Today’s Salute To America celebration in Rome is scheduled to culminate with the usual fireworks display at about 9:30 p.m., but there will be plenty for families to do most of the day at Ridge Ferry Park before the big bang.
A special kids’ section will open at noon — $10 per child for an all-day pass — featuring three inflatable waterslides: a wild rapids, a tropical dual slide and a tropical slip and splash.
The Rome-Floyd Parks and Recreation Authority also will be running concession stands for those who don’t want to tote snacks. Hamburgers, hot dogs, popcorn and cotton candy will be among fare for sale by various vendors.
Coolers will be allowed in the park, but alcoholic beverages are banned.
Tiger Flight has agreed to do a flyover. Local rockers KneckDown will be headlining the free pre-fireworks music show.
The public can also view the fireworks from Oak Hill Church of Christ on Martha Berry Boulevard behind the post office.
Click here for our special report about summer activities within driving distance.
The following is a list of area events:
Rome and Floyd County
On Thursday afternoon, GasBuddy.com listed regular unleaded prices in Floyd County between $3.94 and $4.05 per gallon. The National Weather Service is predicting a 30 percent chance of afternoon rain and a high near 89.
CAVE SPRING INDEPENDENCE DAY PARADE: The annual parade will be today at 9 a.m. at the depot on Alabama Street in Cave Spring. You can watch the parade downtown or participate yourself. Walkers are to line up on Alabama Street, and others line up on Perry Farm Road.
BARBECUE AND BRUNSWICK STEW: The American Legion Post 5 will have a barbecue today from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 5 Shorter Ave., serving stew and pork barbecue, slaw and baked beans. Prices start at $2.75 for stew and $3.75 for a sandwich. Also today, the Model Ruritan Club will host a barbecue and Brunswick stew sale from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Shannon Scout Hut.
SWING DANCE PARTY: A swing dance and barbecue will be today at the Rome Civic Center on Jackson Hill from 6:30 to 10 p.m. The event benefits active military units, and donations of travel size hygiene products, magazines, CDs, books and cash to purchase phones cards will be accepted from noon to 3:30 p.m. in the parking lot for those not attending the night event. Tickets are $25 per person and may be purchased at HairStory Salon by calling 706-204-8523.
FOURTH OF JULY JAMFEST: Join Bluegrass enthusiasts for a jam session at the Armuchee Music Club, 899 Turkey Mountain Road, today and Saturday. The event has no set hours. One $5 payment gets you in all three days. Feel free to bring outside food and drinks, but no alcohol.
FIRST FRIDAY CONCERT: Southern blues rocker Tinsley Ellis will headline at the First Friday Concert at Bridgepoint Plaza. A bike ride-in is also scheduled, where motorcyclists are asked to bring their bikes to the concert to be displayed. Inflatables and a rock climbing wall will be available for kids.The festivities start at Bridgepoint Plaza at 5 p.m. today. Music will begin at 7 p.m. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs. Admission is free but there will be a charge for concessions as well as the inflatables and rock climbing wall.
FIRST FRIDAY DANCE: The First Friday Dance will be today from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Senior Adult Recreation Center, 1325 Kingston Road. Admission is $5. For more information call 770-684-4661.
Gordon County
On Thursday, GasBuddy.com listed regular unleaded prices in Gordon at $3.95 per gallon. The National Weather Service is predicting a 30 percent chance of afternoon rain and a high near 88.
FAIRMOUNT KIWANIS CLUB FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION: The event will be today from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Fairmount city park. It will feature live entertainment, a variety of vendors, games, face painting and food. Also, The Fairmount Library will hold a used book sale. Call 706-602-2551 for more information.
CALHOUN STAR-SPANGLED CELEBRATION: Gates open at 5 p.m. today for the event, which will be at Northwest Georgia Regional Fairgrounds on Ga. 53 just west of Calhoun. Activities will get underway at 6 p.m., including a kids play area, two stages of entertainment, food vendors and a fireworks show that begins at dark.
Bartow County
On Thursday afternoon, GasBuddy.com listed regular unleaded prices in Bartow County between $3.97 and $4.02 per gallon. The National Weather Service is predicting a 20 percent chance of afternoon rain and a high near 87.
BARNSLEY GARDENS LAWN PARTY: Barnsley Gardens, located in Adairsville on Barnsley Gardens Road, off Hall Station Road, will hold an Indpendence Day Lawn Party from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. today. Roman Jon Byrd is scheduled to perform, and a parade starts at 4 p.m.
INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION AT RED TOP MOUNTAIN: Join a ranger for a guided hike to learn about nocturnal animals, starting about half an hour after dark. Throughout the weekend there will be Roving Rangers offering impromptu nature programs in the park. On Saturday there will be a guided Iron Mine Hike. A bluegrass performance will be at 8 p.m. at the Vaughan Log Cabin behind the lodge. Visitors to Red Top Mountain State Park must display a $3 park pass admission per vehicle; available at the For morei nformation call 770-975-4226.
STARS, STRIPES & CARTERSVILLE: The event starts with a parade on Main Street at 9 a.m. That is followed by arts and crafts, entertainment, food, and children’s games and activities beginning at 10 a.m. At 8 p.m. there will be a free concert, followed by a fireworks display.
Walker County and Catoosa County
On Thursday afternoon, GasBuddy.com listed regular unleaded prices in Walker and Catoosa counties between $3.81 and $3.90 per gallon. The National Weather Service is predicting a 30 percent chance of afternoon rain and a high near 89.
LAFAYETTE FREEDOM FESTIVAL: The LaFayette Freedom Festival will be today from 5 to 11 p.m. The free festival will be at the municipal park on South Main Street, next to the golf course. Performers include the Jeff Treece Band, Robby Hopkins and Down to Earth and The Rockerz. Fireworks will begin about 9:30 p.m. An old timer’s baseball game begins at 7 p.m. and the pool will be open for a free swim from 7 to 9 p.m.
INDEPENDENCE DAY BARBECUE: Hinkle Park, 148 Hinkle Community Road, Lookout Mountain, will have an Independence Day Barbecue today from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. There will be barbecue plates for $5, which includes meat, bread, slaw, beans and a pickle.
LAKE WINNEPESAUKAH FIREWORKS: Lake Winnepesaukah will light up the sky with fireworks at 10 p.m. today. All guests under 18 must be accompanied by a guest age 18 or older and must purchase either a combination $5 gate admission and $12 value strip of ride tickets or $5 gate admission and $21 unlimited ride pass. Guests 18 or older may choose a $5 gate admission only but must pay to ride. For more information, call 877-LAKEWIN or visit them online at www.lakewinnie.com.
CHICKAMAUGA BATTLEFIELD EVENTS: Today through Sunday, Chickamauga Battlefield will host several history-themed events. At 6:30 p.m. today, historian Richard Manion will lead a walking and driving tour that will tell the stories of artillery and the mounted service during the Battle of Chickamauga. At 10:30 a.m. Saturday, a park ranger will lead a walking and driving tour that will discuss the actions of Lt. George Van Pelt’s 1st Michigan Battery. On Sunday at 1:30 p.m., join a park ranger on a walking tour that will discuss the reasons why Kentucky soldiers, both Union and Confederate, were motivated to enlist and fight in the Civil War. Also, author Richard A. Baumgartner will be at the park each day from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. to sign copies of his Civl War books. For more information call 706-866-9241, extension 123.
Cherokee County, Ala.
FIREWORKS: Pruett’s Fish Camp, 5360 County Road 22 in Centre, Ala., will have its annual Fourth of July fireworks show over Weiss Lake beginning at 9 p.m. today. JR’s Marina, 1800 County Road 102, will have fireworks at 9 p.m. Saturday.
