This coming week, both Richmond Hill and Pembroke will participate in a statewide celebration of Georgia Cities Week by conducting a number of activities.
The celebration, created by the Georgia Municipal Association, is centered on this year’s theme of "service, style and soul" which aims to highlight the cities’ role in contributing to the state’s quality of life.
"We are very proud of our city and the services we provide that make it attractive to relatives and visitor," said Richmond Hill Mayor Richard Davis of the celebration. "Too often people are unaware of how cities enhance their quality of life and we would like to invite them to come out for these events and learn more about how the government works for them."
Richmond Hill’s events will take place primarily on Saturday. "Arts in the Park," conducted by Arts on the Coast, is the lone event for Friday which will spotlight local dancers and singers from 6-8 p.m.
Next Saturday contains the bulk of events for Richmond Hill’s celebration. The day starts with a fishing derby for kids, conducted by the Fort McAllister Fishing Club, which will feature a wide variety of prizes for kids 2-16.
In conjunction with the cities theme, the Richmond Hill Convention and Visitors Bureau will have an open house from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., with a ribbon cutting at noon, to commemorate the re-opening of the Richmond Hill Historical Society Museum, which now will be known as the Richmond Hill Center.Numerous alterations have been made to the museum which is targeted to be a place to orient Richmond Hill visitors with what to do upon their arrival here.
During the same time as the open house, the Chamber of Commerce will be conducting a Business Expo over at the Rec center on Timber Trail. Numerous businesses will have booths set up to spotlight their products and services.
Rounding out Saturday’s festivities will be talent showcases including a visual local arts display of paintings, photography, sculptures and music at the Wetlands Center from noon-9 p.m.
Also, RHMS and RHHS chorus and band performances will perform from 5-7:30 p.m. at J.F. Gregory Park.
At 4 p.m. in the park, an interactive children’s show will take place.
Pembroke’s Georgia Cities Week festivities will take place throughout the week.
On Tuesday, local business owners are invited to attend a business luncheon from 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m. that will feature guest speaker Ray Snow from the Georgia Department of Economic Development. On Wednesday, local police, fire and EMS will display their vehicles and talk about fire safety at Head Start and Pre-K from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. and for seniors at McFadden Place from 12:30–1 p.m. All seniors are invited to attend the McFadden presentation.
There will be a pizza party for BCMS students on Friday at 2 p.m. as city officials hand out first, second and third place awards for the annual "If I Were Mayor" essay contest.
The main event in Pembroke will be on Saturday for the downtown "Healthy Kids Fair," which is presented by Bryan County Family Connection from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. The fair will feature numerous educational booths, a blow-up playground and numerous activities for children. The festivities will conclude in Pembroke on Sunday at 2 p.m. as Mayor Judy Cook, along with several other local officials, dedicates the park on College Street to former Mayor Woodrow Pickett. Everyone is invited to attend.