Local area events for this year

WAYS TO ENJOY SUMTER COUNTY THIS SPRING & SUMMER:

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 2023

25
SAM Shortline train ride – Plains Christmas Lighting
4 PM
This special excursion train ride to Plains helps kick off the holidays with the Christmas Lighting on the Saturday following Thanksgiving. Boarding begins at 3:30 p.m. and the train departs from Georgia Veterans State Park at beautiful Lake Blackshear at 4 p.m. It will arrive in Plains at 5:45 p.m. for a two-hour layover where you can explore the town and the holiday activities.
For tickets or more information on this and all other SAM Shortline rides, call 229-276-0755 or 877-427-2457.

28
Photos With Santa – Americus
5:30 PM-7:30 PM
Bring your own camera or use Rotary Club of Americus’ photographers and enjoy goodies while you wait to visit with Santa in the lobby of the famous Windsor Hotel. Dress in your festive best and don’t forget to bring your list! Families will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis. The registration table will be at the rear of the lobby of the hotel, so guests should use the side entrances. The event is presented by Rotary Club of Americus.
For more information, call 229-924-1555 or visit www.windsor-americus.com.

DECEMBER 2023

1
First Friday Americus
5 PM-8 PM
“Home For the Holidays” is the theme for this month’s First Friday. Enjoy all the shops decorated in their Christmas finery and enjoy free trolley rides across downtown. It’s one of the favorite First Fridays of the year!
For more information, call Jennifer at 229-924-4411, Ext. 235.

2
Hope Loud 2023 – Rylander Theatre, Americus
6:30 PM
Seat reservations are now open for Hands of Hope Pregnancy Resource Center’s Hope Loud Christmas Concert featuring Sean Curran. Curran is a worship leader and songwriter from Passion City Church. He is a writer of songs such as “Worthy Of Your Name” and “Glorious Day.” The event takes place at the historic Rylander Theatre, 310 W. Lamar St. in Americus. General admission is free. To reserve your seat, call 229-928-2802 visit www.americuspregnancy.org/hopeloud, or go to the Hands of Hope Facebook page. Santa will join in for the special Christmas event along with Blanchard Photography of Americus. Additional information is available by calling 229-931-0001 or going to www.Americuspregnancy.org/hopeloudgroupreservation.

3
Santa’s Early Run Christmas Parade – Leslie
2 PM
The public is invited to visit Jingle Bell Lane in Leslie and enjoy Santa’s Early Run Christmas Parade. The Sunday event begins at 2 p.m. and is sponsored by the Community Men’s Club of Leslie. Pictures can be made with Santa! To enter the parade or for more information, call Benjie Johnson at 229-942-1111. The lineup for the parade begins at 1 p.m. at Memorial Park.

5
‘Light Up Your Future’ display – Americus
6 PM-8 PM
Drive through the Americus campus and explore South Georgia Technical College’s excellent program areas through lighted displays on this Tuesday evening. This is the eighth year that SGTC has offered this holiday favorite. There will be gifts and goodies for the entire family. Kids also can drop off their letters to Santa! Admission is free.
For more information, call 229-931-2394 or visit www.southgatech.edu.

7
Annual Christmas Parade – Americus
7 PM
Dozens of entrants including high school bands, floats, dancers and Santa Claus will fill the streets of downtown Americus for this annual parade. Nearly 70 units appeared in 2022 and more are expected to take part this year.
For information, call Jennifer at 229-924-4411, Ext. 235.

9
Second Saturday Sidewalk Sale – Americus
10 AM-2 PM
Merchants will have specials on the sidewalks of downtown Americus for this four-hour sale. Come take advantage of the specials and get those last-minute holiday gifts.
For more information, call 229-924-4411, Ext. 235 or visitwww.downtownamericusmainstreet.com.

9
Christmas in the Vineyard – Americus
11 AM-6 PM
Join Wolf Creek Plantation for its third annual Christmas in the Vineyard, 207 Wolf Creek Drive in Americus. The event was rescheduled from Nov. 11. The public is invited. Local vendors, gift baskets, and a visit from Santa will highlight the day.
For more information, call 229-942-0091 or visit www.wolfcreekplantation.com.

9
Antioch-Southern Gospel – Americus
6 PM
Antioch-Southern Gospel will perform at the historic Rylander Theatre in Americus on this Saturday evening. The group’s CD “Oh Holy Night” is going to be released this night. Admission is free. The show begins at 6 p.m.
For more information, call the Rylander Theatre at 229-931-0001.

10
‘The Christmas Carolers’ in concert – Americus
3 PM
“The Christmas Carolers” holiday entertainment will be in Americus for this concert at Lee Street Methodist Church on Sunday afternoon. Tickets are $10 each and are available at the church office, 1102 S. Lee St.
For additional ticket information, call 229-924-5155 or see the Facebook page of Cheryl Fletcher.

16
WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA CEREMONY – Andersonville
NOON
Wreaths Across America will be at Andersonville National Cemetery to remember and honor veterans through the laying of Remembrance wreaths on the graves of our country’s fallen heroes and the act of saying the name of each veteran aloud. You can help lay wreaths at as many graves as possible by volunteering to participate in the annual ceremony. The Bennett/Taylor Family Foundation leads the cause.
For more information, contact Andersonville National Historic Site Superintendent Gia Wagner at 229-931-7200 or 229-322-6898.

19
Presenter Series – Fabulous Equinox Orchestra at Rylander Theatre, Americus
7 PM
The 2023-2024 Presenter Series brought to you by the Friends of the Rylander Theatre presents Jingle Bell Jazz with the Fabulous Equinox Orchestra this Tuesday evening. The show takes place at the Rylander, 310 W. Lamar St., and begins at 7 p.m. Memberships can be purchased online at www.Rylander.org or through the box office.
For more information, call the box office at 229-931-0001, or write Friends of the Rylander Theatre, P.O. Box 864, Americus, GA 31709.

19-21, 27-29
Frog Pond Farm Christmas Camps – Americus
9 AM-2 PM
Kids can enjoy two Christmas camps by getting out of the house and into an adventure with horses and friends at Frog Pond Farm! Session I takes place Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday (Dec. 19-21) and Section II takes place Wednesday, Thursday and Friday (Dec. 27-29). Hours are 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Activities include riding horse care and crafts. Guests should bring lunch and beverage. Cost is $150. Space is limited and spots fill quickly, so call Frog Pond Farm soon at 717-309-0404.

25
Merry Christmas!

31
New Year’s Eve Bash – Americus
Visit the historic Windsor Hotel in downtown Americus for a fabulous New Year’s Eve Bash on this Sunday night. The hotel will offer live music; room packages; a four-course dinner from Rosemary & Thyme; and a champagne toast. More details will be coming to welcome in the new year.
For more information, call 229-924-1555 or 888-297-9567 or visit www.windsor-americus.com.

JANUARY 2024

1
Happy New Year

FEBRUARY 2024

6
GSW Chamber Concert Series – Americus
7:30 PM
Visit Georgia Southwestern State University for the 2023-2024 Chamber Concert Series performance by Ensemble Schumann. The performance takes place at Jackson Performance Hall on the GSW campus. The event is followed by performances on Feb. 19 and April 2 as well.
For more information, contact Chelsea Collins at 229-928-4116 or Chelsea.Collins@gsw.edu.

19
GSW Chamber Concert Series – Americus
7:30 PM
Visit Georgia Southwestern State University for the 2023-2024 Chamber Concert Series performance by Trio Lucente. The performance takes place at Jackson Performance Hall on the GSW campus. The event is followed by a performance on April 2 as well.
For more information, contact Chelsea Collins at 229-928-4116 or Chelsea.Collins@gsw.edu.

MARCH 2024

TO FOLLOW

APRIL 2024

2
GSW Chamber Concert Series – Americus
7:30 PM
Visit Georgia Southwestern State University for the 2023-2024 Chamber Concert Series performance by pianist Anna Bogolubova. The performance takes place at Jackson Performance Hall on the GSW campus.
For more information, contact Chelsea Collins at 229-928-4116 or Chelsea.Collins@gsw.edu.

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