NORTHERN GEORGIA

All American Happy Days
Sunday, July 1
Amicalola Falls State Park and Lodge - Dawsonville
Spend your weekend playing old-fashioned games, making patriotic crafts, and enjoying a variety of other activities as we celebrate our nation’s birthday. $3 parking. (706) 265-4703.

Rescuing a Piece of Romantic History
Sunday, July 1 - Tuesday, July 31, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Dahlonega Gold Museum Historic Site - Dahlonega
Sweetheart jewelry, mementos from the Civil War given from soldiers to their loved ones, will be on display during July. This loan from The National Museum of Patriotism is part of the largest collection in the world. $2.50 - $4. (706) 864-2257.

July 4th Guided Hikes
Wednesday, July 4, 8 a.m. - noon
Smithgall Woods Conservation Area and Lodge - Helen
Van rides to park trails will allow visitors to explore the conservation area in a leisurely, informative atmosphere on these guided hikes. Hikes will be offered throughout the morning. Register in advance. $3 parking. (706) 878-3087.

July 4th Mountain Style
Wednesday, July 4, 1 - 9 p.m.
Unicoi State Park and Lodge - Helen
Celebrate Independence Day with games, a horseshoe tournament, watermelon seed spittin’ contest, sack & relay races, dances and more. Please remember sparklers and fireworks are prohibited inside Georgia’s state parks. $3 parking. (800) 573-9659 ext. 305.

Independence Day at Vogel
Wednesday, July 4, 8:30 a.m.
Vogel State Park - Blairsville
Celebrate our independence with a flag-raising ceremony, bicycle parade, paddle boat races, sandcastle building contests, watermelon eating contests, sack races, egg tosses and a greased pole climb. $3 parking. (706) 745-2628.

Tallulah River Band
Saturday, July 7, 7 - 9 p.m.
Tugaloo State Park - Lavonia
Listen to bluegrass near the lake. $3 parking. (706) 356-4362.

Campground Concert Series
Friday, July 13, 8 - 9 p.m.
Friday, July 27, 8 - 9 p.m.
Unicoi State Park and Lodge - Helen
Musicians will perform bluegrass, country, gospel and more in the amphitheater every other Friday night at 8 p.m. “Pass the hat” donations for entertainers welcomed. $3 parking. (800) 573-9659 ext. 305.

Archery
Saturday, July 14, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Smithgall Woods Conservation Area and Lodge - Helen
In this course you will learn a variety of shots while shooting at stationary and moving targets, two very different techniques. Indian and old English styles will be covered. All gear is provided, but bring your own if you have it. Taught by Mark Warren of Medicine Bow Wilderness School. For ages 10 and up. Register by July 1. $45 plus $3 parking. (706) 878-3087.

Youth Fishing Days
Saturday, July 21, 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Smithgall Woods Conservation Area and Lodge - Helen
Children and their special “big person” can fish in one of two ponds, stocked with catfish, bass, and bream. Fish caught in the ponds can be kept, and staff members are available to assist. Bring your own bait, for the rods are provided. Use the Highway 75 entrance to the park. $3 parking. (706) 878-3087.

Civil War Encampment
Saturday, July 21, 10 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Tugaloo State Park - Lavonia
The Ga. 24th Infantry will give visitors a glimpse of what it would have been like during the Civil War, while being set up in the park’s ball field all weekend. $3 parking. (706) 356-4362.

Chief Vann House Days
Saturday, July 28, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Chief Vann House Historic Site - Chatsworth
Local crafters and some from the Appalachian heritage guild demonstrate 19th century weaving, basket making, soap making, shoe making, quilting, spinning, rug making, blacksmithing, storytelling, woodcarving and other southern Appalachian arts and skills. $2.50-$4. (706) 695-2598.

A Tribute to Georgia Authors
Saturday, July 28, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Dahlonega Gold Museum Historic Site - Dahlonega
Meet seven local and statewide authors who will bring their newest releases and older favorites. They will be glad to sign copies and add personal notes. Whitman Publishing will provide door prizes. $2.50 - $4. (706) 864-2257.

Drum-Making Workshop
Saturday, July 28, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Smithgall Woods Conservation Area and Lodge - Helen
Grandfather Yellow Horse Man will tell the story of the drum and patiently instruct participants in constructing a native frame drum. By the end of the day, you will have your own beautiful native drum to take with you. Materials provided. Payment and registration must be received by July 14. Children can also make a drum. $185 for adults/$75 for children plus $3 parking. (706) 878-3087.

SOUTHERN & CENTRAL GEORGIA

Fourth of July Celebration
Sunday, July 1 - Sunday, July 8, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Florence Marina State Park - Omaha
This celebration includes a weekend of fun for the whole family, crafts, boat rides and a watermelon-eating contest. $1 - $2 plus $3 parking. (229) 838-4706.

July 4th Weekend Celebration
Wednesday, July 4, 9:30 - 10 p.m.
Friday, July 6, 2 - 10 p.m.
Saturday, July 7, 10 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Georgia Veterans State Park - Cordele
Fireworks on the Flint on July 4 at dark begins a long weekend of activities including wagon rides and nature activities and crafts. Old-Fashioned Games and a watermelon seed-spitting contest will be held on Saturday at 10 a.m. $1 per program, plus $3 parking. (229) 276-2371.

Ol’ Time 4th at Jarrell Plantation
Wednesday, July 4, 10:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Jarrell Plantation Historic Site - Juliette
A noon reading of the Declaration of Independence is followed by 3-legged race, sack race, egg toss, tug-of-war and old fashioned Independence Day fun. Demonstrations of traditional crafts and skills are ongoing throughout the day. $2.50-$4. (478) 986-5172.

4th of July Fun
Wednesday, July 4, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Thursday, July 5, 3 - 8 p.m.
Friday, July 6, 5 - 8:30 p.m.
Saturday, July 7, noon - 8 p.m.
Little Ocmulgee State Park and Lodge - McRae
Show your patriotic spirit by joining an Independence Day parade, then make an American flag pin, cook marshmallows over a fire, play challenging games and listen to a music concert. $3 parking. (229) 868-7474 ext. 6027.

Fourth of July Celebration
Wednesday, July 4, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Providence Canyon State Park - Lumpkin
Help our country celebrate its birthday by spending the day at Georgia’s Little Grand Canyon. Go on a ranger-led hike followed by fun games that all ages will enjoy. $1 plus $3 parking. (229) 838-6202.

July 4th at Seminole
Tuesday, July 3, 2007 10 a.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Seminole State Park - Bainbridge
Cool off on this park’s lakeside beach, browse arts & crafts booths, listen to live music, then kick back and watch a fireworks show over Lake Seminole. Sponsored by the Lake Seminole Lion’s Club. $3 parking. 229-861-3137.

Astronomy Night
Saturday, July 14, 9 - 11 p.m.
Providence Canyon State Park - Lumpkin
Columbus State University and the Coca-Cola Space Science Center present a slide presentation followed by a viewing of the night sky through telescopes. Visitors may bring their own telescopes for instructions and/or viewing. Providence Canyon offers excellent night-sky viewing without any light pollution. $3 parking. (229) 838-6202.

National Trials Day: Pine Mountain Trail Hike
Saturday, July 21, 10 a.m.
F.D. Roosevelt State Park - Pine Mountain
Join a member of the Pine Mountain Trail Association at the Trading Post Parking Lot for a 4-mile guided hike. www.pinemountaintrail.org. $3 parking. (706) 663-4858.

METRO ATLANTA

Lecture on Preservation of Native American Sites
Saturday, July 7, 2:30 - 4 p.m.
Etowah Indian Mounds Historic Site - Cartersville
An archaeologist will speak on the importance of preserving Native American village sites. $2.50-$4. (770) 387-3747.

Saturday Mountain Hike
Saturday, July 21, 10 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Panola Mountain State Park - Stockbridge
These ranger-led hikes depart from the nature center and are for participants in good physical condition. Register and pay in advance. This program must have at least five hikers or it will be canceled. $5 plus $3 parking. (770) 389-7801.

Bluegrass with Cane Creek
Saturday, July 28, 8 - 9 p.m.
Red Top Mountain State Park and Lodge - Cartersville
You won’t believe your ears when you hear the sounds of this band from South Carolina. They will perform on the front porch of our Vaughn log cabin overlooking Lake Allatoona. Bring a lawn chair and the family, then sit back and listen or get up and dance. Come early for our barbeque buffet at the Mountain Cove Restaurant. $3 parking. (770) 975-0055 or (770) 975-4226.

SAM SHORTLINE EXCURSION TRAIN — in Cordele

DOG Days of Summer - COOL off with Free Ice Cream
Saturday, July 7, 9:30 a.m. - 5:20 p.m.
SAM Shortline Excursion Train, Cordele Depot
Cool yourself with wonderful peanut butter ice cream complements of PLAIN Peanuts in Plains. Bobby and Jean Salter are the owners of PLAIN Peanuts and make the wonderful peanut butter ice cream along with other PEANUTTY delights. Visitors will receive a coupon to redeem upon arrival in Plains. While in Plains, browse President Carter’s campaign museum and an antique mall. Visit the Plains Trading Post to see the latest trading items. A must place to visit is the Plains Inn recently refurbished and tastefully decorated. $12.99-$29.99. http://samshortline.com. 1-877-GA-RAILS.
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