Reed Bingham plans Independence Day Weekend events

Published 2:08 pm Thursday, June 30, 2016

MOULTRIE, Ga. — Reed Bingham State Park will be hosting an Independence Day Weekend Celebration Saturday, July 2, through Monday, July 4, at the park located on Little River just off Highway 37 on the Colquitt-Cook County line.

Pontoon boat tours will begin the festivities at 11 a.m., noon and 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 2. Pre-registration is required and the cost for the tours will be $8 per adult and $6 for children 12 and under.

On Sunday, July 3, the park will host a watermelon eating contest at 3 p.m. at the stage.

Monday, July 4, is when the park will be holding most of its Independence Day events, starting with a children’s fishing rodeo at 9 a.m. for children 12 and under, along with face painting, cornhole, and volley ball from 9 a.m. to noon at the ball field. An animal program will be held at 1 p.m. at the stage, and a sand castle building contest will take place at 3 p.m. at the beach with a prize for the most elaborate sand castle. The traditional bike parade where kids and visitors are encouraged to decorate their bikes in patriotic themes will close out the weekend celebration starting at 5 p.m. at the buzzards’ roost and ending at the beach pavilion. A prize will be given to the most patriotic bike.

Park Manager Rose West says she is excited about her first Independence Day weekend celebration at the park and hopes to have a good turnout despite concerns of the weather. Some activities, such as the pontoon boat tours or the bike parade, might be postponed or eliminated from the schedule if weather is severe.

There will also be no fireworks display during the celebration.

“Even though fireworks are now legal in Georgia, it is illegal to have fireworks in a Georgia state park, and that includes sparklers,” said West.

The park expects a great turnout if the weather permits and invites everyone to take part in the festivities and cookouts that will be had around the park. There will also be discount park passes for veterans and those active in the military. Veterans and active military personnel are asked to inform park staff of military service to redeem the discount.

For more information contact Reed Bingham State Park at 229-896-3551.