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 2025

1-30
Carter grave site tours – Plains
10 AM-4 PM
The grave sites of former President Jimmy Carter and first lady Rosalynn Smith Carter are open to the public daily beginning at 10 a.m. The site will not be open on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 27, however. The Carters are buried in a memorial garden designed by Rosalynn Carter, overlooking a pond they built together. The site is intended to be a contemplative space for visitors to reflect on the Carters’ legacy of peace, service and community. The Woodland Drive site is operated by the Jimmy Carter National Historical Park. Parking is limited.
For full details, call the National Historical Park at 229-824-4104.

7
First Friday Americus
5 PM-8 PM
Visit downtown Americus for the next-to-last First Friday of the year. The theme is “Downtown Tailgate & Bar Fight.” Come out and support your local sports team, and don’t forget the free trolley rides across town.
For complete details, call Americus Main Street at 229-924-4411, Ext. 235 or 247.

8-9
Georgia Sugar Cane Festival – Leslie
8 AM
Enjoy the family-friendly activities in Leslie this fall as the annual Sugar Cane Festival returns and expands to two days! Gates open at 8 a.m. on both Saturday and Sunday. The address is 152 N. Bailey St., near the intersection of U.S. Highway 280. Sugar cane grinding, cooking demonstrations, live music, kids games and the ever-popular crowning of the Georgia Sugar Cane Princess are among the highlights. Approved vendors are welcome. All proceeds go to the further development of the festival.
For more information, contact Benjie Johnson at 229-942-1111 or visit Leslie City Hall.

8
Capt. Henry Wirz Memorial Service – Andersonville
2 PM
The 50th annual Capt. Henry Wirz Memorial Service will take place in the town of Andersonville near the Wirz Monument downtown. The 2 p.m. event is sponsored annually by the Alexander H. Stephens SCV Camp 78 in Americus. The public is invited. The guest speaker will be SCV Commander in Chief Walter Kennedy. National and state officers for the Sons of Confederate Veterans, United Daughters of the Confederacy, Order of the Confederate Rose, and the Military Order of the Stars and Bars plan to attend, as well as the Georgia president of the Children of the Confederacy. Also, Robert Watkins, a great-great-grandson of Capt. Wirz, will attend.
For more information, call James Gaston at 229-938-9115 or email gaston7460@bellsouth.net.

9
Duo Fuerza Concert – Americus
3 PM
First Methodist Church Americus presents Duo Fuerza, a four-hand piano concert featuring pianists James D’Leon and Alwen Yeung. Works by Bach, Schubert, Kapustin, Piazzolla and Gershwin will be featured. Admission is free and the concert is open to the public. The address is 200 S. Lee St.
For more information, visit www.fmcamericus.org/events or call 229-924-3169.

14
GSW Chamber Concert Series – Americus
8 PM
New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players (NYGASP) will perform at the Rylander Theatre in downtown Americus in collaboration with Friends of the Rylander. The Friday performance is the third of the Chamber Concert Series’ 2025-2026 schedule. For more than 50 years, New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players has been America’s preeminent professional Gilbert & Sullivan repertory ensemble. NYGASP has created its own special niche in the cultural mosaic of New York City and the nation. Since its founding in 1974, the company has presented more than 3,000 performances.
For tickets or more information, call 229-931-2204. Season tickets are also available.

15
BBQ Festival – Americus
9 AM
Visit the Sumter County Fairgrounds at 903 Adderton St. in Americus for the first annual Sumter County BBQ Festival. The first place in each category will win $1,000! Participants can enter their best ribs and/or chicken. The event will include food, crafts, music, shopping and games and is sponsored by Future Media Services. For more information, call Michael at 229-343-4104, who also can answer queries about vendors.
For music performers’ information, call Spencer at 229-591-4397. For business sponsorships, call Justin at 478-662-1517.

15
SAM Shortline train ride – Presidential Flyer
10 AM
Enjoy a trip to the Carters’ hometown of Plains and enjoy shopping downtown and seeing the sights.
For tickets or more information on this and all other SAM Shortline rides, call 229-276-0755.

17
Hurricane Holiday Fest – Americus
TBD
Kick off the holiday season and join Georgia Southwestern State University for its annual Hurricane Holiday Fest! This event will include the annual lighting of the Wheatley Administration Building and other festive, family-friendly activities that are sure to spread the holiday cheer. It takes place on the front lawn of the campus.
For more information, call Chelsea Collins at 229-928-4116 or email chelsea.collins@gsw.edu.

20
Holiday Open House – Americus
5 PM-8 PM
Downtown Americus is the place to be to celebrate the Christmas holiday season kicking off. The annual Open House downtown starts at 5 p.m. on this Thursday with specials galore.
For additional information, contact Nigel at Americus Main Street at 229-924-4411, Ext. 235 or follow the Downtown Americus Facebook page.

27
Happy Thanksgiving!

29
SAM Shortline train ride – Plains Christmas Lighting
4 PM
Board the SAM Shortline train at Lake Blackshear for this memorable trip to Plains as the annual Christmas holiday lights are turned on!
For tickets or more information on this and all other SAM Shortline rides, call 229-276-0755.

DECEMBER 2025

4
Americus Christmas Parade – Americus
7 PM
More than 70 units typically appear in the annual Americus Christmas Parade that draws thousands of visitors downtown. Line the streets of Forsyth and Lamar streets to see the spectacle. The parade begins promptly at 7 p.m. Bands, dance units, outstanding floats and numerous other entries and of course, Santa Claus, make the parade a holiday treat!
For more information, call Americus Main Street at 229-924-4411, Ext. 247 or 235.

5
First Friday Americus
5 PM
Visit downtown Americus for the final First Friday of 2025. See Santa and enjoy lots of other holiday treats.
For full details, call Americus Main Street at 229-924-4411, Ext. 247 or 235.

5
SAM Shortline train ride – Candy Cane Express
10 AM
Enjoy a Friday ride to Plains along with Santa Claus for this Candy Cane Express trip. It’s a holiday favorite! The train departs from beautiful Lake Blackshear.
For tickets or more information on this and all other SAM Shortline rides, call 229-276-0755. The trip will be made again the following day.

6
SAM Shortline train ride – Candy Cane Express
10 AM
Enjoy a Saturday ride to Plains for this memorable Candy Cane Express trip. It’s a holiday favorite with Santa Claus aboard! The train departs from Lake Blackshear.
For tickets or more information on this and all other SAM Shortline rides, call 229-276-0755. Other rides the rest of the month are in Cordele only.

7
First Methodist Church Christmas Concert – Americus
5 PM
First Methodist Church Americus presents “Light from the Manger: A Christmas Journey in Song” at its sanctuary, 200 S. Lee St. The concert is in fellowship with Georgia Southwestern State University choirs, First Baptist Church of Americus, and the Albany Symphony Orchestra. General admission: Bring a 16-ounce jar of peanut butter per person as your “ticket” for entry. The concert benefits Harvest of Hope Food Pantry and the Fuller Center in Americus.
For more information, call First Methodist at 229-924-3169 or visit www.fmcamericus.org/events.

25
Merry Christmas!

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