GEORGE - For the Georgettes, preparations for this year's Fourth of July celebration in George started early.

About a dozen Georgettes gathered at Quincy High School Tuesday evening to start baking the large cherry pie that will be served at the town's Independence Day celebration Thursday.

Debby Kooy, one of the organizers, said the dessert fills an eight-foot-square pie pan. The pie pan is about 10 inches deep, she added.

Besides the crust and filling, the Georgettes have to bake more than 50 letters and shapes that will decorate the pie, said Kooy.

Georgette member Violet Pearl, of Quincy, said it will take many hands and hours to assemble the pie from start to finish.

But it's a task that's well worth it, she said.

"It's awesome, this is my first year helping with the pie and I'm excited," said Pearl.

Although this is her first year in the Georgettes, Pearl said it isn't her first encounter with the cherry pie.

"I've been to George's Fourth of July event every year," she said. "So I've had it before."

She also said baking the traditional dessert is a part of her family's history. Her father Lonnie Durfee used to help assemble the pie many years ago, said Pearl.

"He used to do it when they used a brick oven in George," she said. "He told me he came today to supervise me."

Kooy said the Georgettes will put the final touches on the pie at 7 a.m. Thursday. The pie will be served to the public at noon at the Rotary Pie Pavilion, she said.

Fourth of July kicks off in George with a breakfast from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the George Community Hall, located at 403 W. Montmorency Blvd.

Registration for the annual Cherry Bomb Run begins at 7:30 a.m. at the George Community Park. The run starts at 8:30 a.m. this year.

Registration and lineup for the annual parade begins at 9 a.m. at the parking lot of the old Martha Inn. The parade begins at 10 a.m.

Food booths also open at 10 a.m.

The freedom bell will be rung at 11 a.m. and members of the VFW post will raise the flag at that time as well.

Children's game booths open at 11:15 a.m.

The Stars, Bars and Classic Cars car show goes all day until 3 p.m.

Entertainment starts at 11:30 a.m. and includes the Line Dancing Grannies, the Kathy Boyd and Phoenix Rising Band, A Wee Bit Celtic, Rise and Shine Cloggers, Los Vega, and the Darnell Scott Band, among other groups.

Fireworks begin at dusk.