Break out the red, white, and blue on July 1 when visitors can celebrate their patriotic pride at the Wiregrass Freedom Festival at the Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College Georgia Museum of Agriculture.
Ride the 1914 Vulcan Steam Train into the Historic Village and enjoy numerous entertaining games and contests representative of the Wiregrass region of Georgia during the early 20th century.
All ages can enjoy traditional baseball, watermelon samples, and challenge their historic vocabulary knowledge with trivia in the Wiregrass School House. Guests can enjoy cane pole fishing in the Grist Mill Pond. Victorian-era paper firework crafts will add to the atmosphere.
New this year is a watermelon decorating contest! Contest rules require watermelons to be decorated offsite and brought to the Museum for entry. More information on contest rules can be found at https://gma.abac.edu/watermelon-decorating/. Watermelons can be submitted on Friday, June 30 from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. or Saturday, July 1 from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at the welcome desk inside the Main Museum located adjacent to I-75. Winners will be announced at 1:00 p.m. on the Museum’s Facebook page.
The action-packed list of activities begins at 9 a.m. and continues until 4 p.m. at the Museum, located just off I-75 in Tifton.
Museum Director Garrett Boone said “The event will highlight the history of America as we celebrate our great nation through fun, educational, and unique activities for the whole family. Celebrate the holiday with old-fashioned fun in the Historic Village.”
Cool off with a slice of watermelon at the Cravey House or a hand-dipped ice cream from the Drug Store. Enjoy other sweet treats from Cole’s Cakery and Wilma’s Place when you visit the Tift House Lawn. Guests can break from fun in the sun at two comfort stations complete with shade and water.
The Wiregrass Farmers Market will also be open for visitors. Local growers and producers will be offering fresh-picked produce from 9 a.m. until noon as well as hand-made goods for sale at the Market located under the pole barn behind the Country Store.
Admission for the day is $12 for adults, $10 for senior citizens, $8 for children 5–16 years of age, and free for children four and under. For more information, interested persons can contact the Museum at (229) 391-5205.