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!

DECEMBER 2024

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.

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.  

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
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.

14
2nd Annual Christmas Service – Americus
2 PM, 6 PM
“To God Be The Glory!” Antioch Southern Gospel Music will host its second annual Christmas Service at the historic Windsor Hotel in downtown Americus. Two concerts are scheduled, the first at 2 p.m. and the second at 6 p.m. The concert is free, but wristbands must be worn to be admitted. The limit is five wristbands per person. Get your wristbands quickly as space is limited.
For more information, call the Rylander at 229-931-0001, or visit Antioch Southern Gospel’s Facebook page.

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.  

19-27
Frog Pond Farm Christmas Camps – Americus
9 AM-2 PM DAILY
A time of fun with horses and friends awaits participants in the annual Frog Pond Farm Christmas Camps. Sessions run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily. Session I is Dec. 19-20; Session II is Dec. 23-24; and Session III is Dec. 26-27. The cost is $120. A single day of camp is just $75. Each day includes riding, horse care, crafts and games. It’s especially fun for kids during the Christmas holiday season! Sessions fill up quickly, so reserve your spot early.
For more information, call 717-309-0404, or visit the site at 618 U.S. Highway 19 S., Americus.

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.

JANUARY 2025

10
GSW Alumni Association’s Pucks And Chucks – Columbus
6 PM
The Georgia Southwestern State University Alumni Association will travel to Columbus for its Pucks and Chucks event at 6 p.m. The group will enjoy drinks at Mix Market on Broadway in Columbus, followed by River Dragons hockey at 7:30 p.m. at the Columbus Civic Center. Tickets are $20 and are available at //gsw.edu/Alumni.
For more information, email Chelsea Collins at [email protected] or call 229-928-4116.

12
GSW Softball Camps – Americus
TBD
Georgia Southwestern State University softball will be hosting pitching, catching and hitting camps for area high school and junior college softball players. The cost is $60 per player.
To register, visit www.gsw.canes.com.

29
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Convocation – Americus
11 AM
The 45th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Convocation will take place on the campus of Georgia Southwestern State University. The event takes place in the Storm Dome beginning at 11 a.m. Guest speaker is Andra B. Brantley, a college adviser and scholarship coordinator speaker and education consultant.
For more information, call 229-928-4116.

FEBRUARY 2025

1
Gold Force Gala – Americus
6 PM
The third annual Gold Force Gala black-tie fundraiser will be held at Georgia Southwestern State University in Americus. Cocktails start at 6 p.m. followed by dinner and the Outstanding Alumni Awards ceremony at 7 p.m. Dancing and live music will follow. Individual tickets, tables and sponsorships are available at gsw.edu/GoldForceGala or by calling 229-928-4116.

3
Chamber Concert Series – Americus
7:30 PM
Project Trio will perform at Jackson Hall on the campus of Georgia Southwestern State University as part of the 2025 Chamber Concert Series. Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for faculty and staff and free for GSW students with their college ID, and free for all children under 12. Tickets may be purchased at the door. Season tickets also are available.
For more information, call Chelsea Collins at 229-928-4116.

20
Chamber Concert Series – Americus
7:30 PM
Karolina & Iwo will perform at Jackson Hall on the campus of Georgia Southwestern State University as part of the 2025 Chamber Concert Series. Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for faculty and staff and free for GSW students with their college ID, and free for all children under 12. Tickets may be purchased at the door. Season tickets also are available.
For more information, call Chelsea Collins at 229-928-4116.

26
Teddy Bear Toss – Americus
TBD
Attend the Georgia Southwestern State University men’s basketball game and take place in the annual Teddy Bear Toss! Bring a stuffed animal to the game and throw it on the floor after the first point is scored. The event is a fan favorite each year! All toys collected will be donated to Phoebe Women’s and Children’s Health Services Department.
For more information, visit www.gswcanes.com or call 229-928-4116.

MARCH 2025

8
Plains Car, Truck & Motorcycle Show – Plains
10 AM-3 PM
Visit Plains for the 16th annual Plains Car, Truck & Motorcycle Show on Main Street. Vehicles fill downtown beginning at 10 a.m. on the Saturday morning. The event is hosted by Southwest Trophy & Gifts. Entry fee is 25 per vehicle, and $30 day of registration. Categories include: Stock Cars, 1900-1985 and 1986-present; Modified Cars, 1940-1985 and 1986-present; Street Rods 1900-1948 and 1949-present; and Trucks and Motorcycles. Awards for each category will include: Best of Show; Top 10; Kids Choice; Mayor’s Choice; and Police Chief Choice. The day will feature food, games, live music, door prizes, raffles and more. Online registration can be found at www.carshowtoolbox.com/plains.
For more information, call or text Stephanie Young at 229-928-0660. All proceeds will go to the families of Ella Jones, Evelyn Dean and Cuyler Barr, all special needs children.

APRIL 2025

19
Warrior Challenge 2025 – Andersonville
ALL DAY
The third Saturday of the month in Andersonville will bring back Warrior Challenge 2025! The Sheppard Pride Community Center volunteers are ready to make this year’s challenge one to remember. Andersonville’s mayor and City Council will be a presenting sponsor again this year. Stephanie Wooden, one of the SPCC volunteers, will serve as point of contact for planning and coordination.
For more information, contact her at [email protected] or call Andersonville city clerk Teresa Owens at 229-924-2068.

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