TIFTON — The music is ready and the fireworks are set for UGA-Tifton’s Centennial Celebration May 3.

UGA-Tifton is inviting the whole Tift community to visit the campus and enjoy fireworks, music and an ice cream social as part of the final celebration of the campus’ centennial.

The event be held on the campus’ front lawn, facing Moore Highway, beginning at 7 p.m, with fireworks scheduled for approximately 9 p.m.

Clint Thompson, UGA Tifton public relations coordinator, said there will be something for everyone who chooses to attend the event.

“This is our way of getting the faculty, staff and students excited about our campus centennial and incorporate the community too,” Thompson said. “The Tifton community has been incredibly supportive of our campus and the research and education that’s been done here for the past 100 years. We felt it was only appropriate that they be invited to celebrate with us.”

Events are scheduled in celebration all day long Friday, starting at the UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center.

An undergraduate and graduate student poster competition will be held at 8:30 a.m. A formal ceremony at 10:30 a.m. will include U.S. Congressman Austin Scott, UGA President Jere Morehead and Sam Pardue, dean and director of the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

The festivities move to the UGA-Tifton campus, with a dedication service for the new Centennial Garden at 2 p.m. The garden is currently under construction behind the Tift Building in the center of campus but will be ready for the dedication event. The garden was part of the campus’ early era when it was originally known as the Coastal Plain Experiment Station (CPES).

Some of the descendants of Captain H.H. Tift, who was responsible for CPES coming to Tifton in 1919, will be present for the Centennial Garden dedication ceremony.

 The closing evening celebration will start at 7 p.m.

“This whole day is exciting for our campus, the Tifton community and the University of Georgia. We are proud of our 100 years of impact, not only in Georgia but around the world,” Thompson said.