TIFTON — The city’s Fourth of July celebration may come a bit early this year but city officials still plan to give residents a celebration to remember.

With the actual date falling on a Monday, festivities meant to celebrate Independence Day have been moved ahead to Friday, July 1, when multiple events in celebration of the country’s birthday, as well as the City of Tifton, have been scheduled throughout the day.

Beginning at 11 a.m. will be a ceremony to honor recent Medal of Honor recipient Col. Ralph Puckett Jr. in front of the First United Methodist Church.

Puckett, 95, served in the Vietnam and Korean wars, receiving the medal from President Joe Biden specifically for his service during the latter.

Puckett and his wife are expected to attend and be recognized and the ceremony will include remarks from Puckett’s son, Thomas Puckett, and a presentation by Mayor Julie Smith and the members of the Tifton City Council, when they will commemorate the renaming of Victory Drive in Puckett’s honor, city officials said.

Later that evening, residents will have the opportunity to celebrate Independence Day and the 150th birthday of Tifton in one festival with the Rock the Block event.

From 6-10 p.m., residents can visit Downtown Tifton for food and refreshments from various food trucks, games and activities for all ages, including water slides, and live music from the Emerald Empire Band and the Page Brothers Band. 

Once the sun sets, the city will launch a fireworks show to mark both momentous occasions. In addition, birthday cake will be offered as part of the city sesquicentennial celebration.

Both events are free and open to the public. For more information, contact the Tifton-Tift County Tourism Association, (229) 386-0216.