5 Things You Need to Know, Independence Day, 2012

1) Lilburn Things:

• Let's start with the Bicycle Parade! Decorate your bike or wagon in red, white and blue for a festive parade through the park. Come about 9:30 to register; parade starts at 10:00 a.m. with prizes for some of the favorites!  
• Then have some lunch, hang around for Lilburn's  Sparkle in the Park, July 4th Celebration! No need to leave town to have a great time. There will be music and food so bring a blanket and some chairs to listen to some great music; spend the day among your neighbors. It's going to be a great time!
• The City of Lilburn Offices will be closed on July 4th. 
• Because of the holiday, Advanced Disposal will not be collecting trash on the Fourth of July. If your service is on Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday, your collection day will be one day later than usual. Thank you for taking measures to accomodate the upcoming sanitation holiday.

2)Weather:

• According to Weather.com today we're going to enjoy some partly cloudy skies with isolated thunderstorms in the afternoon. High 96F. Chance of rain is 30%. The UV Index is 10 which is very high. We'll keep you updated with weather alerts here and on the Lilburn Patch Facebook page. 

3)Air Quality: 

•  Georgia's Clean Air Campaign predicts an air quality index of 106 which is A CODE ORANGE ALERT!  Air Quality: Because of the predicted concentrations of GROUND-LEVEL OZONE, air quality in metro Atlanta is predicted to be "Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups." Health Advisory:  Air is more likely to be unhealthy for more people. Children, people who are sensitive to ozone, and people with heart or lung disease should limit prolonged outdoor exertion during the late afternoon or early evening when ozone levels are highest.

4)About Independence Day

•  On June 11, 1776, the Second Continental Congress meeting in Philadelphia formed a committee to draft a document that would formally sever ties between the colonies and Great Britain. The committee included Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Roger Sherman and Robert R. Livingston. Jefferson crafted the document and the Continental Congress officially adopted the final version on July 4, 1776.
  On July 6, copies were distributed and on the 8th, it was publicly read in the square. Accordin to pbs.org, "one year later, on July 4, 1777, Philadelphia marked Independence Day by adjourning Congress and celebrating with bonfires, bells and fireworks." In subsequent years, other cities and towns picked up the celebration and in 1870, Congress established Independence Day as a holiday.

5)Gas:

• AtlantaGasPrices.com shows the best gas price close to Lilburn is $2.95 at QuikTrip 1912 US-78 East at Rockdale Circle. In Lilburn, you can find it for $2.99 at Kroger 3050 Five Forks Trickum Rd SW . We'll give you a mid-morning update on prices if we find some better deals! Before you head out for the day, check our Commute Widget for live traffic updates and the latest gas prices around Lilburn.