Plan to Celebrate Fourth of July at Mall of Georgia in Buford

Make plans to wear red, white and blue and celebrate the Fourth of July with free concerts, fireworks and a movie at the Mall of Georgia in Buford.

The mall’s 11th Annual Fabulous Fourth celebration Thursday, July 4, offers a full day of activities for the entire family including children’s rides and inflatables, live music, food and beverage concessions, and the largest fireworks display in Gwinnett County, according to a news release issued by the mall.

The festivities start at 2 p.m. in the Kids Zone with family-friendly activities including a bounce house and games of cornhole, water balloon toss, and a duck pond.

An entertaining concert lineup featuring the Brent Gafford Band, the Vintage Boogie Band and The Woody’s will keep the crowd dancing until the fireworks spectacular begins at dusk.

This year’s Independence Day celebration also will feature summer snack favorites including Sweet Monkey Frozen Yogurt, Skip’s Hawaiian Shaved Ice, the Healthy Nut Food Truck, funnel cakes, dippin’ dots, popcorn, cotton candy and more.

Small American flags will be available for $1 with proceeds benefiting the Simon Youth Foundation.

Also, attendees can spin to win prizes at the Prize Wagon. To enter, sign up at the registration table located near the stage beginning at 2 p.m. Winners must be present and claim the prize within 30 minutes after the drawing, or that prize will be added to the next hour’s giveaway. The drawings will take place at the Village Amphitheatre stage at the top of each hour beginning at 3 p.m.

Mall of Georgia has teamed up with the Gwinnett County Fire Department and the Gwinnett Department of Transportation to ensure the safety of celebrants. Because the fireworks display will launch from the Nordstrom overflow lot, some sections of the Nordstrom parking lot will be closed. These areas will be clearly marked, and guests are free to park elsewhere on the mall property. For the easiest entrance and exit, mall management recommends that attendees park in the Dillard’s lot.

And the fun doesn’t end with the last fireworks burst! As part of its Movies Under the Stars series, Mall of Georgia will host a free post-fireworks screening of “Playing for Keeps” (rated PG-13) on a huge 42-foot screen. As always, movie-watchers are encouraged to bring blankets and lawn chairs.

The mall’s 11th Annual Fabulous Fourth celebration is being presented by AutoNation Toyota Mall of Georgia and the Gwinnett Daily Post. Here’s the schedule of activities:

11th Annual Fabulous Fourth at Mall of Georgia
Thursday, July 4

• Kids Zone opens at 2 p.m.
• Free concerts begin at 2 p.m. in the Village Amphitheatre
• Brent Gafford Band: 2-4 p.m.
• Vintage Boogie Band: 4:30-6:30 p.m.
• The Woody’s: 7-9 p.m.
• Fireworks display scheduled to begin at dusk
• Post-fireworks screening of “Playing for Keeps”

The Mall of Georgia is located at 3333 Buford Drive. For more iformation, call 678-482-8788.