Celebrating our Nation’s Independence couldn’t be more fun than joining in a community-wide celebration in the hometown of President Jimmy Carter on Saturday, July 1, with live entertainment by Good Vibrations, a special excursion of the SAM Shortline train, and fireworks set to blow at 9:30pm!

For the second year in a row, the Plains Better Hometown program and the Friends of the Jimmy Carter National Historic Site are proud to bring you Plains, Trains & Fireworks to celebrate the Fourth in Georgia’s Sumter County.  The event will start at 6pm with food, fun, celebration spirits and kids’ activities throughout the evening.
 
With over 3,000 people in attendance for the first year, this Pre-Fourth event in Downtown Plains is one you and your family will not want to miss! Truly a community-wide collaboration, PTFW celebrates the legacy of a hometown that grew a United States President and the homegrown pride of an entire County.  Established as Sumter County’s own Independence Day event, Plains Better Hometown, the Friends of the Jimmy Carter National Historic Site, Americus-Sumter County Tourism, One Sumter, the Sumter County Chamber of Commerce, and the Southwest Georgia Railroad Excursion Authority partnered together to bring you a unique Fourth of July that can only be found in South Georgia.
 
T-shirts will go on-sale in advance at $15.00 each, and food vendors and specialty items will be on sale throughout the night—BBQ, hamburgers and hotdogs for the kids, funnel cakes, popcorn, boiled peanuts, and more will keep your spirits up as you await the fireworks display.  Bungee jumps, face-painting, blow-up bouncy houses, corn hole and more activities will also be available for children of all ages.
 
This year’s event also features a special VIP Area at the Billy Carter Service Station & Museum, which will offer local and regional foods, craft spirits, and the opportunity for a drop-in visit by President Carter and the First Lady.  Advanced tickets are available through the Plains Better Hometown office for $50 each, and are available on a limited, first come basis. A special excursion train of the SAM Shortline is also a unique component of Sumter County’s own Independence Day, bringing guests from all over the U.S. to celebrate in Peanut Country. PTFW culminates in a 12-minute firework display for all to enjoy!
 
Spirits will be sold on-site to the general public.  No outside coolers will be allowed.  Special thanks to the City of Americus and Americus Main Street for providing free shuttle service from the Plains Welcome Center to the event location in Downtown Plains.
 
Plains, Trains and Fireworks promises to be an event for the whole family and a tradition you won’t want to miss! Join us for a Pre-Fourth Independence Day Celebration on Saturday, July 1, in Plains!
 
This event is free and open to the public. For more information about Plains, Trains and Fireworks, please contact Plains Better Hometown Director Ruth Sanders at 229.824.5373.