The Fourth of July is a day filled with neighborhood picnics, spectacular firework displays and rousing parades all aimed at remembering what makes this country great. For over 40 years, Atlanta has been answering our nation's call for celebration with the WSB-TV Salute 2 America Parade, billed as the country's largest Independence Day parade.

Actor Victor Jory led the first Salute 2 America Parade down Peachtree Street on July 4, 1961. The theme that year was simple -- patriotism -- and that parade represented the birth of a tradition that has continued ever since.

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The first parade was an outgrowth of a general feeling at WSB-TV and in Atlanta that the state needed a focus for celebrating patriotism. Then-director of special events, Jean Hendrix and former WSB-TV producer Guy Waldron (best known as the creator of the television series "The Dukes of Hazzard") decided it was time North Georgians did a bit of flag waving. And the Fourth of July was a perfect time to celebrate the American spirit.

Hendrix directed 18 of the parades before retiring from WSB-TV/Channel 2 in 1980. For the next 19 years, internationally known parade director Don Whiteley, produced the parade.

Whiteley's company, Argonne Parades, has worked around the world to produce parades and events of all sizes. With his background in television production and promotion, Whiteley increased the scope and size of the parade. Unfortunately, both he and Hendrix died in 1999. His tradition continues with his colleagues, the new owners of Argonne Parades, who work as in-house consultants to WSB-TV.

Over the years, the parade has been led by a number of celebrities, including John Wayne, Raymond Burr, Debbie Reynolds, Bob Hope, Carol Channing, Michael Landon, Rudy Rush, Daniel Rodriguez, George Lopez and Jeff Foxworthy.

On Monday, July 4, 2005, America will once again march down Atlanta's famed Peachtree Street on Independence Day in a star spangled celebration. The parade has continued to grow in popularity and today over 350,000 watch at home while nearly 250,000 spectators come to join in the celebration as gigantic helium-filled balloons, marching bands, celebrities, specialty units and colorful floats create an entertaining tribute to patriotism year after year. It is our chance to celebrate as a community that which binds us together - being an American.

The parade winds through the streets of downtown Atlanta following a 1.2-mile route starting at Peachtree and Baker Streets. It travels down Peachtree St. and turns West on Marietta Street and ends at Marietta Street and Centennial Olympic Park Drive.

The WSB-TV SALUTE 2 AMERICA PARADE steps off on July 4, at 1 p.m. CHANNEL 2 ACTION NEWS coverage begins at noon followed by the Pre-Parade Show at 12:30 p.m.

For more information about the WSB-TV/Channel 2 SALUTE 2 AMERICA PARADE please call the parade hot line at 404-897-7855, visit wsbtv.com or Argonne Parades.

Executive Producer: Art Rogers, Director of Local Programming

Telecast Director: Bob Monti

Parade Coordinator: Argonne Parades – 404-897-7385

Email Address: salute2america@wsbtv.com

Information Hotline: 404-897-7855

Internet resources: wsbtv.com or Argonne Parades

General: WSB-TV/Channel 2 – 404.897.7000