This year, the July Fourth holiday was stretched out over the entire weekend with festive events around the state Saturday and today, too.

At the Mall of Georgia in Buford, the holiday fun started Friday night with fireworks and carried over to Saturday morning with inflatable rides and games.

An inflatable slide shaped like the historical Titanic cruise ship, a jungle-themed moon bounce and a water balloon launcher were just some of the entertainment available from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday.

Ken Tyree, the owner of Extreme Fun Inflatables, said he has come to the Mall of Georgia over the last few years, but this weekend marks the first time he will be staying past the holiday.

Tyree said he thinks people will be coming back to the mall to look for fun family activities to fill the long weekend.

"Because of the gas, more people would be staying home on the Fourth and they’d be out here," he said. "Gas prices have increased our business at the mall."

He called events like Saturday’s day of fun at the Mall of Georgia "shopertaining" because kids can play on the inflatables, adults can shop, and the whole family can eat dinner and see a movie at one location.

Regina Shelton said she stumbled upon Saturday’s event Thursday when she was at the Mall of Georgia to see a movie.

Her daughter, Evelyn, saw the signs for the event and wanted to come back.

Evelyn said she was excited to go on all of the rides, but was most looking forward to the one that looked like a jungle.

Though some locals saw Saturday’s event as fun close to home, some people were also at the event from out of town.

Tashon Keller came from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., to visit family in Buford. She thought the event was a nice way to give kids something to do. She said she is looking forward to spending time with her family Sunday at Six Flags.