Athens This Weekend: July 26 - 28

July has been a fun-filled month in Athens, Georgia, and this weekend is no exception! With several events specifically intended for all ages, this may be the best time for a Georgia family weekend getaway to the Classic City.  

Athens Creative Theatre's summer camp participants have been hard at work preparing their production, Super Duck, which will premier at the historic Morton Theatre on Friday night! The action-packed show is based on the traditional ugly duckling story and incorporates unique super-powered twists that will keep the whole family entertained. Tickets are only $6 and can be purchased at Morton Theatre's box office until Friday at 6 p.m. and online here. This is your only chance to see the kids' young talent, and for just $6 per person, who could say no?

The Georgia Theatre's loaded schedule for the upcoming season is in full swing with two great shows scheduled for this weekend! On Friday night, Cosmic Charlie, a Grateful Dead-inspired band from Athens, Georgia that balances tradition and originality, will take you back to the 20th century and keep you dancing all night. Saturday's performer, Bobby Compton, is a rising star in the country music scene, and will mesmerize the audience with his heartfelt lyrics and catchy rhythms. Each show costs $10 and the doors open both nights at 8 p.m. There's a lot of fun to be had this weekend at the Georgia Theatre!

The search ends here for any family looking for a fun and active evening this weekend! In memory of Mr. Fred Birchmore, an Athens native who was an avid swimmer and member of the University of Georgia's gymnastics and boxing teams, Bishop Park is hosting a the Fred Birchmore Go & Glow Aquathlon this Saturday. The kids (ages 7-12) will kick off this event with a 200-yard swim and 2k run at 6 p.m. and will be followed by the adults' (ages 13+) 400-yard swim and 4k run. A lively celebration full of glow-in-the-dark items will wrap up this event. Registration is $30 for kids and $50 for adults, and proceeds will benefit the William B. Mulherin Foundation for Health and Wellness. Whether you want to participate or not, you and the family are invited to come watch the events and enjoy the party!

The weekly Athens Farmers Market at Bishop Park will include special guest Kevin West this Saturday! As usual, the Farmers Market runs from 8 a.m. - noon and features local food, crafts, and art. Avid Bookshop is bringing Kevin West to the market from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. in celebration of his new book, Saving the Season: A Cook's Guide to Home Canning, Pickling, and Preserving. Kevin will be leading a cooking demonstration and meeting attendees while he's there. Everyone is invited to check out and enjoy all that the Athens Farmers Market has to offer!

This is the last weekend to see the Ossabaw Island: Holy Ground Exhibition at the Lyndon House Arts Center! The exhibit has been open since May and features the art of The Ossabaw Artists Collective, a group of painters and photographers who have explored the State Heritage Preserve on Ossabaw Island, one of Georgia's largest barrier islands, twice a year since 2009. Format photography, digital photography, pinhole photography, watercolor, acrylic and oil painting as well as mixed media are featured in the exhibition. The Lyndon House Arts Center is open from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and admission is free, so be sure to swing by and take a look before it's too late!

With so many great events to choose from, there's really no reason not to make the drive to the Classic City this Friday. Take a look at the event calendar for a complete listing of all there is to do this weekend!

Athens This Weekend: July 19 - 21

Another weekend is upon us in the Classic City, and like always, there's plenty of activities to keep the family occupied! Take advantage of one of the last weekends that Athens, Georgia has plenty of room to move around before all of the students return. Head to Athens for live music, free tours of Terrapin Brewery, a real-life "Where's Waldo?" hunt, a pool party, and more! 

Kick off your weekend on the Georgia Theatre Rooftop with an energetic performance by Jubee and the Morning After, a local Athens band full of soul and spunk, followed by the headlining band, Stokeswood, who got together in Atlanta, GA and coined the phrase "Low-Endie" rock to describe their layered mixture of pumping synths, powerful vocals, and irresistible dance vibe. Best of all, the whole show is free of charge, and if you get hungry, The Branded Butcher serves their food on the Rooftop! Music starts at 11 p.m., and this is a 21+ show.

This Saturday from 7 - 8:30 p.m., Bishop Park is celebrating the 43rd anniversary of Neil Armstrong landing on the moon with a night of swimming and fun activities at the Bishop Park Pool. This free event is open to all ages, and everyone will enjoy the nights arts, crafts, music, and astronomy activities! Wrap up the night's festivities with a free Moonpie dessert and Tang (the beverage of astronauts). Splashdown at Bishop Park Pool is going to be a blast for the whole family, so plan your weekend accordingly!

Fulfill a childhood dream by making the "Where's Waldo?" game come to life this month. Where's Waldo in ATH? is a month-long competition to find the 25 Waldos hiding in 25 local Athens businesses. Avid Bookshop is hosting this game and is offering coupons when you find 8 Waldos, and even better prizes when you find 16 of them! The winners will be drawn at the party on July 31st at Avid Bookshop. Additionally, you'll be supporting your local Athens businesses and local economy, so download you Waldo 'passport' from Avid Bookshop's website today!

This is a great weekend to check out Bear Hollow Zoo and Exhibit Hall! Located in Memorial Park in Athens, Bear Hollow Zoo invites you and the family to observe some unique wildlife such as black bears, bobcats, white-tailed deer, owls, and more along the wildlife trail seven days a week between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Saturdays are special at the zoo because the exhibit hall is open, which features projects for you and the kids and live animals that you can see and even touch from 1 - 4 p.m.! You'll also get to learn about the zoo animals' stories and how the staff take care of them. It's fun and educational for visitors of all ages! 

Terrapin Beer Co. Free Tastings & Tours is always a great idea on any Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, or Saturday. This weekend, though, the deal has been sweetened, and you'll get to try Athens' first food truck, Street Cafe Food Truck, at Terrapin's tours on Friday and Saturday evenings! The truck serves food full of flavors from around the world. As usual, a $10 beer souvenir glass grants you eight tickets that are each redeemable for a 4 oz. pour of your choice of Terrapin's fine beers (for those ages 21+). Bring your family, friends, and/or four-legged leashed companion and enjoy outdoor live music, good beer, lawn games, and a delicious meal this Friday and Saturday from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.!

Athenians and visitors have been loving Summer Water Rentals and Friday Night Paddles at Sandy Creek Park lately; if you haven't tried it, this weekend is your chance! Visitors ages 12+ who complete registration and payment by calling 706-613-3631 before 5 p.m. on Friday will get to enjoy Sandy Creek Park's Lake Chapman under the moonlight atop a canoe, kayak, or paddle board from 8:30 - 10:30 p.m. during Friday Night Paddles! The equipment can also be rented from 1 - 5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays with Sandy Creek Park's Summer Water Rentals program. Make this weekend fun, healthy, and full of beautiful outdoor scenery at Lake Chapman!

This weekend, Athens, Georgia has lots of activities for people of all ages. Take advantage of the free music and wildlife, water activities, and local beer, food, and games! For more ideas and event listings, check out our event calendar. Have a wonderful weekend!

4th of July in Athens, Ga

The 4th of July is just around the corner, and to many, this monumental day is celebrated with family fun, parades, fireworks, concerts and picnics. Luckily, there's no need to travel to the coast, the city, or cross-country this year, because Athens, Georgia has all that you and the family could want- and more- for a July Georgia getaway to celebrate Independence Day this year!

Thanks to Foundry Entertainment, Packway Handle Band, and the Athens Folk Music and Dance Society, the Classic City American Music Festival is returning for its fifth year at The Melting Point! This one-day Blugrass/Americana festival is packed with eight of the most talented and established groups of their kind. Impressing the nation for six decades, Dr. Ralph Stanley will perform with The Clinch Mountain Boys at 8 p.m., elevating his musical ingenuity to a whole new level.  Originating in Athens, Georgia, and credited in part for creating the festival, the Packway Handle Band will take the stage at 10 p.m. and blow the whole family away. Their performance won't leave you confused as to why they've been named "Athens’ Best Bluegrass Band" in the readers’ choice Flagpole Magazine Music Awards three years in a row. Other unique bands performing include Adam Klein and The Wild Fires, whose hits reached the Top 5 of Americana charts, Asheville, NC's The Honeycutters, Jimmy Martin-inspired BorderHop Trio, 2012 Telluride Bluegrass Band Competition winner Bluebilly Grit, the dance-evoking String Theory, and the energetic and progressive High Strung String Band. Not much could beat this line-up for an Independence Day celebration! Tickets are $20 in advance and $25/$15 with UGA ID at the door, and all ages are welcome! If you're looking for a place to stay, the neighboring Foundry Park Inn has great special offers, including deluxe guestroom accommodations and your choice of add-on packages and a separate special room rate for UGA students and parents.  They're definitely worth a look!

For those craving traditional Independence Day activities like inflatables, face painting, fireworks, and a parade, the Star Spangled Classic is the perfect way to celebrate! Beginning at 6 p.m., families and friends of all ages will fill Bishop Park to enjoy the free live music, games, food, and kids inflatables. Fireworks will start at dark (around 9:30 p.m.)! Returning for the second year, the Kids Patriot Parade at 7 p.m. will show off bicycles, tricycles, and other non-motorized modes of transportation decorated by kids ages 10 and younger. The parade is free to enter, but you must register on location beginning at 6 p.m. Prizes will be given to the most creative decorators! The Star Spangled Classic is the perfect (and free!) Fourth of July bash for the young, old, and everyone in between! 

You can stop stressing about holiday plans, because the The Classic City American Music Festival and the Star Spangled Classic have got you covered here in Athens, Georgia! While you're at it, check out all of the activities on July 4th weekend, and make the celebration of the United States of America's 237th year of independence the best one yet!

Athens This Weekend: June 28 - 30

Try and forget how quickly the summer is flying by this weekend in the Classic City! Among other events, Athens, Georgia stays true to its reputation of having an awesome music scene and delicious local food and beer. Whether you're in Athens, Georgia for the weekend or a permanent Athenian, you won't want to miss the fun to be had!

If you love the Beatles, there's no place you should be besides the Georgia Theatre on Saturday because Abbey Road LIVE! is playing not one, but TWO shows! Abbey Road LIVE! is not your everyday, over-the-top tribute band.  Instead, the group has mastered the Beatles' albums and adds their own raw, spirited spirit, creating a mesmerizing atmosphere for all ages. The doors for the matinee show open at 3:30, and the whole family is encouraged to come soak up the 1960s-inspired fun.  For fans age 18 and older, there is also a 9 p.m. show (doors at 8 p.m.)! Tickets are $8 in advance for the matinee show and $10 in advance for the evening show.

Although touring, tasting, and live music makes Terrapin Beer Co. a great destination for any weekend (or Wednesday or Thursday for that matter), special nights like this Saturday's Sustainability Movement at Terrapin make the brewery a must! Terrapin is even opening its doors an hour early, so the event will last from 4:30-7:30 p.m. Planned around the central theme of sustainability, the event will feature interactive booths and an organization, local business, and/or Athenian who is passionate about sustainability in our community for each of the Six Categories of Life: Water, Food, Health & Exercise, Home & Hobbies, Community, and Global.  To top it off, there will be live music by Cortez Garza and Vincent the Dog!  

The State Botanical Garden of Georgia is offering the perfect event to make your Sunday afternoon ideal- and it's free! The Classic City Band Patriotic Concert in the Visitor Center & Conservatory will jump start your 4th of July patriotism with a lively, air-conditioned performance. This event is family-friendly, and as always, guests are welcome to take a stroll in the beautiful gardens and even pack a picnic lunch to enjoy outside before the concert begins! 

Sandy Creek Park and Sandy Creek Nature Center are hosting great events for the family this weekend. On Friday evening at the Nature Center, the "Insects of the Night" Family Program invites everyone ages 4 and older to explore all that crawls, flies, and buzzes in the heat of the summer nights on a short hike. Admission for the whole family is $7 for Athens-Clarke County residents and $10 for families from other counties.  On Saturday or Sunday afternoon, enjoy an adventure aboard canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards in Sandy Creek Park's Lake Chapman from the Summer Water Rentals at Sandy Creek Park! Rentals are available at a low cost every Saturday and Sunday this summer from 1-5 p.m., but please call the park beforehand at 706-613-3631 to reserve your vehicles.

With these options and more, Athens, Georgia is the place to be this weekend! For more information about all that the Classic City has to offer, check our event calendar regularly.  We wish you and your family an awesome weekend!

Athens This Father's Day Weekend: June 14 - 16

Another weekend is here in Athens, Ga, and it's a special one!  Father's Day is on Sunday, but the Classic City is offering dad-friendly events all weekend.  Whether your "Old Man" is into wine and beer tasting or theatrical and musical entertainment, there's something for every family to do this weekend!  

If you've never been to Terrapin Beer Co. Free Tastings and Tours, Father's Day weekend is the perfect time to change that!  If you have been, you'll understand why we think Dad would love a couple of hours there with free beer tastings, tours, and live music. Every Wednesday through Saturday, the local Athens brewery invites people of all ages and their leashed pets to tour the brewery and enjoy the early evening in their outdoor field. Each purchase of a $10 or $12 pint glass includes eight tickets (ages 21+), and every ticket is redeemable for a 4 oz. pour of Terrapin's year-round, seasonal, Monster Tour, Side Project, and/or specialty brews. Feel free to bring the kids and dogs on leash, plus a frisbee, ball, or use Terrapin's corn hole games for additional fun! The tours run from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.

We're excited about 8th Annual Sprockets Music Video Show at the 40 Watt Club this Saturday!  Music videos from around the world will be shown beginning at 10 p.m. (doors at 9 p.m.) and the audience will vote for the Audience Choice Award winner.  Admission is $5, but if you have an AthFest wristband, you'll save a dollar.  This is an AthFest affiliated event, which serves as a reminder that the festival is nearing!  Flicker Theatre & Bar is hosting a pre-show reception from 7 - 9 p.m., where you will be able to meet the filmmakers and judges and eat Mama's Boy!  Come out and enjoy worldwide talents at this unique Athens event!

Ensure that Dad has an exceptional day on Sunday by signing both of you up for Father's Day Wine Tasting at Hotel Indigo's Rialto Club!  This 3-hour event presented by Hotel Indigo and Shiraz Fine Wine & Gourmet will provide a relaxing atmosphere to enjoy together. Kruger-Rumpf Winery of Germany's Rieslings will be served along with southern snacks, and there will also be live music to be enjoyed by all.  You'll also have the opportunity to meet the winemaker, Georg Rumpf, and learn more about the featured Rieslings.  Call Hotel Indigo directly at 706-546-0430 to reserve your tickets as soon as possible!  The tasting is from 4 - 7 p.m.

Take a trip back to the 1940s at Buffalo's Cafe on Friday night for their Casablanca Night feat. The A-Train Band party!  This family-friendly event will have guests of all ages dancing and having a ball.  All are encouraged to dress up and be prepared to show off their dance moves, as there will be costume and dance contests along with live music and exotic cuisine!  The admission is $20 and includes a buffet.  Take advantage of this neat event!

For the adult crowd, The Great American Trailer Park Musical will be the featured performance all weekend long at the Athens Community Theatre, by the Town and Gown Players!  The musical is written by David Nehls (music and lyrics) and Betsy Kelso (script) and is a Mainstage Production directed by Jonathan Sparks.  The plot is described as a meeting between the shows "South Park" and "Desperate Housewives" - sure to entertain, but not suitable for young ears.  The musical will begin at 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday night and 2 p.m. on Sunday afternoon, and admission ranges from $15 - $18 dollars.  If you're looking to add a little spice to your weekend, this show is for you!

These great events along with many more can be found on our website's event calendar. Enjoy the warm-weathered weekend, and Happy Father's Day, dads!

This Weekend: July 27-29

This weekend is an exciting one in Athens, Georgia! With abounding live music events and excellent family activities, we're sure the Classic City is where you'll want to be this weekend!

1. Alison Krauss and Union Station Featuring Jerry Douglas

The Classic Center Theatre presents Alison Krauss and Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas in concert on Friday, July 27 at 8 p.m. A highly sought-after collaborator with an angelically breathtaking voice, Krauss has worked with some of the most acclaimed musicians in the industry. She has sold over 12 million albums and garnered 26 Grammy Awards, the most for any female and the third most for any recording artist in Grammy history. With Union Station producing a soft, beautiful mix of country, blue grass, and classic Americana instrumentals, this live performance is a sell out!

2. Team Clermont Summer Showcase

Missed out on Allison Krauss tickets?  Never fear-- there's more great music in store in Athens this weekend. The first in five years, the Team Clermont Summer Showcase and Prom is back to celebrate its 15th anniversary! This fun three-day-long event kicks off Thursday, July 26 and runs through Saturday, July 28, with each night featuring a different showcase. Athens, Georgia's own Olivia Tremor Control, performs at the Georgia Theatre at 8 p.m. Thursday. On Friday, July 27, Bear in Heaven plays at the Georgia Theatre at 8 p.m. Saturday's 1980s-themed "Reagan Rock Prom" is the showcase's grand finale, taking place at 9 p.m. at the Melting Point. Individual tickets to any of the three events are $10 per person, or purchase a three day pass for $25. 

3. Back to School Bash at Lay Park

From 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. on Saturday, July 28, the Lay Park Community Center in Athens, Georgia will host a Back to School Bash for children ages 6-17, as part of the Athens-Clarke County Leisure Services Department's month-long celebration of "July is National Park and Recreation Month". This free event features fun activities to be enjoyed by the entire family, a school supplies give-away, and more. Get ready to go back to school in style!

Be sure to check out our event calendar at Visit Athens, Georgia for all of the Classic City's complete up-to-date activities and listings!

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Athens This Weekend: July 20-22

Get excited, because the weekend is just around the corner! Bring the family to enjoy great outdoor events, as well as cool, indoor activities. Athens, Georgia is certainly the place to be this weekend, with exciting events for all ages!

1. Splashdown 2012

In honor of the 43rd anniversary of mankind's first mission to the moon, Bishop Park in Athens will host Splashdown 2012 from 7-8:30 p.m. on Friday, July 20. The evening's activities will include a swim in the pool under the moon, arts & crafts, music, and fun astronomy games, all while snacking on free Moonpies and Tang! All ages are welcome and admission is free. It's one small splash for man, one giant splash for mankind!

2. Shape Up in the Park

Start your Saturday off right with a morning full of exercise! On Saturday, July 21, Southeast Clarke Park will host Shape Up in the Park from 7-11 a.m., a half-day of free outdoor fitness and wellness classes. The morning's itinerary includes back-to-back classes of Zumba, Yoga, Tai Chi, and more, as well as raffles and prize give-aways! All ages are welcome, and admission is free. Be sure to dress appropriately for exercise, and don't forget to bring a yoga mat and water bottle. Get movin' in the park!

3. ATHICA Emerges V: The Synthetic Mind

Saturday, July 21 marks the opening of the Athens Institute of Contemporary Art's most recent exhibit, ATHICA Emerges V: The Synthetic Mind. The exhibit displays nine artists' works, which synthesize perception and awareness from a variety of approaches, from the neurobiological to sociological. The opening reception on July 21 will be from 7-9 p.m. at ATHICA art gallery. Tour the exhibit once again anytime on Wednesdays from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Thursdays from 1-9 p.m., or Fridays through Sundays from 1-6 p.m. The exhibit will be open through Sunday, September 9. Admission is free and open to all ages!

For even more awesome events happening in Athens, GA this weekend, go check out our calendar at Visit Athens, GA!

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Special Memorial Day Events in Athens GA

Memorial Day is a time to spend with friends and family, enjoying the summer weather and each others' company, as well as a chance to commemorate and honor our nation's veterans for their service to our country. Here are some special holiday weekend events going on in Athens, GA this weekend to help you and yours celebrate and enjoy the Memorial Day holiday!

1. Classic City Band at the Morton Theatre

Kick the Memorial Day holiday off with a concert at the Morton Theatre by the Classic City Band honoring all veterans. The Athens' Classic City Band is the oldest functioning community band in Georgia, and is comprised of musicians of all ages. Come out to hear this traditional American Concert Band as they honor the men and women who have served our country. The concert will be held from 4-5 p.m. on Sunday, May 27, and the cost is free. 

2. Memorial Day in Memorial Park

Bring the family and head out to Memorial Park and the Bear Hollow Wildlife Trail to celebrate Memorial Day and the official start to the summer season!  From noon to 3 p.m., attendees can enjoy music, children's activities and games, and more. Admission is free, and concessions will be available for purchase. From 1-5:30 p.m., the Memorial Park pool will be open. Admission to the pool is $1 a person, so bring the kids over to swim and cool-off after enjoying the festivities in the park!

3. Memorial Day at Sweet Peppers

All day long, on Monday, May 28, all firemen, policemen, emergency responders, armed forces, and veterans dressed in uniform will receive a free salad, sandwich, wrap, panini, or potato from Sweet Peppers Deli on West Broad Street. Come out to enjoy lunch or dinner, and help say "thank you" to all those who selflessly serve our country!

4. Memorial Day Pop-In Playtime

Pump It Up! of Athens is hosting a special Memorial Day Pop-In playtime not regularly offered, on Monday, May 28 from 3:30-5 p.m. Bring the kids to enjoy an hour and a half of bouncing, sliding, climbing, and jumping! Admission is $6 per child, and all ages 11 and under are welcome.

For more information and other exciting event listings, be sure to check out our Visit Athens, GA calendar of events. Happy Memorial Day everyone!

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Athens This Weekend: May 18-20

The weekend is finally here! With the school year winding down and the official start to the summer season just around the corner, this weekend is the perfect chance to get the family out to enjoy the gorgeous weather. Come participate in various Athens GA events ranging from outdoor sports and adventures to more relaxing family-friendly events. Here are a few ideas for this weekend that will hopefully spark your interest!

1. Friday Night Paddles at Sandy Creek Park

Join in for an evening paddling around Lake Chapman at Sandy Creek Park on Friday, May 18 from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. The program is offered to those ages 12 years and older, and the cost is $8 for Athens-Clarke County residents without a boat, or $5 for Athens-Clarke County residents who come bringing their own canoes or kayaks. Non-county residents will be charged $12, or $8 if bringing their own boat. Registration and payment are required in advance and can be made by calling 706-613-3631. Be sure to reserve your spot today!

2. Winterville Marigold Festival

This annual festival began 30 years ago as an attempt to bring citizens together to refresh and beautify the town of Winterville. Come out for the traditional Country Breakfast, which begins at 7 a.m., followed by the Marigold 5k at 8 a.m. and then music and other activities all day from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. Bring the kids to enjoy a parade, crafts, street dancing, delicious food, and much more!

3. NCAA Tennis Championships

Come experience the thrill of watching some of the country's best collegiate athletes as the University of Georgia hosts the 2012 NCAA Tennis Championships here in Athens at the Dan Magill Tennis Complex. The men's quarterfinals will be held on Sunday, May 20, followed by the semifinals on Monday, May 21, and the finals on Tuesday, May 22. The women's quarterfinals are on Saturday, May 19, followed by the semifinals on Monday and the finals on Tuesday. Be sure to come out and cheer on the Dawgs!