Start celebrating the birth of our nation early this year! Rome-Floyd Parks and Recreation’s Patriotic Party in the Park will take place on Wednesday, July 3, rather than on Independence Day. The department chose to move the festivities a day earlier to avoid traffic conflicts with fireworks at State Mutual Stadium, according to Jim Alred, recreation services manager.
Though the party won’t take place on July 4, community members of all ages will find a variety of festive fun on Wednesday at Ridge Ferry Park. Attendees can expect food vendors, games, inflatables for the kids, two performers and a fireworks show.
“We love the event because it’s a great way to come out and spend the entire day with family and friends and have lots of fun things to do,” Alred said. “You can listen to some great performances and see a phenomenal fireworks show.”
The party will begin at noon on Wednesday. The following schedule from the Parks and Recreation Department website details the events of the party:
12:00 p.m. Gates open
Armuchee Ruritan Car Show
Food vendors will open and inflatable area open
3:00 p.m. Non-food vendors open
4:00 p.m. Game registration begins
5:30 p.m. Hula hoop contest and Corn Hole IN ONE contest
6:00 p.m. Glow necklace sales start (sales of glow necklaces with benefit P&R’s special needs programs)
6:30 p.m. Inflatable area closes
7:00 p.m. Musician Dalton Dover performs
8:10 p.m. Announcements
8:20 p.m. Musician T.J. Cochran performs
9:30 p.m. Patriotic music
9:40 p.m. Presentation of Colors – Rome Fire Honor Guard
9:45 p.m. National Anthem – Candace Beard
9:50 p.m. Fireworks begin
10:10 p.m. Dalton Dover and T.J. Cochran perform
The event will wrap-up at 11 p.m.
Dover and Cochran are both country singers who have performed around the Southeast. Party-goers might recognize Dover as having performed with Blake Shelton’s team on season 16 of NBC’s The Voice. Cochran is well-known in the area for his song “Rome, GA.”
For those planning to attend the event, Alred recommends packing sunscreen, bug spray, water and lawn chairs. Families should pack a change of clothes for children if they plan to play in the inflatable area and splash zone.
“This is a great event,” Alred said. “It’s great to see all of those people out there, having fun.
It’s a fun, festive atmosphere. In my humble opinion, it’s never a bad thing to end a night with fireworks.”
