The Fourth

of July is different things to different people. For some it is a day

of patriotic reflection, while for others it is a day off from work that

should be celebrated with cookouts and fireworks. The wonderful thing

about the holiday is that it can be all of those things and more. Whether

you'd like to stay close to home this July 4 or take the family out of

town, there are plenty of options available.

Anticipation

is running high as Callaway prepares for its traditional Fourth of July

celebration of our country's freedom with the Surf and Sand Spectacular.

What better

way to spend the day than enjoying family-oriented beach activities including

swimming in Robin Lake, playing miniature golf or shuffleboard, picnicking,

riding paddleboats and more. Around 9:30 p.m. a very patriotic fireworks

show will offer the finishing touch for a perfect Fourth of July.

In addition,

children of all ages are sure to be thrilled by the acrobatics of the

Florida State University "Flying High" Circus as they perform

at 3:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. In the evening, you won't want to miss dancing

to the inviting sounds of the Swingin' Medallions at 7:30 p.m.

If you want

a break from the beach, enjoy the many attractions inside The Gardens

at Callaway such as the Cecil B. Day Butterfly Center, the John A. Sibley

Horticultural Center and Mr. Cason's Vegetable Garden.

Two wonderful

programs not to be missed are the "Hunters of the Sky" raptor

exhibit and the live, free flight Birds of Prey program. The first is

inside the Virginia Hand Callaway Discovery Center and the second is just

outside the Discovery Center. By car, bike or on foot, the Gardens offers

a host of activities to keep everyone entertained.

Admission into

the festivities at Robin Lake Beach on July 4th is $15 plus tax for adults

and $7.50 plus tax for children (6-12). Children five and under are admitted

free. Admission into the Gardens is included. The Gardens will be open

from 7 a.m.

Make this a

holiday getaway. The Independence Day Special offers one night in Callaway's

Mountain Creek Inn starting at $95 (rates available for cottages and villas),

admission to The Gardens at Callaway and 50 percent discount on recreation

including hourly bicycle rentals, tennis court fees and tennis equipment

rentals, golf greens fees, fishing boat and fishing equipment rentals,

fly-casting lessons, canoe rentals, skeet, trap, 5-stand and sporting

clays. The nights of July 3 or 5 available for just $85.

This year Callaway

celebrates 50 years of providing ìa place of relaxation, inspiration

and a better understanding of the living world for millions of visitors.

Callaway is committed to continuing its mission of environmental education

and land stewardship for the future.

Callaway is

in Pine Mountain, Ga., 60 minutes southwest of Atlanta and 30 minutes

north of Columbus. For additional information, contact Callaway at 1-800-CALLAWAY

(225-5292) or visit www.callawaygardens.com .

Westville,

Georgia's Working 1850 town, will have a full day of fun scheduled. There

will be fun and games offered at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., including a greased

pole climb, a watermelon seed spitting contest, a sack race and a three

legged race. There will also be an 1850s vintage baseball game featuring

authentic uniforms, rules, equipment and a field. There will also be an

1850s style barbecue at the Kiser House and performances from the Wildwood

Bluegrass band. Westville will mark every hour on the hour with the traditional

"Blowing the Anvil" as visitors eagerly await the booming sound

of the anvil.

Tickets are

$4 for students and $8 for adults. Phone 1-888-733-1850 or visit www.westville.org .

Other options

of course are the local festivities including parades, fireworks displays

and concerts, as well as watching the Atlanta Braves take on the Chicago

Cubs, with fireworks displays after each game or going to watch Men In

Black II at the local movie theater. The Fourth of July can be whatever

you want it to be, so enjoy.

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