Local area events for this year
WAYS TO ENJOY SUMTER COUNTY THIS FALL & WINTER:
Americus
- Stop by the Visitor Center for a copy of the Historic Homes Driving Tour
- Order take-out from any of our local restaurants and have a picnic at Rees Park
- Explore two historic cemeteries
- Visit the place where Charles Lindbergh took his first solo flight
- Play disc or footgolf at Americus KOA
- Take a self-guided walking tour of the Historic Windsor Hotel or Rylander Theatre
- Shop Saturday morning at Lenny’s Market (Farmers Market)
Plains
- Pick up a homemade Peanut Butter Ice Cream cone from Bobby Salter’s Plain Peanuts
- Shop in the beautiful antique & boutique shops on Main Street
- Pick up take-out and have a picnic at the Plains Visitor Center
- Explore Jimmy Carter National Historical Park grounds
- Walk the streets where a former president lives!
Andersonville
- Explore Pioneer Farm and Drummer Boy Civil War Museum
- Grab take-out and head to Andersonville National Historic Site for a picnic
- Shop the local antique shops and grab some ice cream
- Visit the national cemetery and grounds of the former POW camp
Leslie/DeSoto/Cobb
- Explore the towns and stop by the Georgia Rural Telephone Museum
- Take the boat out to Lake Blackshear and relax on the water
- Take a drive down the winding roads through beautiful pecan orchards
- Head to SAM Shortline at Lake Blackshear and take a ride on the train!
NOVEMBER 2024
1
First Friday Americus
5 PM-8 PM
“Flashback Friday” is the theme for this month’s First Friday event. Experience decades of the past across downtown Americus. Don’t forget the free trolley rides across town.
For more information, contact Jennifer at Americus Main Street at 229-924-4411, Ext. 235 or visit www.downtownamericusmainstreet.com.
2
11th annual Empty Bowls – Americus
9 AM-1 PM
Georgia Southwestern State University’s Department of Visual Arts and Harvest of Hope Food Pantry will host their 11th annual Empty Bowls event on this Saturday at 606 McGarrah St. Each handmade ceramic bowl will come with a soup voucher from one of several participating local restaurants. Minimum $25 donation per bowl. Proceeds will benefit the Harvest of Hope Food Pantry and GSW Visual Arts students.
For more information, call 229-928-4116 or email [email protected].
2
Americus History Bicycle Tour
9:30 AM
Sumter Cycling Is partnering with the Sumter Historic Trust for this First Saturday Ride of November. Join in for a short and slow-paced group bicycle ride exploring Americus history. Along the route, riders will stop to learn more about select sites from members of the Sumter Historic Trust. After the ride, a lunch will be served at Sweet Georgia Bakery and Café, compliments of Sumter Cycling. Come early to get parked and ready!
For more information, call John Morgan at RVRC at 706-256-2910.
2
Georgia Sugar Cane Festival – Leslie
8 AM
Join the Leslie community on the first Saturday of November for the annual Georgia Sugar Cane Festival. Guests will enjoy family-friendly activities, and see traditional sugar cane grinding/syrup making; enjoy wagon rides; view the crowning of the Georgia Sugar Cane Princess; corn shelling and more. Food vendors and arts and crafts will be on site. Vendors are welcome and appreciated. Don’t forget to visit “The Memorial Wall.” Best of all, there is no admission charge! Gates open at 8 a.m., at 117 Holley St., Leslie.
For more information, contact Benjie Johnson at 229-942-1111.
2
Downtown Yard Sale – Plains
ALL DAY
Visit downtown Plains for a unique yard sale that draws participants and visitors from a broad region. Enjoy shopping downtown while on Main Street.
For details, call 229-928-4825 or 229-824-5445.
2-3
Living History Weekend – Andersonville
9:30 AM-3 PM
From infantry to artillery demonstrations to learning about Civil War prison life and Junior Ranger activities, there’s something for everyone at the 2024 Living History Weekend at Andersonville National Historic Site. Guest speaker will be Dr. Susan R. Easterbrooks. Events begin on both Saturday and Sunday at 9:30 a.m. and include sessions on Father Peter Whelan; Women at Andersonville; and Prison Tours.
For more information, contact Superintendent Gia Wagner at 229-322-6898 or Charles Barr at 229-931-7222 or 229-924-0343, Ext. 3. Also, see the Andersonville Civil War Village and Drummer Boy Civil War Museum while in town. Call 229-924-2558 for details.
2, 23
SAM Shortline train ride – Presidential Flyer
10 AM
Hop aboard the train at Georgia Veterans State Park at Lake Blackshear for this Presidential Flyer ride to Plains. The train departs at 10 a.m. with a flag stop in Americus at 11:45 a.m. The Saturday ride includes a trip to Archery and President Carter’s Boyhood Farm!
For information on this and all other SAM Shortline rides, call 229-276-0755 or visit www.samshortline.com.
8
Veterans Day Celebration – Americus
9 AM
Southland Academy in Americus will host its annual Veterans Day Celebration in the Melvin T. Kinslow Gymnasium, paying tribute to the memories and honor all the men and women who have faithfully served or are serving in the United States armed forces. The keynote speaker is Rick Whaley of Americus. All veterans and their families are invited, as well as civic and government organizations in Americus, Sumter County and surrounding areas. Southland students in grades 3K through fifth grade consider it a privilege to honor our veterans in this esteemed program.
For more information, call the school at 229-924-4406.
8
Veterans Day Parade – Americus
11 AM
The C.B. Dowdell American Legion Post 558 in Americus will host its annual Veterans Day Parade starting at 11 a.m. on the Friday before Veterans Day on Monday, Nov. 11. Come help pay tribute to our nation’s military veterans, with lineup and a short ceremony at the Sumter County Courthouse, 500 W. Lamar St. downtown, before the parade begins and travels through beautiful downtown Americus. Businesses will be decorated with red, white or blue ribbons in their windows. Applications can be requested by emailing [email protected] or texting or calling commander Joseph Arnett at 229-331-2445. You also may call 229-938-8692 or 229-942-5173 for more details.
8
SAM Shortline train ride – Plains Express
10 AM
The SAM Shortline train will depart from Georgia Veterans State Park at Lake Blackshear for a Friday express trip to President Carter’s hometown. Boarding begins at 9:30 a.m. The train departs at 10 a.m. and arrives in Plains at 11:45 a.m. for a two-hour layover.
For information on this and all other SAM Shortline rides, call 229-276-0755 or visit www.samshortline.com.
9
Christmas in the Vineyard – Americus
11 AM-5 PM
Wolf Creek Plantation will host its fourth annual Christmas in the Vineyard on this Saturday, starting at 11 a.m. Admission is free. Food and craft vendors will be on site. Free tastings are a favorite! Kids can have their picture made with Santa and Mrs. Claus from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.! The address is 207 Wolf Creek Drive.
For more information, call Wolf Creek at 229-942-0091.
10
Wirz Memorial Service – Andersonville
2 PM
The 49th annual Capt. Henry Wirz Memorial Service will be held this Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m. in the town of Andersonville. The service is sponsored by the Alexander H. Stephens SCV Camp 78 in Americus. The public is invited. In case of rain, the service will be held in Village Hall on Main Street, just up the street from the Wirz Monument. The service is held yearly in memory of Wirz, commandant of Andersonville Prison Camp for the last 14 months of the Civil War. Wirz was hung by Yankees in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 10, 1865 following a trial that many historians said was the most unfair ever held. Guest speaker will be Gary Carlyle, SCV past National Chaplain in Chief, of Guntersville, Ala. Dignitaries from Patriotic Southern Heritage organizations plan to attend.
For more information, call or text James Gaston at 229-938-9115.
11
Veterans Day
12
Chamber Concert Series: Dana & Kyle – Americus
7:30 PM
Dana & Kyle will perform on fiddle and guitar with a reception to follow. Tickets may be purchased at the door. Prices are $12 for adults and $10 for GSW faculty and staff, and free for GSW students with their college ID, and also for children under age 12. Season tickets also are available.
For more information, contact Chelsea Collins at 229-928-4116 or email [email protected].
19
Fall Band Concert – Americus
7:30 PM
Georgia Southwestern State University will host its Fall Band Concert on campus. The event takes place at Jackson Performance Hall and admission is free.
For more information, call 229-928-4116 or email[email protected].
21
Christmas Open House – Americus
5 PM-8 PM
Bring your holiday spirit to downtown Americus and enjoy one of November’s favorite nights. See all the Christmas decorations and enjoy shopping at dozens of downtown stores. The open house begins at 5 p.m. and runs until 8 p.m.
For full details, call Jennifer at 229-924-4411, Ext. 235.
22-24
‘The Nutcracker’ performance – Americus
TBA
Fabulous Feet Dance Studio in Americus is excited to produce and perform “The Nutcracker” for the Americus community. The event takes place at the Rylander Theatre on Lamar Street downtown on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. All 175 dancers will perform at some point throughout the weekend. Information on tickets and times will be determined.
For more information, see Fabulous Feet Dance Studio’s Facebook page or call the Rylander at 229-931-0001.
28
Happy Thanksgiving
29-30
Small Business Weekend – Americus
ALL DAY
Shop local and visit downtown and all the stores in Americus during this special weekend following Thanksgiving. Enjoy the special Black Friday sales in addition to other specials on both Friday and Saturday.
For more details, call Americus Main Street at 229-924-4411, Ext. 235.
30
Christmas in Plains – Plains
TBD
SAM Shortline will bring passengers into President Carter’s hometown for the annual Christmas Lighting as the town kicks off the Christmas season in a festive way. Stores will be open late for passengers to enjoy. The Saturday evening lighting is one of the town’s signature events each year.
For more information, contact Kim Fuller at 229-928-4825.
DECEMBER 2024
5
Annual Christmas Parade – Americus
7 PM
More than 70 units typically fill the streets of downtown Americus for the annual Christmas Parade that rings in the holiday in style. Local bands, dancers, cheerleaders and floats are part of the spectacle.
For entry information and other details, call Americus Main Street at 229-924-4411, Ext. 235 or 247.
6
First Friday Americus
5 PM-8 PM
“Home For The Holidays” is the theme again for this year’s First Friday in December in Americus. Come downtown and enjoy all the free activities, including rides on the beautiful Americus Trolley.
For more information, call 229-924-4411, Ext. 235.
6, 7, 13
SAM Shortline train ride – Candy Cane Express
10 AM
Enjoy a trip aboard SAM Shortline for a fun-filled Christmas trip to Plains on these two Fridays and one Saturday. The “Candy Cane” trip is one of the favorites for kids of all ages as Santa will be onboard! The train arrives back at its starting point at 3:30 p.m.
For information on this and all other SAM Shortline rides, call 229-276-0755 or visit www.samshortline.com.
8
A Christmas Portrait Concert – Americus
5 PM
A community Christmas concert for the whole family is set for the second Sunday afternoon in December. Featured will be the Albany Symphony Orchestra; choirs of First Methodist Church of Americus; and Georgia Southwestern State University’s choir. The event takes place at First Methodist Church, 200 S. Lee St., in Americus.
For free tickets and event information, visitwww.fmcamericusga.org/events.
14
Second Saturday Sidewalk Sale – Americus
10 AM-2 PM
The streets of downtown Americus will be filled with shoppers for this special Saturday. Looking for that great Christmas gift? Then shop in Americus.
For more details, call Americus Main Street at 229-924-4411, Ext. 235.
14
Hope Loud Christmas Concert – Americus
6:30 PM
Central Baptist Church at 190 Upper River Road in Americus is partnering with Hands of Hope for the Hope Loud 2024 Christmas concert. This year’s concert will feature Jeremy Rosado, who appeared on American Idol in 2012 and later The Voice in 2021. Admission is free. Local talent will open up, followed by Rosado. Door prizes will be offered. Free childcare will be available for ages 3 months to 8 years. Dinner will be provided for kids and they will enjoy their own Christmas activities.
Pre-registration is required and limited slots will be available. Registration opens in November on the websitewww.americuspregnancy.org or by calling 229-928-2802. Other contact information is on the @handsofhopeprc Facebook page.
14
Wreaths Across America – Andersonville
NOON
With the help of Bennett International, the Taylor Family Foundation, Friends of Andersonville, the American ex-prisoners of war and other partners, Andersonville National Cemetery will be the site of a ceremony and laying of the wreaths for this key event in Andersonville. The event begins at noon. Bennett is a driving force in helping Andersonville National Historic Site remember and honor our veterans, Location coordinators are Lee Gentry and Charles Barr. The goal is to cover all 20,700 graves.
For more information, contact Charles Barr at 229-924-0343, Ext. 3, or 229-931-7222.
24
Christmas Eve
25
Merry Christmas!
31
New Year’s Eve
31
Roaring 20’s New Year’s Eve 2024 – Americus
7 PM
Save the date for the historic Windsor Hotel’s Roaring 20’s New Year’s Eve 2024 event on Tuesday night, and enjoy dinner and dancing. Live entertainment will be provided by The Court Jesters. A champagne toast and balloon drop at midnight highlight the evening. Dinner reservations are being accepted for 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
For more information, call 229-924-1555, or drop by the hotel at 125 W. Lamar St. downtown.
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