Independence Day activities on tap

By Anastasia Harbuck

Published: June 25, 2008

No one in Barbour and Quitman counties should complain that there’s nothing to do this July 4th weekend.
Events and activities in Eufaula and west Georgia offer fun and entertainment to all those celebrating Independence Day.

Eufaula’s fifth annual Gospel Sing and Fireworks Celebration will be held July 4 at Lakepoint State Park and Resort near the tennis courts. The event will begin at 6 p.m. with an opening prayer by event coordinator Cindy Hagler.

The event will feature performances by several local musicians. Performers will include:
* Jesse Haggerty, 6:05-6:15 p.m.
* Beth Dansby, 6:15-6:25 p.m.
* Sydney Dowing, 6:25-6:35 p.m.
* Sisters Annointed, 6:35-6:45 p.m.
* Susan Parmer, 6:45-6:55 p.m.
* Becca Trammell, 6:55-7:05 p.m.
* Legacy Trio, 7:05-8 p.m.
* James Brown Trio, 8-9 p.m.

The event’s fireworks display begins at 9 p.m. Participants are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets and insect repellent. CDs by Legacy Trio and James Brown Trio will also be available for purchase.
“It’s a time when our community can come together and enjoy an evening packed with great entertainment,” says Hagler. “Come early to get a front row seat in the grassy area.”

The Eufaula Kiwanis Club will hold an Independence Day cookout at Fendall Hall July 4 from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. The club will offer pork loin roast for $15 and sandwich plates including a pork loin sandwich, chips and a cookie or brownie for $6.
Deborah Casey of the Eufaula Kiwanis Club said that all money raised from the cookout will benefit the club’s variety of projects to benefit city children. She adds that pre-order tickets are preferred. To order tickets for the cookout, call Casey at 695-5302 or purchase tickets from any Kiwanis Club member.
Casey said that a drive thru will be available.
“We offered these (plates) at Indian Summer,” she says. “Everybody seems to really like them … they freeze beautifully.”

George T. Bagby State Park and Lodge will celebrate Independence Day weekend starting Thursday, July 3, with crafts at 2 p.m. in the Coleman Conference Room followed by a wildlife movie at 4 p.m.
On July 4, Bagby will hold family movie-time at 4 p.m. featuring free popcorn and juice for children. The park will also host a nature hike at 8 p.m.
“The hike will end behind the lodge,” says Interpretive Ranger Brenda Jones. “Which is the perfect spot to see the Lions Club fireworks display. This 45-minute display is spectacular!”
Park fun continues July 5, with a watermelon-eating contest at 2 p.m. and games like a water balloon toss and sponge relay and sack races.
On Sunday, July 6, Bagby will hold a carnival in the Coleman Conference Room which will include an ice cream social, face painting and games.
Independence Day weekend activities at Bagby are free except for the ice cream social. Visitors must pay a $3 per vehicle pass to enter the park. George T. Bagby State Park and Lodge is located four miles north of Ft. Gaines off Georgia Highway 39. For more information, call Jones at (229) 768-2571.

Historic Westville in Lumpkin, Ga. will celebrate Independence Day July 4, with sack races, hoop rolling, a fiddle competition and a greased pole climb with a cash reward, says Debbie Pope of Westville.
Admission to Westville is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors, military and college students with ID and $4 for children. Westville is open 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Tuesday - Saturday.
For more information on Westville activities, contact Pope at 1-888-733-1850.

The Ft. Gaines Lions Club chickenque and Firecracker Festival is an Independence Day tradition, says Rebecca Duke-Barton of Ft. Gaines. The chickenque will be held July 4, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. on Georgia Highway 39 near the Corps of Engineers office in Ft. Gaines.
Chicken plates including chicken barbecue, potato salad, cole slaw, pound cake and bread will be $6.50 and chicken halves will be $5.50. For information on the chickenque, contact Roland Tomlinson at (229) 641-3457.
A car show sponsored by the Lions Club is also on tap for July 4, at 10 a.m. Three trophies will be awarded to the winning cars at 1 p.m. Participants in the car show must pay a $25 entry fee which includes two meals. For more information on the car show, call Garth Duke-Barton at (229) 768-2049.
Fireworks will begin 35 minutes after sundown. Duke-Barton reminds viewers that donations for the fireworks will be accepted.
“There are good viewing areas on both sides of the lake,” says Duke-Barton. “It’s definitely worth seeing.”

Providence Canyon State Park will hold a guided hike July 4 from 1-4 p.m. beginning at the interpretive center. The park will also hold a water balloon toss following the hike to cool everybody off, says Park Manager Joy Joyner.
A $3 park pass is required per vehicle at Providence Canyon plus $1 per person to participate in the hike and water balloon toss.

Florence Marina State Park will hold its Independence Day celebration July 4-6 from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Activities will include an educational pontoon boat ride, games, reptile shows featuring snakes, turtles and alligators, crafts and movies.
A $1-3 fee will be charged for the boat program and crafts plus a $3 park pass for all vehicles. For more information call Trena Evans at (229) 838-4706.
Florence Marina is located on Highway 39C in Omaha, Ga.