3-18-2024 4:19am

Adventures in Middle Georgia: Things to Do this Week in the Heart of Georgia

Nate Weeks Editor

The big hearted and tiny bodied participants in the Weiner Dog Race on Saturday had the rapt attention of the large crowd (Photographer Nate Weeks)

The International Cherry Blossom Festival continues through Sunday this week with nightly concerts in Carolyn Crayton Park, a separate food truck festival in Downtown Macon, and much more will be taking place this week, along with many more family-friendly events. The following are just a few adventures that you can have this week in the heart of Georgia.

MONDAY, March 18th

Third Street Park Festivities in Downtown Macon (11:30 - 1 p.m.)

Every year the International Cherry Blossom Festival brings back Third Street festivities to Downtown Macon. This event features pink sweets and live music every day through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. each day. Atrium Health Navicent, WGXA, and Cumulus Media are the sponsors for this year’s Third Street Park festivities.

> Third Street, Macon

TUESDAY, March 19th

Walk ’N’ Talk with DSTO Moore: How to Build a Community at Rosa Parks Square (6 p.m.)

Bike Walk Macon presents a special Walk ‘n’ Talk this month with the talented photographer and storyteller DSTO Moore leading the walking discussion about what community is and how to make connections. The walk will end with optional trivia at Just Tap’d at 7 p.m. Walk ’N’ Talk is a free, one-hour, all-levels group walk that takes place every third Tuesday of each month. Attendees will need to be “able to walk 3 miles non-stop”, should wear appropriate clothing, and bring water and a leash if they want to bring their dog, according to Bike Walk Macon.

> Rosa Parks Square - 483 1st Street, Macon

The Return at Carolyn Crayton Park (7 p.m.)

The Return is a Beatles tribute band that will be performing on the Coca-Cola Entertainment Stage at Carolyn Crayton Park. Tickets to the concert are included in the entry fee of $10. Carolyn Crayton Park has a clear bag policy and attendees are encouraged to bring their lawn chairs for comfortable seating.

> Central City Park - 133 Willie Smokie Glover Drive, Macon

WEDNESDAY, March 20th

Pinkest Pickleball Party on the Planet at Tattnall Square Pickleball Center (10 a.m. - 4 p.m.)

The Macon Pickleball Association's Pinkest Pickleball Party on the Planet is presented by Combs Wealth Advisory and will take place from Wednesday through Sunday. On Wednesdays, Men’s and Women’s Doubles games are scheduled. Thursday there are USSP Mixed Doubles, Friday there will be Men’s and Women’s Singles (all ages), Saturday there will be Men’s & Women’s Doubles, and Sunday there will be Mixed Doubles. The registration fee for the Pinkest Pickleball Party is $60 and includes one event (additional events will be $10 each).

> Tattnall Square Pickleball Center - 1155 College Street, Macon

Stayin’ Alive: One Night of the Bee Gees at The Grand Opera House (7:30 p.m.)

Stayin' Alive features singers Tony Mattina, Todd Sharman, and George Manz along with videos and “dazzling imagery” seeking to recreate the Bee Gees live music experience. Tickets to see Stayin’ Alive in concert are currently sold out online.

> The Grand Opera House - 651 Mulberry Street, Macon

THURSDAY, March 21st

Craft & Chat BYOJ (Bring Your Own Journal) at Artspace Macon (6:30 p.m.)

This unique event includes the 478 Creatives for Craft & Chat, a creative meetup, as well as attendees who create in their journals to create and talk with other artists and creatives. Artspace Macon will supply the art supplies and tools. This is a free event (just bring a journal) and space is limited so reserve your spot early. There are currently no appointments available for this event, but Artspace Macon often has unique events that make for great date nights or just a way to get your creativity flowing.

> Artspace Macon - 2378 Ingleside Avenue, Macon

FRIDAY, MARCH 22

Woman in the Water: An Art Show Hosted by The Society Garden (5 p.m.)

Woman in the Water: An Art Show is a pop-up art show from Court of Miracles that will take place at The Society Garden on Friday. This event will include “an otherworldly walk-through experience with art and craft vendors, themed art show, live painters and more”, according to the organizer. DJ N3510 will perform as well as the always entertaining BAS Music. Tickets to Woman in the Water cost $20 on eventbrite.com.

> The Society Garden - 2385 Ingleside Avenue, Macon

Food Truck Roundup Irish Eggstravaganza at Perkins Ball Field in Warner Robins (5 - 9 p.m.)

The Warner Robins Food Truck Roundup will take place at Perkins Field for an Irish-themed event to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. There will be more than 20 food trucks, a kids zone, and a glow egg hunt, according to Visit Warner Robins.

> Perkins Ball Field - 105 Mulberry Street, Warner Robins

Glassblowing Workshop (Silicone Mold + Glass Freeze & Fuze) with Eriko Kobayashi (5:30 - 7:30 p.m.)

This class will take place on both Friday and Saturday and will include visiting glass artist Eriko Kobayashi teaching how to make a few glass artworks using the silicone mold and glass freeze and fuze methods. Attendees will learn how to make their own silicone molds from objects they bring from home (bring at least five items to make sure they will work for the mold). Each attendee will be able to create up to three objects in this workshop, according to stARTup Studios. Tickets cost $120 per person online at this link.

> stARTup Studios - 1055 Riverside Driver, Macon

Mercer University Percussion Ensemble at the Townsend School of Music (7:30 p.m.)

The Mercer University Percussion Ensemble, which will be conducted by Dr. Marcus Reddick, will be performing both traditional and non-tradition percussion music on Friday. This is a free concert.

> Townsend School of Music’s Fickling Hall - 1427 Adams Street, Macon

SATURDAY, March 23rd

5th Annual Mulberry Street Arts & Crafts Festival in Downtown Macon (10 a.m. - 6 p.m.)

The two-day Mulberry Street Arts & Crafts Festival is the oldest such festival in Macon. A large variety of vendors selling everything from artwork, to baked goods, and jewelry will have tents set up on Downtown Macon's streets. The market will be open from 10 to 6 p.m. on Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. The Mulberry Street Arts & Crafts Festival is family-friendly and free to attend.

> Downtown Macon

Food Truck Frenzy featuring the Cherry Market in Downtown Macon (10 a.m. - 7 p.m.)

The Food Truck Frenzy will take place on Third Street and Cherry Street with multiple food trucks from all over Georgia this Saturday and Sunday (10 a.m. - 5 p.m.). DJ Laura Starling will provide the tunes and there will also be beverage sales from Piedmont Brewery.

> Downtown Macon

Macon Mayhem vs. Pensacola Ice Flyers at the Macon Coliseum (6:30 p.m.)

It will be “Margaritaville” Night when the Macon Mayhem hockey team faces the Pensacola Ice Flyers in the Macon Coliseum on Saturday. If you can’t make it to Saturday’s game, the Mayhem also plays the Ice Flyers on Friday at. 7 p.m. when it will be Wilderness Night (when Scouts, Campers, and others are encouraged to wear camouflage to the game). Tickets to the game start at $14 on ticketmaster.com or at the Macon Coliseum box office.

> The Macon Coliseum - 200 Coliseum Drive, Macon

Litty in The City 3 Glow Meet in Warner Robins (7 - 10 p.m.)

Litty in The City Glow Meet 3, presented by the Urban Jeep Squad Club, LLC, will include jeeps, trucks, cars, bikes, slingshots, power wheels, and bassheads (ask the closest vehicle enthusiast if you aren’t familiar with those categories). Litty in The City Glow Meet 3 will cost $5 per vehicle and attendees are encouraged to have their lights, whether underglows, interiors, speakers, or wheels, turned up bright.

> Warner Robins Parks and Recreation - 900 N. Houston Road, Warner Robins

SUNDAY, March 24th

Lynyrd Skynyrd and ZZ Top: The Sharp Dressed Simple Man Tour at the Atrium Health Amphitheater (6:30 p.m.)

The general public will finally be able to experience what all the fuss is about when Lynyrd Skynyrd and ZZ Top play the first major concert at the new Atrium Health Amphitheater. When Lynyrd Skynyrd and ZZ Top play at Macon's newest venue for the first time, I expect that the southern rock vibes will likely collide like a bearded whirlwind, leaving the Middle Georgia audience reveling in a "Sweet Home Georgia" state of mind. The doors will open at 5 p.m. and the music starts at 6:30 p.m. Low back chairs (with 9” or shorter legs) will be allowed through the gates. Lawn tickets start at $33.50 on ticketmaster.com.

> Atrium Health Amphitheater - 3613 Eisenhower Parkway, Macon