Friday is the 4th of July, and most offices will be shut down for the day as Americans celebrate our independence from Britain in a variety of ways. Most traditional is a backyard barbecue all afternoon, maybe a parade, followed that night by a fireworks show. And in this area, you have plenty of fireworks to choose from.

Nashville will have an all day event with games, activities and entertainment, followed by fireworks in the evening, as will the city of Enigma.

And of course, Valdosta will host its fireworks show as usual with the best viewing from the Norman Drive area by Sams Club.

Also this year, as an added bonus, Wild Adventures will be hosting a fireworks display both Friday and Saturday nights, the 4th and the 5th, put on by the folks who also do the show at Stone Mountain. It should be a pretty spectacular event. The park’s new owners have access to a variety of resources from the other parks they own or manage, and we’re fortunate to be able to benefit.

So if you’re looking for a fireworks show this weekend, you have lots of choices all around the area. Just stay safe.

Business Roundup

Two new restaurants opened their doors for business this week. The Pita Pit opened on Baytree Road near the university, offering a variety of sandwiches and other items with added features such as longer hours to cater to the college crowd.

Also, the new Maryland Fried Chicken restaurant opened. It’s located on N. Ashley Street where the Shark’s Tail restaurant and the Whataburger used to be.

And it looks like I made a new exit on the interstate last week, without meaning to. I said Martin’s Famous Pastry Shoppe, the new Pennsylvania baker coming to town, is being built off Exit 12, but there isn’t an Exit 12. However, there IS an Exit 13, and that is where their building is located. It’s more commonly known as the Wild Adventures exit, or the airport exit, but it’s definitely 13.

Passage 2 India is coming along and should be open in the next couple of weeks, and the newly remodeled Sonnys on Norman Drive shouldn’t be too far away from reopening after their fire earlier this year.

The new Smokin’ Pig barbecue restaurant is also moving along well and should be open sometime in July.

The new Wingate hotel by the conference center is holding its ribbon cutting in about two weeks, and the new Hilton Inn on Gornto shouldn’t be too far behind. Apparently their new sign will be able to be seen from quite a distance.

Unfortunately, it looks like Emma’s Fine Foods on Gornto across from the movie theatre is closed.

I was out of town for several days this week, so I apologize for not having more information on what’s coming, but I promise to be caught up next week. In the meantime, if there’s something I missed, please let me know!