There's no shortage of great winter festivals in Georgia, and one of the best is the Blue Ridge Fire and Ice Festival. This event combines a variety of fun attractions: chili, beer, and ice sculptures! It's a unique event that is perfect for shaking off the post-holiday blues that sometimes hit before spring gets a chance to roll around. This season's event is scheduled for February 18, 2023. Blue Ridge is a wonderful small town for a day trip or weekend adventure and this is sure to be a fun event that's great for the entire family to enjoy.
The 2023 Fire and Ice Chili Cook Off is the 12th annual event. It takes place a few days after Valentine's Day and makes for a great couple's activity, or family outing.
After you've warmed up with the chili, it's time to enjoy the "ice" portion of the festival. Throughout the festival hours of 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., professional ice carvers will be carving ice sculptures in the park.
We're big fans of rail excursions here at Only In Georgia, and, luckily, there's plenty of train rides in Georgia to enjoy! Whether you're looking for a fall foliage ride or want to check out some of the state's most charming small towns, there's a rail adventure for everyone in the Peach State. The ride we're featuring today is certain to draw quite a bit of interest: it's the SAM Shortline's Wine and Cheese Train. This fantastic train ride near Americus, GA is perfect for those seeking a fun and unique activity to enjoy in South Georgia. SAM Shortline schedules these rides throughout the year, with the next one scheduled for Saturday, October 5, 2024.
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Americus is a charming town with quite a bit of history. It got its start as a small town, but rapidly grew when the railroad came here.
Today, it's a sizable city with a population of around 16,000, but its historic district and abundance of local businesses makes it feel smaller than it is.
This wine train in Georgia starts at the Americus train station.
For more information about the SAM Shortline Wine and Cheese Train near Americus, GA, check out the SAM Shortline Railroad website or SAM Shortline Facebook page. Tickets should go on sale soon, so mark your calendars!
Looking for more fun tours in Georgia to experience? Viator has plenty of fun offerings!
Summer in Georgia is a fun time from Memorial Day through Labor Day, but a highlight for many Peach State residents is witnessing all the great Fourth of July fireworks shows in Georgia. Wondering, "Where can I watch fireworks near me?" From our mountains down to our coast, and even in our smallest towns, you can find wonderful Independence Day celebrations that are a blast for the entire family. Here are a few of the fireworks shows in Georgia we're most looking forward to in 2024:
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1. Savannah's Waterfront Independence Day Celebration: Savannah
This event in Savannah always features some of the best fireworks in Georgia. This year's event is scheduled for July 4, 2024. It's completely free, and metered parking will not be enforced, so you don't even have to worry about paying for street parking! The 3rd Infantry Division Band will be playing at the Rousakis Riverfront Plaza at 6:30 pm. There will also be a free concert by the Fabulous Equinox Orchestra from 7:00 to 10:00 pm at Eastern Wharf. The fireworks will begin around 9:30 pm and last for about 20 minutes. They'll be shot off from a barge in the middle of the river near the Savannah Convention Center, and you can enjoy great views from much of River Street.
2. 4th of July Fireworks: Tybee Island
The other big fireworks show near Savannah, GA takes place on Tybee Island. This year's event will take place on July 4, 2024, with the fireworks starting around 9:15 pm. They're shot from the Tybee Pier and Pavilion, and you can enjoy a good view from much of the surrounding area. Note that traffic coming into Tybee Island can be a nightmare, to say the least, so make sure to leave early if you're coming from Savannah proper.
3. July 4th Fireworks Celebration 2024 at Six Flags Over Georgia: Austell
The fireworks at Six Flags are always among the best in the Peach State, and the best part about them is they occur over several nights. This year's celebration is scheduled nightly from July 3 to 6, 2024, with the fireworks occurring at dusk. You'll be able to see them from just about anywhere in the park, but the METROPOLIS area tends to have the best views.
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4. Fantastic Fourth Celebration: Stone Mountain
Another popular fireworks show near Atlanta is the Fantastic Fourth Celebration at Stone Mountain Park. You can catch this year's event on July 1-2, 2024, from 11:30 am to 9:00 pm and July 3-7, 2024, from 10:30 am to 9:00 pm. The drone show and fireworks begin at 9:30 pm. Tickets are required, but you can just purchase a Light Show-only ticket if you're not interested in the rest of the festivities. There's a lot to enjoy at this beautiful park, including hikes and special summer entertainment through the Summer At The Rock series.
5. Fort Eisenhower's Independence Celebration: Augusta
The Fort Eisenhower Independence Celebration is set to be a pretty big event this year at Barton Field. The affair takes place on July 3, 2024 from 6:00 to 11:00 pm at Barton Field in Augusta. There will be food vendors, fireworks, a kiddie carnival with rides and attractions, and live entertainment from national acts Lonestar and Chris Cagle. The fireworks will begin at 9:45 pm, and the event is free and open to the public.
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6. Annual Independence Day Celebration: Macon
If you're looking for one of the biggest fireworks shows in Middle Georgia, you'll find it at Macon's Annual Independence Day Celebration. This year's event is scheduled for July 3, 2024, from 6:00 to 9:00 pm at the Macon County Fairgrounds.
7. Callaway Resort & Gardens Star Spangled Beach Party: Pine Mountain
It's no surprise that Callaway Gardens puts on an excellent Fourth of July show. The Star Spangled Beach Party lasts from July 4 to July 6, 2024, on the shores of Robin Lake Beach. You can enjoy putt-putt, paddle boarding, a floating obstacle course, and water slides, then finish up each night with a beautiful fireworks display. Tickets can be purchased at the Callaway Resort & Gardens website.
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8. St. Simons Sunshine Festival: St. Simons Island
Enjoy some of the best fireworks in the Golden Isles at the St. Simons Sunshine Festival, held each weekend to celebrate the 4th of July. The festival begins at 10:00 am on July 4, 2024, and ends with a fireworks show at Neptune Park around 9:00 pm. Admission and parking are free.
9. Lake Chatuge Boat Parade and Fireworks: Hiawassee
The Lake Chatuge Boat Parade is one of the state's most unique 4th of July celebrations. The parade begins at 10:30 am on July 4, 2024. Prizes are awarded for the most creatively-decorated boats. Spectators can watch the parade for free from the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds, Old Towns County Recreation Center, or Anderson Bridge.
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Come back later in the evening to the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds to catch live music beginning at 6:30 pm. The fireworks start at approximately 9:45 pm.
10. Independence Day Celebration: Warner Robins
Another huge fireworks show in Middle Georgia takes place in Warner Robins. This year's celebration is scheduled for June 29, 2024, at the McConnell Talbert Stadium parking lot, and you can expect an entire evening of fun starting at 6:00 pm. There will be more than 20 food trucks on hand, plus kids' activities like face painting and balloon animals. Live performances by Jefferson Starship and Scott Stapp (lead singer of Creed) will take place, and the night will end with an epic fireworks show. The entire event is free.
One thing to keep in mind at this time of year is how dangerous setting off fireworks at home can be. More than 10,000 people are injured by fireworks annually. Don't become a statistic: opt to go see one of these great professional fireworks shows in Georgia instead!
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While fireworks are set off after the sun sets, many people start their Independence Day celebrations earlier in the day, often with fun in the sun, like barbecuing, picnics, or swimming. Make sure to apply sunscreen so you're protected from the sun's harmful rays. I love Sun Bum from REI because it's gentle on the skin, non-greasy, and not tested on animals.
