Blue Ridge celebrates Independence Day with annual parade
Community, Downtown Blue Ridge, Festivals July 5, 2023
FANNIN COUNTY, Ga. — At 10 a.m., on the morning of Independence Day, both tourists and locals gathered in Downtown Blue Ridge to watch as The Old Timers’ Parade made its way down East Main Street. The event, hosted by the Blue Ridge Business Association, was just one of the Fourth of July events in the area.
On their website, the Blue Ridge Business Association says the parade has been a part of holiday traditions in the Blue Ridge since the 1950s. Government officials, local businesses, organizations, and even a family reunion took part in the parade through town.
Patrons of the parade watched from the street-side as the Fannin County Fire Department made a memorable appearance with several fire trucks.
The North Georgia Honor Guard took part in the parade.
Representatives of the Blue Ridge and Fannin County Government also made appearances.
Mayor Rhonda Haight was just one government official in the parade. Fannin County Commissioners and Blue Ridge’s Police Chief also drove down Main Street during the event.
Well known establishments in the community made their way through downtown as well. The Blue Ridge Community Theater, Grumpy Old Men Brewing, and Project Chimps were just some.
As the morning’s festivities came to a close, the Tri-State Community Band performed for visitors in the downtown area. Opening with the National Anthem, the band performed several songs to celebrate the Fourth.
Other Patrons
Many visitors stuck to the “Old Timers” theme and brought out their vintage vehicles.
Blue Ridge shooting leaves one dead, one in custody
Arrest Reports March 10, 2022
FANNIN, Ga. — Blue Ridge resident Vernon Ronald Bennett, 48, was arrested on March 9, 2022. Bennett was charged with aggravated assault and murder following a shooting that took place near Loud Lane in Blue Ridge. According to the booking report, he was not given bail.
Jennifer Layman, 54, was killed during the incident, and another victim was hospitalized but expected to survive. Both were Blue Ridge residents. The Fannin County Sheriff’s Office initially responded to a call about a person shot and took Bennett into custody after arriving at the scene. The Blue Ridge Police Department and Sheriff’s Office found Layman during a welfare check following the initial incident.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the Fannin County Sheriff’s Office, and the Blue Ridge Police Department are all involved in the investigation of the shooting. At its completion, the Appalachian Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office will prosecute.
Bennett was booked by the Fannin County Sherriff’s Office at 2:13 p.m. on March 9.