Athens This Thanksgiving Weekend, Nov. 26 - 28

If there's a better holiday than Thanksgiving out there, I have yet to find it. Whether you eat out or dine in, serve traditional turkey or unconventional egg rolls, we all have something to be thankful for. Here in Athens, Georgia, we're always thankful for the creative energy that leads to a never-ending calendar of wonderful events!

FOOTBALL: It's finally time for the big game against Georgia Tech! The Dawgs will host their in-state rival for a rare Thanksgiving weekend night kickoff. If you're worrying more about a late, late drive home, fear not-- can you believe it? There are actually some discounted hotel rooms, still available, with no two-night minimums! Check our website's Football section for hotel availability.

LOCAL MUSIC: You may be taking the day after Thanksgiving off, but in Athens, the music scene never sleeps. Head downtown for a jam-packed Friday night, including:

• Drivin N Cryin at the 40 Watt.
• The Drifters at the Rialto Room for the last Fabulous Football Fridays Concert Series.
• Deja Vu, a Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young tribute band at The Melting Point

POST-TURKEY FIX: Spoiler alert! I'm about to tell you where to score some free cupcakes. If you don't want to know then you're crazy. For everyone else, there will be free cupcakes, cake, and tote bags at the Farm Cart Birthday Party this Saturday! Celebrate the famous local food truck and its amazingly successful first year. The party will be held on the patio of Farm 255 from noon - 4 p.m., so stop by before the game!

For the rest of the scoop on things to do in Athens this weekend, check out our complete calendar.

Say Hello to our FALL In Love With Athens Winners!

Fall 2010 Photo Contest Results

The Athens Convention & Visitors Bureau is pleased to announce that our CVB Staff Pick Award goes to to Debbie Hambley!

Debbie captured the wonderful tree-lined streets of downtown Athens in all their autumn glory. This great angle including flags and banners combines for a true "only in Athens" scene.

We are also happy to announce that YOUR top pick, the "Fan Favorite" Award, goes to... Iris Afonso!! Fans of all ages have loved the "We Let the Dawgs Out" statues!



Both winners will receive a $250.00 Athens prize package. A one night stay at Country Inn & Suites or Georgia Gameday Center, a $50.00 Classic Center gift certificate, a $50.00 Last Resort gift certificate, and a $25.00 Downtown Athens gift certificate.

A big thanks to everyone who entered and voted during our very first photo contest. Your photos all helped to make it a success.

View all the entries here-- there are so many wonderful ones that selection of a winner was a real challenge.


Do you have your eye on the next prize? If you are interested in entering our next photo contest, here are some tips:
1. Start planning your shot early. You don't need a fancy camera but a little composition goes a long way!
2. Pick a subject that you're passionate about. We love to see your Athens' favorites.
3. Let your friends know that you're entering so that they can vote for you.


This was our first photo contest, so we welcome any and all of your suggestions by emailing athenscvb@gmail.com. We would love to hear your thoughts about possible themes.

We're Having Another Contest!

Win tickets to The Morton Theatre Centennial Gala and Farm 255 just by tweeting!
Contest: November 10, 2010 - November 17, 2010

The Morton Theatre, Farm 255, and the Athens Convention & Visitors Bureau are teaming up to send you on an amazing night in downtown Athens, Georgia. All you have to do is check out the VisitAthensGA Twitter page and retweet our post about the upcoming Morton Theatre Centennial Gala.

"RT @VisitAthensGA Send me to the @MortonTheatre Centennial Gala Show and @Farm255!RT to win"

The Morton Theatre Centennial Gala celebrates its 100 years on Hot Corner. Built in 1910, it was one of the first vaudeville theatres owned and operated by an African- American. Memorable performers such as Duke Ellington, Cab Calloway, Bessie Smith, and Louis Armstrong lit up the stage during the early years of the theatre. Later, famous local bands like the B-52's and R.E.M. practiced and filmed there. The theatre has been through many changes throughout the past century. On November 20, 2010 one lucky winner will help them celebrate that history at the Calvin Smith's "A Night of 100 Stars" performance during the Centennial celebrations. Smith combines jazz, cinema, and comedy into one of the best vaudeville shows around.

Our Twitter contest winner will also receive a $100 gift certificate to the Farm 255 restaurant. Farm 255 is one of the most highly recommended restaurants in Athens serving only the freshest, local ingredients.

So what are you waiting for...?!
Just go to the VisitAthensGA Twitter Page and retweet about the gala! This will enter you into the contest. It's that easy. The contest will close on the night of November 17, 2010. The CVB will select a winner randomly from your entries. You will then be notified via your Twitter account. No purchase is necessary to enter the contest. Everyone is eligible, just make sure you live in the U.S. You should be all set to enter. If you have any questions please email me directly at athenscvb@gmail.com.

The Second-Most Traded Commodity on Earth

It's coffee. Right behind oil. Athens doesn't have any oil rigs, but there are plenty of espresso machines to keep us supplied with dark liquid. Athens has lots of options for getting a caffeine fix that have nothing to do with carafes that have sat too long on the warmer plate.

With temperatures in Athens this weekend dipping into freezing territory, it's a great time to warm your hands and your insides with a perfectly-made cuppa' joe. Here are some picks for the best cups.

Take a (free) tour of Jittery Joe's Roastery and learn how coffee berries become coffee beans and take on their delicious roasted flavor (and take home some of the grounds). Jittery Joe's has quite a few outposts around town, but the Roastery is the best place to get an idea of just what goes into your mug. Call beforehand to guarantee you're there when the beans are getting baked.

1000 Faces Coffee has a new-ish outpost at Trappeze Pub downtown. 1000 Faces is a locally-based roasting company that specializes in organic, shade-grown, fair-trade brews. They also love to teach people about all the many ways a coffee's flavor can vary, and host tastings (called "cuppings" in the coffee world) at their downtown outpost. Test your tastebuds--maybe you can parse out the body, mouth feel, bitterness and acidity. Or at least learn what that means.

For a well-prepared mixed coffee beverage, try the bar at the National. Their Victoria Arduino Italian espresso machine and savvy baristas press out perfect lattes, breves, cappuccinos and americanos.

This Weekend in Athens: November 5 - 7

Keeping you in the know...

1. UGA vs. Idaho State
2. Live Music
3. Live Performances
4. Outdoorsy Stuff & THE PHOTO CONTEST!!
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1. UGA vs. Idaho State
The University of Georgia Bulldogs face the Idaho State University Bengals during this Saturday's matchup between the hedges. The game is the third non-conference battle this season for the Dawgs, they are 1-1 in non-SEC play so far. It should shape up to be a special teams showdown as both teams have star players. ISU's star, Tavoy Moore will be returning punts from UGA's Drew Butler. Butler is the Ray Guy award recipient as well as the only unanimously elected NCAA All-American for the school in over ten years. Moore, a junior, is outrageously fast. He clocked a tiny 4.58 seconds during a 40 yard dash and was named National Punt and Kickoff Returner for the FCS. The good news: the Bengals are 0-6 in the Big Sky and only 1-7 overall. Let's Go DAWGS!

2. Live Music
Jam out to some live tunes this weekend in Athens. The Athens-Clarke County Library is hosting Green Flag during their Live! At The Library series on Sunday. Green Flag is a local band known for it's traditional Celtic jigs and reels. Bluegrass fans will love BlueBilly Grit at Terrapin Brewery this Friday. The brewery is in full swing for fall with seasonal offerings like the Moo-Hoo and Pumpkinfest brews. Rye Bar showcases 3 Foot Swagger and E Company on Friday night. Go for FREE at 10:30. Expect spacey jazz and high-energy rock.

3. Live Performances
Every night this weekend the city will offer amazing performances by local artists. The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee will be performed by a UGA Theatre Group. This hit musical pokes fun at adolescent, high-school life. If you love Glee this show is for you! The Athens Creative Theatre will be remaking the classic musical Annie at the Morton Theatre. Sing along with spunky Annie, bitter Ms. Hannigan, and billionaire Daddy Warbucks.

4. Outdoorsy Stuff & THE PHOTO CONTEST!!!
Learn how to manage your own garden at the State Botanical Gardens this Friday during the "Where Did My Plants Go?" lecture. You could also head over to Bishop Park for the weekly Athens Farmers Market. Both would be great opportunities to snap some Fall pictures for our Photo Contest "FALL In Love With Athens". I'm just saying, there will probably be some cool photo ops for brightly colored local produce and Autumn leaves. Check out the complete contest rules at the contest page. We would love to see your take on the season!!