Columbus CVB Blog

What is it about those first few cool days of Fall?  It just makes you feel energized, which is a good thing because there are so many events to get out and enjoy! 

As long as I can remember, the Greater Columbus Fair has been the kick-off to the Fall season…there’s that bit of chill in the air then suddenly, you have the overwhelming urge to jump on a ferris-wheel, throw things at stacked up milk bottles, and dive into some hot French fries drowned in malt vinegar!  Sound familiar?!  Of course we’re talking about the Greater Columbus Fair at the Civic Center and it’s going on thru this Sunday (Oct. 4).  And they have it all…the rides, games, prizes and all kinds of great food!  Speaking of food, they’re open for lunch Thurs & Friday 11:00am-2:00pm!  Admission is only $5 for adults, $3 for Seniors, and $2 for ages 9 & under.  The fun gets underway Thursday from 6:00pm-midnight, Friday from 6:00pm-1:00am, just about all day Saturday from 11:00am-1:00am, and Sunday from 2:00pm-12:00am.  For more details, you can call the Columbus Civic Center at (706) 653.4472 or www.columbusciviccenter.org.

Here’s another reason to love Fall, and this one doesn’t cost a dime!  They’re kicking off the Fall Friday Night Concerts in Uptown Columbus!  For several years now, Uptown has been able to bring us series in the Spring & Fall and what a perfect time to grab the family, a beach chair or towel, and stake out a good spot along the 1100 block of Broadway!  They always have a great line up each series, but I think they have really outdone themselves this year!  Up first, Friday (tonight) is a popular band in this area, Big Woody & The Splinters.  You might even want to grab something to eat from one of the great restaurants in Uptown & make it a picnic-night!  Things will be rocking from 7:00-10:00pm and remember admission is FREE!  Need more info?  Call Uptown Columbus at (706) 596.0111 or www.uptowncolumbusga.com.

Don't forget this is the last weekend for an incredible production going on at the Springer Opera House...Footloose!  It's a great story, music you know and love, and of course...some very impressive dancing.  Performances will be held now thru October 3 beginning at 7:30pm and admission is $38.  Rated PG-13.  For reservations or more information, contact the Springer Box office at (706) 327.2688 or www.springeroperahouse.org.

Now, this festival takes you back all the way to 1910!  It’s the 71st Cotton Pickin’ Fair this weekend!  To tell you just how good this festival is, year after year, it’s selected by the Southeast Tourism Society as one of the Top 20 Events in the Southeast.  That’s tough competition considering 500 other events in 13 states are in the running for this honor!  And here’s why it’s so good:  they welcome some of the BEST artists in the country who specialize in anything from pottery, weaving, sculpture, woodcarving, & wearable art; antiques, crafts, entertainment, folk dancing, even a magician performing under an old oak tree…all in a setting of shady, tree-lined grounds with beautiful 100-year old buildings. Another reason love this fair…FOOD!  The best Southern cooking you’ll ever have!  You'll find this festival in the quaint town of Gay, GA, not very far from Warm Springs.  From Columbus, just take GA Hwy 85 North.  Festivites take place this Saturday & Sunday (Oct. 3 & 4) from 8:00am-5:00pm and admission is $5 for adults and $3 for ages 4-12.  If you need more details, give them a call at (706) 538.6814 or visit their website at www.cpfair.org.

Here’s another high-energy production the whole family will love and it won’t cost a thing either!  It’s the 2009 US Army Soldier Show at Wetherby Field at Ft. Benning.  This is a talented bunch of performers doing a wide range of popular music & dance numbers.  The theme for this year’s production is “Lights! Camera! Action!” and these performers had to go thru a lengthy audition process and they’ll travel with this show for a year.  And as mentioned, there is no admission charge for the concert and parking is even free!  You can get to Wetherby Field, without having to go thru an access control point, by taking Hwy. 27 at the Custer Road South exit.  The show begins at 8:00pm this Friday (Oct 2).  MWR can give you more details at (706) 545.6674 or visit this website:  www.armymwr.com/recleisure/entertainment/soldiershow/default.aspx.

Enjoy the weather and all the fun things going on this weekend.  And don't forget, there're tons more events you can find out about by visiting the Columbus Community Calendar at www.columbusgacalendar.com.

Have a great weekend!

shelby

I can't say it enough...it's good to be home. I always daydream about getting out of town or going on vacation, but I have to admit, I am always so glad to be back home in Columbus, GA. I spent the last two days in Birmingham, AL for work. I had a great time...the food was good, the shopping was excellent, the Southern Women's show was busy and people seemed really interested in Columbus, but the traffic was horrible! It took me 45 minutes to go 2 miles! It was so frustrating! I think my absolute least favorite thing to do is sit and wait in traffic. I would rather go completely out of my way than sit...at least that way I am moving. So in the midst of my major frustration, I realized how lucky I am to live in Columbus, where traffic is really not that bad. Sure, I may get annoyed when it takes me 5 minutes to get down 2nd avenue at 5:30, but believe me that is nothing compared to Birmingham or Atlanta. Next time it takes me a few minutes longer to get wherever it is I'm going, I'm going to take a few deep breaths and thank my lucky stars that I live in Columbus, GA.

Columbus stays busy all year with fun activities, but there's something about the advent of Autumn, the amount of events to choose from is mind-boggling!

We may only be a few days into Autumn, but the fun has already started.  Here’s a way to experience the simple pleasures that make rural life, especially in the Fall, such a hoot.  It’s the kick-off weekend for “Fall Family Fun Days” at The Rock Ranch--over 1200 acres of scenic GA farmland located in...I kid you not...The Rock, GA.  There really is a town called The Rock.  And if you've never been, I promise you will be amazed with this facility.  OK, so check out these cool events going on this Saturday...there's the lawnmower racing exhibition, grand opening of the “Lincoln Penny Corn Maze,” an arm wrestling tournament…even an Outhouse Relay Race!  (This is have to see!) It’s also Teacher Appreciation Day & teachers will have a chance to dunk regional school principals into a tank of Georgia sweet tea!  They’ll have home-cooked concessions & you can even shop for Christmas Decorations in the Rock Country Store.  It's not that far from Columbus...only about an hour and The Rock is very near Thomaston, GA.  The fun runs this Saturday from 10:00am-9:00pm and admission is $14, kids 3 & under are admitted free!  Need more details?  Call (706) 647.4472 or visit www.therockranch.com .

The wait is over--look who’s back in action!  Our very own Columbus Symphony Orchestra, who just happens to be one of the best & oldest symphonies in the nation, cranks things back up this Saturday night at the RiverCenter.  They’re welcoming special guest, Australian-American violinist Adele Anthony…who has performed all over the world & won just about every award out there!  When she was 10, she played before Prince Charles in a Royal Command Performance; when she was 13, she became the youngest winner ever of a national competition; and she actually began playing the violin when she was 2 ½, following her dad around the house as he practiced the violin…only she used a comb & brush!  So someone as good as she is should be able to keep up w/our symphony!  This should be a great show at the RiverCenter's Bill Heard Theatre this Saturday night (Sept 26) starting at 7:30pm.  Admission is $28-$36.  For more info, call the CSO office at (706) 323.5059 or www.csoga.org .

Let the fall festivals begin!  There's a great one happening in Pine Mountain, GA this Saturday called the Ole Chipley Town Fair.  It's in it's 6 year and they have it all...artists, crafters, kids' rides, games, tons of great festival food and live entertainment.  You have to love the admission...it's Free!  Activities start up Saturday morning at 9:00am in Downtown Pine Mountain.  You can get more details at (706) 663.7721.

Be still my heart…it’s bargain hunting & treasure finding time with the Annual Junior League Attic Sale!  If you’ve been before, you know this thing is legendary for finding some deals and if you haven’t been before, just get a good night sleep before you go!  Believe me when I tell you that you’ll find bargains on all sorts of things…clothes, furniture, electronics, toys, books and tons more!  In the midst of all your shopping on Friday or Saturday, just remember you’re helping out a great organization and these funds go back to the Junior League to help fund their community programs.  Here’s a tip:  if you go Friday night, admission is more ($10) and prices on the items are doubled, but you get first dibs on everything!  That's from 6:00-8:00pm Friday.  But the real adventure begins at 8:00am on Saturday when admission is only $1 and there are plenty of bargains to be found!  They'll be closing things down about 2:00pm and it all happens at the Columbus Civic Center.  Find out more at (706) 322.0119 or www.jlcolumbus.com .

It’s a wonderful story adapted from the book for the stage and it’s being performed by the very talented bunch at The Family Theatre.  It’s the classic tale…“A Little Princess.”  You might remember seeing the movie that starred Shirley Temple--well, now it’s coming to life on stage & it’s still the heart-warming story of Sara Crewe, a little rich girl who is enrolled in a prestigious boarding school while her father goes off to war in Africa.  Then she gets news that her father has died and the school’s headmistress gets really nasty and makes Sara become a galley slave and forces her to live in a cold, dark attic.  But is Sara’s father really dead and is she forced to live this way forever?  You’ll have to check out the play to find out!  LAST WEEKEND!  You'll find the theatre at 2100 Hamilton Road (if you're from around here, it's not far from one of our local landmarks--Rosehill Seafood!) and performances will be held Friday & Saturday nights beginning at 7:30pm.  Admission is $10 for adults, $8 for Seniors and military, and $5 for students.  Want to make reservations?  Call (706) 536.8052 or www.familytheatre.org  .

Time for big kids to play like they were little kids again!  Friday (Sept. 25) at Mario’s Restaurant (1010 Broadway) it’s a night games, games and more games like Twister, Checkers, Monopoly, Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots & more from 9:30pm-2:00am.  $10 Admission.  (706) 464.7310 or www.playdatecolumbus.com .

And this is just a sampling of events going on this weekend.  If you want to find out what else is going on, a great resource is the Columbus Community Calendar at www.columbusgacalendar.com . 

Whatever you do this weekend, have fun!

shelby

Who can believe this is the last full weekend of Summer?!  Even though it wasn't a terribly hot summer, I'm kind of glad it's coming to an end.  You have to love the weather and the colors of Fall and talk about stuff going on...Wow!  But before we switch seasons, we might as well go out with a bang this weekend with all the events going on.

All you have to say is “The Circus is Coming to Town” and we all get excited no matter how young or old you may be!  That’s what so cool about the Shrine Circus being at the Civic Center again this year…in fact this is the 45th Annual Shrine Circus and they have all the components you expect like the high-flying acrobats, clowns, horses, elephants, and tons more…not to mention all the good stuff you get to eat because it is a day at the circus after all!  Don’t forget the Shriner’s do this as one of their largest fund-raising events all year and the proceeds go to help  them with the good work they do in Columbus and the surrounding Chattahoochee Valley!  It all takes place this Saturday & Sunday (Sept. 19 & 20) with performances at 11:00am, 3:00pm and 7:00pm on Saturday and two performances on Sunday at 1:30 & 5:30pm.  Admission is $14-$19 for adults and $7-$10 for ages 3-12.  For more details, you can call the Civic Center at (706) 653.2272 or visit their website at www.columbusciviccenter.org.

So while we’re talking about animals doing all sorts of incredible things, let’s go to the other extreme and check out the 21st Annual Professional Rodeo going on up in Harris County this weekend!  This is sanctioned as a PRCA, Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association event, so this is the real deal!  This is the kind of rodeo that awards the largest prize money and has the most prestige.  They’ll have seven different events each night including Steer Wrestling, Bareback Riding, Team Roping, Saddle Bronc Riding, Tie-Down Roping, Barrel Racing, and everybody’s favorite, the thundering power of the Bull Riding competition.  You'll find this at the Mike Tracy Arena in Hamilton, GA (Hwy 116) this Friday and Saturday nights starting at 8:00pm.  Admission is $6-$12.  To find out more, give them a call at (706) 573.2479 or go to www.hccaonline.com.

If you’ve ever wanted to see if stained glass might be a new hobby for you, there’s a workshop at Callaway Gardens this Saturday from 10:00am-3:00pm where you’ll get hands-on and even take your creation home with you!  The cost of the class is $80 and this includes all supplies.  Just remember that the class size is limited so if you want to you, you'll need to make reservations ASAP.  (706) 663.5153 or www.callawaygardens.com.

The crew with the Chattahoochee Shakespeare Company are back with a new production and this time, they’re going back to their roots with a performance of “The Tempest.”  Remember the plot of this one?  There’s an enchanted island, a wronged magician, a beautiful maiden, and a monster.  All kinds of crazy stuff starts happening when the survivors of a shipwreck wash up on shore on a Caribbean island and they run into these strange fairies and monsters.  The story is cool because it’s filled with magic, comedy, love and redemption.  Now don’t forget, you can even do this as dinner theatre if you’d like, so they have a great deal if you want to make it a really special night!  Regular admission is $15 for adults and $12 for students, seniors, and military or if you want to do the Dinner & Show Special, it's $45 per person and that includes your ticket, a salad, entree, dessert and beverage.  There's putting this on at Bludau's Goetchius House, so you know the food will be great!  Rated PG.  To order tickets or to get more information, call Troy Heard at (702) 423.6366 or visit their website at www.chattshakes.com.

Hopefully the weather will be great this Saturday because there will be lots of folks walking & running on the RiverWalk for the 1st Annual HIV/AIDS RiverWalk Event!  It’s much more than just a run because there will be live entertainment, great food, guest speakers, testimonials from families & individuals affected by HIV/AIDS & even free testing.  You can do the 5K run or the 3-mile walk & everybody who registers gets T-shirt to wear (if you don’t want to run or walk, you can purchase the T-shirts for $10) & they’ll be giving out awards & prize packs for the 1st, 2nd, & 3rd place winners for both events.  All proceeds go to the Chattahoochee Valley Better Way Foundation to help fund much needed awareness & support programs here in Cols & the surrounding area.  Things kick off at 8:00am at Rotary Park and if you'd like to find out more, you can call (706) 580.6239.

Like I said, tons going on this weekend, but just wait until Autumn really gets cranked up...you won't believe all the events happening!  If you want to get a sneak-peek or want to see what else is happening this weekend, make sure you visit www.columbusgacalendar.com  for all the scoop.

Have some fun this weekend,

shelby

Ahhhhhh!!! I think that's the sound everyone makes when they enjoy and ice cold glass of sweet tea on a hot summer day. Sweet tea is considered the wine of the South and for good reason. It is a staple on every dinner table and served at just about any function held in the South. And, I may be biased, but no other region in the United States does sweet tea as well as we do. In fact, in some places, they even look at you funny when you ask for sweet, iced tea. I've had some of the best swwet tea st several Columbus area restaurants. You would think that all tea is the same, but believe me, it's not. Some of my personal favorites are Country's, Meritage Cafe, and Clearview BBQ. If you haven't sampled any of these establishments' delicious sweet tea, please do and let me know what you think.

Enjoy the beauty of butterflies and nature among the rolling hills of Oakhurst Farm. There will be activities all day that everyone will love,this Saturday, September 12, from 11 AM to 4 PM, including a butterfly release at 1 & 3 PM and trained white doves will soar through the air at 2 & 4 PM.  Other great activities include fishing along the banks for bass and bream, craft projects, and interactive exhibits about insects, fish, birds and more. Hop on a hay wagon and tour a working farm. Blue Grass music will be in the air, performed by Highway 109 from 1 to 4 PM. There will also be a butterfly dance performance and puppet show. In fact, they dare you to dress up in your best butterfly costume and join them for a butterfly parade at 2:45 PM. Butterfly attracting plants will be available for purchase as well. There will also be a concession area selling hamburgers, hotdogs, bbq, chips and drinks. It’s a fantastic way to spend a beautiful summer day with your family! Adult admission is $5 and children under 3 are free. For more information, call 706.289.8762.

 
Another event that supports a great cause and involves bikes, but this time it’s bicycles. More than 1,000 cyclists will be riding into Callaway Gardens this weekend, September 11-13, for the 2009 Bike MS: Cox Atlanta Ride. They’ll participate in the long-distance ride that benefits the GA Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. This year’s goal is $1.2 million to help find a cure for this disease and you can help as a volunteer. There will be fun & festivities throughout the event with a special 4th Annual Street Festival and Expo on Friday in downtown Pine Mountain. You can be a volunteer for the festival & help welcome the riders into town. You can also help throughout the weekend at check-in tables, setting up & breaking down the event site, assisting with parking & traffic, or in many other ways. There are several shifts available and if you are interested contact Amanda Moran at 1-800-FIGHTMS.

Southern Cruisers Riding Club will host the 9th Annual Bikes on Broadway this weekend in Uptown Columbus. This event is a fundraiser for “Our House” foundation and makes for a fun-filled weekend, with live music, food, vendors, raffles and more. Festivities kick-off Friday night at 6:30 PM with Forced Entry on the stage in the 1100 block of Broadway, followed by national recording artist, Confederate Railroad at 9 PM. The party starts all over again Saturday morning with a poker run, registration is at 9 AM and the first bike heads out at 10 AM, then the bands crank up at 2 PM and will be rocking out all day long. There will be a raffle for the new “Victory Vegas Eight Ball Motorcycle” and 2nd prize is a bike trailer and there’s a 50/50 raffle at 9 PM on Saturday. If you ride and want to be a part of the event, a packet for a single rider is $25 and for double riders it’s $40 and if you don’t ride, but want to show your support, the event is open to the public and there is NO admission cost. It is located in the 1000 and 1100 blocks of Broadway, Uptown Columbus on Friday, Sept 11 and Saturday, Sept 12. For more information, call 706.577.7991.

So what happened to Summer?!  It's hard to believe the season is winding down, but that doesn't mean the fun is coming to an end.  In fact, this weekend is jammed with stuff to do. 

One of the best things to do this weekend has got to be the Annual Sky High Hot Air Balloon Festival at Callaway Gardens.  Everything kicks off Friday night with the balloon glow on the beach at Robin Lake complete with live music.  Then all weekend there’s tons of stuff going on with balloons going up at sunrise and sunset (weather permitting), tethered balloon rides, rock climbing wall, bungee jump, sandcastle building, kite building, t-shirt tye-dying, a classic car show, and a 5K and Triathlon Sunday morning.  And something else really cool going on is the 2nd Annual Boat & Seaplane Regatta!  This also kicks off Friday night during the Balloon Glow with a parade of boats in Robin Lake, then there will be lots of races all weekend long.  You’ll see remote controlled sailboats, utility boats, barges and tug boats trying to maneuver around a specific course and doing demonstration runs.  Something new this year, there will be model sailboats for kids to build, decorate, and race on the water pool!  It's all happening at Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain Friday (5:00-9:00pm) and Saturday & Sunday (9:00am-5:00pm).  Admission is $20 for Adults and $10 for ages 6-12, but here's a tip for you.  The balloons will start launching around 7:00am, so if you get there before 9:00am, you can get in for half price!  (www.callawaygardens.com)

Here's something that happens only once a year, so what a treat!  This weekend, you have a chance to take a dip in the pools where Pres. Roosevelt once used to swim.  Of course, he had the pools built here as therapy for polio and would visit Warm Springs as often as possible and it became a place that helped so many people stricken with this disease.  The pools are normally kept empty for preservation, but just for this weekend, they’ll fill the pools with that naturally warm spring water.  Space is limited to 60 participants per session (lasts 1 ½ hours), so it’s best to make reservations.  (Check out the museum at the pool, too.)  You can get a Family Package that includes admission to the Little White House.  Did you know this was the only home Pres Roosevelt ever owned?! (706.655.5870)

Bookworms will love this one!  It’s the Annual Used Book Sale held at Daniel Middle School that benefits lots of local organizations like Ronald McDonald House, Partners in Education, Springer, etc.  You've got a lots of opportunities to make it to this one as they'll be open Friday 6:00-9:00pm; Saturday 10:00am-8:00pm; Sunday: 1:00-6:00pm; and Monday from 10:00am-6:00pm  (706) 324.0249

They’ve also got the Labor Day holiday spirit going on at Florence Marina State Park with a weekend full of fun stuff going on!  Kids are going to “eat this one up” because they’re going to have snakes and all sorts of creepy-crawly reptiles on display, plus they’ll have lots of different crafts everybody in the family will enjoy creating.  Take a picnic and make a day out of it! This will be happening from Saturday-Monday from 10:00am-4:00pm each day.  You've got to love the admission on this one, too...only $2 per person and a $5 parking pass.  Florence Marina State Park is located in Omaha, GA, about an hour south of Columbus.  (229.838.4706)

Back by popular demand and brought to you by the Family Theatre is Illusionist Mick Stone!  This guy is amazing!!  He's only doing two shows on Saturday (Sept 5) at 3:00pm  &  7:30pm.   2100 Hamilton Rd.  (706) 536.8052

There's a whole lot more going on this weekend so if you'd like more details on those events, take a look at the Community Calendar for a full listing.  (www.columbusgacalendar.com)

Be safe and make it a good weekend!

shelby