July 4th is just around the corner! Don't miss any of the City of Cumming traditions:

67th Annual Thomas-Mashburn Steam Engine Parade - 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Route is Tribble Gap/Castleberry Road from Forsyth Central High School to the Cumming Fairgrounds (steam engines and Mayor & City Council vehicles enter the parade at Bank of America, and all other entries begin at Forsyth Central High School). Don't miss the antique steam-powered tractors and other community entries in this Independence Day tradition! Parking is available in the two downtown parking decks, at Cumming City Hall, the Cumming Fairgrounds parking lot, and at some private business and church lots along the route. The steam engines are LOUD - bring ear protection, especially for little ones; prepare for the heat - dress coolly, wear sunscreen, and stay hydrated!

Cumming Fairgrounds July 4th Celebration - 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Come out to the Fairgrounds for vendors, food, beverages, live music, activities, and more! Free admission and parking in the Fairgrounds parking lot (no parking allowed inside the grounds). No outside food or beverage allowed.

Fairgrounds Fireworks Spectacular - 9:30 p.m. End your day with our gorgeous fireworks display! Fireworks can be seen all over town, but the best views are the Fairgrounds.

City of Cumming non-essential facilities and departments will be CLOSED in observance of the Independence Day holiday on Friday, July 4th, with the exceptions of the Cumming Aquatic Center and the Cumming Fairgrounds. Additionally, the July Work Session, scheduled for Tuesday, July 1st, has been cancelled.

The Aquatic Center will be open on July 4th from 1-6 p.m. and the Fairgrounds will be open for the July 4th Celebration from 4-10 p.m. Fairgrounds' restroom facilities will also be open during the Thomas-Mashburn Steam Engine Parade from 10 a.m. to approximately 12 p.m.

After the Steam Engine Parade and before the Fairgrounds' Celebration, come cool off at the Cumming Aquatic Center on July 4th! The CAC will be open from 1-6 p.m.

Also this month, the CAC will continue to offer the following summer camps:

• Sharks & Mermaids Camp - Calling all sea explorers from ages 5-10! Get ready to dive into a week of ocean-themed crafts, activities, and aquatic adventures!
• Next Level - Ready to take your skills to the next level? Join Aquatic Center staff to refine swim strokes, build endurance, and increase water confidence with engaging activities in and out of the water!
• Junior Lifeguard Camp - Interested in learning about lifeguarding skills? Ages 11-14 are welcome to join this camp to learn more about what it takes to become a lifeguard. (This course does not provide lifeguard certification.)

On July 7th, registration opens for fall swim lessons. The CAC offers swim lessons for all ages and ability levels. Click here to learn more and to register.

Parents Night Out will be offered on July 18th from 6:30-10:30 p.m. Parents Night Out gives parents an opportunity to drop off their kids (ages 5 to 13) for an evening of swimming, games, and a pizza party! Cost is $24 per child. Click here to learn more and to register.

For more information about the Cumming Aquatic Center, click here or check out the center's Facebook page!

The Annual City of Cumming Memorial Day Ceremony has been featured in a documentary by Atlanta Interfaith Broadcasters (AIB) Network titled "Memorial Day: For Those Who Gave All," a 24-minute program paying tribute to the brave men and women who have given their lives in service to the United States. Through powerful interviews, archival footage, and personal stories from veterans, families, and historians, the film explores the deep meaning of sacrifice, honor, and national remembrance. It reflects on the origins of Memorial Day, highlights moments of courage from different eras of military history, and underscores the enduring impact of those who never returned home. This moving tribute invites viewers to pause, reflect, and honor the legacy of our fallen heroes. Click here to view "Memorial Day: For Those Who Gave All"!

There are still plenty of great summer camps available at the Cumming Recreation & Parks Department! Click here for the Summer Guide. July programs include:

• Art Camps - Drawing & Painting; Oceans; Art Exploration
• Dance Camps - Fairy Princess; Forest Princess; Palace Princess; Tropical Princess; Jazz It Out; Try It Out
• Dance Classes - Twinkle Tots; Ballet/Tap
• Special Interest Camps - Messy Mania; Wacky Water Week; Wild About Critters; Horseback Riding
• Gymnastics Camps - Junior Gym & Swim
• Sports Camps - Boys Basketball

And there are more classes and programs coming up in August! Click here for the August Mini Guide! To register for any Cumming Recreation & Parks programs, go to crpdonline.com.

Dobbs Creek Recreation Center, 1115 Dahlonega Hwy., will be closed from July 28th though Sept. 1st for resurfacing of hardwood basketball courts. The facility will reopen with normal hours on Sept. 2nd. The resurfacing project is a critical maintenance task that is performed every eight to 10 years to ensure the safety and quality of the courts.

During the closure period, Dobbs Creek open gym/play sessions will be suspended. All other Dobbs Creek programs, such as gymnastics and self-defense, will be held at the Cumming Events Center inside the main CPRD facility at 437 Pilgrim Mill Road. All programs and classes normally held at 437 Pilgrim Mill Road will not be impacted by the Dobbs Creek Recreation Center closure.

Anyone with questions about the closure or Dobbs Creek Recreation Membership Pass extensions, should call 770-781-2030. For updates about the closure and other department news, be sure to follow the recreation department's Facebook page or check the department website.

During the Work Session of Mayor & City Council on June 3rd, three new Cumming Police Officers were sworn in and Officer Josh Bagwell received a promotion to the rank of Sargent.

The City of Cumming welcomes Lt. Chris Glowcheski, Officer Chris Jacobson, and Officer Peyton Godden. All of these officers bring previous experience with them to the Cumming Police Department, and Lt. Glowcheski has been added as a member of the CPD command staff.

Sargent Bagwell has almost 10 years with the CPD, and a total of 21 years in law enforcement. Congratulations Sgt. Bagwell!

The first ever Cumming PD Foundation Golf Tournament will be held on August 18th at the Polo Golf & Country Club!

Mark you calendars for this great event raising funds for a great cause: the Cumming PD Foundation. This non-profit, charitable organization helps provide training, equipment, and resources that better prepare and equip Cumming Police Department officers, allowing them to better serve our community.

Cumming PD is proud to partner with event sponsor Bettis and Musgrove LLC. Sign up at the event website today to play or help sponsor the event. Sponsorship opportunities are available ranging from $300 to $5,000, and registration for an individual player is $200.

It's a month of music at the School Street Playhouse, 101 School Street. Check out these great concerts this month:

The Return: Beatles Tribute - July 19th at 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Relive the best of the British Invasion with this tribute to the Beatles!

Billy & The Jets: Ultimate Billy Joel/Elton John Experience - July 26th at 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Come out for the hits of one of music's best duos!

For tickets to either of these great concerts, click here!

City Council Work Session - CANCELLED

Planning & Zoning Board Meeting - July 15th at 5 p.m.

Regular City Council Meeting - July 15th at 6 p.m.

All meetings are open to the public and held in the third-floor Council Chambers at City Hall, 100 Main Street, unless otherwise noted. For all meetings after 5 p.m., please enter through the rear parking lot entrance.

Click here for previous meeting videos.

Click here for City Council Agendas and Minutes.

Click here for Planning & Zoning Board Agendas and Minutes.