Happenings in Middle Georgia & Beyond: A New Waterpark, Macon Film Festival & Bragg Jam
Late July is a busy time in Middle Ga. with the brand new Sandy Beach Waterpark, Macon Film Festival, Bragg Jam and much more!
Keeping you informed of What’s Happening On and Off The Beaten Path in Middle Georgia and beyond.
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Free Summer Family Fun in Georgia
These free kids clinics fill up fast so register early! Included are a free apron, goggles, patch and more.
- July 25, 10am Hawkeye’s Quinjet
Family Summer Camp dates are June 27-July 26 2015. Events are all free and include; crafts, workshops, BB shooting range, casting challenge and shooting arcade. All events occur at certain times, check your local store for times.
360 Mt. Vernon Rd. Jackson, Ga. A private, non-profit nature center with Wildlife, trails and family fun for FREE! Explore a 19th century style working farm and see goats, pigs, cows, a mule, donkey and lots of chickens. Also featured at the farm is a blacksmith shop, cane syrup mill and cooking areas, country store, chicken coop, tenant house, and a smoke house.
Museum of Aviation
GA Hwy 247 & Russell Parkway, Warner Robins, GA 31088. FREE!
Get a FREE parking pass for an Georgia State Park at your local library. Go HERE for more information.
Kids Bowl Free in Georgia Sites Registration is required. Registered Kids receive 2 Free Bowling Games per day! That’s just awesome! Go HERE for Kids Free Bowling in your state.
Macon Museum of Arts & Sciences The first Saturday of every month is FREE ADMISSION! The next free Saturday is Aug. 1
Georgia State Parks are all Admission Free! Parking is $5 but you can get a FREE PARKING PASS!! Check out Georgia State Park “ParkPass” and Historic Site Pass from your local library. Ask for the Park Pass to exempt the $5 parking fee. Ask for the Historic Sites Family pass which will cover up to four visitors at State historic sites operated by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.
Look for more Free events in the city listings below
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Barnesville
The Rock Ranch . Check the calendar for open dates when planning your trip to The Rock Ranch.
Fun in the Summer Open Dates:
- Mon. – Sat. July 13 – July 18
- Mon. – Sat. July 20 – July 25
- Open Times: 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Byron
- Byron downtown Farmer’s & Artisans Market located in the Jailhouse alley park every Saturday 9am-12pm
- Byron Beach at North Peach Park. Sat. July 18. 10am-8pm
Cordele
Ride in air-conditioned, 1949 vintage train cars. (Admission applies. Call 229-410-7937 for group reservations and rates).
Watermelon Express Train Ride (5hrs.35mins.) Enjoy this ride from our Downtown Cordele Depot to Historic Plains, the small Georgia town made famous by President Jimmy Carter.
- July 17th, 25th & 31.
Thronateeska Limited (5 hrs. 30 mins.) After a short ride through the Sumter County countryside, we deboard in the small town of Leslie, home of the 200,000 square foot Georgia Rural Telephone Museum. Train tickets include FREE admission to the museum, where you will explore the largest collection of antique telephones and telephone memorabilia in the world. You will also see numerous antique vehicles and even a working cathedral pipe organ.
- July 24
Presidential Flyer Train Ride (6 hrs. 25 mn.) Riding in air-conditioned, 1949 vintage train cars, you will travel from Georgia Veterans State Park, across Lake Blackshear to Plains, Archery and back. Explore President Jimmy Carter’s boyhood farm, go shopping and sample peanut butter treats.
- August 15
Americus Explorer (6 hrs.) From Cordele through Ga. Veterans State Park, across Lake Blackshear, visit Historic Downtown Americus, tour Habitat for Humanity’s Global Village (Admission applies. Call 229-410-7937 for group reservations and rates). Enjoy a mix of romantic yesteryear with the excitement of today
- August 1
Forsyth
Summer on the Square Concert Series
- Aug. 8th The third installment of the popular Summer on the Square Concert series will take place on Saturday, August 08 at 7:00 PM, featuring the Grains of Sand Band. The Grains of Sand feature two former members of the famed Athens, GA Band of the 60’s the Jesters.
- Tuesday July 21, 2015: Movie Night (Youth Center) Despicable Me 2 7pm
Hiawassee
Georgia Mountain Fair July 17-25
Jackson
The Village at Indian Springs
Indian Springs State Park, 678 Lake Clark Road, Flovilla, GA 30216
- So You Think You Have Talent July 25
- A1A-The Original Jimmy Buffet Tribute Show Saturday Aug. 8th 6-11pm As the first band ever to showcase a high-energy concert composed of nothing except Buffett’s best songs spanning every era of his career, A1A became the only Tribute Band personally sanctioned by Jimmy Buffett. While countless other bands have followed in A1A’s wake, and even cited them as their main inspiration, to this day A1A remains the first and foremost Jimmy Buffett Tribute Show.) -Tables $250 for table of eight -Covered seats $20 Lawn -Bring a chair $15. Bring a picnic! No alcohol allowed to be brought inside, but plenty of beer, wine, sodas and water sold. Call Big Chief Country Store at 770.775.5350 for reservations
Macon
Macon Film Festival 2015
Surrounded by a rich musical and southern culture, the Macon Film Festival celebrates independent films while promoting filmmaking for entertainment, inspiration, education, and economic development.
2015 Macon Film Festival Special Guest – Burt Reynolds
Grab the Schedule HERE
Follow along on Facebook
[Tweet “Macon Film Festival is going on NOW! #maconfilmfestival #visitmacon #exploregeorgia”]
Macon’s Bragg Jam Festival is July 25th! The last Saturday of July is Macon, Georgia’s ultimate summer music festival! Rain or shine, bands spanning all genres take on a variety of stages across the city and put on one unforgettable show after another in a jam-packed, rock, blues, and soul-infused night.
Mulberry Market Every Wednesday 3:30- 6:30 at Tattnall Park
Living History Map. Explore the Living History Map managed by the Historic Macon Foundation. Explore a few of Macon’s most important historic places.
Douglas Theatre. 355 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. (478) 742-2000.
- Macon Film Festival Events July 16, 17, 18, 19 (Special Screening, SHARKY’S MACHINE with special guest Burt Reynolds on the 19th 5pm-7:45)
- NT Live’s “Everyman” Sunday July 26 at 3pm. $20
Cox Capitol Theatre 382 Second St. Macon (478)257-6391
- Macon Film Festival July 16,17,18,19
- Bragg Jam July 25th
567 Center For Renewal 533 Cherry St.
- Macon Film Festival July 16-19
- Bragg Jam July 25th
Macon Arts Alliance Taste of the Arts: Havana will be held August 1 from 7-10 p.m. at the Historic Terminal Station in Downtown Macon. Tickets $40 advance, $50 at the door.
Macon Little Theatre Current Season Info Follow MLT on Facebook
- Children Pottery 3-3:30. July 18,19,25, & 26
- Butterfly Bio Blitz Aug. 22. 9:00-4:00 Come help count as many butterflies as possible with your camera. Participants will receive a free t-shirt, backpack, water bottle, and much more. Fun for the whole family. Children can paint a butterfly jewelry box or sun catcher to take home with them.
- First Saturday: Free Admission sponsored by MedCen Foundation/Navicent Health
- July 18 Reptile Rendezvous Family Day: Slithering snakes, tremendous tortoises, Jason Clark from Southeastern Reptile Rescue, and lots of activities all about reptiles.
Sandy Beach Water Park is Open!!
Attractions at the Sandy Beach Water Park at Macon’s Lake Tobesofkee include; Paradise Pool, Lazy River, Kiddie Isle (This area is made for wee ones under 48” tall. With zero depth entry, slides, play structures, and interactive splash features made just for kids), Splash Race & Slippery Slope! Go HERE for ticket information.
Pine Mountain
- Callaway Gardens Farmers Market, beach activities, kids zones, great food, drink specials and much more. Aqua Island, Paddle Boats, Miniature Golf, Table Tennis, Shuffleboard. Admission Info
- Summer Sunset Music Series Guest include; Swingin’ Medallions (4th), Chris Collins (5th), Secret Sauce (11th), Foghat with Special Guest Neal Lucas (18th), and Kyle Wilson (25th).
- Movies on the beach Friday’s at 9pm
Open daily at 10 am, closing times vary. 1300 Oak Grove Road, Pine Mountain, GA 31822
Roosevelt’s Little White House
- Beyond Rosie: Women in World War II June 1- Aug. 28. 9am-5pm.
Statesboro
Splash In The Boro Family Waterpark & Aquatic Center NOW OPEN! 7 days a week through Aug. 9. Ticket Info & Hours
Warner Robins
Museum of Aviation located at GA. Hwy 247 at Russell Parkway is open daily 9 am-5 pm with Free Admission.
International City Farmer’s Market Thursday’s 1-6 pm at Perkin’s Park.
GEORGIA STATE PARKS
F.D. Roosevelt State Park. ($5 parking)
- Farmer’s Market. Saturdays 10:30 AM – 2:30 PM – May 23, 2015 until Sep 5, 2015
- Water Wonders Every Saturday in July 2-3 pm (Drop by and dip a net in our lake. See our aquatic inhabitants. We provide nets, viewing scopes and lots of interesting discoveries. Geared towards adults & families w/ children ages 4 & up. Children must be accompanied by adults. Meets next to fishing dock in the campground)
- Art in the Park. Saturday’s from 2pm-5pm. Hand crafted, local items for sale. Craft demonstrations.
- GIANT S’MORES BUILD A THON! Sat. July 18th at 7pm Help the park set a STATE S’MORE RECORD! Pre-register and pre-pay to participate in the build. Builders must bring assigned s’more components. S’more eaters come to cheer & devour. Meet next to the campground Trading Post. S’more builders $5 per team (up to 4 people) 706-663-4858.
High Falls State Park ($5 parking)
- Moth Madness Hike. July 17th. 9-10 pm They are the moon’s butterflies. See them up close and learn more about these colorful creatures in this night hike to the falls.
- Twilight Night Paddle July 18th & 24th and Sat. Aug. 1. Watch wading birds and enjoy the setting sun in this peaceful, ranger-led 3 mile canoe trip to Buck Creek. This program is open to adults and children 8 years or older who are accompanied by an adult. Reservations required.
Indian Springs State Park ($5 parking)
The Village at Indian Springs is open! You will find Big Chief Country Store, Daisy Pearl’s Boutique, Ladybugs & Tadpoles Children’s Store, Mrs. Lee’s Stagecoach Sweet Stop, Vintage Post Antiques & Gifts and Watkins Outfitters.
- A1A-The Original Jimmy Buffet Tribute Show Saturday Aug. 8th 6-11pm As the first band ever to showcase a high-energy concert composed of nothing except Buffett’s best songs spanning every era of his career, A1A became the only Tribute Band personally sanctioned by Jimmy Buffett. While countless other bands have followed in A1A’s wake, and even cited them as their main inspiration, to this day A1A remains the first and foremost Jimmy Buffett Tribute Show.) -Tables $250 for table of eight -Covered seats $20 Lawn -Bring a chair $15. Bring a picnic! No alcohol allowed to be brought inside, but plenty of beer, wine, sodas and water sold. Call Big Chief Country Store at 770.775.5350 for reservations
Jarrell Plantation Historic Site (711 Jarrell Plantation Rd. Juliette, GA 31046) Admission $4-6.50)
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Sew a Simple Doll July 18 & August 15. Learn to sew a Miss Poppet doll. The required doll kit is $7.99 plus tax.
- [Tweet “Find out What’s Happening in Middle Ga. this weekend. #exploregeorgia #thisismygeorgia #georgia”]
Travel Tips
Did you know that you can check out Georgia State Park “ParkPass” and Historic Site Pass from your local library. Ask for the Park Pass to exempt the $5 parking fee. Ask for the Historic Sites Family pass which will cover up to four visitor at State historic sites operated by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.
The Fishing Tackle Loaner Program of The Wildlife Resources Division provides rods, reels and tackle box equipment to participating State Parks and Historic Sites Offices
Georgia State Parks Money saving Special discounts page can be found HERE. [Tweet “Find out how to get a Free Parking Pass for Ga. State Parks #exploregeorgia “]
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Thanks for linking up at the Weekend Blog Hop at My Flagstaff Home!
Jennifer