CUMMING — Cumming will be continuing its traditional Independence Day celebrations this week, with fireworks on Friday and a parade on Saturday.

The fireworks will begin about 9:30 p.m. Friday at the Cumming Fairgrounds. Dave Horton, director of the fairgrounds, said about 20,000 to 25,000 people go to the fairgrounds each year for the show, although the fireworks are visible elsewhere.

Horton said people will park and tailgate “anywhere there’s asphalt,” with some popular places being the Lakeland Plaza shopping center and along Market Place Boulevard.

“There’s quite a number on the outskirts that never even come in [to the fairgrounds],” Horton said.

The gates to the fairgrounds will open at 6 p.m. Vendors with food and activities will be set up at that time. Admission and parking are free.

The July Fourth fun will continue the next morning with the Thomas-Mashburn Steam Engine Parade.

The parade, a Forsyth County July Fourth tradition, will be passing through downtown Cumming.

The 58th annual procession will begin at 10 a.m., making its way down Tribble Gap Road from Forsyth Central High School to the Cumming Fairgrounds.

Cindy Hansard, one of the parade’s organizers, is the great-granddaughter of its founder, Glen Thomas, who she said collected steam engines and wanted to honor the military on Independence Day.

“[He] got up one Fourth of July morning and decided to ride around the square in honor of all the veterans and celebrate the birthday of America,” Hansard said.

More than a half century later, veterans are still honored each year during the parade.

While the mayor of Cumming, H. Ford Gravitt, and several members of the Cumming City Council lead the procession, veterans are the first to march.

Other participants include local politicians and businesses, church groups and nonprofits.

People riding aboard the floats, steam engines and cars in the parade will be throwing candy to the crowd as the procession passes.

What makes the parade unique, however, are the steam engines.

The machines are a tribute to Forsyth County’s agrarian past, and the parade provides collectors with the opportunity to showcase their engines.

However, the noise can be intimidating for some spectators, said Forsyth County Fire Division Chief Jason Shivers.

“It’s just a loud event, and that’s part of the fun,” he said.

According to Shivers, the noise can be especially frightening for children. He encouraged parade-goers to bring along hearing protection, such as earmuffs or earplugs.

“We’ve been fortunate that in the last few years the weather has been fairly mild,” he said. “But historically, the Fourth of July during the parade is quite hot and humid.

“Considering the heat that we’ve had thus far this year, I think that’s a safe bet that everyone should certainly prepare for a hot and humid parade this Fourth of July.”

Shivers recommended that parade attendees stay hydrated, wear a hat and sunscreen, bring water and eat a full meal beforehand.

Children and the elderly, he said, are especially susceptible to heat-related medical problems.

The fire department, along with other emergency services personnel, will be available during the parade if anyone needs assistance or medical help.

“We always provide good emergency staffing along the parade route,” Shivers said.

Small utility vehicles and a bike team will be stationed along the route and will respond to both in-person inquiries from parade attendees and 911 calls.

Cumming police and the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office will also be present to provide help if needed.

Because of the parade’s popularity, the downtown area can become crowded and congested with pedestrian and vehicle traffic, according to Cumming police.

Officers will be directing traffic and monitoring the area before, during and after the fireworks Friday night and parade Saturday.