Athens This Weekend: September 20 - 22

Autumn is almost here in Athens, Georgia! If you're heading to the Classic City this weekend, get ready to enjoy your last weekend of summer with some fun events! The 21st annual Insect-ival is coming on Saturday, not to mention so is UGA football, and so much more! If you're looking for something fun to do this weekend, look no further! Athens, Georgia has all you need to celebrate the end of Summer and kick-off fall just right!

This Saturday marks the 21st Annual Insect-ival at the Sate Botanical Gardens of Georgia. This is the perfect family festival, so bring the kids and get closer than ever before to all sorts of creepy-crawlies! There will be roach and beetle races, discovery stations, a puppet show and, of course, lots of live insects! You're also not going to want to miss the live butterfly release at 11 a.m.; the image of dozens of butterflies flapping their wings above your head is one your kids will never forget! Click here for more information!

The UGA Bulldogs are taking on the North Texas Mean Green this Saturday at Sanford Stadium! The Dawgs are coming off a bye week after their big win against South Carolina two weeks ago, so they should be fully rested and ready to take another win. If you've never experienced a Saturday in Athens on football game days, then you don't know what you're missing! And if you have, then you know that there is nothing comparable to spending the day with nearly 100,000 of your closest friends cheering on the Dawgs to a victory! Come out to Sanford Stadium this Saturday for the 12:21 p.m. kickoff! For everything else you need to know about UGA Football in Athens, click here!

After you've been celebrating the Dawgs' victory over North Texas, Bloody Mary Athens Food Tours is the perfect way to cure the post-game hangover! The tour includes stops at four favorite Downtown Bloody Mary locations with food - and drink- along the way. Athens Food Tours visits only locally owned, preferably locally sourced establishments. Bloody Mary tours are only offered the Sunday after UGA home football games, so catch one while you can. With only 5 a year, these tours sell out fast so make sure to reserve your spot well in advance! To book your tour or for more information, click here!

Football is finally back in Athens this weekend! With North Texas this Saturday, and a huge game against LSU after that, the Dawgs and their fans are taking over the city! Make sure to have your plans set before it's too late! For everything you need to know UGA football, including where to park, where to stay, or what to eat, check out visitathensga.com/football!

With so much going on this weekend in the Classic City, it's sure to be one you won't forget! With the UGA football game, the Insect-ival, and a Bloody Mary Tour through locally owned restaurants, there are so many opportunities to appreciate the uniqueness of Athens, Georgia. Get out with your friends and family, and explore this amazing city! Be safe, have fun, and GO DAWGS!

Athens This Weekend: September 6 - 8

Another weekend is fast approaching and with so many fun things to do you need to make your plans now to ensure you won't be missing out! With an abundance of live music and the first UGA football home game, there's no shortage of fun things to do in the Classic City! There is something for everyone so grab your friends, get out and explore all that Athens, Georgia has to offer!

If you haven't heard of Corey Smith, you need to make your way over to the Classic Center on Friday night to see what all the fuss is about! His 2011 single, "Twenty-One", put him on the country music map and led him straight into the hearts of all Athenians. Growing up right outside of Athens, his love for UGA and the Classic City is at the forefront of his music and to see him live in the city where he grew up is really an experience you don't want to miss! The show starts at 8 p.m. and there are still some tickets left but don't wait too long because it's sure to be a sell-out! Find tickets and more information here!

You can also head over to Lyndon House Arts Center this Friday night 7 - 10 p.m. to pair some tasty new beer with some inspiring short films! New Belgium Brewing, the maker of Fat Tire Amber Ale and many other award-winning brews, is bringing the Clips Beer and Film Tour to Athens once again and if you haven't experienced it before, you're not going to want to miss out on this! It is a national beer and film festival where guests can try beers from New Belgium's Lips of Faith series, along with some popular classics, and screen short films made by New Belgium fans. This year you can see films on mastering the technique of dice rolling, the quest for the ultimate full moon shot, a duel to be the hippest hipster, and home brewing in a small New York City apartment. Admission is free so if you're looking for something new to do with friends that doesn't break the bank, you can find more information on this exciting opportunity here!

It's hereeee! It's finally here! Football has finally made its way to Athens, Georgia! For everyone who bleeds red and black, this is the greatest time of year. Saturday at 4:30 p.m., the Georgia Bulldogs will be teeing it up between the hedges against our hated rivals, the South Carolina Gamecocks! Last weekend against Clemson didn't fare too well for our dawgs, which makes this weekend against USC that much more important. It's been a few years since we last beat the Gamecocks and every dawg fan would love nothing more than to redeem ourselves. Don't miss this opportunity to be with all your closest friends and make sure to watch this heated match-up between SEC East rivals!

Still unsure of your plans for UGA gamedays? Don't worry! Check out visitathensga.com/football for all things UGA football. You can see what hotels are still available, information on parking, and many more fun ideas for how to maximize your UGA football experience!

If any of these don't tickle your fancy, no worries! There's plenty more opportunities to have a good time in Athens, Georgia this weekend! Take a look at the event calendar for a complete look at events! Have a great weekend and GO DAWGS!

Gamedays in Athens, GA!

Bulldawg Nation -- are you looking forward to this weekend's big SEC matchup against Auburn?

 

For those of you who haven't yet experienced Gameday in Athens, or want to get geared up to return, we've put together a short video. Get a little taste of the fun, festivity, and Bulldog Nation pride when the Dawgs play at home.

 

It's a great experience, complete with

• hours of tailgating
• the actual game,
• post-game eating, and
• plenty of events and live music afterwards (as people celebrate either the team's victory or its great effort)

Keep your eyes out; you might just see a celebrity come out to join the fun! Athens is already a vibrant city, but on Gamedays, it seems like the Classic City is an explosion of excitement and enthusiasm. Check out the video, and make sure to make it out to Athens, GA for the real thing!

 

 

For more ideas and information on planning your football weekend in Athens, check out http://www.visitathensga.com/things-to-do/football-weekends/.

Get Ready for Game Day - Athens GA This Weekend: Sept. 9-11 Events and Things to Do

As the week winds down and my energy levels start to decrease, I begin to employ a personal technique to get me through to Friday, and I'm sure some of you use it, too. A sure method of revving myself back up is to plan for my weekend; I love finding about the numerous events happening in Athens over the weekends and deciding which of them capture my interest.

Are you like me? Does planning ahead for your free time give you that extra burst of excitement and motivation? If so, I'm glad you have come, because I have several events for this weekend's calendar that I would love to share with you all!

1. Want to experience Athens' famed music scene? You should definitely check out the Athens-based band Futurebirds as they perform at the Georgia Theatre on Friday. This band has been praised for their undeniable character and ethereal sound. Their opening act is Gary Clarke, Jr., a singer-guitarist who has been making waves within the music industry and garnering support from well-known artists such as Eric Clapton and Sheryl Crow. This will be yet another great show from a great Athens venue, and it only costs $12! Doors open at 8 p.m.; Clarke's set begins at 9 p.m., and at 10, Futurebirds will take the stage. Keep in mind that this is not a family event; all shows at the Georgia Theatre are 18 and over.

2. Calling all of Bulldawg Nation -- the first home game of the football season is finally here! This Saturday, thousands of people will be coming together at Sanford Stadium to cheer on the Dawgs to victory. They will be playing the South Carolina Gamecocks at 4:30 p.m., and if you weren't able to get tickets, do make sure to tune in on ESPN. Grab your friends and join the tailgating festivities, or just make it a party in your very own living room. Also, if you're coming from out of Athens to see the game, make sure to check out some great hotel deals from the Athens website. Go Dawgs...Sic 'Em!

3. This weekend marks the 10th anniversary of September 11th, and I'd like to highlight the September 11 Memorial Ceremony that occurs right here in Athens. It is located on Bob and Nancy Hart's property; they decided to build a memorial garden and trail after a visit to New York City. The ceremony will include a choral group and a reading of each of the victims' names, and the Harts encourage attendees to walk the trail either before or after the 30 minute ceremony. This event takes place on Sunday at 6:30 p.m., and there is no admission fee. The trail itself is filled with artwork and structures all commemorating the lives lost on that day.

The events don't stop there. Check out some more things to do this weekend!

• Experience the full moon while on the water at Full Moon Paddles hosted by the Sandy Creek Park. Admission ranges from $5 to $12 depending on whether you are a resident and whether you bring your own boat. It is held on Friday and Saturday from 8-10 p.m., and make sure you register in advance! This event is for ages 12 and older.
• Don't miss the Edmund Lewandowski: Precisionism and Beyond exhibit at the Georgia Museum of Art this Saturday. Lewandowski was an artist and educator who chose architectural and industrial images as his subject matter; catch his work from 12-5 p.m.!
• Looking for a little something different to round out your football weekend? Try Football Weekends at Hotel Indigo, where you can celebrate our team by enjoying live music. On Friday, listen to Justin Brogdon from 4-7 p.m., and on Saturday, make it a day-long affair by joining them for the pre-game radio broadcast as well as a post-game tailgate.

So jump-start your weekend (and your energy!) by planning for it now! Who's going to the game this weekend? Or doing anything listed in this post? If not, what are your plans?

- Debbie

Athens This Weekend: February 5-7

Featured Event (Friday, February 5): The Classic Center welcomes George Jones, Country Music Hall of Fame vocalist and industry icon! He is known for dozens of hits over the past 40 years, including "He Stopped Loving Her Today," "The Grand Tour" and ever-popular duet with former wife Tammy Wynette, "Golden Ring." Opening for George Jones will be Country duo Wilson Fairchild - sons of Harold and Don Reid of the Statler Brothers. The show starts at 7:30 p.m.

Friday, February 5:

• Travel to the UGA Performing Arts Center this Friday to enjoy award-winning pianist Benjamin Moser perform works by Mendelssoh, Beethoven, Chopin, and Rachmaninoff. According to Suddeutsche Zeitung (Germany), "[Benjamin] is already a master of color, atmosphere and delicate nuance, with technical mastery and youthful exuberance." The show starts at 8 p.m. in the Ramsey Concert Hall.
  

Saturday, February 6:

• The UGA Performing Arts Center presents an extraordinarily brilliant performance this Saturday at 8 p.m. The Berlin Philharmonic Wind Quartet captures the writings of great composers with music that will stir your emotions! This group continues to astonish audiences worldwide with its range of expression, total spectrum and conceptual unity. A pre-concert lecture will be given by Thomas Taylor Dickey, a doctoral student in orchestral conducting at UGA.
  


• Come meet Old Man Spruce (a puppet with personality!) during the Arbor Day Celebration at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia and discover all the important things trees provide. Learners will gain a better understanding of the importance of trees through tree games, tree identification, "tree cookie" investigation and air quality sampling. A great event for all ages!

Sunday, February 7: Are you ready for some football?! Athens offers multiple venues and parties to watch the Saints vs the Colts play in the Super Bowl XLIV!

• Watch the game and celebrate with giveaways, a raffle, and drink and food specials in Buffalo's Georgia Room. Party starts at 6 p.m.
  


• Come on down to the Melting Point for the big game plus tailgate food, beer specials, and plenty of giveaways and prizes. No cover! Doors open at 5 p.m.

If you are still looking for great Valentine's ideas, treat your sweetheart to a romantic weekend in Athens! Click here to view special packages and offers just in time for Valentine's Day.

Athens this Weekend

Be sure to check out the great music rolling into Athens this weekend. And get your tailgate ready as the Dawgs play Between the Hedges for the last time this season.

Friday, November 20th:

• The Atlanta Rhythm Section plans to rock The Classic Center Theatre this Friday evening with classic rock anthems from their more than 15 albums. The Section has been a part of the Southern rock scene for more than 30 years with hits like "So Into You", "Champagne Jam", and of course "Spooky". Local band Eddie and the Public Speakers will open the show. The concert begins at 8 p.m. at the Classic Center. Tickets run from $10-$35 and are available online.
• The Rialto Room at the Hotel Indigo continues its inaugural "Rialto Bridge Series" with hit recording artist Edwin McCain. The Charleston, SC native is known for the jazz-infused romantic ballads "I'll Be" and "I Could not ask for More". Come experience McCain's smooth soul at either 7 or 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $30 and are available on the Rialto Room's website.
• ATHICA hosts the 28th annual Studio Group Holiday Show & Sale today through Sunday at its Chase Street location. The market is a display and sale of works created by the studio group's twelve members. Items include fused-glass, photography, paintings, drawings, pottery, metals, and jewelry. Find something for everyone on your list! The show and sale runs from 5-9 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Saturday, and 12-4p.m. on Sunday. For more information about the group and the sale visit the studio group's website.

Saturday, November 21st:

• The Bulldogs host the Kentucky Wildcats for their final home game of the season. The game begins at 7:45 p.m. and will also be broadcast on ESPN2.

Be sure to check out our website and the offers recently listed on our blog for this weekend's available hotel rooms. The CVB wishes a Happy and safe Thanksgiving to those students heading home for the Holiday. (This Bulldawg is headed back to the Connecticut cold for the week.)

GO DAWGS!

Athens this Football Weekend!

The Dawgs hope to continue last week's offensive surge versus the Auburn Tigers while the rest of Athens comes alive with its usual game day energy.

Friday, November 13th:

• The Rialto Room at Hotel Indigo continues its "Rialto Bridge" series with recording artist Shawn Mullins. Mullins became an overnight success with his radio hit "Lullaby" after ten years playing in and around his native Atlanta. The Rialto Room will host two shows Friday evening at 7 and 9:30 p.m. Visit their website for more on Mullins and to buy tickets.
• No need to wait until Saturday for some inter-SEC action, Auburn rolls into town on Friday afternoon for its first match up against the Dawgs at the UGA Equestrian Center. The meet begins at 3 p.m. UGA volleyball takes on Kentucky at 7 p.m. at the Ramsey, with a second SEC match on Sunday afternoon versus the Tennessee Volunteers.

Saturday, November 14th:

• Fresh off their homecoming win, the Dawgs look to defeat the rival Auburn Tigers. Be between the Hedges for the 7 p.m. kickoff or catch the game on ESPN2!

Sunday, November 15th:

• The Athens Symphony Orchestra celebrates its 32nd year of free concerts with its Winter showcase. Enjoy the talents of these Athens musicians at the Classic Center this Sunday afternoon at 3 p.m. Admission is free with the possession of a ticket, which are available at the Classic Center box office. Visit the Symphony's website for more information about the musicians and past performances.
• UGA Women's basketball hosts Oklahoma at Stegeman Coliseum at 2:30 p.m.
• Aromas, the Five Points pub and wine bar, hosts its first Aromas Cask Ale Festival. The restaurant's front parking lot will be filled with tents featuring firkins ( a keg in the British sense of the word) from 10-12 of America's best craft breweries. Enjoy brews from Terrapin, Sweetwater, Bell's, Copper Creek, and more. Food items and live music will accompany the beer. The festival begins at 1 p.m. and lasts until every firkin is drained! Tickets are $30 and are available at the Aromas website.

Remember to keep an eye out for CVB staff members for a chance to participate in our fabulous giveaway mentioned below.

Enjoy the weekend and GO DAWGS!

Homecoming Weekend in Athens: "Take me Down to the Classic City"

After almost a month on the road, the Bulldogs are back at Sanford Stadium. Make a weekend out of UGA's homecoming with a series of Dawg-related events.

Don't forget to share your favorite UGA football memories with us on our blog. The best memory will win a free night's stay at the Holiday Inn Athens! You have until Friday to give us a great Dawg story.

Friday, November 6th:

• Start the weekend off right at the Melting Point's weekly "Lunch With the Dawgs". This week's featured speaker is UGA strength coach Dave VanHalanger. The Coach's expectantly motivational speech is sure to pump up Dawg fans for this weekend's showdown. The lunch starts at 11:30 a.m. Tickets are $8 in advance and $10 at the door. Price of admission includes lunch crafted by award winning Executive Chef Martin Smetana.
• The Homecoming Parade storms the streets of downtown at 6 p.m. Friday evening. UGA All-American gymnast Courtney Kupets will serve as the parade's Grand Marshal. She will lead a procession of floats, The Red Coat Band, UGA Athletes, and Athens dignitaries. For a complete list of the week's homecoming events visit the University Union's website.
• UGA Equestrian hosts Fresno State at the Equestrian complex on Friday afternoon.
• There is nothing better than an evening of live music the night before a Dawg's game. Come out and enjoy Kim Carnes at the Rialto Room this Friday. Nashville singer-songwriter Carnes has had three # 1 country hits, including Billboard #1 "Betty Davis Eyes". The song went on to win Grammys for both record and song of the year. Shows begin at 7 and 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 and are available on the Rialto Room's website.

Saturday, November 7th:

• The Dawgs are back at Sanford Stadium to take on the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles. Kickoff is at 1 p.m. Alumni visits and the crowning of the homecoming court will certainly make this a Saturday to remember.

Sunday, November 8th:

• Lady Bulldog basketball kicks off their 2009-2010 season this Sunday with an exhibition game versus Clayton State. Tip-off is at 2:30 p.m. at Stegeman Coliseum. Admission is free.

This Sunday is also the closing of Athica's Free Press in Free Fall exhibit, be sure to witness this thought-provoking event before its too late. Visit the CVB's event calendar for a full list of the weekend's events. Enjoy your homecoming and GO DAWGS!

New Contest: Favorite UGA Football Memories

This contest will be a little different than usual. Instead of winning through our Twitter page, you will be eligible to win only by commenting on this blog post.

Since Homecoming is this weekend, we want you to share your favorite UGA football memory. Watch the video below, reminisce on the sights & sounds of Sanford Stadium & then share!

The winner will be randomly selected on Friday from all memories submitted in the comments & will win a hotel voucher redeemable at the Holiday Inn Athens.

To view a complete list of contest rules, click here.

Saturday in Athens- Go Dawgs!

I love Saturdays in Athens. No school, no work, just one long day filled with whatever I want. Being a UGA student, I especially love football Saturdays in Athens, GA. The video below attempts to show the excitement and fun of a Saturday spent inside Sanford Stadium, as well as allowing a few UGA fans to share their favorite football Saturday moments. 

While this season might not be going as well as the Bulldog fans hoped, we can all still enjoy being a part of something as special as the Bulldog Nation. What's YOUR favorite UGA football moment? 

Thank You, Athens

Thank you, Athens- the Pitchfork Nation

In case you missed it on our Twitter or Facebook page yesterday, an Arizona State Sun Devil shared his fun experiences throughout Athens last weekend (click here to see the article).

The Classic City played host to the ASU Sun Devils last weekend, and despite the crazy weather, UGA fans provided the Sun Devils with classic Southern hospitality- plenty of drinks, food, and fun.

I think the writer sums it up best when he states:

"Athens is a beautiful city with a vibrant downtown that I wish I had more time to explore. What more, Saturday night in SEC Country, despite a torrential downpour bearing down on the city, is unlike anything else I have ever experienced in 25 years of attending sporting events, let alone college football."

Great job UGA fans- you were a great representation of the Classic City. As for all those Sun Devils- y'all come back now, ya hear?

Athens This Weekend: Tigers, Blues, and Jazz

World-class musicians and high-quality football start October in Athens off with a bang.

Friday October 2nd:

• B.B. King (yes, THE B.B. King) comes to the Classic Center this Friday evening. As one of the world's most identifiable guitar players, King mixes blues, jazz, swing, and pop music into his own unique sound. Don't miss the opportunity to see a music legend in our own backyard. Tickets range from $36-$86 and are available at the Classic Center's website. The show starts at 8 p.m.
• The 2nd Annual Ecofocus Film Festival gives Athenians something to think about over the month of October. The festival features twelve environmental films and a diverse list of guest speakers from filmmakers to area experts. The featured films were chosen to push the boundaries of what it means to be "environmental". Hosted by Cine, the festival runs until October 25th. Tickets are $8 per evening showing, and $6 for a matinee. A complete list of the films and show times can be found at the event's website.
• Joe T. is back in Athens. The Melting Point's weekly "Lunch with the Dawgs" gives fans a closer look at the former quarterback. The name Tereshinski is synonymous with Georgia football. Joe T. III became the fourth member of his family to play for the Bulldogs and was also part of the 2002 SEC championship team. The lunch starts at 11:30 a.m. Tickets are $8 advance and $10 at the door.

Saturday October 3rd

• A visit from the #4 LSU tigers is sure to shake things up this Saturday, so be sure not to miss it! Play begins at Sanford Stadium at 3:30 p.m. and will be shown on CBS.

Sunday Ocotber 4th

• UGA's Performing Arts Center brings a little taste of the Big Easy to Athens this Sunday afternoon. New Orleans' own Hot 8 Brass Band epitomizes New Orleans' street music, drawing upon the funk and energy of the city. The concert will be held at the Hodgson Concert Hall at 3 p.m. Tickets range from $19-$24 and are available at the PAC's website.
• Enjoy another SEC match up this weekend when UGA volleyball hosts Ole Miss. Play begins at 1:30 at Ramsey.

GO DAWGS!

This Weekend's Best Bets

Live music, local theater, thought-provoking art: there are plenty of things to keep you occupied this weekend while the Dawgs are away.

Friday, September 18th:

• Football Friday Nights at Melting Point: This Friday Leon Russell (with special guest Bloodkin) feeds the city's live music craving before the Dawgs take on Arkansas. Doors open at 6 p.m., the show starts at 8:30.
• The Town & Gown Players present Company by Stephen Sondheim. The players open their Fall season with this Tony award winning musical comedy about the ups and downs of marriage. The show starts at 8p.m., tickets are $18 general admission and $15 for students and seniors. No worries if you can't make it this weekend, the show runs until October 4th.

Saturday, September 19th:

• Game day! Your number 20 Georgia Bulldogs face the S.E.C. West's Arkansas Razorbacks at 7:47 on ESPNU.
• Help a dog before you watch the Dawgs. The Greater Atlanta Volunteer Chapter of Canine Companions host their 7th annual Run for the Dogs at Sandy Creek Park. The organization raises and places assistance dogs with the disabled. The event includes a 5k and a 1-mile fun run (dogs welcome!). Registration begins at 8 a.m.
• The four-time national champion Georgia Equestrian team takes on Texas Christian at the UGA Equestrian Center in Bishop. Riding begins at 2 p.m. Admission is free and these ladies are talented!
• Athens Institute of Contemporary Art (Athica) opens their latest exhibit Free Press in Free Fall. The exhibit, featuring a variety of artists, explores the demise of the print news media. Free Fall includes a series of events from now until November 8th. Visit the Athica website for more details.

Sunday, September 20th:

• The Athens' Heritage Walks Series digs deeper into the history of downtown Athens. Hal Cofer, a second-generation Athenian, brings to life historic downtown as a commercial center and cultural hub. The tour begins at 2 p.m. Tickets are $12 for ACHF members at $15 for non-members.

Enjoy!

Georgia Gameday

The first home football game is almost here! UGA will take on the University of South Carolina on Saturday, Sept. 12. Keep up with the Dawgs with these great events leading up to & throughout the game, and don't forget to visit the Athens Convention & Visitors Bureau's website for gameday parking, last-minute hotel rooms in Athens, and other travel tips.

Friday

• Start your morning off right with Mark Richt & the Bulldog Breakfast Club at 8 a.m. Admission is $20 Alumni Assoication member & $5 student member. Register in advance here. The event is located in the Tate II Grand Hall.
• Have breakfast with Mark Richt & lunch with the dawgs at 11:30 at the Melting Point! This week's speaker is former UGA quarterback and current color voice of the Dogs, Eric Zeier. Tickets are $15 & include a buffet lunch.
  
• Finish up the day with some tailgate food! Come out to the Alumni Assocation's Tailgate Cookoff. The Dawg Bowl Tailgate Cook-off starts at 5:30 p.m. Friday at the Wray-Nicholson House. Dishes can be entered in the appetizer, side, entree or dessert categories. The cost is $20 per food entry or $60 to enter a tailgate team. If you want to sample the dishes, that’ll cost $3.
  
• Football Friday Nights at the Melting Point- Sons of Sailors (Jimmy Buffet Tribute band) will be performing. Tickets are $10 in advance & $13 at the door.
  
• More Music! Catch Sister Hazel at The Classic Center, or be on hand for the grand opening of the new Rialto Room at Hotel Indigo-- David Smits is performing.

Saturday

• It's game day! Hotel Indigo Athens will serve as the football gameday broadcast location for the Georgia Bulldog Radio Network. Fans will now be closer to the action (shows were previously broadcast out of Atlanta). A brand new hour of pre-game entertainment, 'The Bulldog Gameday Show", will air live from Hotel Indigo Athens during the first hour of pre-game programming. The football post-game show will also air for an hour to an hour and a half after the game ends.
  
• Magic 102 will be broadcasting live from downtown Athens for 2 hours before kickoff.
  
• Show up on campus early & be loud at the Dawg Walk! Since there is no First Friday to pump up the dawgs this week they will need an extra large Dawg Walk, located in the Tate Center parking lot. The walk usually takes place two hours before the game, so it’ll be around 5 p.m. for the South Carolina game.
• Georgia Bulldogs vs. South Carolina Gamecocks. The game starts at 7 p.m. but students are being urged to arrive early now that all student seating is on a first come basis.
  

GO DAWGS!

Not able to make it to Athens this weekend? Check back later next week for videos from the game!

Athens This Weekend

Enjoy the long weekend with the best of Athens!

Friday:

• Georgia Bulldawg volleyball is back! This weekend the Dawg's play host to the Volleyball Invitational at the Ramsey Student Center. Play begins at 4:30 on Friday afternoon with a Lady Dawgs' match versus the Duke University Blue Devils. Admission is free.
  
• Also in athletics, the #18-ranked women's soccer team will host the Nike Invitational September 4th-6th. The action starts at 7p.m. when UGA takes on Florida Atlantic. Clemson and Northeastern are also participating in the event. All games take place at the soccer stadium on Milledge Avenue, admission is free.


• For live music, the Georgia Theater is hosting Pretty lights and the Emancipator at Athens Arena at 9 p.m. this Friday. Tickets are $20.

Saturday:

• Georgia football season opener vs. Oklahoma State! The Dawgs take on the Cowboys at 3:30 on ABC. Watch the game with friends or at one of Athens' many fine establishments.


• For those non-football fans among us, Active Climbing (Athens' first indoor rock climbing facility) is hosting the First American Bouldering series. Adult registration begins at 5 p.m. at a cost of $20/ climber. A $100 cash prize is at stake.
  

Sunday:

• Athens Heritage Walk Series tours the Winterville Historic District. The tour begins at 2 p.m. and is $12 for Athens Heritage Foundation members and $15 for non-members.


• The Nike Soccer Invitational continues with UGA vs. Northeastern at 1:30pm.
  

Have an enjoyable and safe Labor Day weekend, however you choose to spend it! For even more weekend activities, visit the Athens' CVB website's event calendar.

Athens for Adults: A Parent's Guide to the Classic City

Fall is always bustling in Athens. Bulldawg football, along with the return of UGA students, draws an influx of visitors to the Classic City. Many visitors will be UGA parents eager to experience Athens with (or perhaps without) their kids. It is always great to share a beverage with Mom & Dad at a North Campus tailgate and cheer for the Dawgs side-by-side at Sanford. But what to do for a post-game activity? Or on those lazy Sunday-afters?

• If you are anything like my parents, you will appreciate Athens' rich history. The Athens Welcome Center offers guided bus and walking tours that provide a close-up look at the city's impressive history. From the world headquarters of R.E.M. to the Confederate relic that is the T.R.R. Cobb house; you will see that your son or daughter's adopted hometown is more than just a world-class university.


• Enjoy a meal at one of downtown's eclectic dining spots. Sample the unique flavor combinations at Last Resort on Clayton Street or the locally grown dishes at Farm 255. To learn more about Athens Cuisine visit the CVB's restaurant page.


• Everyone deserves a night on the town; and there is certainly no shortage of night-life in Athens. The Cine theater, an eccentric arthouse on Hancock street, features independent films representing a variety of cultures. On Monday and Tuesday nights Cine partners with The National, one of Athens' premiere restaurants. The two venues offer a $25 package of a prix-fix meal, tapas, and a movie ticket. Afterwards enjoy a refreshment or hit the dance floor at one of the dawgs' favorite hotspots.


• Terrapin brewery is an Athens staple. Recently named the nation's 7th top brewery,Terrapin provides a place to kick back and enjoy a frosty brew with friends and family(usually with an accompaniment of live music). The brewery is open from 5:30-7:30 Thursday through Saturday, with tours running every half an hour. Eight dollars will buy you a Terrapin pint glass and eight drink tickets, allowing you to sample each of their unique beers.

Don't be fooled by the "college-town" label, Athens has something to offer everyone.

Are You Ready for some UGA Football? Kickoff is just 33 days away!

Make the most of your UGA football weekend in Athens GA. Want to know where to tailgate before the Georgia Bulldogs football game? Which Athens hotels still have rooms available on football weekends? Other things to see and do during your visit to Athens, Georgia? The Athens Convention & Visitors Bureau website has all the answers and assistance you need for a great road trip to Athens. VisitAthensGA.com

Question: What's your favorite thing to do BEYOND the Hedges in Athens on a football weekend?

Get Back Between the Hedges this Saturday

Football season may seem like an eternity away...a little less than five months to be honest...but this weekend Bulldog fans can at least begin to dust off the Red and Black and the tailgating gear.

G-day is here. And this year's scrimmage game has much more incentive than years past. The game starts at 2 p.m. but get here early, seating is general admission so getting 50 yard line views is all up to you.

Here are a few of my top reasons to make the trek to Athens this weekend:

1. Stafford is gone and it is time for Joe Cox to prove what he's got to the bulldog nation.

2. Count Knowshon and the class of '08 out as well...this breed of bulldog is full of new talent.

3. ESPN! Kirk Herbstreit and the gang have already made there way to Athens as ESPN covers the game live from Athens. This will be the only collegiate spring practice game broadcast slated to appear.

4. It's a steal. Tickets are only $5 for adults and $3 for youth. Tickets can be purchased in person at the Butts-Mehre ticket windows between 8:30 am-4:30 pm through Friday, April 6 and also beginning at 12:30 pm on the day of the game at Sanford Stadium Gates 2, 4, 6 and the Main Gate located below the Sanford Drive Bridge.

5. There won't be any Gator fans at this game...at least we hope.

For more coverage of the game click here. If you are looking for ideas while in town click here. In the meantime, here is your chance to practice the stadium chants...in case you have forgotten.

Can't Win Every Game We Play, But Every Dawg Has His Days

Yesterday may have been one of my saddest days as a student at the University of Georgia.  I was already depressed because it was my last Georgia football game and the forecast said 100% chance of rain all day (when does that ever even happen?).  Then to top that off, we actually lost to Georgia Tech, something that hasn't happened in 8 years and that Mark Richt has never experienced as the Bulldogs' coach.  

But instead of moping around and whining about the loss, I've been reflecting on my memories over the years at UGA.  From the blowout wins to heartbreaking losses, the last four years have turned me into a Bulldog for life.  

Hopefully everyone else has been able to deal with the loss as well.  If not, maybe these videos of UGA's best game day traditions will cheer you up a little bit.

Rain or shine, win or lose, I'll still be screaming... GO DAWGS!

It's Saturday in Athens

I may be a little biased, but every time I get back from an away football game, I can't help but be reminded of how ideal Athens is for game days. Not that I have anything against our favorite SEC rivals that I've visited, I just think there are a lot of aspects which make Athens nice to visit - especially on Saturdays in the fall.

• Tailgating on North Campus. The wide open fields offer tons of space to set up tents, chairs and coolers, not to mention plenty of shade to relax under. There are other places to tailgate scattered all over town and campus, but North Campus is the most scenic and popular.
• Proximity of hotels, restaurants, and bars to campus. Athens is a very pedestrian-friendly town, especially if you stay in one of the many hotels downtown - you won't need a car all weekend!
• Variety of places to watch. There are hundreds of bars and restaurants downtown which will all have the game on if you aren't lucky enough to get a ticket in to Sanford Stadium. The Georgia Theatre also plays the game on a big screen, providing a fun (air conditioned!) spot to watch the game with your fellow fans.
• Unique restaurants, bars, and music venues. There is plenty of entertainment downtown after the game is over, from unique restaurants like Last Resort Grill and East West Bistro, to bars like the 40 Watt and The Globe.

For a complete listing of Athens restaurants, bars, attractions, and events, click here.

GO DAWGS!