, Tiger, on Saturday, July 4, and Sunday, July 5.
Scheduled at the arena are traditional rodeo events like bareback riding; saddle bronc riding; calf roping; ranch bronc riding; break away roping; steer wrestling; barrel racing and team roping.
Also, there will be food and vendors at the Rabun Arena for patrons to enjoy while watching the rodeo.
Online tickets are still on sale for this weekend at eventbrite.com.
Contestant information can be found at ncprarodeo.com
The cost for adults is $25 and kids age 8 and under are free.
On Saturday, the rodeo will start at 7 p.m. on Saturday and at 6 p.m. on Sunday. Only cash will be accepted at the gate.
The gates open at 6 p.m. on Saturday and 5 p.m. on Sunday.
Ski Patriots Salute America’s 250th birthday
The Ski Patriots’ 18th running of the “Salute to America” around Lake Burton will begin at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, July 5.
Since 2009, volunteers in teams of eight wearing red, white and blue swimming attire have put their feet into water skis and secured American flags on their backs in their life preservers so they can navigate the water around the lake’s edges.
Each year the skiers are a mixture of veterans and those newer to the 27-mile, three-and-a-half-hour experience as they and our nation receive cheers from fellow boaters and those on the decks and balconies at lake homes.