Families looking for a summer getaway packed with rides, water attractions, live entertainment and patriotic celebrations will find plenty to enjoy at Wild Adventures Theme Park in Valdosta, Georgia, as the park expands its annual Celebrate America Festival into a three-week event honoring America’s 250th anniversary.

Running from June 20 through July 12, the festival combines fireworks, concerts, special performances and military appreciation with everything the 170-acre destination already offers, including roller coasters, animal exhibits and Splash Island Waterpark.

“Celebrate America is our way of giving back to the brave men and women who serve our country and providing families with a place to come together and celebrate,” said Asher Raymond, public relations specialist for Wild Adventures. “This year, the event has been extended for an extra week to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, extending the opportunity for even more patriotic fun to families across the region.”

Free Admission for Military Members

One of the festival’s biggest highlights is its military appreciation program. In partnership with Georgia Power, all active-duty military personnel, retired service members, disabled veterans and honorably discharged veterans can receive free admission throughout the entire festival from June 20 through July 12.

Eligible guests simply need to present a valid military ID or DD Form 214 at the park entrance. No advance registration is required.

The extended offer gives military families multiple opportunities to enjoy the park’s attractions, concerts and waterpark experiences during the summer season.

Country Music Takes Center Stage

Celebrate America begins June 20 with a concert featuring country music acts Parmalee and LOCASH at the Wild Adventures LIVE! Amphitheater. The performance starts at 8 p.m. and will feature many of the groups’ most recognizable hits, including “Take My Name” and “I Love This Life.”

The following week, country star Travis Tritt headlines the amphitheater on June 27 at 8 p.m. Guests can spend the day enjoying rides and attractions before ending the evening with classics such as “It’s a Great Day to Be Alive” and “Anymore.”

General admission to both concerts is included with park admission and season passes. Guests looking for an upgraded experience can purchase reserved seating in advance, with discounted pricing available for passholders.

Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular

The patriotic celebration reaches its peak on July 4 when the Celebrate America Fireworks Spectacular lights up the night sky.

Scheduled for 9 p.m., the show will feature a choreographed display set to patriotic music designed to honor America’s history and recognize the sacrifices of those who have served in the military.

For many visitors, the fireworks display serves as the centerpiece of the festival and provides a memorable finale to a day spent at the park.

Harlem Globetrotters Return to Wild Adventures

From July 10 through July 12, the festival wraps up with the return of the Original Harlem Globetrotters.

Known for combining elite basketball skills with comedy and audience interaction, the performances feature fan favorites Bulldog, Ace and Wham alongside the iconic mascot Globie. The Trick Shots & Challenges show includes high-energy entertainment, impressive basketball stunts and family-friendly fun.

Guests can also enhance the experience through the Magic Pass pre-show event, which offers opportunities to meet the players, participate in basketball activities and collect autographs and photos.

More Than a Theme Park

The timing of Celebrate America gives visitors an opportunity to experience everything Wild Adventures has to offer during the height of summer travel season.

Located just off Interstate 75 between Atlanta and Orlando, Wild Adventures combines more than 35 rides with hundreds of exotic animals and the Splash Island Waterpark. The waterpark has earned national recognition, including being ranked among the Top 30 Waterparks by U.S. News & World Report. Its Paradise River attraction was also named America’s Best Lazy River by USA Today’s 10Best readers.

The park has also been recognized by Travel + Leisure as one of the most affordable theme parks in America and was named Georgia’s most thrilling theme park by FinanceBuzz.

For families planning multiple visits, Wild Adventures is promoting several admission options, including a Summer Fun Card that provides unlimited admission through Sept. 7 and 2026 Season Passes that include access to upcoming seasonal events such as Great Pumpkin LumiNights and Christmas Wild & Bright.

With fireworks, concerts, military appreciation, basketball entertainment and waterpark adventures all included in one extended celebration, Wild Adventures is positioning Celebrate America Festival as one of the Southeast’s largest patriotic theme park events of the summer.

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(Photos courtesy Wild Adventures)