Celebrate America with fireworks at Rock Ranch

Folks can break out their favorite stars and stripes T-shirts a week early this year, thanks to the Celebrate America event at the Rock Ranch. Happening Saturday, attending the event will extend your Fourth of July fireworks fun!

“This will be the 17th year we’ve hosted this event,” said Adam Pugh, director of business development for the Rock Ranch. “We’ve always done it the Saturday before the Fourth of July. This year, it falls on June 25. It is a day of family fun, good food and fireworks.”

Admission to the Rock Ranch, which is a beautiful 1,500 acre cattle ranch, is $12 per person, plus tax. Gates open at 2 p.m.

“Folks are invited to come and play all day,” Pugh said. “They can enjoy everything from zip lines, pony rides, locomotive trains, carousel, pedal carts, paddle boats, Tiny Town Children’s Village, cane pole fishing and, of course, there is a big concert at the end of the night with huge fireworks.”

The Rock Ranch is a working farm, and folks can pick raspberries and blueberries. There are concessions selling Chick-fil-A and other food. Plus, there’s a full farmers’ market with fresh fruits and vegetables, jams, jellies and honey.

“Fireworks begin after dark. There will be live music and magic shows throughout the day, too. It’s a cool festival atmosphere. Families come out and have a good time, which is the whole point,” Pugh said. “Truitt Cathy bought the Rock Ranch in 1989 to create foster homes for kids, but we have evolved to be a place for everyone’s family. Our motto is ‘Growing Healthy Families.’ This is a great, fun, family-friendly event. All of the shows are appropriate for all ages.”

People who just want to attend the evening festivities can come in at $25 per car after 6 p.m. The band 4U2C will be on stage at 8:30 p.m. and plays a mixture of music from pop to jazz to blues.

Pugh said the fireworks show after dark is one of the best he’s ever seen.

“I worked at Walt Disney World and have seen a lot of fireworks, but the thing that makes it so breathtaking here is that it’s dark, really dark, with no light pollution. The fireworks are vibrant and reflect over a pond, which is like getting twice the fireworks. It’s just a really awesome show. There is nothing to get in the way,” he said.

The Rock Ranch is about 45 minutes from Macon.

“It’s not far to have to travel, and it’s worth the drive,” Pugh said.

This story was originally published June 22, 2016 at 2:00 PM with the headline "Celebrate America with fireworks at Rock Ranch."