Columbus CVB Blog

Looking for something to do this summer? Maybe the kids are out of school and you want to get them away from the TV and video games. Or maybe you're a teacher that wants to get in a little fun before the school year starts back up. Or maybe you just moved here and aren't sure what there is to do around Columbus. Whatever the case may be, rest assured there is always something going on in Columbus and the best place for you to find out about it is the Community Calendar.  The Community Calendar  is your best resource for all kinds of events, from concerts to plays to new exhibits to sports, you're sure to find something to fill your time.

It really is the little things that can make your day go from bad to good (or vice versa) in an instant. A smile or a sincere greeting from a grocery cashier, a compliment from a stranger on the street, a server that goes out of their way to make sure your dinner experience is top-notch...these are just a few things that can improve your overall mood. It makes me especially happy when I find excellent and authentic customer service in the last places I expect it. I try to remember that when working with people and do my best to practice the Golden Rule, treat others as you wish to be treated. Someone may be having a really bad day, but just a smile or kind word might not make it all better but will definitely go a long way. So smile! And feel free to send me any great customer service stories you might have!

Not everyone has a swimming pool in their backyard or even in their neighborhood, but you can still cool off in this summer heat at several community pools throughout Columbus. There are pools located at Psalmond Road Rec Center, Double Churches Rec Center, Shirley Winston Rec Center and Rigdon Road Park. These pools are fantastic! There is an admission charge at each; 11 years and younger is $1.00, 12 - 17 years is $2.00, 18-54 years is $3, and over 55 years is $2. For more information, directions, and hours of operation, click here.

WTVM, the cities of Columbus and Phenix City are proud to offer this event for the entire family. This 12th annual event will attract over 30,000 people to both sides of the river. Scheduled from 5pm until the fireworks display, there will be fun for the whole family! Fireworks Celebration after dark!

Fun activities for the kids!
Free Entertainment!
Food and Craft Vendors!
Free Admission!
Spectacular Thunder on the Hooch®  Fireworks Celebration after dark
This is an alcohol-free event!

For more information, visit www.wtvm.com.

We all know that we need to eat more fruits and veggies. They contain amazing health benefits and taste pretty darn delicious too. And now that summer's here, many fruits and vegetables are at their peak and are so sweet and tasty you don't even need dessert. It can be expensive to buy healthy food at the grocery store especially if you buy organic, but right now you have a great opportunity to get fresh, locally grown produce at fantastic prices, in a unique and fun atmosphere. I'm talking about Market Days on Broadway, held every Saturday until November in the 1000 block of Broadway in Uptown Columbus. Not only can you get all the fresh produce you need, but you may find that painting for your kitchen you've been searching for or even a unique piece of jewelry. There are over 40 vendors participating every week with all kinds of goodies for sale. Remember, it's every Saturday from 9 AM to 12 PM in Uptown Columbus. I'll see you there!

...And to think it isn't even Summer yet!  Let's get out for some outdoor fun before the real heat gets here.  In fact, there are lots of good things going on this weekend you might like to look into.  Here's just a sample of what's happening and don't forget to check out the Community Calendar  for a complete listing of events.

Saddle up for a guided tour where you’ll travel back in time…. on horseback! The Roosevelt Stables at FDR State Park are offering their Riding Through History program this Saturday. This is a fantastic way to see some beautiful scenery & since this event is not offered on a regular basis, you’ll want to call & make your reservation so you don’t miss out. Riders will visit the same valley that hunters and trappers once considered the frontier & see old structures that are now monuments of hard times. You must be 10 years of age or older to go on the ride & you have to arrive at 9:30 AM for a 10 AM ride. And the best part is you don’t have to be an experienced rider to participate.  Roosevelt Stables is located at FDR State Park in Pine Mountain, GA.  Cost to ride is $45 and there is a $5 parking fee.  (706 628.7463)  www.gastateparks.org/info/fdr/ 

It is absolutely the time of year you want to be out on a boat in the middle of a lake with the cool water misting your face, but what a lot of people don’t realize is there are a lot of rules & responsibility that come with driving a boat. On Saturday (10:00am-3:00pm), at the North Columbus Library, you can learn the required topics all recreational boaters must know, including the rules of the road, required safety equipment, navigating adverse conditions, water sports safety & much more. The course also provides an introduction to digital charts and GPS waypoint navigation, a very important skill for boating on larger lakes & rivers. The $30 fee is for course materials, but the instruction is free. So if you plan on spending time on a boat this summer, this course can make a huge difference in making sure you’re safe and prepared.  (706) 324.1255

The 66th Annual Miss Georgia Pageant has been going on since Wednesday of this week with preliminary competitions happening at RiverCenter Wed, Thurs and Fri. The finale is Saturday night, again at RiverCenter, and it is here that the 2010 Miss Georgia will be crowned. 40 talented young women from all over the state have been here vying for this honor and for the chance to compete in the Miss America Pageant in January 2011. If you want to hear and see some amazing talent, you can get tickets for Friday’s last preliminary competition or for Saturday night’s finale. These contestants have worked extremely hard to get to where they are so go show your support as part of the audience. The show you’ll see will be well worth it!  Tickets are $60 for Friday night and $80 for Saturday night.  (706.256.3612)  www.rivercenter.org 

I know I forget all the time so I thought I’d remind everyone, but we have a beach in our own backyard, just up the road at Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain, GA. In fact, there are all kinds of great things to do at Callaway through the rest of the summer with the whole family. You can relax on the Robin Lake Beach and soak up the sun and splash in the water; you can check out the Florida State University Flying High Circus performances which comes to Callaway every summer and has been since 1960; or you can have some fun and games playing shuffleboard, miniature golf and more. Also going on throughout the summer is the Birds of Prey show in the Discovery Center Amphitheater where you’ll see live birds of prey in flight and learn about them and the role they play in the environment.  (800.CALLAWAY)  www.callawaygardens.com  

And if you love to shop and love a bargain, then head to the Columbus Museum on Monday (June 21) from 9:30am-4:30pm for their Annual One Day Sale at the Gift Shop.  They've really have some cool things in the gift shop...anything from books, to gifts, tableware, jewelry and lots more and it's all going to be up to 75% off!  The Columbus Museum is located on Wynnton Road.  (706.748.2562)   www.columbusmuseum.com.

Whatever you do this weekend, try and stay cool!

Now go have some fun,

shelby

It is definitely summertime and temperatures are on the rise. Some days it's almost too hot to be outdoors and if you've got kids at home, that can make for a frustrating summer. But keep in mind that there is so much to do with your kids rght here in Columbus, GA that is indoors and air-conditioned...There's the Coca-Cola Space Science Center where you can see a laser show in the Omnispehere Theater or fly one of the spaceship simulators; The Columbus Museum where kids can have a hands-on art experience in the Discovery Gallery; The National Civil War Naval Museum at Port Columbus where it's easy to spend an entire afternoon exploring the artifacts and stories of Civil War soldiers; the National Infantry Museum where you can trace the footsteps of the Infantryman from the Revolutionary War to current conflicts in Iraq. Just because school is out, doesn't mean your kids have to stop learning. They will pick up some amazing lessons at any of these places. For more information, explore our website at visitcolumbusga.com .

Check your watch...it's time for some weekend kind of fun!  Here's a list of just a few of the things you can get into and don't forget to peruse the Community Calendar  to find out more.

So what are your vacation plans this Summer?  Looks like a lot of folks are planning to stay a little closer to home this year, but thankfully we live in a state that has it all…from mountains, to big cities, to seashore, and everything in between.  So if you’re looking for some Georgia-based vacation ideas, check out the Georgia on my Mind Day at the Georgia Welcome Center (Exit 12 off I-185) because they’ll have attractions represented from all over the state with information, and ideas on things to explore in our own backyard!  Plus, they’ll have hot dogs, popcorn, tea and more to snack on…and they’ll have free maps, travel guides and the oh-so-important coupons!  It's taking place on Friday (June 11) from 10:00am-2:00pm and admission is free.  (706) 649.7455

There’s something about this time of year that makes you want to turn your (ok…my) weed-ridden, dust bowl of a yard into a garden showcase.  I’m working on mine because I got really inspired with last year’s Tour of Gardens, so this year, we can check out some beautiful yards and gardens in the Original Historic District and maybe get some good ideas.  This tour is taking place this Saturday and Sunday (June 12- 9:00am-2:00pm & June 13-1:00-5:00pm) and you’ll get to go through seven private gardens and five public gardens.  It’s really interesting that all of these houses in the Historic District are so different and so are the gardens.  Make sure you bring you dress for the weather and bring your camera! Advanced tickets are $20 and they will be available the day of the tour for $25 and each garden will have tickets available.  (706) 653.4008  www.columbusga.org/keepcolsbeautiful 

If the Garden Tour isn’t enough nature for you, then check out the Nature Walk at Oxbow Meadows this Saturday (June 12) morning that starts up at 8:00am.  Guides will take you around the trails of the facility and you’ll see all sorts of plants, birds and other wildlife.  Recommended for ages 8 & older.  FREE!  3535 South Lumpkin Road.  (706) 687.4090 http://oxbow.colstate.edu 

How about a little smooth jazz music to wind down the weekend?  You’re in luck because this Sunday is the monthly Jazz Jam at the Liberty Theatre (813 8th Ave) brought to you by the Columbus Jazz Society!  (In fact, they do this the second Sunday of each month).  This month they are welcoming special guests…The Mace Hibbard Quartet.  Mace Hibbard is well known in the world of jazz music as an outstanding saxophone player and the rest of the guys in his band have been playing forever and have toured with some really heavy-hitters.  They’ll also have hamburgers, hot dogs and sodas available for purchase.  The concert begins at 6:00pm and the Jazz Jam at 8:00pm.  Admission is $10 and if you're a Jazz Society member, admission is free.  (706) 660.9295  http://columbusjazzsociety.com 

Want to do some stargazing this weekend?  You’ve got a couple of chances to hang out with the crew from the Coca-Cola Space Science Center because they’re having an Astronomy Night at Providence Canyon State Park on Saturday night (June 12), and then on Monday June 14), they kick off their summer-long series of Astronomy Nights at Callaway Gardens' Over Pavilion .  Both events begin at 9:00pm.  Take your telescope or gaze at the heavens through one of their telescopes.  Make sure you dress for the weather and take some insect repellent!  Free!!!  (706) 649.1470  www.ccssc.org 

And there's Friday night football at the Columbus Civic Center with the Columbus Lions taking on the Greenville Force!  Game starts at 7:30pm and tickets range from $10-$50.  www.columbuslions.net 

Hopefully this info will get you started on making your weekend plans...after all, you can't work ALL the time!

Now go have some fun,

shelby

The unofficial start to the summer season is in full swing, so that means there's a lot of fun things to get out and do this weekend!  Following is just a quick peak of some of the events happening in and around Columbus.  Don't forget to check out the Community Calendar  to find out more.

People in our community are so great about showing support for our troops overseas and we have another opportunity this weekend. Operation Heartfelt is taking place at the Little White House in Warm Springs, GA and everyone is encouraged to bring care-package items like playing cards, travel games, new or gently used CDs and DVDs, beef jerky, trail mix, dried fruit, and powder drink mixes. If you bring two or more items you’ll receive discounted admission to the Little White House where veterans from Normandy, Okinawa, the Flying Tigers, the Flying Horsemen, a Pearl Harbor survivor and many more will be on hand to meet and greet. It’s the perfect opportunity to say thank you to these heroes!  This is taking place this Saturday (June 5) from 10:00am-2:00pm at the Little White House in Warm Springs, GA (About 40 minutes north of Columbus).  Regular admission is $5-$8, but you can get that reduced admission with a donation!   706.655.5870  www.gastateparks.org 

This has to be one of the coolest events that Florence Marina State Park holds all year! It’s their Annual Alligator Day this Saturday. A wildlife expert and the park’s trapper will have a live alligator on hand and will present programs at 10 AM, 1 PM and 3 PM. Live alligators will be on display at the Kirbo Interpretive Center and guided boat rides to see the alligators in their natural habitat will be available. The only time I ever want to see an alligator up close and personal is at Alligator Days at Florence Marina…as long as it’s from the safety of a boat or an indestructible boundary of some sort. Food vendors will be present so make a whole day of it with the family.  You can get up close and personal with these 'gators from 10:00am-4:00pm on Saturday (June 5) and admission is only $5 and parking is $5 per vehicle.   229.838.4706   www.gastateparks.org 

The Traveling Vietnam Wall is a ¾ replica of the Vietnam Wall in Washington, D.C. containing the names of 58,000 soldiers killed or missing in Vietnam & will be on display at the National Infantry Museum through June 13. The Wall will be open to visitors 24 hours a day & volunteers are on hand everyday from 8 AM to 8 PM to assist with finding names & making pencil rubbings. Special activities surrounding the Wall are taking place during the duration & on Saturday, June 5, the Vietnam Vets Welcome Home Celebration will start at 10 AM with a concert on the parade field, followed by lunch & Huey helicopter rides, ending at Wetherby Field on Fort Benning for dinner & a concert. We are very lucky to have the opportunity to pay our respects to the brave soldiers that sacrificed so much during the Vietnam War.  The National Infantry Museum is located on Ft. Benning Road and admission is free.   706.685.5808  www.nationalinfantrymuseum.com 

Here's something that may tickle your taste buds!  Bread can be misunderstood and has such a negative reputation in the world of dieting and nutrition but bread is actually very good for you. Friendship Café is going to teach us all about bread, and answer the questions “what is real bread?” and “how does bread affect every aspect of our body?” You’ll learn why breads and grains are the foundation of the food pyramid and are the largest part of the pyramid. Eating healthy, nutrition and better health are all subjects on the agenda for the Saturday morning class, including the history of flour. The session is only $5 per person and includes snacks for attendees. So for all you bread lovers out there that want to be able to defend your love of bread, this is the perfect way to spend a Saturday morning!  The Friendship Cafe is located inside Albright's Florist (University Ave) and the session will take place from 10:00am-12:00pm.   706.507.2487

Experience the exciting atmosphere of a Columbus Lions Indoor Football game this Saturday, June 5 at 7:30 PM as we take on the Albany Panthers. Tickets range from $10 to $50. Visit columbuslions.net for more information.

And don’t forget to head to the 1000 block of Broadway in Uptown Columbus to pick up your produce, flowers, baked goods and lots of other yummy stuff on Saturday at Market Days on Broadway from 9 AM to 12 PM.   FREE!  706.596.0111.

So now all you have to do is figure out how you're going to fit all this in your weekend schedule!  At least that's a fun problem.

Remember, to find out more about these events and lots of others taking place, visit the Community Calendar  to get the scoop.

Now, get off the sofa and go have some fun...

shelby