Athens Georgia

Georgia is one of our favorite states and it is time to revisit Athens Georgia. There is so much to do in that town. You can be as busy or as lazy as you want to be. And we like it both ways!

Football Season

It is over for this year. But there is still next year when you can see the Dawgs play “Between The Hedges”. It is an exciting time to experience the excitement in the air as 92,000 fans are all screaming at once. Go Dawgs. Join us next year but only if you are lucky enough to snag tickets. Check out the schedule and make plans to come to a home game. If you can not get into the stadium you can still tailgate with the rest of the unlucky fans in Athens GA.

Bike Racing

Saturday, April 27, 2019. Save the date. That is the night of the Athens Criterium during Athens Twilight in Athens Georgia. There will be entertainment and games galore for the whole family. Join in the fun and start with the 5K run on Saturday morning. Bike races for those 3 years old and older (grouped by age) begins Saturday morning at 10:30 am. The finale is the Kids Parade Lap at 6:30 PM in Athens.

The criterium begins in earnest in Athens that evening. Every spot on the downtown route is a good spot. Join the crowd as the bikers are cheered on. They are just a blur as they race the streets in Athens. It is exhilarating.

Halloween!

The Wild Rumpus is held on the last weekend in October. This lively downtown extravaganza has appeal for everyone. The participants show off their creativity as they strut the streets in the parade. To enter the parade, just show up!

The weekend kicks off with a Monster Mash Halloween party for kids and families. On Saturday the 5K is available for everyone to enjoy. The weekend festivities end with the parade in downtown Athens. It is a sight to behold. You can let your creative side show and dress up for the occasion. You will be amazed at all of the different characters that show up.

Want fresh food?

The Bishop Park farmers market is open from March to December on Saturdays with Creature Comforts Brewery hosting the farmers market at their location on Wednesday afternoons. There is no reason not to enjoy fresh foods almost year-round. OK, it is not as exciting as going to the wild rumpus but the flavor of local homegrown food is not to be discounted.

AthFest Music Festival

AthFest kicks off in June of every year. It is a 3-day festival supporting music and arts education in Athens. It highlights new and old artists in the Athens Georgia area. The whole family is invited and there are special activities just for the kids. It begins on Friday afternoon and continues through Sunday. Over 100 bands will perform on stages set up throughout the downtown area.  It is an incredible showcase of the best Athens music and art that the city can offer. And that is a lot of talent!

Bike Ride For ALL

June 3 to June 10, 2023, is the great BRAG ride. that stands for Bike Ride Across Georgia. It is a bike ride and not a bike race. The congregation of bikes and their riders spend the nights in different towns on the route.  In years past the ride has made stops in Athens Georgia. We only hope to see them again. You do not need anything special to join the fun.

The route is safe and they have a sag wagon to pick us the stragglers. All sorts of bikes from racing bicycles to comfort bikes and adult trikes can be spotted. You need no prior experience to join the ride. The only prerequisite is that you have a bicycle and can ride. You have all day to complete the day’s course. Everyone gets to see a new side of Georgia and enjoy the company and perhaps some tall tales.

Movies, Movies, Movies

For some in-between fun, hop on over to the Tate Center on the UGA campus and grab a movie. The movies are free for UGA students but the rest of us have to pay an admission fee. The Rocky Horror Picture show is always a favorite, especially around Halloween.

UGA has so much to offer to the student body as well as to the residents and visitors of Athens Georgia. The UGA Performing Arts Center has featured acrobats from Australia to Jane Lynch to recitals, to symphonies to the UGA Ballroom Performance Group. There is never a dull moment and something to pique the interest of everyone. Check out the schedule and enjoy the event.

Astronomy

A really cool evening includes peeking through the lenses of the telescope on the roof of the UGA Physics building. The telescope is available to the public on several evenings throughout the year. The schedule is posted in advance. It may spark an interest when you see the red planet up close.

Sunday Sermon

Sundays are important days. There are several churches in the area in which you will always be welcome. One of them is the Oconee Heights Church on Highway 129 in Athens Georgia. Just head on over for the worship service on Sunday at 11.

If you still have not filled up your dance card, try the Classic Center. There are meetings and events and entertainment throughout the year. We went to an art auction one weekend and smile every time we admire our beautiful painting. If you have any extra time, you can volunteer at the Classic Center and then enjoy the show for free!

A favorite event is Dancing with the Stars held every year by Project Safe. Proceeds from the ticket sales go to Project Safe to promote their services in the fight against domestic violence.

The Athens Folk Music and Dance Society have events throughout the year. Everyone can join the fun and families are encouraged to come. You do not have to have a partner and they teach the steps. It is held at the Memorial Park Administrative Building or at Sandy Creek Park. check the schedule for times and locations.

I Was Running

A Half Marathon race is run in Athens annually. The running of the race is not for everyone but volunteers are always appreciated. “The “AthHalf” Half Marathon takes runners on a tour of the campus of the University of Georgia, the home of the Georgia Bulldogs football team, as well as around the streets of this city nestled in the hills of northeastern Georgia.”

Long Shot Farms

For a fun afternoon or morning in June or July head over to Long Shot Farms. The naturally grown blueberries will be ripe and they are there for picking. It is definitely time to make that blueberry pie you have been drooling about. You can have a picnic under the trees and visit the chickens and the goats. Everyone needs a lazy afternoon of sweet berries and dreams.

It is time to visit Athens Georgia and be wowed. It has so much to offer.

Read more at GuideForSeniors.com for all things senior. You can email us at guideforseniors@gmail.com.