Independence Day in the Chattahoochee Valley offers multiple events to celebrate our great nation with your family and friends. We've highlighted our top three choices and included tips and tricks to know about each one. Have family in town or more time off? Check our calendar for more events taking place around the 4th. It's a busy week in town!
Here's our roundup of the top celebrations happening this year on the 4th of July:
#1 : NIM Freedom Fest 2019
Celebrate our nation at the National Infantry Museum on Thursday, July 4, 2019 during the sixth annual community-wide Independence Day celebration.
Freedom Fest will be held from 10a.m. to 4 p.m., and will be filled with music, kids’ activities, historical reenactments, food, and fun.
THE DETAILS
Cost
Admission is FREE! There will be nominal costs for the simulators, food and drink.
2019 Freedom Fest Activities
Demonstrations
-Interactive demonstrations from the living historians at Historic Westville.
– The National Civil War Naval Museum at Port Columbus will set up a Civil War era campsite. The cannon live firings start at 10 a.m. 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.
Just for Kids
–Treadstone Climbing Gym is bringing a rock climbing wall suitable even for small children.
-All day, kids will enjoy bounce houses, face and hair painting, balloon animals and old fashioned family games.
-Oxbow Meadows will also be bringing some scaly friends to play!
The Muscogee Moms Pint-Sized Patriots Parade -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 online now here onsite the day of the event at 10:30am at the courtyard entrance. Ages 12 and under.
The Silver Wings Jump
-At the end of the Pint-Sized Patriots Parade, eyes will turn to the skies as the Silver Wings parachute team jumps onto Inouye Field at 12:30 p.m.
Music & Entertainment
–The MCoE Band will perform at 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. 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 kid movies and documentaries playing all day long.
Food
–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.
More to Know
This event does not include a fireworks show!
Freedom Fest ends 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.
Security
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.
No Pets
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.
Wear 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.
#2 : Phenix City's July 4th Independence Day
Fireworks and Celebration
Head to the Phenix City Amphitheater for some Fourth of July fun. Gates open at 4 p.m. EASTERN TIME.
THE DETAILS
Admission is free.
The evening will be filled with live music, a food truck court, and a fireworks show. Live music featuring: Selwyn Birchwood, Seth Walker, and Neal Lucas.
Fireworks will go off at dark.
Local tip: We recommend going early to grab your seats. This event is very popular, and can easily reach capacity long before it starts to get dark.
Just looking for fireworks?
Though Phenix City is hosting the event there are other great spots to watch along the river as well. Just leave plenty of time to park, walk, and find the perfect spot to enjoy the evening with your crew.
#3: Star Spangled Beach Party at Callaway Gardens
Callaway Gardens hosts its annual all-out, all-American celebration. Enjoy outdoor adventures, beach and water sports, 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.
EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
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 OF EVENTS
Please note, times and events are subject to change.
9 a.m. Garden & Beach Gates Open
9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Sign up for Whipped Cream Pie Eating Contest and Water Balloon Toss (at Info Booth, no fee)
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Face Painting & Extreme Airballs
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sandsculpting Building Demonstration
11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Beach Concessions & Food Vendor (Hours of Operation)
Noon to 9:30 p.m. Beach Bar (Hours of Operation) Noon to 5 p.m. Live DJ entertainment
1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Beach Games & Competitions
1:00 p.m. Whipped Cream Pie Eating Contest (First 25 Children)
2:00 p.m. Parents Vs. Child Tug-O-War
3:00 p.m. Water Balloon Toss (First 50 Pairs)
2:00 to 4:30 p.m. Free Photos with Santa on the Beach (Christmas in July Celebration)
2:30 p.m. Bicycle Stunt Show (Lane 4 in Robin Lake Beach Parking Lot)
3:30 p.m. FSU Flying High Circus Performance
4:30 p.m. Bicycle Stunt Show (Lane 4 in Robin Lake Beach Parking Lot)
6:00 p.m. FSU Flying High Circus Performance
7:00 p.m. Az Izz Band Performance
Dusk (approx. 9:30 p.m.) Fireworks Extravaganza (Weather Permitting)
EVENT POLICIES (found here!)
-Special Events Admission applies for Day Guests on July 4th. Additional fees on select activities for all guests.
-Upon admission to Callaway Resort & Gardens, you will be provided with a special event wristband.
-A limited number of grills are available on the West Beach picnic area near the Ski pavilion. We recommend arriving early, as these grill spots are first-come-first-serve. We do not provide grills.
-Personal fireworks are not permitted onsite.
-Photography is welcomed and encouraged, but drones are not permitted.
-No pets except for service animals.
-Please do not bring personal alcoholic beverages into Callaway Resort & Gardens.
MORE TO KNOW
Need real-time info on the 4th at Callaway? Check this out! Callaway Gardens has a new announcement line you can text all day to receive up-to-date information throughout the day.
No matter where you decide to spend the 4th of July, we hope you enjoy the day with family and friends.
For live coverage of the day's festivities, join us on social media (@thecolumbusite) and tag us for a chance to be featured in our stories that day. Don't forget to celebrate responsibly! ◼︎