16th Annual July 4th BBQ 2009

GAINESVILLE - An estimated 7,000 people turned out this Fourth of July Saturday for the 16th Annual Memorial Park Funeral Home BBQ for public service workers and the public.

The annual event honors area law officers and fire fighters, and Hall County Sheriff's Deputy Sgt. Steve Carey said this year it was especially welcome.

“It gives everybody the opportunity for everybody to get together and forget the worries and the troubles of the economy for a moment,” Carey said.

Fred Mulkey and The Back Porch Band provided the music as July Fourth visitors feasted on BBQ chicken, pork and watermelon.

They also heard from Ninth District Congressional candidates including Gordon County State Representative Tom Graves and former State Department of Transportation Board Chairman Mike Evans, who made speeches and worked the crowd. Both men are seeking to fill the Republican Congressional seat to be vacated by Nathan Deal, who is running for governor.

NEW WAY TO HELP

A new way to help the families of Gainesville-Hall County public safety workers was announced at the BBQ.

Gold Shield Fund committee member Cheryl Vandiver said the fund benefits those families when they need help the most, and planning for the effort has been underway for about two years.

“This committee raises money to establish funds to help the families of those who have lost someone in law enforcement or fire fighting or who have been injured,” Vandiver said.

Vandiver said fund contributions could be made to the North Georgia Community Foundation, which issues grants to the families.