COVINGTON, Ga. - Are you ready for an unforgettable experience on the Fourth of July? Stay the day and light the night in Downtown Covington. The City of Covington’s Stars and Stripes Fest 2018 presented by JACO Contracting is hosted by Main Street Covington and will feature performances by DJ Kid Tree, Hannah Thomas Band, the Newton County Community Band & Mass Choir, Drive Time Band, and A1A: The Official and Original Jimmy Buffet Tribute Band.

Several activities for kids of all ages will be available such as a rock wall, zip line, large inflatables, spider jump, a dunking booth presented by the Covington Fire Department, a cow train, and a video game trailer. Some of these activities will be available for a fee; however, the event admission is absolutely free. At 4 p.m., there will be a Golf Cart Parade around the Square benefitting the Newton County Special Olympics Equestrian Team.

Food vendors will also be available and will be selling a variety of options such as pizza, hot dogs and hamburgers, seafood, barbeque and sandwiches along with ice cream, shaved ice, and Italian Ice to wash it down. If you have a craving for your favorite Downtown Covington restaurants, they will be open as well as some of the retail stores with special Fourth of July promotions.

JACO Contracting Inc. and Fat Boys Golf Carts will have limited golf cart shuttles throughout downtown as well as a free Trolley Shuttle by Main Street Trolleys. Designated handicap parking will be available at the downtown branch of BB&T which is located at 1134 Clark St. SW as well as the BB&T location on Highway 278. The golf cart pickup and drop off locations will be at both BB&T locations, the Elm St. side of Mayfield’s Ace Hardware, and Morgan Plaza, and the Trolley will be picking up and dropping off at the Highway 278 Synovus location.

Light the night with one of the Southeast’s largest firework displays starting around 9:40 p.m.

Main Street Covington would like to thank a few of our sponsors: The City of Covington, JACO Contracting Inc., McKibbon Music, Newton County Board of Commissioners, High Priority Plumbing Main Street Trolleys, Athens Orthopedic, Piedmont Newton, United Bank, Bulldog Tire, Pinnacle Home Improvement, Newton Federal Bank, and Fat Boys Golf Carts.

Below is a list of frequently asked questions about the event.

Q: What exact time do the kids’ activities and events begin?

A: The event and activities will begin at 3 p.m.

Q: What happens if it rains?

A: Public Safety will make the final call, but if there is a chance of slight showers the event will still take place.

Q: Can we bring a canopy tent to use until the sun goes down?

A: No canopies or tents allowed.

Q: I heard there might be a Veterans portion/ program. If this is correct, what time is it?

A: The veterans will be recognized before the National Anthem around 9:40 p.m.

Q: What suggestions do you have for parking?

A: Park wherever you can legally. We cannot guarantee parking for everyone, just do your best.

Q: Can we use a credit card to purchase the event t-shirts, or is it cash only?

A: The event t-shirts will be given away for free at a first come, first serve basis on the days leading up to the event. Stay tuned on our social media pages to see where the shirts will be given away.

Q: Are you providing snacks or water for free?

A: No, there will be plenty of food vendors selling food and drinks.

Q: Is this a dog-friendly event?

A; Due to the noise of fireworks and volume of people expected we recommend you do not bring your dog.

Q: Can I bring my golf cart to the event?

A: Golf carts will be allowed around the Square until 4:30 p.m. No golf carts will be allowed around the Square after 4:30 p.m. due to the volume of people.

Q: What time will the roads close?

A: The roads will be closed at 6:00 a.m. Please do not park on the Square overnight.

Q: Where are the fireworks being shot from?

A: They will be fired from behind the Historic Courthouse.

Q: Who is going to play music and when will it start?

A: We have a variety of musicians including Hannah Thomas, Drive Time, The Newton County Community Band and Community Mass Choir, and A1A: The Official and Original Jimmy Buffet Tribute Band. We will also have a variety of music from DJ Kid Tree. Music will start at 3:00 p.m. and will continue until about 9:40 p.m. when the National Anthem begins.

Q: Will the activities be on the square?

A; All activities and performances will take place on and around the Square.

Q: Any chance someone could stream it live for those of us who cannot come??

A: We will do our best, but last year we had technical difficulties with the Wi-Fi. We hope we will not run into this again, but we cannot promise anything.

For the most up to date information, please follow Main Street Covington on social media at www.facebook.com/downtowncovintonga or @downtowncovingtonga. Be sure to use the event’s official hashtag #CovGA4th. If you have any questions, please send them to lsingleton@newtonchamber.com.

Main Street Covington is a locally funded non-profit volunteer organization comprised of residents, professionals, and property and business owners. Main Street Covington is committed to doing its part to create an atmosphere in Covington’s downtown / Central Business District (CBD) that encourages a thriving economy.