It's time to celebrate our nation's birthday, so get together with your family and friends and check out some of the fun in and around Columbus!
There are lots of things going on this weekend including WTVM’s 12th Annual Thunder on the Hooch. This is a fantastic event, drawing over 30,000 people. There are fun activities for kids, free entertainment, lots and lots of yummy food, craft vendors and of course, the spectacular fireworks display. The fireworks will begin after dark, but everything else starts at 5 PM so get there early to enjoy all of the festivities. There is no admission charge to get into Thunder on the Hooch and it is a family event so no alcohol is permitted on site. It’s a safe and exciting way to spend the 4th of July with your family. It takes place on both sides of the Chattahoochee River along the Columbus and Phenix City RiverWalks. (706.494.5400) www.wtvm.com
Now if you really love the 4th of July and want to celebrate as much as you possibly can, then this event is for you. Florence Marina is holding their annual July 4th Celebration this weekend, ALL WEEKEND. The party starts on Friday, July 2 at 10 AM and doesn’t stop until Sunday, July 4th. There are some down times in there because the festivities will actually be on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, from 10 AM to 3 PM each day. There will be games, watermelon-eating contests, and educational boat rides happening throughout each day. Nothing says the 4th of July and summer time more than watermelon, especially if a seed-spitting contest is somehow involved. This is a great way to kick-start your weekend and your 4th of July plans! Florence Marina State Park is located in Omaha, GA, about 45 minutes south of Columbus. Admission is $4 per person and there's a $5 parking pass per vehicle. (229.838.4706) http://gastateparks.org/info/flormarin/
Fort Benning always does the 4th of July up right and this year is no exception. The celebration is actually on Saturday, July 3 (4:00-10:00pm), but that just leaves you more time to do other stuff on the 4th. There will be inflatables for the kids, live music, great food, games and a huge fireworks display. They’ve got tons of music planned, with a DJ kicking things off at 4 PM, followed by Neal Lucas at 5 PM, Pipers Down at 6 PM, Peggy Jenkins at 7:30 PM and Whiskey Bent at 8:45 PM. In between acts, at 7 PM, the Silver Wings, Fort Benning’s Parachute Exhibition Team, will make an appearance. And of course, the fireworks will light up the sky after Whiskey Bent. Everything takes place on Stewart Watson Field on Fort Benning, is open to the public and is free to get in! (706.545.3328) www.benningmwr.com
You don't have to endure hours in the car to get to the beach when you can spend the 4th of July at Callaway Garden's Robin Lake Beach. Enjoy thrilling circus performances, beach games, mini golf, picnicking and swimming. Tap your feet as their beach becomes a dance floor. Grab your beach blanket and take an upward view as they light up the sky with our fabulous fireworks extravaganza on July 4th. 1.800.CALLAWAY www.callawaygardens.com
This may have nothing to do with the 4th of July, but sounds like a lot of fun, especially if you enjoy dressing in costumes! FDR State Park is going back in time this weekend, first with the FDR Car Show on Saturday from 4 PM to 6 PM. It's hosted by Friends of FDR State Park and will benefit the park. Registration is $20 for the first car and $15 for each additional car. Cars will be parked in the field across from Liberty Bell Pool. After the show, get ready to shake your groove thing and maybe throw your back out at the Back to the 50’s Dance. Make your way to the park office amphitheater for a 50’s costume contest, limbo and trivia games. So start digging deep in your closet or attic to find your old poodle skirt, bobby socks and hula hoops! Admission is only $2 for the dance is there is a $5 parking pass required for the state park for each vehicle. (706.663.4858) www.gastateparks.org/info/fdr/
And don't forget, if you've having the gang over for a backyard barbecue over the weekend, head to Market Days on Broadway this Saturday morning from 9:00am-12:00pm and you'll find some of the freshest vegetables and fruits that would be perfect to throw on the grill or make a fabulous dessert! You can also find lots of fresh flowers, baked goods and lots of other yummy stuff, as well as handmade works of art. It all takes place in the 1000 block of Broadway and there's no admission. (706.596.0111)
Enjoy the long holiday weekend…just make it a safe one!
Now go have some fun,
shelby
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