7-03-2023 10:16am

Macon and Middle Georgia's Can't-Miss Events This Week

Nate Weeks Editor

Many Independence Day celebrations around Middle Georgia will involve lots of colorful fireworks (Photo by Rakicevic Nenad: https://www.pexels.com/photo/man-with-fireworks-769525/)

This week there are of course many Independence Day events but there is also a three day festival for pickle lovers at Fall Line Brewing Co., lots of First Friday festivities in Downtown Macon, live music performances, and much more. The following is a short selection of just a few of the fun and unique events taking place in Macon and Middle Georgia.

MONDAY, JULY 3

July Full Moon Yoga and Fire Ceremony on Coleman Hill (7 - 8:15 p.m.)

Amber Valentine is presenting another fun, donation based full moon yoga class on Coleman Hill overlooking Downtown Macon on Monday evening. Participants are requested to bring their mats and water to this all levels yoga class. Donations for this event will also help with providing school supplies and needed items for the King’s Children’s Home in Belize.

Coleman Hill - 285 Spring Street, Macon

TUESDAY, JULY 4

INDEPENDENCE DAY

July 4th Celebration at Lane Southern Orchards in Fort Valley (11 a.m. - 5 p.m.)

Lane City Orchards will host an Independence Day celebration event on Tuesday that will include five attractions and three water slides, two food trucks selling BBQ and Mexican food, free face painting, and more. Tickets for unlimited access to the Kids Play are are $12.

Lane Southern Orchards - 50 Lane Road, Fort Valley

Sparks Over the Park Independence Day Celebration at Lake Tobesofkee (8 a.m. - 8 p.m.)

Macon's Lake Tobesofkee will have the 27th Annual Sparks Over the Park Independence Day Celebration on July 4th. Sparks Over the Park will take place at the Claystone, Sandy Beach, and Arrowhead Parks on Lake Tobesofkee (the Sandy Beach park is rumored to be the best place to be during this event). Admission to Sparks Over the Park is $3.00 and children six and younger receive free entry. As a safety precaution for this event, no alcohol or glass containers are allowed and the gates will close at 8 p.m. before the large fireworks show starts at 9:15 p.m.

Lake Tobesofkee - Macon

ROAD TRIP: Pied Piper Parade, Concert, and Fireworks in Decatur (5 - 10 p.m.)

The city of Decatur will celebrate July 4th with a unique Pied Piper Parade which will include floats, wagons, and bicycles and starts at 6 p.m. There will also be live music performances from MetroGnomes (5 p.m.) and Ghoststories (7 - 9 p.m.) at the community bandstand. Finally, there will be a fireworks show that starts at dark.

Decatur Square - Decatur

July 4th Celebration at Real Life Church (7 p.m.)

Real Life Church is hosting a July 4th Celebration Tuesday evening which will include free watermelon, boiled peanuts, and a shaved ice truck. There will also be a fireworks show that will start at dark at this free, family-friendly event.

Real Life Church - 2491 Gray Highway, Macon

WEDNESDAY, JULY 5

Poplar Street Farmers Market (3 - 6:30 p.m.)

The Poplar Street Farmers Market takes place in Downtown Macon on Poplar Street (at the corner of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and 3rd Street) every Wednesday. Local vendors sell fresh fruits and vegetables, baked goods, soaps, and more.

400 Poplar Street, Macon

THURSDAY, JULY 6

Doggie Independence Day at The Cottages at Warner Robins (4 - 9 p.m.)

Dogs are known for not enjoying human Independence Day celebrations due to the loud noises of fireworks exploding. This event the day after July 4th is a special treat for man’s best friend and will include a Doggie Sundae Bar, Pupsicles, and Treats, according to Millie’s Treats, LLC.

The Cottages at Warner Robins - 91 Bass Road, Warner Robins

Songwriters Showcase featuring Andy Johnson, Bob and Blender, and Henry D. Jones at Grant’s Lounge (9 p.m.)

Grant’s Lounge is hosting its second event to honor songwriters this Thursday evening. The event will include live music from talented songwriters Andy Johnson, Bob and Blender, and Henry D. Jones. Doors will open at 8 p.m. and the music starts at 9 p.m.

Grant's Lounge - 576 Poplar Street, Macon

Andy Johnson performed at the Angel City Motorcycle Rally earlier this year along with Trey Dunnahoo, James Lengel, and Ethan Hamlin

R&B Concert Tribute Series at Serenity Entertainment Complex (9 p.m.)

This event will be the first in the R&B Concert Tribute Series, events that will include live covers, cocktails, and more. Thursday’s show will be hosted by Cherelle of Selco Music Development and the live covers will be either Fantasia or Jazmine Sullivan with DJ AD providing the tunes. Tickets to this musical event start at $10.

Serenity Entertainment Complex - 427 Poplar Street, Macon

FRIDAY, JULY 7

Pickle Fest at Fall Line Brewing Co. (12 p.m.)

Pickle Fest celebrates all things pickled for three days this weekend and will include a chance to try a “tangy pickle beer gose” beer, pickle beer flight, or one of Fall Line Brewing Co.’s pickle sandwiches. On Sunday, there will also be a “yodeling pickle yoga” event that invites participants to wear green and take part in a pickle themed yoga class. Also on Sunday, Fall Line Station will open an indoor pickleball court for one day only. And for the very brave, there is even a pickle popsicle that will be available for purchase while supplies last. This pickle-full, three day event is free to attend.

Fall Line Brewing - 567 Plum Street, Macon

Food Truck Friday at Center Park in Centerville (5:30 - 9 p.m.)

The City of Centerville will present another Food Truck Friday this week. In addition to multiple food trucks, including ABC Catering, Cuban Island Cafe, Jail Creek Farms Winder, and The Gym Cantina, there will also be live music by Matt McMillan. This family friendly event is free to attend.

Center Park at Centerville - 103 E. Church Street, Centerville

Bob's Family Movie Night in Byron (7 p.m.)

The Battle of Byron Festival is hosting its first Family Movie Night this Friday at the Byron City Auditorium. The movie for the evening will be “Minions: Rise of Gru” and admission is free for this family-friendly event.

401 Main Street, Byron

First Friday in Downtown Macon (4 - 11:45 p.m.)

July’s First Friday is finally here and there will be many entertaining events taking place around Downtown Macon including:

- NewTown Macon tours of the new lofts located over Ocmulgee Outfitters (5 - 7 p.m.)

- ManiaxeThrowing will have a special deal through July 9th of $17.76 with a reservation

- Hotel Forty Five will host an evening of live music from Dubshak Reggae Band on Loom’s patio starting at 4 p.m.

There will also be live music performances outside and in multiple venues around Downtown Macon including Hush Money at The Hummingbird (10 p.m.), Clay Johnson and the Hard Promises (with openers West Ridge Circle) at JBA (10 p.m. and $10 at the door), and Good Company at The Brickhouse (7 p.m.)

Downtown Macon

SATURDAY, JULY 8

ROAD TRIP: 2nd Saturday All American Summer in Griffin (10 a.m.)

Hoshizaki America presents this event in Downtown Griffin on Saturday that will include 2nd Saturday specials at participating businesses starting at 10 a.m., a Downtown Market at the City Hall with more than 15 local vendors from 2 till 5 p.m., and an All American Car Show that starts at 5 p.m. on Solomon Street. Finally, the Summer Concert Series Radio 80’s concert will start at 7 p.m. and take place at the Park at Sixth: attendees are invited to bring their chairs or blankets to this free event.

Downtown Griffin

Mental Health Pop Up Gym at the South Bibb Recreation Center (10 a.m. - 1 p.m.)

The Mental Health Pop Up Gym at the South Bibb Recreation Center will include a free breakfast and car show. These events are meant to help provide community members with better tools to deal with stress and mental health concerns as well as provide opportunities to mingle with your neighbors. This family-friendly event is free to attend.

South Bibb Recreation Center - 7035 Houston Road, Macon

Reptile Rendezvous at the Museum of Arts and Sciences (10 a.m. - 4 p.m.)

The Reptile Rendezvous will allow museum goers to meet the reptiles of the museum’s mini-zoo and learn reptile facts from representatives from the Southeastern Reptile Rescue and Dauset Trails. This event is free with regular museum admission.

Museum of Arts and Sciences - 4182 Forsyth Road, Macon

Native American Games at the Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park (2 - 2:30 p.m.)

The Mississippian people who lived her 1,000 years ago played games together on the land that now holds the Ocmulgee Mounds park. This free event will teach kids some of those ancient games and will be held in the green space near the visitor center parking lot.

Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park - 1207 Emery Highway, Macon

SUNDAY, JULY 9

Dog Days of Summer Market in Perry (10 a.m. - 4 p.m.)

This unique event from Herb and Tonic Apothecary will include a fun Pooch Pageant, vendors, music, art, and more. To enter to Pooch Pageant cost $10 and proceeds will be donated to a local animal rescue. There will also be a celebrity guest judges, including "Young Judith" from The Walking Dead television show.

Herb and Tonic Apothecary - 1202 Macon Road, Perry

Macon Film Guild presents “You Hurt My Feelings” at The Douglass Theatre (2 and 5 p.m.)

The Macon Film Guild will screen “You Hurt My Feelings”, a comedy with Julia Louis-Dreyfus about a woman named Beth’s relationship with her husband after she finds out he has been hiding his real opinion about her career for many years. She is then led to question everything about their relationship. Tickets to either screening of “You Hurt My Feelings” are $5.