Marietta's Biggest Fourth + a Thai Find

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What's up, neighbors!

It's Fourth of July week, and for once the best plan is to stay right here in town. Marietta goes all out for the Fourth, and this year is the country's 250th birthday, so the city is going even bigger than usual.

The main event is 4th in the Park on Saturday, right on the Square. It runs all day. The Let Freedom Ring parade steps off at 10 in the morning, and the city is calling it the biggest parade Marietta has ever done. About 30,000 people show up for this every year. After that it turns into a festival with food, games, and live music that runs until the fireworks go off around 9:30 at night. We're planning to be there for the parade and stick it out for the fireworks.

If you want to get a jump on the weekend, Drivin N Cryin is playing a free show at Glover Park on Friday night to kick off the celebration. Bring a lawn chair. It's one block off the Square.

Scroll down for the full planner, some local news, and a Thai spot on Roswell Road my wife and I keep going back to.

- Andrew

This issue is sponsored by Peachy Insurance. Quick honest note: Peachy’s sponsorship is what keeps East Cobb Connect free for you every week.

A review of your current coverage costs nothing, and you'll know if you've got a gap before it turns into a real problem.

Tell them Andrew sent you.

Check them out here or text/call (770) 520-7095.

Historic Marietta Square
99 S Park Square NE, Marietta, GA 30060
Saturday, July 4
10 AM to 10 PM
Free
Learn More

If you only do one thing this weekend, make it this. Marietta throws the biggest Fourth of July party around, and it takes over the whole Square all day long.

It kicks off at 10 AM with the Let Freedom Ring Parade, which rolls out from Roswell Street Baptist Church with more than a hundred entries of floats, bands, and scouts.

Around 30,000 people turn out for it, so this is no small-town lineup.

And this year, for America's 250th birthday, the city says it will be the LARGEST parade in Marietta's history.

After the parade, the Square turns into an all-day festival. Arts and crafts, carnival games, a Kids Zone, food everywhere, and free live concerts that run right into the evening.

Then the fireworks go off around 9:30, and they are always one of the biggest shows in metro Atlanta.

Bring chairs and a blanket, and get there early if you want a good spot for the parade and the fireworks.

This is the one your kids remember and the one you actually look forward to. See you on the Square.

Want a sneak peak? Check out last year’s promo video:

Lemon Grass on Roswell Road is where my wife and I end up when we want Thai and want it done right. The dining room is spacious and the red decor gives it a warm feel, which makes it work for a date night or a nicer weeknight dinner without being stiff or expensive. It's a legit sit-down experience without any pretension.

They do the Thai classics well: noodle dishes, curries, the full range. At 4.6 stars across nearly a thousand reviews, people are not coming here once and moving on. My wife usually has something in the curry family and hasn't had a bad one yet.

Just worth knowing before you go: they close between lunch and dinner service, so there's a gap in the early afternoon and they're closed on Sundays. Plan around that and you'll be fine.

Thai Restaurant | 4.6★
Hours:
Mon, Wed-Thu 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM, 5:00 – 9:30 PM,
Tue, Fri 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM, 5:30 – 9:45 PM
Sat 5:00 – 9:45 PM
Sun Closed
Visit Lemon Grass Thai’s Facebook

🚗 See directions to Lemon Grass Thai on Google Maps

Don't let the exterior fool you. From the outside, Cobb Antique Mall on Canton Road looks like any other low-key retail building. Walk through the door and that assumption evaporates fast.

Inside, there are booths and cases packed with vintage furniture, jewelry, collectibles, home accents, and a newly expanded vintage clothing section that reviewers are genuinely excited about. It’s the kind of place where you walk in with a loose plan and come out an hour later having covered maybe half the floor.

What makes it worth the detour right now is that the mall has gone through a real renovation. People who had written it off after a rough patch a few years back are coming back and leaving impressed. New vendors, better layout, and a fresher energy throughout.

If you've been hunting for a specific piece of furniture, a gift that doesn't look like it came from a big-box store, or just a Saturday browse that actually delivers something interesting, this is the spot.

Price: $$
Hours:
Mon–Sat 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sun 12:00 – 6:00 PM

🚗 Get directions to Cobb Antique Mall on Google Maps

5 Beds
3 Baths
2,959 sq ft
0.49 acre lot

A) $829,900

B) $870,000

C) $900,000

D) $920,000

Cobb County commissioners have approved putting a Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) on the November 2026 ballot. If voters say yes, the county's sales tax goes up 1%, with the revenue earmarked for capital projects across Cobb.

This one is worth paying attention to before November. A 1% sales tax increase touches every purchase you make in the county, groceries, home improvement, restaurants. The trade-off is funding for roads, parks, public facilities, and other infrastructure that doesn't get built without a dedicated revenue stream. Start thinking now about what that looks like for your household.

Source: wsbradio.com

Cobb County is weighing an expansion of its micro-transit service, which connects residents in areas not served by traditional fixed-route bus lines. The push comes partly from residents like Carter Ray, who made the case to commissioners that too many Cobb households without vehicles are falling through the cracks on transportation options.

For East Cobb, this matters beyond just commuting. Micro-transit tends to benefit seniors, teens, and lower-income households who rely on getting to jobs, medical appointments, and errands without a car. If you have thoughts on where gaps exist in the coverage area, now is a good time to make them heard at the county level.

Source: wsbradio.com

She's been through a rough stretch. Cecelia was adopted from Mostly Mutts, returned nine months later, and came back completely shut down and scared. Different dog than she was before. But she's been in a foster home since then, and she's doing great. Turns out she just needed someone to slow down and give her time.

When Cecelia trusts you, she does this whole-body wag thing. Not just the tail. Her whole body. And she will absolutely try to sit in your lap despite being a 37-pound terrier-boxer mix who clearly does not understand her own size. She's enrolled in Mostly Mutts University and has already nailed sit, stay, come, and leave it. Her foster family calls her the perfect housemate. The "high energy" label from her previous home? Doesn't match what they're seeing at all.

A few honest notes: She needs to be your only dog at home. She tends to guard her person around other dogs, and that's just who she is. She also needs time to warm up to new people, especially men, so don't reach over her head or rush her to come to you. Let her set the pace. Mostly Mutts recommends calmer kids 15 and older. If you have the patience to let her come to you on her terms, she will absolutely get there.

Cecelia is in foster care right now, so reach out to Mostly Mutts to set up a meet. Their shelter is in Kennesaw off Jiles Road.

Mostly Mutts Animal Rescue
2789 Jiles Rd NW, Kennesaw, GA 30144
(770) 422-0100
Please check mostlymutts.org for current hours

🎨 Marietta Square Art Walk (20th Anniversary) - Historic Marietta Square | Marietta Square, Marietta, GA 30060 | 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM | Free | More: mariettasquareartwalk.com
The First Friday gallery-and-shopping stroll hits its 20th year, with galleries, museums, and restaurants open late plus local artists and live music.

⚾ Bats & Bites at Truist Park - Truist Park | 755 Battery Avenue Southeast, Atlanta, GA | 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM | $150/person ($125 – A-List Members) | More: mlb.com
Early ballpark access on July 3rd with a guided Truist Park tour, batting practice from the outfield, a meet-and-greet with a former Braves player, and food samples, a solid pre-game experience for families who want more than just the seats.

🏛️ Election and Registration Offices Closed - Cobb County Election Offices | Cobb County, GA | 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM | N/A | More: cobbcounty.gov
Heads-up that Cobb County election and registration offices are closed Friday, July 3 in observance of the July 4th holiday, so plan any voter registration or absentee business for another day.

📚 Library Holiday Closure - Cobb County Public Libraries | All branches | Closed Friday July 3 and Saturday July 4; reopens Sunday July 5 | N/A | More: cobbcounty.gov
Quick heads-up: all Cobb County libraries are closed Friday and Saturday for Independence Day, so save your holds pickup trip for Sunday when they reopen.

🎆 Salute to America - Downtown Kennesaw | Downtown Kennesaw, Kennesaw, GA | 4:00 PM – 10:00 PM | Free | More: kennesaw-ga.gov
Kennesaw's annual Independence Day celebration runs the full evening on July 3rd, with free admission, live music, and fireworks in Downtown Kennesaw, a classic pre-Fourth outing that works for all ages.

🎆 City of Marietta’s 4th in the Park — Historic Marietta Square | 99 S Park Square NE, Marietta, GA 30060 | 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM | Free | More: mariettaga.gov
The biggest Fourth of July party in the area, with the Let Freedom Ring Parade at 10 AM, an all-day festival, and one of metro Atlanta's largest fireworks shows at dark.

🥕 Marietta Square Farmers Market - Mill Street Parking Lot | 41 Mill St, Marietta, GA 30060 | 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Free | More: mariettasquarefarmersmarket.com
Around 65 vendors with peak-summer produce, cut flowers, and local honey, an easy breakfast stop before the parade kicks off.

✈️ 250 Years of America, 40 Years of TOPGUN - Aviation History & Technology Center | 555 Perrin Rd SE, Marietta, GA 30060 | During museum hours (10:00 AM – 5:00 PM) | ~$5 adults / $3 students & seniors; free for military & veterans | More: ahtc360.org
A TOPGUN-themed July 4th celebration among the museum's aircraft, where kids can actually climb inside the C-141B StarLifter and a JetStar once owned by Kenny Rogers.

🇺🇸 Bird's Eye Parade View - The Strand Theatre (rooftop terrace) | 117 N Park Square, Marietta, GA 30060 | From 9:00 AM (parade steps off 10:00 AM) | Ticketed | More: earlsmithstrand.org
Watch the Let Freedom Ring parade from the Strand's rooftop terrace, above the sidewalk crowds.

🎉 Atlanta Braves Block Party - The Battery Atlanta | 800 Battery Avenue Southeast, Atlanta, GA | 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM | Free | More: mlb.com
The Battery throws a pregame block party on July 4th from 4 to 8 PM with live entertainment and nonstop energy just steps from Truist Park, a great way to turn the holiday into a full day out before the 8:08 first pitch.

📚 Library Holiday Closure - Cobb County Public Libraries | All branches | Closed Friday July 3 and Saturday July 4; reopens Sunday July 5 | N/A | More: cobbcounty.gov
Quick heads-up: all Cobb County libraries are closed Friday and Saturday for Independence Day, so save your holds pickup trip for Sunday when they reopen.

⚾ Atlanta Braves vs New York Mets - Truist Park | 755 Battery Avenue Southeast, Atlanta, GA | 12:30 PM – 3:30 PM | Starts at $13.90 | More: batteryatl.com
Sunday afternoon Braves game with a 12:30 first pitch and a kids giveaway (Drake Baldwin ROTY Mini), making this the most family-friendly game of the three-day series.

🦖 Passive: Guess How Many! - Sibley Library | 1539 South Cobb Drive, Marietta, GA 30060 | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM | Free | More: cobbcounty.gov
Kids can drop by Sibley anytime Sunday and take a guess at how many dinos are crammed in the jar, a fun low-key activity.

🎸 Independence Eve featuring Drivin N Cryin - Glover Park, Historic Marietta Square | 50 N Park Square NE, Marietta, GA 30060 | 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM | Free | More: visitmariettaga.com
Atlanta rock legends Drivin N Cryin headline a free America 250 kickoff concert on the Square, bring blankets and lawn chairs.

🎤 Karaoke Night - Glover Park Brewery | 65 Atlanta St SE, Marietta, GA 30060 | Evening (open 2:00 PM – 11:59 PM) | Free | More: gloverparkbrewery.com
Grab the mic one block off the Square at this dog-friendly taproom, with pizza from the Fusco's truck.

⚾ Atlanta Braves vs New York Mets - Truist Park | 755 Battery Avenue Southeast, Atlanta, GA | 7:15 PM – 10:15 PM | Starts at $13.90 | More: batteryatl.com
Braves kick off the Fourth of July series against the Mets on Friday night at Truist Park, first pitch at 7:15 and about as classic a pre-holiday baseball night as you're going to find in metro Atlanta.

🕺 DJ Uvee Saturday Nights Late Night - 6405 Blue Stone Rd | 6405 Blue Stone Rd, Sandy Springs, GA 30328 | 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM | Check website | More: visitsandysprings.org
DJ Uvee spins danceable hits from the 70s through today on Saturday night at this Sandy Springs spot, a low-key but fun way to keep the July 4th energy going after the fireworks.

💃 Noche Tropical at El Super Pan - El Super Pan | 455 Legends Place SE Suite #862, Atlanta, GA | 11:00 PM – 2:00 AM | Free | More: batteryatl.com
DJ Luis Trevino takes over El Super Pan Saturday night with salsa, bachata, and high-energy Latin beats until 2 AM, if you're the kind of person who still wants to keep going after the Braves game and fireworks.

🥃 Southern Spirits at the Southern Museum - Southern Museum | 2829 Cherokee Street NW, Kennesaw, GA | 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM | $30 Members/$40 Non-members; 21+ only | More: kennesaw-ga.gov
The Southern Museum goes 21+ on July 3rd for Kennesaw's Salute to America evening, with live music, drinks, history, and fireworks at 9:30 PM, a genuinely unique way to kick off the holiday weekend.

🦕 Take Home Craft: Dino In Egg - Sibley Library | 1539 South Cobb Drive, Marietta, GA 30060 | 10:30 AM – 5:00 PM | Free | More: cobbcounty.gov
Swing by Sibley Library on Sunday and pick up a dino-in-egg craft kit to take home and build together, no registration needed and no time pressure.

⚽ World Cup Weekend at Zanzibar ATL - Zanzibar ATL | 350 Northridge Rd, Sandy Springs, GA | 4:00 PM – 10:00 PM | Free | More: visitsandysprings.org
With Atlanta hosting World Cup matches this summer, Zanzibar is doing an elevated watch party with brunch vibes and after-party energy from 4 to 10 PM Sunday.

🎆 Fireworks On The Fourth! - The Strand Theatre (rooftop terrace) | 117 N Park Square, Marietta, GA 30060 | From 7:30 PM | Ticketed | More: earlsmithstrand.org
Rooftop bar-and-terrace views of Marietta's fireworks finale, without fighting for a spot on the lawn.

🍺 4th of July Celebration - Glover Park Brewery | 65 Atlanta St SE, Marietta, GA 30060 | 12:00 PM – 11:59 PM | Free | More: gloverparkbrewery.com
An all-day patriotic party a block off the Square with a DJ, games, and a permanent-jewelry pop-up from 2 to 8 PM.

🎷 Jazz Brunch at C. Ellet's - C. Ellet's | 2605 Circle 75 Parkway Ste 400, Atlanta, GA | 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM | Reservations recommended | More: batteryatl.com
Live jazz duo, Southern fried chicken, pancake paloozas, and mimosas at C. Ellet's right in the Battery from 11 to 3, a genuinely nice way to spend Sunday before or instead of the ballgame.

🍺 4th of July at Pontoon - Pontoon Brewing | 8601 Dunwoody Place Building 500 Suite 500, Sandy Springs, GA 30350 | 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM | Free | More: visitsandysprings.org
Atlanta's sour beer and seltzer festival is back for the Fourth, and Pontoon is leaning all the way in with candy, cartoons, and craft pours from noon to 10 PM.

🎶 Live Music: Derek Engram & The Live Oak Ramblers - Glover Park Brewery | 65 Atlanta St SE, Marietta, GA 30060 | 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM | Free | More: gloverparkbrewery.com
Sunday-afternoon Americana and roots music on the Square to close out the long weekend.

🍹 All Day Happy Hour - 6405 Blue Stone Rd | 6405 Blue Stone Rd, Sandy Springs, GA 30328 | 4:00 PM – 10:00 PM | N/A | More: visitsandysprings.org
All-day happy hour pricing on a Sunday holiday weekend is exactly the kind of thing worth noting, and this Sandy Springs spot leans into it from 4 PM through close.

🦈 Jaws - Springs Cinema & Taphouse | 5920 Roswell Rd, Sandy Springs, GA 30328 | 7:00 PM | Starts at $8 | More: springscinema.com
A classic 4th of July weekend watch if there ever was one: Spielberg's original on the big screen at Springs Cinema, where you can pair it with a craft beer from the taphouse and fully commit to the summer-shark-movie experience.

🎶 Kurt Thomas & Friends - 6405 Blue Stone Rd | 6405 Blue Stone Rd, Sandy Springs, GA 30328 | 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM | N/A | More: visitsandysprings.org
Atlanta music vet Kurt Thomas and his three-piece band bring high-energy live music to Sandy Springs on Sunday night, a solid option for closing out the long holiday weekend with something that actually sounds good.

Your kid has probably strummed an air guitar. Maybe they've banged on a keyboard or rattled a tambourine. But the harp? That's a different kind of magic, and on July 8th, a nonprofit called Artz for the Harp is bringing a free, hands-on harp workshop to Sewell Mill Library right here in East Cobb. One hour, real harps, and kids ages 6-12 get to actually play one. This one’s a little later than the weekend, which is our usual wheelhouse. But we wanted to give you a heads up since we won’t publish again until after the event ends.

What it is: Artz for the Harp is a nonprofit dedicated to making the harp accessible to kids who'd otherwise never get within 10 feet of one. This workshop is designed as a genuine introduction: children learn the basics of the instrument and, by the end of the hour, play a real song on it. Not a demonstration where they watch someone else perform. They play. For kids who gravitate toward music, or who've never had a chance to find out whether they do, this is a pretty rare opportunity to try something most adults have never touched either.

Plan it (register first): Space is limited and registration is required, so don't sit on this one. Submit one registration per child through the Cobb County Library event page before spots fill up. The workshop runs Wednesday, July 8 from 4:30 to 5:30pm at Sewell Mill Library and Cultural Center, 2051 Lower Roswell Road in Marietta. It's aimed at kids ages 6-12, so if you've got one in that range, this is the kind of mid-summer Wednesday afternoon activity that feels like a genuine discovery rather than just burning time.

At the workshop (1 hour): Sewell Mill is a comfortable, well-run Cobb County library with real programming space, so this isn't a cramped classroom situation. The kids will get an intro to the harp, learn how it works, and then actually try playing a popular song under guidance from the Artz for the Harp instructors. An hour goes by fast when a kid is genuinely engaged with something new. Bring them curious and ready to listen, and they'll walk out with a story to tell.

Logistics: Free event, no cost to attend. Registration required through Cobb County Public Library, one registration per child. Library parking is free in the lot. Sewell Mill has accessible restrooms inside. This is a kids' workshop, so plan to stay with your child for the session.

Heads up: Because space is limited, registration fills on a first-come basis. If you're reading this close to the date, check availability before assuming there's still a spot open.

Half of Cobb is going to end up on Lake Allatoona or Lanier this holiday weekend. Boats, pontoons, jet skis, the works. Here's the thing most people never check until something goes wrong: your boat is not covered the way your car is.

A quick rundown before you're on the water:

1.) Your homeowners policy probably won't cut it. Most home policies cover a small boat sitting in the garage, but not much once it's actually on the lake, and almost nothing for liability if someone gets hurt. If you own anything with real horsepower, ask whether you need a separate watercraft policy.

2.) Renting a jet ski or pontoon? Read what the rental place is selling you. The damage waiver at the counter is not the same as liability coverage. If you hurt someone or clip their dock, that waiver may not touch it. Two minutes on the phone with your agent tells you where you stand.

3.) Towing counts too. When your boat is hitched to the truck on I-75, your auto policy is doing the work, not your boat coverage. Worth a look if you haven't checked your trailer setup in a while.

Not sure what you've actually got? Peachy can pull your policy and walk you through the gaps in about ten minutes. No pressure, just a straight answer.

👉 peachyinsurance.com or text/call (770) 520-7095

Caring Hands United is looking for bilingual (Spanish-English) CNAs and PCAs for part-time weekend daytime shifts in the Stone Mountain and Alpharetta areas. The work involves in-home care for seniors and individuals with disabilities. Good fit for a compassionate caregiver who wants weekend-only hours and can serve Spanish-speaking clients.

👉 Browse openings

Southeast Clips (Great Clips' largest franchisee in the country) is hiring full and part-time hair stylists in Doraville, with flexible hours and an established customer base. The snippet notes last week's average effective wage across staff was $31.26 per hour, factoring in base pay, productivity, product commissions, and tips. High-volume shop with upside based on how fast you are.

👉 Browse openings

Emory Healthcare has another Environmental Services Technician opening in Atlanta. Day-one health benefits, student loan repayment assistance, and ongoing mentorship are part of the package. A solid entry-level path into one of Atlanta's largest healthcare systems.

👉 Browse openings