LISTEN: A unique partnership between a Macon bar and local firefighters promotes water safety over the Fourth of July holiday weekend. GPB's Macon intern Lenka Anuraj reports.

Lisa Williams, The Hummingbird’s entertainment and marketing director

Lisa Williams, The Hummingbird’s entertainment and marketing director, poses with one of the life vests to be distributed July 5, 2025, in a Macon giveaway to promote water safety.

Credit: Lenka Anuraj / GPB News

With the Fourth of July weekend approaching, a downtown Macon bar is teaming up with local firefighters to keep families safe on the water.

The Hummingbird Stage and Taproom will host a life vest giveaway on Saturday, July 5, at Amerson River Park, starting at noon. The event is first come, first served, with 200 vests available in a one-size-fits-all design.

The idea began with Float Daze president Robert Jackson, who also happens to host trivia at The Hummingbird. When bar owner Tim Obelgoner asked how he could support the river event, Jackson brought up the need for more life vests.

The Hummingbird then pledged to donate 100 vests. Soon after, the Macon-Bibb County Professional Firefighters Association Local 121 and an anonymous donor stepped in to double the total.

“There’s been a lot of deaths and drownings,” said Lisa Williams, The Hummingbird’s entertainment and marketing director. “Even if you know how to swim, you still need that life vest — because that river’s not as safe as you think it is.”

Williams said the response to the giveaway has been strong, especially after rising water levels postponed the giveaway's original date of Memorial Day weekend.

“I think it was a blessing in disguise,” she said. “That's when it got more traction.”

Any life vests that aren’t picked up during the event will be left at Amerson River Park for public use throughout the summer.

“You support us, you keep us afloat — we want to keep you afloat,” Williams added.

In addition to the donations, the firefighters’ dive team will be on-site to answer safety questions and give advice about floating on the Ocmulgee River. Organizers hope to turn the event into an annual tradition and said they’d like to eventually expand to Lake Tobesofkee, also in Bibb County.

Tags: Georgia  Macon  water safety  Fourth of July