Independence Day in the Chattahoochee Valley offers multiple events to celebrate our great nation with your family and friends. Here's our roundup of the top celebrations happening this year on the 4th of July!
Photos: National Infantry Museum.
FREEDOM FEST
Freedom Fest will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and will be filled with music, kids’ activities, historical reenactments, food, and fun.
FREE ADMISSION:
Admission to Freedom Fest is free. There will be nominal costs for the theater, simulators, food and drink. Donations made on July 4th will go toward Operation NIM Kids, to fund visits to the museum for students from Title 1 schools. The National Infantry Foundation relies on donations to operate the museum and preserve the artifacts that tell the heroic story of the American Infantryman.
ACTIVITIES:
-Interactive demonstrations from the living historians at Historic Westville.
–Treadstone Climbing Gym is bringing a rock climbing wall suitable even for small children.
– The cannon live firings start at 11am. The National Civil War Naval Museum at Port Columbuswill set up a Civil War era campsite. Additional living historians will set up displays inside the museum to allow visitors to touch and learn about both weapons and household items used in our country’s early years.
-All day, kids will enjoy bounce houses, face and hair painting, balloon animals and old fashioned family games.
-Youngsters are invited to dress up their bicycles, tricycles, strollers and wagons – and themselves! – for the Muscogee Moms Pint-Sized Patriots Parade down Heritage Walk at noon. Register onsitethe day of the event at 10:30am at the courtyard entrance. Ages 12 and under.
-At the end of the parade, eyes will turn to the skies as the Silver Wings parachute team jumps onto Inouye Field at 12:30pm.
–The MCoE Band will perform at 10am and 1pm just outside the museum’s rotunda. Large tents will provide seating and shelter from the sun.
–The Giant Screen Theater will be the perfect place to cool off, with free documentaries playing all day long. –Vendors will sell ice cream, barbecue plates, chicken sandwiches, funnel cakes, hot dogs, hamburgers, beer, frozen mocktails and soft drinks. The Fife and Drum Restaurant and Bar as well as the Rally Point Canteen concessions stand will be open for diners who’d rather stay indoors.
AFTER FREEDOM FEST:
The museum’s activities will end at 4 p.m. Festival-goers will be encouraged to head to uptown Columbus or Phenix City for a concert in the riverside amphitheater and fireworks at dark.
MORE TO KNOW:
Security Check: Bags larger than 11” x 6” x 15” are not permitted inside the museum or on the museum campus. Bag checks and wand scans will be conducted to ensure guest safety. Smart bags are prohibited from the museum and the museum campus. Guns, knives and pepper spray are prohibited.
Pet Policy: Pets are not allowed in the museum or on the museum campus, including the stadium. Pets can not be left inside of vehicles on the premises. Please make arrangements for your pets prior to your visit. Certified Service Animals are allowed.
Acceptable Attire: The museum is a family venue and acceptable attire is required for entry. Visitors will not be allowed entry into the museum wearing clothing with profanity or words that disparage individuals or groups based on sex, race or national origin.
Photo: Callaway Gardens
STAR SPANGLED BEACH PARTY AT CALLAWAY GARDENS
It’s an all-out, all-American celebration! At Callaway Resort & Gardens, the July 4th festivities begin early and last well into the night. Enjoy outdoor adventures, beach and watersports, contests, live music, delicious food and drink specials, circus performances, or just take it all in and relax on the shore. End the evening with a bang with our spectacular Annual Fireworks Extravaganza and make it a Fourth to remember.
Highlights include:
Live music
Performances and shows
Food & drink specials
Sandcastle contests
Beach activities including Aqua Island, Flying Trapeze, the Spider Jump, paddle boats, pedal karts, mini-golf, basketball, ping pong, and more*
Fireworks Extravaganza
Schedule for the 2018 4th of July Star Spangled Beach Party
Please note, times and events and subject to change.
9 a.m. Beach Opens 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Signup for Sandcastle Building Competition, Pie Eating Contest, and Cornhole Tournament (at Info Booth, no fee) 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Caricature artist*, balloon artist*, face painting*, Extreme Airballs* 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sandsculpting Building Demonstration. Amateur Sandcastle Building Competition, winner announced at 4 p.m. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Beach Activities: Aqua Island*, Paddle Boats*, Flying Trapeze*, Spider Jump*, Miniature Golf*, Table Tennis*, Shuffleboard, Giant Chess, Roadster Pedal Karts*, Playground, Basketball 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Beach Concessions, Food Vendors Noon to 9:30 p.m. Beach Bar Noon to 5 p.m. Live DJ entertainment 1:30 p.m. Pie Eating Contest 2:30 p.m. Bicycle Stunt Show 3:30 p.m. FSU Flying High Circus Performance 4:30 p.m. Bicycle Stunt Show 5 p.m. Corn-hole Tournament begins 6 p.m. FSU Flying High Circus Performance 7:00 p.m. Az Izz Band Dusk (approx. 9:30 p.m.) Fireworks Extravaganza (Weather Permitting)
*Special Events Admission applies for Day Guests on July 4th. Additional fees on select activities for all guests.
4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION AT THE PHENIX CITY AMPHITHEATER
Join us at the Phenix City Amphitheater for some Fourth of July FUN! Gates open at 4 p.m. EASTERN TIME & Admission is FREE!!
The evening will be filled with live music, a food truck court, and a FIREWORKS show.
LIVE MUSIC featuring: Magnetic Musos, Mango Strange, Pocket Hounds, and Artist at Large Neal Lucas
Fireworks will go off after dark.
4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION AT FLORENCE MARINA STATE PARK
July 4, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Join us for our 4th of July Celebration at Florence Marina State Park. Take a boat ride, compete in our putt-putt tournament, amke your own ice cream, and create your own piece of art. We will offer 3 boat rides at 10:00 am, 1:00 pm, and 3:00 pm. ($5 parking + other event fees will vary.)
PYNE ROAD PARK JULY 4TH CELEBRATION
July 4 @ 10:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
$10 per car.
Troup County Parks & Recreation present the Pyne Road Park July 4th Celebration and Fireworks Show. Gate opens at 10 a.m. Kids Play Zone opens at 4 p.m. Vendors will be present selling food and refreshments. Live music by Eley Road. Fireworks will begin at dark.