July 4, 2005
Cordele - Many south Georgians spent the day celebrating the holiday at the lake. Hundreds of picnickers, swimmers, campers and boaters packed Lake Blackshear. For many, it's just not the Fourth of July without family and friends.
The Fourth of July fun started early for some families, like the Johnson's who grabbed a prime waterfront spot around 6:00AM. "We wanted to get here first and get the best spot."
By ten, park-goers started lighting up the grills. "We're cooking some ribs, chicken, and hot dogs today," said Alvin Beal, of Cordele.
Mouth-watering menus, and each chef with a secret to success. "I just try to cook it good and slow. You don't want to cook it too fast and burn it up," said Beal.
"Plenty of seasoning, and let it soak and marinate in it a little while," said a member of the Walker family. For 15 years, the Walker Family, of Desoto, has united on Independence Day. Some members come from as far away as New York and Washington State.
"We don't have a family reunion, we have a family day. We all still get together, and we love to eat so we're always cooking."
After lunch, it was time to hit the water.
"We've been wake boarding and going on the jet ski," said Laura Chase. "My uncle he drives me around and it's fun," added her cousin Caleb McKenney.
But whether you asked water-soaked kids or hard-grilling adults, most said it's not the food or freedom from work that makes this holiday so great, but rather a chance to spend a day with the people who matter most - family!
posted at 6:40PM by news@walb.com
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