Cartersville’s annual Fourth of July celebration returns in 2026 with events on Saturday, 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 Marshals are Louis Tonsmeire, Sr. and his wife Sally. Louis and Sally moved to Cartersville in 1965 to serve a local church and its congregation. What began as a commitment to ministry soon grew into a lifelong dedication to serving the entire community. With a deep passion for service, they became catalysts for countless individuals, groups, and organizations, including founding Tonsmeire Community Clinic, and Louis serving on both the Cartersville School Board and Cartersville City Council. They have truly dedicated their lives to strengthening the community they love.
In 1976, as America celebrated its Bicentennial, Louis and Sally recognized an opportunity to bring neighbors together to celebrate. Their vision gave birth to Cartersville’s Fourth of July Parade and celebration, creating a tradition that has brought joy to generations of families. Fifty years later, that tradition continues to unite and celebrate the Cartersville community.
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. The Daughter’s of the American Revolution provided some guidance and a special framework for this 250th birthday which has boosted our participation, but 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 Switch 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 fireworks display is presented by HSBMA (Hyundai SK Battery Manufacturing America), and Glenda Mitchell Law Firm has a special fireworks viewing area. Spaces for that are being 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 Switch 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 Brother Mojo perform at 8:00 p.m. and take us on a musical ride until fireworks!