Athens This Weekend: October 25 - 27

The month of October has flown by and its last weekend is already approaching. Athens, Georgia has all you could ever need to soak up the last days before November. Halloween festivities will be in full swing this weekend.  If you're looking to drink at historic pubs, experience all the local arts, or join the wildest Halloween party in all of Georgia, there's no excuse to sit at home this weekend. Come visit the Classic City and experience a weekend you're sure to never forget!

This Friday, the Athens Clarke Heritage Foundation will hold the 4th Annual Historic Pub Crawl.  The Pub Crawl is the perfect opportunity to check out Athens' renowned hot spots. Even club veterans will learn new details and behind the scenes stories from their favorites.  Crawlers will visit several local and historic watering holes. They'll also enjoy a sample of Terrapin beer at each stop, as well as receiving samples of appetizers, a custom Pub Crawl t-shirt, and a downtown parking voucher. The crawl lasts from 6 - 10 p.m. and space is limited so make your reservations now to ensure a spot! 

Summer may be long gone, but festival season is ripe for the picking! This Saturday from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., come out to Lyndon House Arts Center for the Lickskillet Artists Market. This unique indoor/outdoor festival will host more than 50 artist booths, including hands-on activities perfect for families and performances by several local musicians. There will also be tours of the Ware-Lyndon House, live art demonstrations by area-artists, and food vendors. The market will take place rain or shine; plus it's FREE and open to all ages so there's really no reason not to come check it out! 

It's finally here! The Halloween event of the year, the Wild Rumpus Parade, is this Saturday at 7 p.m. Come express your inner creative spirit by dressing up in costume and marching solo or in a themed brigade. Along with the traditional mayhem in the streets, this year will be bringing all new features such as an outdoor stage from 8 - 9 p.m. and all sorts of daytime activities for the kids i.e. a Monster Mash rock show from 2 - 4 p.m., Halloween crafts, a Haunted House, and more! Athens' craziest Halloween party all ends with a wild bash at the 40 Watt Club at 9 p.m., featuring performances by several local musicians. This event isn't for the faint at heart, so this Saturday be ready to get WILD! For more information, such as the parade route or schedule details, check out www.wildrumpus.org.

With only two more home UGA football games left, there's not a lot of time left to soak up all the magic between the hedges. The Athens Convention and Visitors Bureau has all the assistance you need to plan your football weekend visit to Athens. For all things UGA football related, including tips on where to stay, eat, or park, check out visitathensga.com/football.

There's so much going on this weekend in Athens, Georgia that you're not going to want to miss out on! For a complete list of events and activities, check out the Athens CVB events calendar. Have a fun and safe weekend! 

Wild Rumpus Halloween Parade and Spectacle

Looking for an amazingly interactive Halloween activity in one of America’s most exciting college towns? In the style of Burning Man or the Oregon Country Fair, Athens, Ga hosts their own explosion of creative energy: the Wild Rumpus Parade and Spectacle. On October 26, 2013, thousands of creatively-costumed revelers will march their way through Downtown Athens. Last year saw nearly 3,000 people flood the streets of the Classic City and 2013 aims to see even more. The parade is FREE for both spectators and participants, so start planning your costume and head to Athens to enjoy the festivities!

While last year's Wild Rumpus parade was focused on howling at the moon, this year's theme aims even bigger with "RAWR ~ A Tribute to the Sun." With a focus on Leo and the Sun, downtown Athens will be set ablaze on October 26th as the pinnacle Halloween event to let loose this bubbling stew of artistic self-expression, costuming, and gleeful abandon.

One unique aspect of the Wild Rumpus is that it encourages creativity and group spirit. Attendees can opt to walk alone, in pairs, or small groups. Or even better . . . you can choose to form your own themed brigade with friends, or even join an existing brigade. Examples of past brigades include Leather and Lace, Dead and Famous, Zombies, Belly-dancers, even Disney characters. Basically if you can theme it, you can form it! Let your creativity shine through like the Sun! Floats, banners, performances, and music are all welcome. Those wanting to walk in the parade MUST be dressed in costume, so don't forget to dress up in your Halloween best.

This year’s 5th anniversary of the Wild Rumpus brings with it many exciting new features in addition to those participants have come to relish. A new outdoor stage at the end of the parade route will host even more live, local music. There will also be many new daytime activities aimed at including the younger crowd into the festivities. For the first time ever, kids can look forward to a "Monster Mash" party, complete with musical acts, puppeteers, crafts stations, a haunted house, and all sorts of Wild Things.


Top off the evening with a concert at the world-famous, fabulous 40 Watt Club. The after-party extravaganza, for those 18+, will feature local bands Ghost Owl, Space Trucks, and Wild Rumpus master of ceremonies Timi Conley with Kite to the Moon. Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door. Doors open at 8 p.m. and the party starts at 9 p.m.


The 5th incarnation of the Wild Rumpus Parade is sure to be unlike any other. With many new activities for children, this year aims to get the entire family involved. Whether you want to dress up on your own, in a brigade, or just come down and watch, the Wild Rumpus is really a special treat for all of Athens.


Ready to join in?  Head to  www.wildrumpus.org to review the participation guidelines and to register if you plan to enter a float or vehicle.  Then, plan to meet at the corner of Clayton St. and Pulaski St. in downtown Athens at 7:00 p.m. The parade will begin at 7:30.

The Wild Rumpus isn't the only fun event going on in Athens, Georgia this Halloween. For a complete list of events, travel information, and everything else Athens-related, check out VisitAthensGa.com.

Athens 2013 Fall Festivals and Events

Fall in Athens, Georgia is arguably the greatest time of year. The weather finally takes a dip below scorching which makes the perfect opportunity to get outside and enjoy the MANY fall events and festivals going on around the Classic City. Coinciding with UGA football, there is also music, arts, other fantastic athletic events and so much more! So step outside, feel the slight chill creeping into the air, and enjoy all fun things to do in Athens GA. 

Kicking off this year's fall festivals is the 29th Annual North Georgia Folk Festival which will be returning to Sandy Creek Park on Saturday, October 5. This year folk legend John McCutcheon will be headlining this exciting event featuring live folk and Americana music, plus unique arts and crafts workshops and activities for festival-goers of all ages. Kids will get to experience demonstrations of wood working, quilt making, folk paintings just to name a few! This year's schedule also includes performances by The Darnell Boys, String Theory, Emerald Road and so many others! All additional North Georgia Folk Festival information is on the Athens Folk Music and Dance website at http://athensfolk.org/.

Celebrate your inner child and skate your way across Georgia with the oldest and most famous road skate in America, the Athens-to-Atlanta Road Skate, which will be held on Sunday, October 6. This year marks the 32nd anniversary of this Georgia road skate, which covers a fun, but challenging, 87-mile course through beautiful country roads and bustling city streets, ending in Atlanta's Old Fourth Ward Skate Park. For those skaters who aren't prepared to take on 87 miles, alternative 38-mile and 52-mile course options are also available. The Athens-to-Atlanta Road Skate allows participants to push themselves physically while bonding with fellow skaters. The Athens-to-Atlanta Road Skate's website has specific race information, including prices, times and the skate route, at http://www.a2a.net/.

After gorging yourself on all the yummy fall foods, you and your friends can run it off at the Athens Half! This year marks the fourth year of the AthFest Half Marathon, taking place October 20. Runners will enjoy the 13.1-mile course stretching all through the beautiful and historic Classic City. Kick off race weekend with the AthHalf Fitness Expo on Saturday, October 19, at The Classic Center in downtown Athens, Georgia. Lasting from 12-6 p.m., the Expo will provide individuals with discounted running and exercise merchandise, free samples of fitness products and several fitness- and wellness-related demonstrations and exhibits. The race itself takes place Sunday morning, October 20, beginning at 7:30 a.m. on Clayton Street in Athens and winding through the historic streets of the Classic City, past major area landmarks, through the University of Georgia's campus and ending with a victory lap of Sanford Stadium. Additional race weekend information can be found at http://athhalf.com/.

Once October comes, the countdown to Halloween begins and that can only mean one thing... Wild Rumpus! The streets of Athens come alive during Halloween's Wild Rumpus parade and spectacle on Saturday, October 26, when the downtown area transforms into a land of the undead, complete with a parade of unique costumes and fantastic live music. This year's theme is RAWR ~ Tribute to the Sun. Everyone is encouraged to get extremely creative with their Halloween costumes and you can dress independently or come as part of an already-existing, or newly created, costume brigade. You and your friends can follow the parade through the streets of the Classic City, which will end with a live concert at one of Athens' famous music venues, the 40 Watt Club. Concert doors open at 8 p.m., with the show starting at 9 p.m. Wild Rumpus's website has complete information about the night's events here!

Closing out this year's fall events this November, the UGA Arts council will host the Spotlight on the Arts Festival. This nine day festival will bring over 50 performing arts events to the Athens area. From Thursday, November 7 to Friday, November 15, you will be able to experience events and activities that include concerts, theater and dance performances, art exhibitions, poetry readings, author panels and book signings, lectures and discussions on the arts and creativity, and more. This festival has something for everybody who is interested in the arts! Visitors can catch the improvisational comedy show the Two Man Group featuring Colin Mochrie and Brad Sherwood, UGA Opera Theatre's performance of Carmen, Hal Holbrook in Mark Twain Tonight!, or the University Theatre production of Pride and Prejudice...and that is just the tip of the iceberg! A schedule of specific events and ticket information is available at arts.uga.edu.

There is no reason to be sitting inside this fall, get out and explore all that this city can offer you! Athens, Georgia has anything you could ever want to do to celebrate the season. The weather is right and the festivals are hopping so make sure to plan your fall events in the Classic City! For a list of all events going on in Athens, Ga check out visitathensga.com/events.

 

Athens This Weekend: October 26-28

It's a spectacularly spooky weekend to be in Athens, Georgia! The Wild Rumpus Spectacle gives Athenians and visitors the perfect escape from the ordinary. Take the family to a pumpkin patch, corn maze, or Zombie Farms. Or, travel through Athens' haunted past with a tour by the Heritage Foundation. 
 
1. Wild Rumpus, 4th Annual 

 What a spectacle! Hundreds of creative costumers will parade through the streets of Athens on Saturday night! This world-famous event could be The Classic City's best night of artistic expression. Reserve your tickets for the after-party at the Georgia Theatre featuring Athens' own 'of Montreal' beginning at 9 p.m.!

2. Athens Heritage Walks: Athens Haunted History Tour

Athens is full of life and vivality, but we have pretty of dark stories from the past. The Athens Clarke Heritage Foundation will host two tours and share the tales of murders, ghosts and more. Friday and Sunday at 7 p.m., take a two-hour journey to explore Athens from the other side of life.

3. Zombie Farms Halloween Trail

 THE END IS NEAR! The zombie apocalypse is upon us. Come to Zombie Farms and for your last chance to witness the dawn of a new era. Friday and Saturday, the farms opens at 8 p.m. as Athens' only haunted attraction. Tickets are $16 and recommended for ages 13 and up. 

For more events, including:

• The 3rd Annual Historic Athens Pub Crawl, Thursday @ 6 p.m.
• Athens Corn Maze, Thursday-Sunday, time varies
• Zombie Farms Halloween Trail, Friday & Saturday, 8 p.m.-Midnight
• Halloween Events for families, at Athens Parks
• Jack-o-Lantern Jog and Goblin Fun Run, Sunday @ Sandy Creek Nature Center

Want a complete list of all upcoming activities and goings-on in Athens?  Explore our event calendar at Visit Athens, Georgia.
  
Join the mailing list to stay in the loop about exciting events going on in the Classic City!

Athens This Weekend: October 19-21

1. 3rd Annual AthFest Half Marathon

13.1 miles. You can walk it or run it, but finishing a half-marathon is downright impressive. Even more impressive, the AthFest Half benefits the AthFest non-profit for music and arts education in local schools. The race course begins downtown and winds through town to Milledge Avenue, heads towards the UGA Golf course and continues through campus before finishing 'tween the Hedges at Sanford Stadium! This is going to be the best Half-Marathon ever! Spectators and supporters are invited to stand along the race route and enjoy the great music. Half Marathon too intense for you? Visit the Health and Wellness Expo Saturday from 12-6 p.m. at the Classic Center.

2. Zombie Farms Halloween Trail

 
"The Walking Dead" premiered on Sunday to the highest cable rating in history so it's almost fact that zombies are incredibly popular. Whether you're a fan or fearful, you'll enjoy the Zombie Farms Halloween Trail. The Farm is open to visitors for two more weekends this fall on Friday and Saturday from 8 p.m.-Midnight. Workers at the Farm recommend guests 13 years and older, because the Zombies don't like screaming... You've been warned. 

3. Over the Rainbow: An Aerial Performance in Oz

Canopy Studio is performing a spectacular aerial event based on "The Wizard of Oz" at their Tracy Street space. Marvel at the talented aerialists on trapeze, aerial lyra and other hanging structures. There are five shows this weekend: Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 4 and 8 p.m., and Sunday at 2 and 6 p.m.! Don't be a Cowardly Lion, buy your tickets now! 

Check out these other great events taking place in Athens, GA! 

• Dance Athens 2012, Saturday @ 4:30 and 7:30 p.m.
• John Prine, Friday @ 7 p.m.
• Lera Lynn, Saturday @ 8 p.m.
• Athens Corn Maze, Thursday-Sunday
• Scary, Oozy, Slimy Day, Saturday @ 4 p.m.
• Pinocchio: Free Family Puppet Show, Saturday @ 11 a.m.

Want a complete list of all upcoming activities and goings-on in Athens?  Explore our event calendar at Visit Athens, Georgia.
  
Join the mailing list to stay in the loop about exciting events going on in the Classic City!

Athens This Weekend: October 5-7

When the Bulldogs are away (in Columbia, SC this weekend!), Athenians will play! This weekend is jam-packed with Family, Art and Music events. Some say October is the best month of the year and with all the great festivals and celebrations in Athens this weekend, it's certainly climbing the ranks! Don't miss The DiXie Film Festival, North Georgia Folk Festival, Terrapin's Hop Harvest Festival, the Pulaski Street Art Crawl and the other events this weekend in Athens, GA! You're going to have a great time!

1. DiXiE Film Festival

Beginning Friday at 7 p.m., the DiXiE Film Festival is taking over the Morton Theatre! The 9th Annual Festival will be showcasing film makers from all over the world, with a special emphasis on the work shot south of the Mason-Dixon. The competition includes animation, comedy, coumentary, features and shorts. Best Feature Film, Best Short Film, Peach Fuzz Award (Police related film), Best Comedy, Best Animation, Best Documentary, Best Foreign, Best Screenplay, and the Mason-Dixon Award (Georgia Filmmaker) will reward the excellent films of the weekend! An all-access festival pass is $35. Tickets available at the door or by visiting www.dixiefilmfest.com.

2. Terrapin Brewery's Hop Harvest Festival

Celebrate the Harvest Season at Terrapin Brewery on Saturday from 4:30-8:30! The Hop Harvest Festival features 16 different casks of hops! Vouchers for glasses are available at the Terrapin Gift Shop on Newton Bridge Road. Once the glasses are gone, that's all for the night! Enjoy a night of great beer, local food and great music! 

3. North Georgia Folk Festival

It will be a day of music and activities at Saturday's 28th annual Folk Festival in Sandy Creek Park! Taste great food from Harry’s Pig Shop, Juan’s Empanadas, Jittery Joe’s Coffee, Farm 255, Sweets 4 U while watching chair making, cider making, folk painting, white oak baskets, corn shuck dolls, spinning, jewelry making and more beginning at 11 a.m. The Kid's Fest will feature arts and crafts facilitated by Lyndon House Arts Center staff and animals facilitated by staff from the Sandy Creek Nature Center. Admission is $12 for adults, $7 for students and free for children 12 and under. The music continues until 9 p.m., so expect a day full of fun for all!

4. Pulaski Street Art Crawl

The Pulaski Street Art Crawl is designed to celebrate the rich artistic tradition concentrated on one of Athens' most famous streets. The Crawl begins Saturday at 5 p.m. at Pints and Paints, located in the historic Leathers Building. Heading south, enjoy art, live music, food and drinks from local businesses along Pulaski and cross streets! The Crawl ends at ArTini's Art Lounge with a Georgia Sculptors’ Society’s Exhibition juried by Todd Rivers of the Georgia Art Museum. Look for the Black & White Balloons! 

5. Athens to Atlanta Road Skate

For 31 years, Athenians and visitors have taken the trek to Atlanta, by skating! The Athens-to-Atlanta Road Skate is world's longest running point-to-point inline skating event! At 7:30 a.m. on Sunday, October 7th, experienced skaters will depart from the Classic Center, winding through city and country to Atlanta! You can choose between 38, 52, or 87-mile distance and skate on four or five wheels, with bus service to the finish in Atlanta's Old Fourth Ward Park. 

6. Athens Heritage Walks: Historic Boulevard District

The Athens Clarke Heritage Foundation continues their series of heritage walks featuring two areas this weekend. On Saturday, explore Athens' first "streetcar suburb" in the Boulevard District. On Sunday, head back to school to learn about UGA's South Campus! Expect the tours to last about two hours. Come learn about Athens rich history and architectural tradition!

7. Athens Corn Maze

The five-acre Athens Corn Maze is open for visitors Thursday-Sunday through November 3rd! Enjoy the farm animals, pony rides, the Hey Hey Heyride, a corn box (think sand box without the mess!) and of course, the maze! Admission is $10 per person. Don't miss this Fall Family event!

8. Zombie Farms Halloween Trail

Athens' newest Halloween attraction is the perfect alternative to a haunted house! Take the fear outside, to a farm plagued by zombies and other spooky nighttime oddities. This Friday and Saturday, come dressed as a zombie for discounted admission to the trail, located on Lexington Road. The farm opens from 7 p.m.-midnight every Friday and Saturday in October! 

Want a complete list of all upcoming activities and goings-on in Athens? Check out our event calendar at Visit Athens, Georgia.
  
Join the mailing list to stay in the loop about exciting events going on in the Classic City!

Athens This Weekend: September 28-30

Don't worry, the first five days after a weekend are the hardest, but there's another coming soon! There's so many exciting activities and events around Athens, GA this weekend! The September 29th UGA Football game against the Tennessee Volunteers will be our last home game until November 3rd against Ole Miss, so enjoy the 3:30 kick-off in Athens, GA! In addition, the Athens Corn Maze is open for some fall fun and the Georgia Theatre will host two great acts this weekend.

1. Georgia Bulldogs vs. Tennessee Volunteers

The Bulldogs are 4-0 and ranked #5 coming into Saturday's sold-out game!! We shouldn't have to tell you how thrilling this game will be. There's nothing better than a day with 93,000 friends in Sanford Stadium! Kick-off is at 3:30 p.m. and don't forget our Football Weekends page for all you need to know about getting around Athens while in town for a game! Go Dawgs!

2. Athens Corn Maze

There's no better way to feel fall in the air than a trip to a farm filled with fun harvest activities! At the Athens Corn Maze, guests can take a ride on the Hey Hey Heyride, feed farm animals, and children can take a pony ride! Unique to the Athens Corn Maze is the "Corn Box". It's similar to a sand box, but filled with fresh, clean corn for your children's enjoyment! Don't forget about the Corn Maze, either! The farm is open Thursday- Sunday through November 3rd. Tickets are $10 each.

3. Concerts at the Georgia Theatre

The Georgia Theatre books some of the greatest musical acts in the county and can help catapult up and coming acts into success. It's a special place and luckily, it's in Athens! On Friday, the Dirty Guv'nahs perform at 8 p.m. for a show with a sound described as "rock meets Americana". Tickets are $10. Saturday, Yacht Rock Revue plays a post-game show with their fun and energetic 70s tunes. The group has been featured in publications like the NYT & others, so come see what they're all about! Tickets are $12. 

More great events in Athens, GA...

• Athens Heritage Walks: Southern Piedmont Farming Tour, Sunday @ 2
• 2012 Yuengling Gridiron Music Series, Fri. @ 8:30 p.m., Sat. @ 7:45 p.m.
• Classic City Roller Girls vs. Scenic City Rollergirls, Sat. @ 6 p.m.
• Athens Farmers Market, Sat. 8 a.m.-12 p.m.
• Children's Show with Laughing Pizza, Sun. @ 1:30 p.m.
• Put A Ring On It Bridal Show, Sun. @ 12 p.m.

Athens This Weekend: September 14-16

Up in Athens, GA, we can feel fall slowly making it's way into town! It should be a beautiful time in the Classic City. This weekend, UGA hosts Florida Atlantic for the first night game of the season. In addition, the State Botanical Garden of Georgia is hosting a fun family festival and of course, plenty of great music all around town. Why make it a Gameday when you can make it a Football Weekend? Check out our page for your go-to guide! 

1. UGA Football vs. Florida Atlantic

Tickets are sold out for Saturday's game at Sanford Stadium. The Bulldogs are 2-0 after a battle in Missouri last week. It will be the first night game of the season, with a kick-off at 7:30 p.m. against Florida Atlantic.

2. Insectival, 20th Annual

The State Botanical Garden of Georgia will host the family-friendly Insectival festival on Saturday, 9/14 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. There will plenty of fun activities with prizes, including a roach and beetle race, puppet show, and a butterfly release. Admission is $5 per child, or a $20 family maximum.

3. 2012 Yuengling Gridiron Music Series 

Every Friday and Saturday evening of the 2012 Football season, The Melting Point at the Foundry will host live musical performances on home game weekends. This Friday, motown band The Grains of Sand will hit the stage at 8 p.m. Saturday, The Hands of Time begin at 4 p.m. for a free tailgate party, so you can get to Sanford just in time for kick-off!

Other Events:

Athens Heritage Walks: Buena Vista Heights, presented by the Athens Heritage Foundation. Sunday @ 2 p.m.

UGA Womens Soccer vs. Vanderbilt, at the UGA Soccer Complex. Friday @ 7 p.m.

Want a complete list of all upcoming activities and goings-on in Athens? Check out our event calendar at Visit Athens, Georgia.
  
Join the mailing list to stay in the loop about exciting events going on in the Classic City!

Athens This Weekend: September 7-9

As the Bulldogs head to Missouri for their first game in SEC play, things are getting really exciting in Athens, GA!! There won't be any big crowds and football traffic this weekend, so make sure you get out and explore the Classic City! There are tons of great art events taking place, including the Athens Aerial Arts Weekend, Family Day at the Georgia Museum of Art and the final weekend of ATHICA Emerges V: The Synthetic Mind.

             1. Athens Aerial Arts Weekend

 

Athens has incredibly advanced programs involving aerial arts like Leap Flying Trapeze, Canopy Studio AerialDance, and Athens Vertical Pole Dance Academy. We’re so fortunate to have such great attractions enriching our arts scene and now, they’re turning to you! This weekend, you have the chance to test your ability on the trapeze and much more! The workshops and classes this weekend are designed specifically for beginners, so there’s no reason to stay on the ground! Events begin Friday evening and continue through Saturday afternoon. Sign up for a weekend in the air!

2. ATHICA Emerges V: The Synthetic Mind

The Athens Institute for Contemporary Art will be exhibiting ATHICA Emerges V: The Synthetic Mind for the last time on Sunday. The collection opened earlier this summer to high acclaim and praise for nine artists participating and their works, which synthesize perception and awareness from a variety of approaches. On Saturday and the final day Sunday, they’ll be open from 1-6 p.m. Admission is free!
 

3. Family Day at Georgia Museum of Art

 In addition to Athens’ residents, students and visitors, the Georgia Museum of Art works diligently to support children’s creativity. They host so many great events for kids and this Saturday will be another to add to the list!! Inspired by the work of renowned artist Chakaia Booker, whose work is currently on display at GMOA, kids will be creating sculptures out of recycled materials. It's the perfect example of turning trash into treasure! The activities start at 10 a.m. but make sure you see all the other exhibits in the museum, too!

Other events in Athens, GA: 

• "The Board Room" Skateboard Auction @ The Gallery at Hotel Indigo, Sunday 4 p.m. 
• Ready, Set, Vote! Film Screening: "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" @ the Special Collections Library 
• Murder at the Howard Johnson's Play @ the Morton Theatre
• Classic City Roller Girls vs. Charlotte @ Athens Arena
• UGA Heroes Bulldog Brawl @ Georgia Theatre

Want a complete list of all upcoming activities and goings-on in Athens? Check out our event calendar at Visit Athens, Georgia.
  
Join the mailing list to stay in the loop about exciting events going on in the Classic City!

Athens, GA: The Perfect Fall Football Weekend Getaway

Fall weekends at the University of Georgia bring thousands of sports enthusiasts to the campus, eager to enjoy a fun-filled Georgia Bulldogs football weekend in Athens, Georgia beyond the hedges of Sanford Stadium. There's nothing like SEC football, and we like to think Athens is one of the finest SEC towns on the schedule! With fantastic live music and entertainment, several unique tour options and award-winning dining choices, traveling fans of all ages are sure to be pleased. 

The game day energy circulating through fans crowded into Sanford Stadium continues long after the final whistle is blown. Downtown Athens, the heart of this historic college town's live music scene, boasts world-famous musical venues that big-name bands and artists, including Widespread Panic, the B-52's and R.E.M, can call home to. Weekend evenings are particularly exciting, as clubs like The 40 Watt, the Melting Point and the Georgia Theatre play host to various concerts and performances. 

Athens, Georgia Music History Tours offer an in-depth look at how the city became the musical mecca that it is today, by guiding fans through the Classic City's most influential music sites. The Athens Welcome Center has an extensive list of even more self-guided tour options exploring the town's local heritage. Of these include the Downtown Athens tour, the Milledge Avenue tour and the Civil War Tours of Athens. 

For a unique culinary experience, Athens Food Tours offer a wide variety of guided walking food tours for eaters of all fitness levels. Options include regularly-scheduled neighborhood tours of Athens, Georgia's Five Points, Prince Avenue, Downtown, or Normaltown areas, or partaking in specialty themed tours. Participants will enjoy an array of local and regional cuisine, prepared by many of Athens' most celebrated restaurants. 

To continue the tailgate even after the game is over, fans can take a trip to the award-winning Terrapin Beer Co. for a tour of the brewery, complete with tastings of the facility's house-crafted brews. Live music is performed each night, to be enjoyed by adults, children, and even pets. Terrapin offers tours Wednesday through Saturday evenings, beginning at 5:30 p.m., lasting until 7:30 p.m. The tour is free, with the option of purchasing a pint glass for $10, or a specialty glass for $12 for the tastings. 

Win or lose, hungry football fans cannot complete a visit to Athens without stopping in at any one of the city's acclaimed eateries. The Five Points area boasts the James Beard award-winning chef Hugh Acheson's upscale restaurant 5 &10. Downtown Athens is home to Farm 255, a unique dining experience that promises farm-to-table freshness, using only seasonal and sustainable food grown by local farmers. A terrific Sunday brunch can be enjoyed at Athens' favorite music-club-turned-restaurant, the Last Resort Grill. For a complete a list of the city's excellent dining options, visit  http://www.visitathensga.com/.

Whatever it is that you and your family want to do this fall during UGA football weekends, Athens, Georgia has a variety of activities, events, and locales that will make for the perfect weekend getaway!  Check out our 2012 UGA Football Weekend page at www.VisitAthensGA.com/football for more ideas and tips on where to park, where to eat, and what to do.

--Elizabeth Bertrand