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!

Looking Forward to a Fantastic Summer in Athens!

Dearest Athens, GA,

For the last 3 years, I have been happily wandering through your glorious streets and parks, excitedly immersing myself in your own unique culture of Southern charm, and well frankly, just generally falling in love with your every quirk. And during that time, we’ve gotten to know each other pretty well, but now that I’ll be taking on the P.R. and Social Media internship position for the Athens Convention & Visitors Bureau this summer, I think it’s time I properly introduce myself.

My name is Morgan Capps and I will be a senior at The University of Georgia in the fall, soon completing my studies in Psychology, Geography, and New Media. My unusual combination of studies allows me to explore a wide range of interests, a personal tendency that extends to my non-academic life as well. From hosting my own show on UGA’s student radio station, WUOG 90.5 fm, to acting in a production with Town & Gown Players, the local community theater, I am certainly no stranger to taking advantage of the awesome opportunities you have to offer, Athens. But even after 3 years here, I still constantly find myself discovering new places, people, and events existing throughout town.

I can think of no better way to spend the summer than by assisting Athens CVB in diligently seeking out and sharing information on the who, what, and where that combine to make life here so uniquely interesting. I genuinely cannot wait to provide information on your many wonderful restaurants, attractions, special events, and festivals. I promise to blog and otherwise report my many adventures, observations, and ideas, but I’ll need your help, Athens community- I want your feedback and suggestions. So don’t be shy, send me somewhere new and let me know what’s on your mind so we can make the most of this beautiful summer in Athens, GA.

Sincerely Yours,

Morgan Capps

Athens This Weekend May 20-22

Attention! Attention! Calling all Athens-lovers of all ages, come check out some of the exciting events happening around town this weekend. Whether you are 6 years old or 60, the weekend's activities promise fun and adventure for the whole family.

1. The Athens Kids Expo 2011 will take place Saturday from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. at The Classic Center. Activites ranging from pony rides to a magic show are sure to make very happy campers out of all kids in attendance. Additional entertainment will come in the form of special guest appearances by favorites like the mighty Spiderman, Elmo, Dora the Explorer, and a few of the beautiful Disney Princesses. The Athens Kids Expo is a great opportunity for creative play and some memorable family bonding.

Find more information on ourAthens GA Community Calendar  event listing.

2. The first annual Ms. Senior Athens 2011 Pageant will showcase the grace and vigor of Athens' women of older generations. Come support our Seniors this Saturday at the Georgia Center, from 6:00 p.m. - 10:30 p.m., in a display of healthy living and aging. As sponsered by the Athens Community Council on Aging, the event is sure to provide an uplifting and impressive representation of the active spirit of Athens' 60+ community.

Check our event listing for more information about this event.

3. If the Kids Expo or Ms. Senior Pageant don't fit your fancy, the craft demonstrations, local BBQ, live music, parade, and more happening at the Winterville Marigold Festival this Saturday might just do the trick.   From 8 a.m. - 10 p.m. on the corner of Main and Parkview in Winterville, GA, the sounds and smells of the South will fill the streets. The day of country food, fun, and fanfare will conclude apporpriately with "Dancing in the Park" led by Athens' own folk band, Driftwood. The Winterville Marigold Festival is the perfect way to kick-off a sure-to-be-beautiful summer in the Athens area.

To find out more about event specifics, visit our calendar listing.

Athens This Weekend: May 6 - 8

Happy Mother's Day, everyone! Lots to do in Athens GA this weekend, and the weather looks like it is going to be just beautiful!

Professional golf returns to Athens, Georgia with the Stadion Classic at UGA, the the only event on the Nationwide Tour that is owned and operated by an institution of higher education. Keep an eye out for UGA Alum Bubba Watson, who is co-chairing this year's Nationwide Golf tournament with fellow alum Chip Beck, and congratulate him on last week's PGA win! What does this have to do with Mother's Day festivities, you ask? Personally, this mother would LOVE to spend a lovely spring day strolling an amazing golf course with top competition. I'd also be tickled pink to be sent off for a spa day while hubby and the kids took in some golf. It's a win-win either way!

Feeling stumped at what in the world you could get for a special Mother's Day present this year? Head to the Athens Indie Craftstravaganzaa for an eclectic selection of goods from emerging artists and crafters from the South and beyond. At Craftstravaganzaa you won't find any commercially produced or imported goods, only quality items handcrafted by the artists themselves. Expect fine arts and functional pieces, eco-chic fashions and innovative goods made with an eye towards sustainability. Grab something eye-catching for Mom, or better yet, give her the gift of your time and invite her for a day of shopping and fun food, drink, & music right here in Athens, Georgia. This is one of my favorite open-air markets of the year, and a much-anticipated annual event.

Looking for something to do with the kids? Rose of Athens Theatre has produced another top-notch show, Alice in Wonderland. All your favorite characters will be there, including the Mad Hatter, White Rabbit, Cheshire Cat, and the Queen of Hearts. Here's a special deal for Visit Athens GA followers: Get 50% off a child's ticket with each adult ticket purchased! Just print this voucher and bring with you to the box office!

Athens GA is becoming known as a dining hot spot, and there are plenty of great options for a festive Mother's Day Brunch. You won't go wrong with any of these local Athens restaurants:

• Foundry Park Inn & Spa Mother's Day Brunch, special menu





• Last Resort Grill: an Athens favorite for nouveau southern cuisine





• Mama's Boy: soutern fun dining





• The National: fresh local fare with a Mediterranean flair





• Five & Ten: Top Chef Master and James Beard Finalist Hugh Acheson-- yum!

Where else in Athens should good sons, daughters, or husbands consider for Mother's Day this year?