Finding Fireworks on the Fourth

Tuesday, July 2, 2019

Tifton, Georgia

478-227-7126 ~ www.tiftongrapevine.com

CELEBRATING

THE FOURTH

FINDING FIREWORKS IN NEARBY LOCATIONS

Thursday is Independence Day , commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776 , which formally separated America's 13 colonies from England and its king .

However, a case can be made that July 2 is the real "Independence Day," for on that day in 1776 , the Continental Congress approved a motion to separate from the motherland and proclaim America as independent . In fact, founding father John Adams believed July 2 would become the "great anniversary festival" of America's birthday.

On July 3 , Adams wrote to his wife Abigail : "The Second Day of July 1776 will be the most memorable Epocha in the History of America . I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated , by succeeding generations as the great anniversary Festival. ... It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade , with Shews (sic), Games, Sports, Guns, Bells , Bonfires and Illuminations ...."

But it was on July 4 when the Continental Congress actually adopted the written declaration . Thus, July 4 became the nation's birthday .

While there are no formal fireworks – or " illuminations " – on July 4 in Tifton this year, here's a rundown of some nearby celebrations :

ALBANY – Outdoor festivities begin at 5 p.m. July 4 , with fireworks to begin about 9:30 p.m. They may be viewed from Riverfront Park, Ray Charles Plaza and the parking lot at the Albany Civic Center.

CORDELE – The Georgia Veterans State Park has its annual all-day celebration . Fireworks are scheduled to begin at 9:30 p.m. , at the park, 2459 U.S. Highway 280 West. Fee required to park onsite: $5 per vehicle .

ENIGMA – July 4 celebration during the day; fireworks begin at dusk, about 9 p.m. , City Park.

FITZGERALD – Annual celebration on Thursday, July 4, starting at 4 p.m. , Paulk Park, 363 Perry House Road. Fireworks start at 9:15 p.m.

HAHIRA – July 4 celebration at the Depot, 220 W. Main St., starting at 3 p.m. with fireworks at 9 p.m.

SYLVESTER – Fireworks Celebration and Concert is on Friday, July 5 , from 6:30-9:30 p.m. at H.H. Woolard Center, 709 W. Wallace St.

THOMASVILLE – Fireworks and Festivities are on July 4, 6:30-9:30 p.m. , Remington Park, 45 Ben Grace Drive. Fireworks start at 9:30 p.m.

VALDOSTA – Fireworks will be Thursday, July 4, starting at 9:25 p.m. from the Valdosta Mall area and can be seen between exits 16 and 18 from I-75 .

CITY RECOGNIZES RETIREES

FROM FIRE DEPARTMENT

During Tifton City Council 's workshop meeting Monday night, council, staff and the Tifton Fire Department recognized recent retirements from the fire department .

Capt. Kevin Smith, Beth Connell and Capt. Tim Cooper (pictured above) represent more than 85 years of combined service to the City of Tifton . They were presented tokens of appreciation for their service .

Fire Chief Bobby Bennett noted that "you can replace a position but you can’t replace the person and the years of experience that they have and the unselfishness that they have demonstrated through the years."

SUNBELT AG EXPO SETS FIELD DAY

The 2019 Sunbelt Ag Expo Field Day is July 25 , and farmers are invited to get practical information from the region’s top agricultural scientists about the latest technologies for farm operations.

The half-day event will take place at the 600-acre Darrell Williams Research Farm , located at the Expo show site at Spence Field in Moultrie . Registration is free for anyone who works in agriculture, and the day starts at 7:45 a.m. with breakfast, followed by quick welcomes from the Georgia Department of Agriculture and Georgia Farm Bureau.

Shuttles will be loaded at 8:30 a.m. to tour the farm; approximately 30 stops are scheduled, with specific time allotted for each stop and crop. Farm Credit will provide water for the tour. Tour shuttles will return to the main building by noon , and Ameris Bank, Agri-Supply Co., and Pennington Seed will provide lunch.

“We have the unique ability to work with university and corporate researchers on our Darrell Williams Research Farm, where we continue to conduct cotton, peanut, corn, soybean and forage research — all aimed at improving the farmer’s bottom line. We look at the latest seed varieties, crop protection methods, soil fertility, irrigation and precision ag technology,” says Chip Blalock , Sunbelt Expo executive director.

UGA researchers, Extension specialists, and ag chemical representatives conduct numerous trials at the Sunbelt farm for all major Southern agronomic crops .

YMCA GIVES SPIRIT AWARD TO McALPIN

The Tiftarea YMCA recently awarded the 2019 Lamar Jackson Spirit Award to Kirsten McAlpin , pictured with Y board member Butch Davis at left and Y CEO Darian Peavy .

The Lamar Jackson Spirit Award , named for the Tiftarea Y's late founder, is given each year to an individual for visionary guidance and service to the Tiftarea YMCA . The Y recognized McAlpin for her service during the Y Christmas event and after-school programs .

"She exemplifies the qualities through her service in helping Tiftarea YMCA

strengthen the Tiftarea community ," the Y said in a statement.

CELEBRATE RECOVERY PROGRAM

CELEBRATING FIRST DECADE

First Baptist Church in Tifton is celebrating 10 years of the Celebrate Recovery program from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday, July 4 .

Celebrate Recovery is a ministry designed to celebrate God's healing power in our lives over any type of hurt, habit or hang-up . Celebrate Recovery works through learning about the eight recovery principles found in the Beatitudes and a Christ-centered "12 step" program .

The program meets every Thursday at First Baptist Church beginning with dinner at 5:45 p.m.

HURRICANE LOANS DEADLINE JULY 15

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is reminding businesses in Georgia that July 15 is the deadline for working capital loans to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives and private nonprofits affected by Hurricane Michael last October .

Low-interest disaster loans are available in several South Georgia counties including Tift, Ben Hill, Berrien, Brooks, Colquitt, Cook, Crisp, Dougherty, Irwin, Lee, Mitchell, Thomas, Turner, Wilcox, and Worth.

Working capital disaster loans up to $2 million are available at 3.675 percent for small businesses , and 2.5 percent for private nonprofit organizations with terms up to 30 years. The loans are intended to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other expenses that could have been paid had the disaster not occurred .

Businesses may obtain information and loan applications by calling the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955 , or by emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov . Loan applications can also be downloaded at sba.gov/disaster

Completed applications should be mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155