FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: AUGUST 15, 2025
TIFTON, Ga. – The new stage construction in Fulwood Park continues to progress as excitement for future events and festivals builds in Tifton.
The new stage is expected to be finalized and first utilized by La Fiesta Del Pueblo on September 27, 2025. An official ribbon cutting to celebrate the community stage’s completion will be held at 6:00PM on November 7, 2025 by the Downtown Tifton Main Street program and the Tifton-Tift County Tourism Board. This ribbon cutting will include a free community concert featuring the Velcro Pygmies.
The rebuild of the Fulwood Park stage is a joint effort by the City of Tifton and the Tifton-Tift County Tourism Board. Funding for the project was provided by both entities. This project was sent through the formal bid process and was advertised as accepting bids on both the City of Tifton website and the Georgia Procurement Registry on November 21, 2024.
Larry Lawrence, Tifton’s Interim City Manager and Chief Financial Officer states, “The stage was budgeted for $500,000, with the City using $250,000 from Hotel/Motel tax funds and ARPA grant funds designated for improvements to public parks. The Tifton-Tift County Tourism Board budgeted $250,000 from Tourism Product Development funds that are designated for Tourism infrastructure projects that generate tourism.”
“The Fulwood Park stage construction includes more than a stand-alone stage. Approximately $60,000 of the total project cost is allocated to electrical work that will allow for more sound and light capabilities for artists. Plus, there are additional costs for an engineered ramp, loading dock, and sidewalks around the stage area to allow for guests and citizens to safely access and enjoy the shows,” Lawrence notes.
Lawrence reminds citizens that the Fulwood Park stage project was not funded by the General Fund or Property Taxes. Lawrence adds, “Only one bid was received for the project for $555,172.63, which was 11% more than the originally budgeted amount. Although we were disappointed that only one bid was received, the decision was made to move forward, as the future enjoyment of our citizens and expected benefits to our community with increased tourism far outweighed the additional 11% cost.”
Lawrence also notes on the cost, “One unforeseen change from the original plan was that we couldn’t use the existing stage foundation because it was not structurally sound.”
Lawrence mentions that the City understands the rigorous licensing and bonding requirements for General Contractors to work on government projects, but hopes more companies will utilize the bidding process on future undertakings.
Tifton City leaders act and make decisions that are in accordance with the best interest of citizens and the prosperity of our community. The City of Tifton ensures that Hotel/Motel Tax and ARPA Grant dollars are spent thoughtfully on quality projects that serve the Tifton community, promote and attract tourism and growth to the area, and will last for years to come.
The new stage will allow for many future community events, concerts, and festivals, with expanded possibilities of events and gatherings on the horizon. Private dressing rooms and bathrooms nearby have been upgraded to provide the necessary facilities required for concert events.
The City bidding process on projects is open to all General Contractors, suppliers, or service providers that are bonded and insured and available projects are posted to the Tifton City website’s Bid Opportunities page as well as the Georgia Procurement Registry.
Any interested contractor, supplier, or service provider can sign-up to receive notifications of future bid opportunities on the City website. For questions about posted projects, interested contractors can call the Tifton City Clerk’s office at (229) 391-3940.
The City of Tifton’s vision is to continuously grow a safe and thriving community by providing progressive city services delivered with integrity and friendliness. Tifton’s mission is to strive to exceed the expectations of our community, our employees, and our friends. To learn more about the City of Tifton, please visit www.Tifton.net.
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