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

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.

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.

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
Leslie Men’s Club Squirrel Hunt
1 PM
Join the Leslie Community Men’s Club for a community Squirrel Hunt on the last Saturday of the month. Weigh-in is at 1 p.m. The four-man team entry fee is $100 per team, with a 50 percent payout to the winning team! The event begins at the Leslie Community Men’s Club House.
For information and entry fees, contact any Leslie Men’s Club member, or call Benjie Johnson at 229-942-1111.

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

1
Community Christmas Sing – Plains
6 PM
Visit President Jimmy Carter’s hometown of Plains for the Community Christmas Sing, a holiday favorite each year. The event takes place at Plains High School at 6 p.m.
For more information, call Kim Fuller at 229-928-4825.

3
‘Photos With Santa’ – Americus
5:30 PM-7:30 PM
Visit the historic Windsor Hotel in downtown Americus for “Photos With Santa” – presented by the Rotary Club of Americus. The event takes place at the hotel, 125 W. Lamar St. The Tuesday night event always draws a crowd, so come early … and be patient, and enjoy seeing Santa Claus!
For more information, call the Windsor at 229-924-1555.

3
Light Up Your Future! display – Americus
6 PM-8 PM
Visit South Georgia Technical College in Americus for its ninth annual Light Up Your Future! display on the first Tuesday night of the month. The event is free and begins at 6 p.m. You can drive through the campus on South Georgia Tech Parkway and explore SGTC’s exciting program areas through lighted displays. There will be gifts and goodies for the whole family. Kids also can drop off their letters to Santa!
For more information, contact Patrick Peacock at 229-931-4739 or Su Ann Bird at 229-931-2110.

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.

6-8
‘Elf: The Musical’ – Americus
2:30 PM, 7 PM
“The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear!” Visit the Rylander three days in December as Sumter Players presents “Elf: The Musical.” Performances are Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The performance Dec. 6 is at 7 p.m. Two performances on Dec. 7 are at 2:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. The performance on Dec. 8 is at 2:30 p.m. Tickets for seniors and students are $17. Tickets for adults are $22.
For more information, contact the Rylander at 2129-931-0001.

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.  

12
Plains Sweet Stems Sip-N-Shop – Plains
5 PM-7 PM
Visit Plains Sweet Stems at 130 Main St. in Plains for “Sip-N-Shop.” The store will be spreading holiday cheer! The public is invited.
For more information, call the store at 229-824-7713 or Kim Fuller at 229-928-4825.

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.

22
David Osborne Christmas Concert – Plains
6 PM
Musician David Osborne will appear in Plains for a Christmas concert on this Sunday night. The concert takes place at Maranatha Baptist Church on Ga. Highway 45 at 6 p.m. Hot chocolate and cookies will be served afterward.
For more information, call Maranatha at 229-824-7896 or Kim Fuller at 229-928-4825.

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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