Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness

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Good morning, Spalding County!

Well, we made it. Two hundred and fifty years of the United States of America.

When you really stop and think about it, that is remarkable. In the long sweep of history, 250 years is not very old. There are countries, kingdoms, empires, and civilizations that stretch much farther back than we do. But what makes America so extraordinary is not just how long we have lasted. It is what we were founded on.

We broke away from the most powerful empire in the world and built a nation around a promise: “that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

We have not always lived up to those words perfectly. No country made up of imperfect people ever could. But for two and a half centuries, those words have remained the measuring stick. They have challenged us, corrected us, inspired us, and reminded us what this country is supposed to be. That is a rare thing. A nation built not around a king, a bloodline, a dictator, or a ruling party, but around an idea. An idea that our rights do not come from government, but from God. An idea that liberty is worth defending. An idea that ordinary people should have a say in the future of their country.

How beautiful is that? And how blessed are we to call it home?

- Chad

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THE DIGEST

Griffin Begins Rewrite of Development Rules

The City of Griffin has started the process of rewriting the rules that guide local development, zoning, and long-term growth. A new request for proposals asks consultants to help rewrite the city’s Unified Development Code first, then update the 2023-2043 Comprehensive Plan. The code work would include a review of zoning districts, overlay districts, the land-use map, development fees, public outreach, and how Griffin handles growth in both established neighborhoods and future development areas. Proposals are due Aug. 7. The comprehensive plan update must be completed and adopted by Oct. 31, 2028. It may sound like inside-baseball city planning, but these documents help shape what gets built, where it goes, and how Griffin grows over the next several years.

Downtown Griffin Playground Ribbon Cutting Set for July 8

A ribbon cutting for the new Downtown Griffin Playground is scheduled for Wednesday, July 8, at 143 North Hill Street. The event is being held with the City of Griffin, the Griffin-Spalding Chamber of Commerce, and the Rotary Club of Griffin. The playground is located in downtown Griffin and adds a public play space near the city’s central business district. The ribbon cutting will formally mark the completion of the project and recognize the local groups involved. The ceremony is part of the Chamber’s ribbon cutting calendar, which highlights new businesses, completed projects, and community additions around Griffin and Spalding County. The playground site is expected to serve families visiting downtown for shopping, dining, events, and other activities.

Spalding County Aquatic Center Hosts First GRPA District Swim Meet

Spalding County Leisure Services hosted its first Georgia Recreation and Park Association district swim meet Saturday at the Spalding County Aquatic Center. The event brought swimmers from Spalding County, Clayton County, and South Fulton to Griffin for a day of individual and relay competition. A total of 54 young swimmers competed, with performances determining who would advance to the upcoming GRPA state swim meet. Parents, coaches, volunteers, and recreation staff filled the aquatic center as swimmers worked through the day’s events. For Spalding County, the meet marked a new use for the aquatic center as a regional competition site. It also gave local swimmers a chance to qualify for state without having to leave the county.

DUMP SCHEDULE

Monday & Thursday: Carver (610 Carver Rd) and Woodroof (4245 Old Atlanta Rd) 11am-7pm

Tuesday & Friday: Blalock (5756 Newnan Rd) and Cabin (3865 Jackson Rd)
11am-7pm

Saturday: All centers open 7am-1pm (plus Akin for bulky items only)

Sunday & Wednesday: Closed

Got big stuff? The Akin Collection Center (841 S McDonough Rd) is for bulky items only—no regular household garbage. Open Saturdays 7am-1pm.

All centers closed on county holidays.

WHAT’S HAPPENIN’

FRIDAY

Griffin Farmer’s Market 2026
When: Friday, July 3, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
What: The weekly Griffin Farmer’s Market is back at the Kiwanis Fairgrounds with local produce, honey, boiled peanuts, and other seasonal finds. It is a simple Friday morning stop for anyone wanting to shop local, pick up something fresh before the holiday weekend, or get out before the afternoon heat settles in.
Where: Kiwanis Fairgrounds, 1025 South Hill Street, Griffin, GA 30224

Skyler Saufley Trio - Blues
When: Friday, July 3, 8:00 PM
What: Nic McKay’s Irish Pub is bringing in the Skyler Saufley Trio for a Friday night blues set downtown. It’s a good pick for anyone looking for live music, a laid-back pub atmosphere, and an easy way to start the weekend close to home.
Where: Nic McKay’s Irish Pub, 133 South Hill Street, Griffin, GA 30223

🇺🇸 SATURDAY 🇺🇸

Griffin-Spalding Independence Day Parade & Celebration
When: Saturday, July 4, 10:00 AM – Fireworks at dark
What: Griffin and Spalding County will mark Independence Day with a downtown parade at 10:00 AM, followed by a community birthday party at the Park at Sixth with free birthday cake and entertainment. The day is part of the larger celebration of America’s 250th anniversary and Spalding County’s 175th anniversary. Fireworks are planned for dark, launching from Orrs Elementary School and visible along the 1941 Corridor. Volunteer Park will not be available for viewing because of ongoing construction.
Where: Downtown Griffin, 100 South Hill Street, Griffin, GA 30223; Park at Sixth, 204 East Solomon Street, Griffin, GA 30223

Spalding County’s Star Spangled Scavenger Hunt
When: Saturday, July 4 – Sunday, July 5, All day
What: Spalding County’s Star Spangled Scavenger Hunt begins this weekend and continues through July 11. Hidden globes will be placed around county parks, giving families a simple outdoor activity to fold into the holiday weekend. This is a good fit for kids, walkers, and anyone who wants a low-pressure way to explore local parks during the weeklong celebration.
Where: Spalding County parks, various locations, Spalding County, GA

WEATHER

FRIDAY

95° 🌡️ 74° | 🌤️ | 0% | E 5 mph

SATURDAY

95° 🌡️ 75° | ☀️ | 0% | Calm

SUNDAY

95° 🌡️ 73° | ⛈️ | 20% | Calm

THANKS!

Thanks for reading today’s Griffin Grapevine.

Two hundred and fifty years is worth celebrating. Not because America has been perfect, but because the idea at the center of it is still beautiful. A free people, given rights by God, entrusted with the responsibility to govern themselves, build their communities, raise their families, speak their minds, worship freely, and pass something better on to the next generation.

So enjoy the weekend, Griffin. Be safe, stay cool, drink plenty of water, wave the flag, and take a moment to be thankful for the country we get to call ours.

Happy Independence Day!