Cochran Chamber & DDA to co-host July 4th extravaganza this Saturday

Cochran is hosting a free Fourth of July event this Saturday with festivities to begin at 5 p.m. 

The Cochran-Bleckley Chamber of Commerce and the Downtown Development Authority are collaborating to bring “Stars, Stripes and Summer Nights” to downtown Cochran.

“Bring your family, your friends and your patriotic spirit,” one flyer read.

According to Chamber President Melissa Barker, the Fourth of July is more than just another holiday.

“Fourth of July is at the core and the basis of…our country and how we get to live our lives,” Barker said. “I just think it’s important we remember… our history, our folks who came before us, where they came from and just embrace that.”

Barker told the TJP she’s mostly looking forward to “seeing kids having a good time and not having to pay for any of it.”

Thanks to sponsorships, the event is almost entirely free with no entry fee into the festival and most of its events. Some sponsors of the event, Barker said, include the City of Cochran, Bleckley County, Ryland Environmental, Daniels Law LLC, Security First Asset Management and the State Bank of Cochran. 

Some of the events planned for the evening include a grill-off, a peach cobbler bake-off, an ice cream making competition for 5th-8th graders, separate bicycle and golf cart parades, a live firework show and a spur-of-the-moment watermelon eating contest. 

The only paid events, according to Baker, are the Liberty Runs at $20 per entrance.

There will also be several kinds of vendors and live music performing throughout the evening, including local band Sons of Midnight.

Though the event officially starts at 5 with the beginning of three different food-based competitions, some will need to arrive beforehand to register or submit items for events they plan to participate in later in the evening.

Officials recommend pre-registering for the food competitions. 

Full Timeline for July Fourth Festivities

5:00 – Ice Cream Making Competition 

The Ice Cream Making Competition asks kids to “Bring their coolest, creamiest, and most patriotic frozen creation” to “compete for fun, prizes, and bragging rights,” according to a flyer.

Competitors must be students entering the 5th through 8th grade in the coming school year.

Bonus points will be given for Georgia Grown Fruits including peaches, apples, strawberries and blueberries.

Winning categories include Most Patriotic Flavor, Crowd Favorite, Best Presentation and Judges’ Choice.

According to the rules, ice cream must be homemade, and contestants should be prepared to provide samples for multiple judges. Individuals and team contestants are accepted.

5:00 – Peach Cobbler Bake-Off 

The Peach Cobbler Bake-Off asks contestants to “show off their sweet side.”

Winning categories include Best Crust, Most Adventurous, Best Flavor and Judges’ Choice.

According to the rules, contestants may only submit home-made peach cobblers prepared on the day of the event and must submit their cobbler by 4:30.

Officials recommend reaching out to the Cochran-Bleckley Chamber of Commerce to pre-register before July 4.

5:00 – Grill Off Competition 

The Grill Off Competition asks contestants to “fire up the flavor,” according to its flyer.

Winning categories are Best Ribs, Best Pork, Best Beef, Most Adventurous, Most Patriotic and Non-Meat.

According to the rules, individuals, families and groups are open to compete, but all foods must be prepared on-site.

Officials are asking contestants to bring their own grill, tools and ingredients. Entries should be submitted by 4:30.

6:00 – Bicycle Parade 

The Bicycle Parade asks contestants to “ride, decorate, and celebrate.”

The route will take contestants all throughout Downtown Cochran.

Winning categories are Most Patriotic, Most Creative, Funniest, Best Group or Family and Judges’ Choice.

According to the rules, walkers and bikers of all ages are welcome but motorized vehicles are not. Officials advise wearing helmets.

Line-up begins at 5:30.

7:00 – Liberty Run 1 Mile Fun Run

The Liberty Run 1 Mile Fun Run is open to all ages.

The fee to enter the race is $20, and participants can expect to receive participation awards at the end of the event.

Registration opens at 6:30.

7:00 – Golf Cart Parade

The Golf Cart Parade asks participants to “ride, decorate, and celebrate.”

During the parade, golf-carters will travel throughout Downtown Cochran in their carts, but walkers are also welcome.

Winning categories include Most Patriotic, Most Creative, Funniest, Best Group or Family and Judges’ Choice.

Besides golf carts, no other motorized vehicles are allowed. Officials “strongly encourage” helmets. Line-up begins at 6:30. 

7:30 – Liberty Run 5K

The Liberty Run 5K is open to all age groups, but there is an entrance fee of $20.

Winning categories include the top three male finishers and the top three female finishers overall. Awards will also be given to the top three male and top three female finishers of each age division.

A “Fly-In” with the Cochran Municipal Airport was also originally scheduled for the evening but was cancelled this past weekend.

On the day of the event, a tent will be propped in downtown for anyone with questions.

For more information about Cochran’s July 4th celebration, chamber officials ask to contact them at (478) 934-2965.