Athens This Weekend: April 19 - 21

Spring is in full bloom this weekend in Athens, Georgia, and there's no better place to be than the great outdoors! Enjoy the warm weather in all of its glory with a breathtaking journey through the Georgia Antebellum Trail, a calm stroll through the Piedmont Gardeners' Tour or even at the UGA baseball game against Vanderbilt. No matter what you choose, you're bound to have fun in the Classic City sun!

5th Annual Antebellum Trail Pilgrimage

The award-winning Antebellum Trail Pilgrimage features a 100-mile trail filled with breathtaking views and historic landmarks. Journey through some of Georgia's most interesting cities, such as Eatonton, Madison and Milledgeville, where a love of the past and southern hospitality await you. This exciting Pilgrimage will take place April 18 - 21 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.each day. Tickets are $25 and include unlimited access to all events. 

20th Annual Piedmont Gardeners' Garden Tour

The 20th Annual Piedmont Gardeners' Garden Tour features five inspiring gardens in the Athens, Georgia area. Grab your walking shoes, bring a friend and immerse yourself in this self-guided tour filled with garden creativity and ideas. The Piedmont Gardeners' Tour will take place Saturday, April 20 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. 

UGA Baseball vs. Vanderbilt

The Georgia Bulldogs are back in action this weekend as they play back-to-back home games right here in Herty Field! Come support the UGA baseball team as they take on SEC rival, Vanderbilt, in the final two games of a three-game series. The two games will take place Saturday, April 20 at 4 p.m. and Sunday, April 21 at 2 p.m. Admission ranges from $5 - $8! 

More events...

• AlanFest 2013, Tues. through Sat., times vary
• UGA Softball vs. Texas A&M, Fri. 6 p.m., Sat. 4 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m.
• Saturday Morning Paddle at the Sandy Creek Park, Sat. 9 a.m.  

Want a complete list of all upcoming activities going 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!

Spring Festivals and Events in Athens, GA

We've brushed off the last gasp of winter (and brrrr, that last week of March was a doozy) and can now say, finally, that Spring has sprung in Athens, Georgia.

Springtime in Athens brings a whirlwind of life and activity back to the Classic City, especially after a long, cold winter. As spring blossoms, visitors can enjoy the beautiful scenery via historic tours and numerous outdoor events. The Athens live music scene also comes to life with concerts and festivals celebrated throughout the city. Between the renowned sporting events, beautiful gardens and exciting festivals, springtime in Athens, GA is a unique and captivating time for people of all ages!

UGA's Annual International Street Festival 

  

UGA's Annual International Street Festival showcases a variety cultures from throughout the world and will take place Saturday, April 6. Dozens of UGA international organizations and groups from the local Athens community will bring their cultures to life in the heart of downtown from noon - 5:00 p.m. Live musical and dance performances, informative and interactive displays, as well as children's activities help showcase the many cultures of Athens. For more information about this wonderful event and the international student organizations represented, please visit www.uga.edu/isl. 

Plantapalooza

  

The State Botanical Garden of Georgia, The UGA Horticulture Club and The Trial Gardens at UGA are coming together again to host Plantapalooza, a combined plant sale.  This event will take place Saturday, April 6 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Gardeners are expected to travel to Athens from throughout the state for the wide array of beautiful garden plants that will be available. Horticulturists, volunteers, and Master Gardeners will be available to assist with plant selections.  More details are available at www.ugatrialgardens.com.

Antebellum Trail Pilgrimage

Georgia's 5th Annual, award-winning, Antebellum Trail Pilgrimage will be April 18 - 21. Visitors who travel down Georgia's Antebellum Trail enter a magical place where time has stood still. Each community, from Macon to Athens, holds hidden treasures from the past. This event features events and tours along the Trail as well as entrance into private, historic homes not generally open to the general public. A $25 Pilgrimage Pass will provide unlimited access to participating events and attractions throughout the weekend in all Antebellum Trail communities. For more information about the event, please visit www.atpilgrimage.com. 

  Piedmont Gardeners' Garden Tour

Athens' 20th Annual Piedmont Gardeners' Garden Tour Saturday, April 20 offers visitors  an inside look at the Athens area's most inspired private gardens. Five gardens will be featured in this event. Tickets include maps and directions to the gardens. The Garden Tour  happens rain or shine. More details about the five featured gardens are available at www.piedmontgardeners.org/GardenTour.html.

Terrapin Twilight Criterium

Athens will host its 34th Annual Terrapin Twilight Criterium April 26 - 27. This professional cycling event and festival provides fun for fans, families and racers. The Terrapin Twilight Criterium is a popular spot on the national cycling tour circuit. In addition to the marquee men's and women's races Saturday evening, there will be kids' activities and races, live music performances, an all ages 5K run/walk, and a BMX Jam. More than 30,000 fans pack the exciting streets of downtown Athens every year to witness the best in American criterium racing. For more information about the event, please visit www.athenstwilight.com.  

Indie South Fair

The Indie South Fair will be held on May 4. This bi-annual handmade market brings together an eclectic selection of emerging artists and crafters from the South and beyond. For more information including applications, visit www.athensindiecraftstravaganzaa.com.

Stadion Classic at UGA

Professional golf returns to Athens April 29 - May 5 during the Stadion Classic at UGA. This is one of two Nationwide Tour stops in Georgia. The Stadion Classic at UGA is the only event on the Nationwide Tour that is owned and operated by an institution of higher education.  All net proceeds from the event will support need-based scholarships for UGA students through the Arch Foundation. Tickets can be purchased through the TICKETS Fore CHARITY program which supports non-profits in Georgia and nationwide. Ticket and event information can be found at www.stadionclassic.uga.edu.

  

AthFest Music and Arts

The Athens live music scene is ready to kick off the 17th Annual AthFest Music and Arts Festival June 19 - 23. This has been named a Top 20 Event by The Southeast Tourism Society. AthFest features more than 150 bands on outdoor stages and in Athens' renowned clubs. Between the live music, art, local film screenings and KidsFest, there is entertainment for all ages. More event information is available at www.athfest.com.

Athens Human Rights Festival 

The 35th Annual Athens Human Rights Festival will be May 4 - 5. This is a springtime political and cultural tradition in Athens. The festival features a dynamic, educational, and family-friendly weekend of oratory, music, activities for the children, and street theater performances in an outdoor setting. More information about the event is available at www.athenshumanrightsfest.org. 

For more information about spring events taking place in Athens, along with special offers and discounts on accommodations, activities, shopping and dining, visit www.visitathensga.com/spring or contact the Athens Convention & Visitors Bureau at 706-357-4430, toll-free 800-653-0603.

Plant & Garden Events in Athens,GA

Spring is a wonderful time of year to visit Athens, especially for garden enthusiasts. You can enjoy the blooms at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia, the gardens of Athens' four historic house museums, a wide variety of nurseries, and the fascinating horticulture Trial Gardens at UGA.  and several exciting events. This April will provide added inspiration for your own garden. Here are a few ideas that hopefully will spark your interest. 

Plantapalooza: April 14

Gardeners are expected to travel to Athens from throughout the state to attend the  Plantapalooza plant sale from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm on Saturday, April 14, 2012. Held at the State Botanical Garden, the UGA Horticulture Club and The Trial Gardens at UGA, a wide array of garden plants will be available at each location, combined with horticulturists, volunteers and Master Gardeners to help with plant selections. Gardeners who participate in the 2012 Plantapalooza will be able to explore two gardens, chat with horticulturists, and choose from a large selection of plants at the three venues. All the plants are selected to thrive in Southeastern gardens.

Plantapalooza Stop 1:

• The Trial Gardens at UGA, which grows and tests the newest annuals and perennials from plant breeders throughout the world, will focus on offering unique plants that are difficult to find anywhere else. They will also offer Athens Select Plants, plants that have successfully survived and thrived in the hot and humid climate. Dr. Allan Armitage will be available to sign his books (which will be for sale) and lead tours of the Trial Garden. Profits from all sales help fund the continuation of the Trial Gardens research and student employees in the gardens. The Trial Gardens are located at: 1111 Plant Sciences Building at the University of Georgia,Athens, GA 30602

Plantapalooza Stop 2:

• The State Botanical Garden of Georgia, headquarters of the Georgia Gold Medal Plant Program, will have Gold Medal plants noted among its broad selection of trees, shrubs, perennials, annuals, herbs, vegetables, and more. This sale will also offer many native plants grown at the State Botanical Garden, which has a successful Certificate in Native Plants program and has recently launched a Native Plant Initiative. The Garden Gift Shop, with a large selection of books and locally crafted items, will be open.The newest building at the State Botanical Garden is the Garden Club of Georgia State Headquarters.  Both the Georgia Plant Conservation Alliance and the Garden Club of Georgia are headquartered at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia. This garden can be found at the following address:  2450 South Milledge Avenue  Athens, GA 30605

Plantapalooza Stop 3:

• The UGA Horticulture Club will be selling a wide range of garden and landscape plants near the intersection of Riverbend Road and College Station Road.  Profits from all sales fund projects for students in the Horticulture program.

Piedmont Gardener's Garden Tour

Another event perfect for plant enthusiasts is the 19th Annual Piedmont Gardener's Garden Tour. This spring garden tour features an inside look at the Athens area's most inspired private gardens. Five gardens will be featured on April 21, 2012, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 the day of the tour. A variety of plants will be found at each garden. These gardens are not usually open for visitors to tour. This event will help visitors enhance garden skills and knowledge. More information about the gardens participating in this event can be found here. 

With all of the Spring Plant Sales in full bloom, make your visit a weekend getaway! There are several beautiful hotels, shops, and dining locations around Athens,GA. For more information about events taking place in Athens, along with special offers and discounts on accommodations, activities, shopping and dining, visit www.VisitAthensGA.com/spring  or contact the Athens Convention & Visitors Bureau at 706-357-4430. 

What about the Spring Plant Sales are you looking forward to?

Two Great Gardening Weekends

This post is courtesy of Guest Blogger Connie Cottingham, from her Georgia Gardening blog.  Thanks, Connie!

OK plant nuts, listen up! If you are looking for a road trip or are lucky enough to live nearby, clear your calendars for two special gardening weekends in Athens Georgia.


The first is Apriil 9th, when the State Botanical Garden of Georgia, UGA Trial Garden and the UGA Horticulture Club decided to have their plant sales from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm on the same day – a Plantapolooza!So if you want to find unusual plants, ask horticulturists and Master Gardeners their advice (bring a few photos of your garden – that helps communication), or just feel like celebrating spring by plant shopping, then come to Athens. The State Botanical Garden will emphasize native plants, food crops and Georgia Gold medal winners among their wide selection. Allan Armitage will be leading tours and signing books at the UGA Trial Garden. Find out more about these sales at www.ugatrialgardens.com.

If you are a Friend of the State Botanical Garden, you can start shopping Friday night at the preview sale (a few of the best things sell out that night), plus members receive 10% off purchases at the State Botanical Garden sale and in the new gift shop. The Friends of the Garden “Members Only” Preview Sale will be held Friday, April 8, 5:00pm-7:00pm in the Visitor Center & Conservatory. If you aren’t a Friend of the Garden, you can buy a membership outside of the sale that night. That leaves Saturday open to not only shop the other two sales but… (insert drumroll here):

Several area nurseries are offering discounts to people who have been to these three plant sales. The more you shop, the more you save. For visiting one, two or all three of the Plantapalooza sites, you earn 5%, 10% or 15% (respectively) off your total purchase that day at the following participating local retailers. Participants will receive a card which will be stamped at the Botanical Garden, Trial Gardens and Horticulture Club sales.

Cofer’s Home & Garden Showplace
1145 Mitchell Bridge Road
Athens, GA 30606-6411
(706) 353-1519
Store Hours: 9:00am-6:00pm
www.cofers.com

Goodness Grows
332 Elberton Road
Lexington, GA 30648
(706) 743-5055
Store Hours: 9:00am-5:00pm
www.goodnessgrows.com


Thyme After Thyme
550 Athens Road
Winterville, GA 30683-1535
(706) 742-7149
Store Hours: 9:00am-5:00pm
www.thymeafterthyme.com

Thomas Orchards, Greenhouse and Giftshop
6091 Macon Highway
Bishop, GA 30621-1468
(706) 769-5011
Store Hours: 9:00am-6:00pm
www.thomasorchardsandnursery.com

Specialty Ornamentals
3650 Colham Ferry Rd,
Watkinsville, Georgia 30677
(706) 310-0143 ‎
www.specialtyornamentals.com

Eastside Ornamentals
120 Walter Sams Road
(Off Highway 78 East)
Winterville, GA 30683
(706) 543-5500
Store Hours: 9:00am-4:00pm

The following weekend will be a great weekend in Athens for gardeners too. Saturday, April 16th from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm will be The Piedmont Gardeners 18th Annual Garden Tour of Athens. See www.piedmontgardeners.org for photos of the 5 lovely gardens on tour this year. This is a very successful and popular annual garden tour. I’ve been to many of these tours and have always had a wonderful time. I’ve toured two of this year’s gardens and - oh my! – they are amazing – so worth the $20 ticket price ($15 in advance)! Bring a camera, plus paper and pen. Then once you have that list of plants you cannot live without, go back to the nurseries listed above, because Thomas Orchards in Watkinsville, Cofer’s in Athens and Thyme After Thyme in Winterville (maybe more) will have open houses in their nurseries, including specials and Master Gardeners to answer questions. Specialty Ornamentals will offer special discounts to Master Gardeners.

Athens is a great gardening town. If you feel like taking a breather, stroll the State Botanical Garden of Georgia (www.uga.edu/botgarden) to see Forged from Nature: An Exhibition of Garden Gates. You’ll view amazing sculpted gates by Andrew T. Crawford that are 6’-10’ tall among the many plants in bloom.