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: 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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How does your family enjoy the outdoors during these warm, summer months?

Athens This Weekend: July 13-15

The weekend is almost here! Athens, Georgia is offering a wide variety of family-friendly activities and events all weekend-long, sure to entertain kids and adults alike. We're certain you'll find something that sparks your interest!

1. UGA Trial Gardens Public Open House

The UGA Horticulture Trial Gardens will have an Open House for the public on Saturday, July 14 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Gardens trial the newest varieties of annuals from all over the world, as well as testing which perennial species stand up to the southeastern heat and humidity. This special UGA Trial Gardens Open House event is a great source of information and ideas for any type of garden or gardener!

2. Athens Farmers Market

The Athens Farmers Market at Bishop Park this Saturday morning, July 14, is a great chance to get out and experience some of the freshest food, music, and art Athens has to offer! Come out between 8 a.m. and noon to sample rows of locally-grown produce from the area's growers, handmade arts and crafts created by local artists, and live music by the Classic City's most talented musicians. The Athens Farmers Market is located at the basketball courts at Bishop Park, and admission is free.

3. Where's Waldo in the ATH?

All weekend long, as well as everyday in the month of July, you can search for Waldo at 20 participating local businesses, including Agora, Clocked, The Grill, The Grit, and more. Upon finding Waldo, you'll receive a ticket from the store. Find eight tickets and get a prize from Avid Bookshop, or find sixteen out of the twenty to be entered into a raffle to win a boxed set of Where's Waldo books and other prizes! This is a fantastic way to get the kids out and about in Athens, Georgia this summer. Check the event listing on the Visit Athens, GA website for the complete list of participating businesses.

For even more great weekend events happening in the Classic City, search our list of activities at Visit Athens, GA.

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How will you spend this weekend in Athens, Georgia?

Celebrating Independence Day in Athens: July 1-4

The Fourth of July is right around the corner! Celebrate the holiday by gathering friends and family and heading to Athens, Georgia for various Independence Day events. We're certain you'll find an exciting way to celebrate America in the Classic City all this weekend, and through Wednesday, July 4!

1. Classic City American Music Festival

Head to one of Athens' favorite music venues, The Melting Point, on Sunday, July 1 for the Classic City American Music Festival. This annual event features both indoor and outdoor stages hosting some of the best established and rising talents in the American Music Scene, including The Darnell Boys, Packway Handle Band, Mountain Heart, and more. Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door, with a discounted ticket of $10 at the door to those who show a UGA ID card. All children ages 12 and under admitted free. Concessions begin at 1 p.m., with the first band coming on stage at 2:30 p.m. The Melting Point will begin serving food from its menu at 5 p.m. Come, rain or shine, to enjoy traditional Americana, bluegrass, and folk music!

2. Classic City Band Concert

The State Botanical Gardens of Georgia will host the Classic City Band Concert. The band will celebrate Independence Day by playing popular and patriotic tunes. The performance will be from 3-4 p.m. on Sunday, July 1 in the Visitor Center and Conservatory building. Admission is free for all ages. Spend a Sunday afternoon listening to the refined instrumentals of the Classic City Band!

3. Star Spangled Classic at Bishop Park

Back this year by popular demand, the Star Spangled Classic at Bishop Park on July 4 is a wonderful Athens Fourth of July tradition, complete with music, food, family-friendly activities, and a fabulous fireworks display! Bring the kids to participate in the Children's Patriotic Parade, when participants adorn festive and patriotic costumes while parading around the park. Registration for the Children's Patriotic Parade begins at 5 p.m., with the family events beginning at 6 p.m., followed by fireworks at 9:30 p.m. Admission and parking are free. Celebrate Independence Day with a fun-filled evening at Bishop Park!

For even more events that will make for a delightful holiday weekend in Athens, GA, check out the listings on the Visit Athens, GA calendar!

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How are you celebrating national freedom this Independence Day?

Athens This Weekend: May 25-27

The weekend is almost here, and there are plenty of events in Athens GA to get out and enjoy! Grab some friends for a Friday night concert, then spend Saturday and Sunday out with the family. Be sure to check out these events to help plan your weekend!

1. Patterson Hood & The Downtown Rumblers

Head out to the Melting Point in Athens to see local artist Patterson Hood and his band the Downtown Rumblers perform Friday night. Come hungry and enjoy a fabulous dinner, as well as a fully stocked bar! Doors open at 6, with music beginning at 8:15 p.m. by the MOTHS. Patterson Hood goes on at 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 if bought in advance, or $18 if purchased at the door. Ages 18 and older admitted only. 

2. Athens Farmers Market

Bishop Park hosts the Athens Farmers Market every Saturday morning on the basketball courts, beginning at 8 a.m. and lasting until noon. This non-profit organization features food by local farmers, work by local artists, and music by local musicians. Bring the family out to experience this unique Athens tradition, and come early for the best selection!

3. A Divine Light: Northern Renaissance Art

Spend a weekend afternoon at the Georgia Museum of Art viewing "A Divine Light: Northern Renaissance Paintings from the Bob Jones University Museum and Gallery". This exhibit features 28 paintings, all designed to allow the viewer an intimate experience with the devotional art that defines the Renaissance period of the 15th and 16th centuries. The museum is open from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and on Sundays from 1-5 p.m. Admission is free, with a suggested donation of $3. GMOA is also offering free tours of this exhibition for church groups and others. Call  706-542-4662 to schedule one today!

These are only a few of the many events happening this weekend in Athens, GA. To look for more exciting activities and events, be sure to check out our Visit Athens, GA calendar of events!

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What summer plans does your family have in store?

Memorial Day Weekend in Athens - Great Deals & Events!

This Memorial Day weekend is shaping up to be a busy one for all Athens, GA, folks and friends! With a great lineup of options for fun and lots of savings, there is no excuse not to get out and enjoy this holiday weekend.

Maintaining the true spirit of Memorial Day, many Athens Businesses will offer special deals to our amazing men & women in uniform.

• Active Climbing is happy to offer a free climbing session to any and all holders of military I.D from 4-8 p.m. this Monday.
• Hotel Indigo will be running a Memorial Special, Friday through Monday, with rates of only $59 a night for members of the military. Be sure to mention the special when calling ahead to make a reservation.
• Hampton Inn is offering a rate of $80/night with military ID.
• At Sweet Peppers Deli this Memorial Day, all men and women in uniform will receive a free entrée of their choosing upon arrival. If your uniform is a bit more snug than it used to be, just bring along a jacket or article of insignia instead and enjoy your free lunch!

• Other Memorial Weekend hotel specials available to all visitors include:
• Candlewood Suites, $59/night, Thursday to Sunday
• Georgia Gameday Center, stay one night get one night 1/2 off
• Holiday Inn, $75/night, book here;
• Holiday Inn Express, rates starting at $69/night, book here; and

Come one, come all to the annual Memorial Day in Memorial Park celebration this Monday from noon to 3 p.m. If you are looking to stay true to Memorial Day tradition, then the Memorial Park celebration is sure to satisfy. Bring a blanket and the whole family out for a day of wholesome American fun. Have your face painted with the kids before sending them to bounce to their hearts content in the many inflatables provided for the celebration. Then indulge in your favorite concession food items as you relax in the grass and enjoy live music all afternoon. The weather will be warm and the company will be warmer. Keep in mind the park pool will not be open, but the Bear Hollow Wildlife Trail certainly will be so don’t forget to say ‘Hello’ to these little cuties:

For more information on this event, visit our calender listing.

If you’re looking to get a little less traditional before your all-American Memorial Day or if you’re just looking to get a little culture, then don’t miss your chance to see ATHICA’s spring exhibit, The Way Things Work, in it’s closing weekend. The exhibit ends in celebration starting this Friday in a reprise of The Way Things Go 2, a video art experience, with outdoor screenings of short video artworks on the ATHICA porch from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. On Sunday, the closing ceremony will consist of an artist and curator discussion panel followed by a picnic on the porch provided by White Tiger and Trumps from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. With 12 artists from around the country and abroad, this highly stimulating exhibit includes artwork in forms ranging from large-scale installations to pencil drawings. The works featured focus around a theme of systems and norms within culture and society. With pieces like the one pictured below, Trivialities of Deportment by Will Pergl, this exhibit is sure to get you thinking! So try your hand at non-conformity and do something a little different this Memorial Day weekend!

For more information about this exhibit, visit out event listing.

Get fresh at the Athens Farmers Market this Saturday at Bishop Park from 8:00 a.m. to noon. Local foods, crafts, and works of arts from area farmers and volunteers will fill the park along with music from 2 very different groups of performers. Starting the day off right will be the all-female folk trio, Maiden Radio, performing at 8:00 a.m. Then prepare yourselves for a trip to the deep South when Maculele Capoeira take the stage in a traditional Brazilian performance of dance, martial arts, singing, and instrument playing. The Athens Farmers Market is always a great option for your weekend plans, as you’ll get to mingle with the community, enjoy the beautiful morning, and support local commerce.

Learn more about the Athens Farmers Market by visiting our event listing.

The city of Winterville will host Veteran Appreciation Day this Saturday. A complimentary BBQ lunch in Pittard Park will be provided for veterans and spouses following a ceremony at the Winterville United Methodist Church.

And in case you didn’t already have enough to choose from, here are a few other Memorial Day weekend options:

• ACC Library will be kicking off its new “Harry Potter’s World: Renaissance Science, Magic and Medicine” exhibit this weekend with an opening reception on Sunday and a movie screening on Saturday. The travelling National Library of Medicine exhibit will explore the relationship between Harry Potter’s wizarding world and foundational Renaissance science and medicine.
• Get crafty at The Native America Gallery on Friday night with a beginner earrings class from 6-8 p.m.
• Enjoy the sounds of the city this Memorial Day weekend with fantastic musical acts happening around town. Big name artist, Ryan Bingham and the Dead Horses, will be headlining at the 40 Watt Club this Friday night. Or catch the soon-to-be-big-name Athens’ band, Reptar, at Little Kings Shuffle Club this Saturday night before they embark on a summer tour at hot spots and festivals around the country.

Bring your family, bring your friends, it’s going to be a very exciting Memorial Day weekend in Athens, GA. Visit our calendar for even more information on Athens’ events this weekend and beyond! Have a great one, friends!

My Impromptu Saturday Outing

My Sunday during the long weekend all started with a frisbee and got better from there. Actually, it all started with a bunch of frisbees. Who knew that they came in so many shapes and colors now. You can get foldable fabric ones, tiny "distance driver" ones, and ones that have holes in the middle. That can't be aerodynamic, can it? We finally settled on a highlighter yellow one with a metallic warrior embossed on the front. It was about eight dollars at Half Moon Outfitters in 5 Points. They had a bunch of neat stuff in there this past Sunday like 1-person tents and hacky sacks. Check it out if you're looking for rain gear. They had a bunch of men's and women's on sale.

We head to Bishop Park off of Prince to break in our purchase. On the way I spot that car show that's hosted by The Varsity. I've always meant to check it out. The entire parking lot was full of antique cars that had been restored. We saw mustangs, chargers, and an edsel. They were all flawless, but then again I know squat about cars. The owners would occasionally get up from their shady folding chair and buff the cars with diapers. As a joke, I wanted to go pop the hood of my dirty, red Dodge Caliber to see if it could generate any interest.

After the car show, we head to the park. There were already a good number of people out. They were throwing frisbees too or reading on blankets. That's just what you do in Athens. Right before kickoff of last Saturday's game, I saw a guy reading poetry and eating little fruits in a shady spot next to New Tate. It was amazing that he could concentrate with hundreds of rowdy fans walking by. I love all of the different people you can find in this city.

After throwing our new frisbee for a while, I started to get sunburned so we retreated to the basketball court. It's the same one they hold the Athens Farmers Market on each Saturday. Long story short, we found a perfectly good basketball, I found a dollar on the ground, and half-court shots are just as difficult as they should be. Athens is definitely a city that you can take your time exploring. It has a funny way of leading you in a completely different direction than you had anticipated.