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Bryan County offering several ways to celebrate the Fourth
july 4 fireworks

A community picnic, a car show, live entertainment, historical re-enactments and, of course, fireworks are among the ways America’s independence will be celebrated around Bryan County.

The city of Pembroke will host a patriotic picnic and concert on July 1 and the city of Richmond Hill will have its Independence Day celebration on July 3. On the Fourth of July, the Richmond Hill Historical Society and Museum will host Star Spangled Cars and Coffee, and Fort McAllister will have its old-fashioned Independence Day celebration.

The fifth annual patriotic picnic and concert Wednesday is free to the public at First Baptist Church, 169 Church St. in Pembroke. The picnic, at 5:30 p.m., will be followed by a concert at 7 by members of the 3rd Infantry Division Band from Fort Stewart.

“This will be the fifth year that we’ve done this community-wide celebrating the Fourth with the 3rd on the 1st,” Pembroke Mayor Mary Warnell said.

Special guests will include U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter, R-Ga.; state Sen. Ben Watson, R-Savannah; and state Rep. Jan Tankersley, R-Brooklet. The picnic and concert will be held indoors rather than out in the anticipated hot weather.

The 3rd ID Band enjoys giving the concert as much as the community enjoys attending it, according to Warnell. The number of band members who perform varies from year to year based on deployments, she added.

“I saw one of them just recently at an event, and she had just gotten back,” Warnell said. “She said, ‘We’re looking forward to July 1!’”

Because the city will provide the food and drinks for the picnic, RSVPs are requested by Monday to 653-4413 or mayor@pembrokega.net.

Another free event is set for two nights later, as the city of Richmond Hill will host its annual Independence Day celebration July 3 at J.F. Gregory Park from 5-9:30 p.m.

The festivities will include live music by The Fundamentals, family fishing, inflatable water slides for the kids, face painting, a farmers’ market and a variety of food and arts and crafts vendors. The grand finale will be the fireworks display at approximately 9 p.m.

“We enjoy doing it, and we try to make it a little bigger and better each year and add something to it,” said assistant city clerk and event organizer Linda Blankenship.

The new additions this year include a couple of mechanical, carnival-type rides and a visit from animal expert Trapper Jack Douglas, Blankenship said. The live music, water rides and fireworks will be free of charge, and tickets can be purchased for the mechanical rides.

Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets or chairs to watch the live entertainment and fireworks, as well as a change of clothes for kids who plan to enjoy the water slides. Coolers will be permitted.

For more information, go to richmondhill-ga.gov or call 756-3345.

“I do have some booths available for those last-minute vendors,” Blankenship said.

On the Fourth of July,the Richmond Hill Historical Society and Museum will host Star Spangled Cars and Coffee from 9-11 a.m. at the museum.

The showcase of rare and antique cars will be free of charge. Visitors can tour the Richmond Hill History Museum, and coffee and ice cream will be available for purchase.

For more information, go to www.richmondhillmuseum.com or call Art Thumwood at 756-3697.

Also that day, Fort McAllister will “celebrate like it's 1864” with its old-fashioned Independence Day celebration from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The activities will include living-history demonstrations and cannon and musket firings, along with plenty of games and food. Admission is $8 per adult and $5 per child ages 6-17.

For more information, call 727-2339.

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