🌱 Fourth Of July Fun + Upcoming School Dates + Chemical Spill Cleaned

Good morning, everybody! I'm here right on time with your fresh copy of the Woodstock-Towne Lake Patch newsletter. Keep reading to find out all the most important things happening in the community, including updates on:

• July 4th Spectacular schedule and festival details.
• Important dates for the upcoming school year.
• Yesterday's HAZMAT spill on Springs Crossing.

But first, your local weather:

• Saturday: Times of clouds and sun. High: 89 Low: 62.
• Sunday: Warm with clouds and sun. High: 90 Low: 70.

Here are the top stories today in Woodstock-Towne Lake:

1. More details have been announced about Woodstock's July 4th Spectacular. As for the schedule, the Freedom Run 5K starts at 7 a.m., the parade starts at 10 a.m. and the festival starts at 11 a.m. The fireworks will start at dusk behind the Lowes shopping center on Highway 92. The festival at The Park at City Center will feature a foam party, bubble making, a carnival, games, food, arts and crafts, music and more. (Downtown Woodstock via Facebook and Woodstock Parks and Recreation)
2. We may be ankle-deep in the bliss of summer, but the Cherokee County School District (CCSD) has posted some important dates. The upcoming 2023-24 school year starts on Aug. 1, front offices at the schools open on July 10, class schedules, bus stop information and teacher assignments will be available online on July 26 and during the walk-through events on July 27, 28 and 31. School supply lists are already posted, and on July 1, the lunch payment system will switch over to the new system, LINQ Connect. We will hear more in next month's "CCSD Connections" newsletter, and you can access everything right now at the link. (CCSD News)
3. Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services (CCFES) responded to a hazardous material spill yesterday at the intersection of Springs Crossing and Blankets Creek Parkway. The area was blocked off while the muriatic acid spill was cleaned up by the CCFES Hazardous Materials Team, and the road was opened up within an hour or so. The Hazardous Materials Team also steps in to help first responders in surrounding areas of Northern Georgia when needed. (CCFES via Facebook)
4. Seven people have been sentenced after being found guilty in 2021 for around 50 car break-ins that took place in Cherokee County back in 2019. The guilty parties stole three cars and took items from the rest of the vehicles, including five guns. Charges brought against the men included violation of the RICO Act, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony and theft by taking, and the men all received a sentenced of 20 years, with mandatory prison times ranging from 10 to 15 years. (Atlanta News First)

Shoutout to our premier local sponsor:

Looking to save money on a Disney vacation this summer? How about 4-day theme park tickets from just over $400 per person? Let Emily Williams at The Magic For Less Travel plan your entire Disney experience and save you money — just pack your bags and go. The Magic for Less Travel is dedicated to making your vacation dreams a reality, and Emily has 20 years of experience customizing unique Disney vacation experiences! Visit here to learn more.

Want to see your business featured in this spot? Click here to get started.

Today and tomorrow in Woodstock-Towne Lake:

Saturday, June 24

• Farm. Fresh. Market. - Head downtown to Market Street for a great place to find locally grown and created products. (8:30 a.m. - noon)
• Themed Book Club: All adult readers are welcome; this month's theme is "all together now." Read any book about friendship, kindness or community and come to the meeting to discuss, no registration required. You can also find the group on Beanstack, the meeting will be at the Woodstock Library, 7735 Main St. (10:30 a.m. - noon)
• "Ordinary Days": The musical tells the story of young adults looking for fulfillment, happiness, love and taxi cabs. The performance is best for ages 14 and up, due to adult themes and language, and will be held at the Woodstock Arts Theatre, 8534 Main St. (7:30 p.m.)
• Silent Disco: Head to Reformation Brewery for a silent disco tonight featuring 3 DJs and 100 headphones. The brewery is at 105 Elm St. (8 - 11:30 p.m.)
• Shadowplay: The Blue Ghost Arcade, at 164 Towne Lake Parkway, is going back in time with a night of classic goth, industrial and new wave music. The arcade has a full bar, and admission includes unlimited gaming all night. (10 p.m.)
• MadLife Grill Patio Stage - free shows, no ticket needed
  • Moondog (11 a.m. - 2 p.m.)
  • Levi Ransom (2 - 5 p.m.)
  • Tonewood Jam (5 - 8 p.m.)
  • Moon Juice (8 - 11 p.m.)
• MadLife Stage & Studios
  • A1A - Jimmy Buffett Tribute (7:30 p.m. and 9:55 p.m.)

Sunday, June 25

• Jazzy Sunday Brunch with Rich on Sax: Enjoy the music and brunch at Rootstock, 8558 Main St. (11 a.m. - 2 p.m.)
• Country Sunday with Cody Bolden: Reformation Brewery will have live music; the brewery is located at 105 Elm St. (2 - 5 p.m.)
• "Ordinary Days": The musical tells the story of young adults looking for fulfillment, happiness, love and taxi cabs. The performance is best for ages 14 and up, due to adult themes and language, and will be held at the Woodstock Arts Theatre, 8534 Main St. (2:30 p.m.)
• Screen on the Green - "Soul": The free movie will be showing on The Green, at 113 Elm St. Bring along folding chairs or blankets to get nice and comfy. (3 p.m.)
• Woodstock Arts Video Game Tournament - "Just Dance" 2023 Edition: If you'd like to play, you can save your spot at the link. Spectators are free. The event will be held on The Green downtown, so be sure to bring a folding chair. (6 p.m.)
• MadLife Grill Patio Stage - free shows, no ticket needed
  • Connor Lawley (11 a.m. - 2 p.m.)
  • Jordan Denton (2 - 5 p.m.)
  • Kelly Shareef (5 - 8 p.m.)
• MadLife Stage & Studios
  
  • Big Band Jazz - Performing Jazz Inspired Hits of Pop and Rock Superstars (4 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• The Cherokee County Animal Shelter is holding their weekly adoption event today. The available animals can be seen online here, please follow the instructions found at the link for getting into the "virtual line." Adoption hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and the shelter is located at 1015 Univeter Road in Canton. (Cherokee County Animal Shelter via Facebook)
• If you haven't had a chance to see the "Off the Wall" exhibit at the Reeves House Visual Arts Center, be sure to check it out before it's gone this Sunday. The pieces displayed are made with unique materials, and though hung on the wall, the work exists in the third dimension with the viewer. The gallery is at 734 Reeves St., and the hours are 8 a.m. - 9 p.m. today and 8 a.m. - 7 p.m. tomorrow. (Woodstock Arts)
• For the softball players in town, it's time to sign up for the fall season with Cherokee Recreation & Parks. Registration closes on July 23; you can sign up here. The season starts in August — the men's group plays on Mondays and Wednesdays, the coed group plays on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and the church group plays on Thursdays. (Cherokee Recreation & Parks via Facebook)
• If you'd like to have a hand in the city's future public art, don't forget to complete the city's Public Art Survey. The survey is here, along with the timeline and other project details. (City of Woodstock via Facebook)
• Social Media Specialist A Jackson, Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA): "Save the date for our Veterans career fair on Thursday, June 29 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. at MARTA headquarters, across from Lindbergh Center station. We're offering a $3,000 sign-on bonus for Journeyman Bus Technicians, ET- Radio, and Track Maintainers." (Nextdoor)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured events:

• Sidewalk SALE, Bounce House, Hamburgers & Hot Dogs! (June 24)
• Grand Opening Open House - a Stunning, Lakefront Estate Home on 2 Acres! (June 24)
• God & Country (June 25)
• No Cost Boot Camp 4 Divorcing Women VIRTUAL Workshop (June 26)
• Add your event

Featured job listings:

• Recruiter for Home Care Agency (Details)
• Add your listing

Alrighty, you're all caught up for today. I'll see you soon!

— Nina Lightcap

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Woodstock-Towne Lake Patch newsletter? Contact me at Woodstock@Patch.com