Gather the kids and head to Panola Mountain State Park on Saturday night for their Nocturnal Treetop Excursion. This is a fun opportunity for your kids and you to learn a thing or two about what lives high in the trees. You’ll be aloft in a beautiful 90 foot Southern Red Oak, so if you have a fear of heights this might not be the best activity for you. However, if you can overcome that fear, you’ll be immersed in an interesting eco-system that you otherwise may never have the opportunity to explore. The nocturnal climb will include fluorescent lichen and other glowing critters of the night, as well as stargazing and night climbing activities. You may even get to see a barred owl on the excursion. Be sure to register in advance by calling 770-389-7801 - there is no same day registration. (more…)

Do you know what your plans are for the Fourth of July this weekend? Well, living in Henry County at Heron Bay, you have a unique opportunity right in your backyard. At Nash Farm Park on July 3rd and 4th, you can celebrate at the Georgia Independence Day Festival. With festivities beginning at 3 p.m. and concluding with a fireworks extravaganza at dark, your day will be full of fun for the entire family. Children under the age of 5 are free to get in, and it’s $2 for children 6 - 12 and $5 for adults. This is more than just a typical festival as you and your family will get some history lessons to help understand why the 4th of July is so important to our nation.

By spending the day at Nash Farm Park, it will seem like you were transported back to 1776, with live colonial music and dancing filling the streets. In addition, scenes of the revolution will be on display as will living history lessons, and you will be able to meet our Founding Fathers. The best part about a festival like this is that it makes learning fun, your children won’t even realize they are getting a history lesson. Of course there will be other fun activities not focused entirely on educating, like face painting, a kids zone, shopping, pony rides and plenty of festival foods to satisfy your hunger. And it wouldn’t be a 4th of July celebration without a spectacular fireworks display, so be sure to stay until dark to see the night sky come to life.