July Fourth celebrations are slated in Pembroke and Richmond Hill and at Fort McAllister State Park and Fort Stewart, so get the red white and blue ready for ringing in Independence Day.
The city of Pembroke will celebrate early by hosting the 3rd Infantry Division Band from Fort Stewart at 6:30 p.m. today at First Baptist Church. The band will provide patriotic tunes, and after the concert, be sure to enjoy the picnic where hot dogs, watermelon and ice cream can be found.
The program will begin with opening remarks from 1st District Congressman Jack Kingston, R-Ga. Reserved seating will be available for military families and the disabled.
Next up, the city of Richmond Hill will host its July Fourth celebration Saturday in J.F. Gregory Park. The festivities of “Richmond Hill Salutes the Red, White and Blue” will begin at 5 p.m. and conclude at 10 p.m. after the fireworks display.
The event will feature live music by the Paris Luna band on the amphitheater stage, and a variety of food and drink choices will be available. The event will take place rain or shine, and admission to the entertainment and celebration is free.
On Monday, Fort McAllister State Historic Park will host an Independence Day program from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The program will include cannon and musket firings, old-fashioned games like sack races, egg tosses, wheel barrow races and Civil War-style baseball.
Be sure to pack a lunch, but save room for ice-cold watermelon because there will also be a seed spitting contest. The cost of the event is $5 for adults and $3.50 for children.
At Fort Stewart’s celebration, “Worth Fighting For,” active-duty soldiers and their families can enjoy a wide variety of events.
The weekend begins Friday with a golf scramble at Taylors Creek Golf Course and also includes a cannon salute Sunday.
Monday at Fort Stewart will boast most of the activities, including food, kids’ activities, Grammy-winning performers in concert and fireworks.
Kids’ activities include the popular Disc-Connected K9’s Frisbee dog show and Sam’s Path Petting Zoo. Other family activities include a turbo slide, trampoline jump, mechanical bull, balloon artist and much more.
Then at 6 p.m. Monday, American Idol winner Fantasia Barrino will open for the Zac Brown Band, who will take the stage at 7:30 p.m. Following the concert will be a fireworks display.
As a reminder, leave all pets and coolers at home for the day. Cameras, video cameras tents and beach umbrellas are prohibited at the concert.
For more information and a schedule of Fort Stewart events, visit www.stewartmwr.com.