9-30-2024 6:48am

Fun Things to Do this Week in the Heart of Georgia

Nate Weeks Editor

Adorable dogs can often be seen walking in Downtown Macon, like this cute little guy that was at Pride in the Park on Saturday (Photographer Nate Weeks)

The first week of October will bring with it multiple Fall festivals, including ones for furry friends and their people at The Society Garden on Sunday, as well as free music concerts, the start of the ten-day-long Georgia National Fair, and the return of the Macon Witches Float on Sunday. The following are just a few of the fun and unique things to do this week in the heart of Georgia.

MONDAY, September 30th

McDuffie Young Artist Concert from the Robert McDuffie Center for Strings (7 p.m.)

On Monday, there will be another McDuffie Young Artist Concert recital at the Bell House Jennings Salon. These classical music performances are free and open to the public, and musical events like these are one more reason Macon is known as a great city for music of all kinds.

> Bell House Jennings Salon - 315 College Street, Macon

Mercer University Wind Ensemble presents Fall Side By Side at Perry High School (7:30 p.m.)

The Mercer University Wind Ensemble will perform along with Perry High School students at a fall concert to kick off the season. This concert is free and open to the public.

> Perry High School - 1307 North Ave # 2614, Perry

TUESDAY, October 1st

Aphex Twin Listening Party at Fresh Produce Records (5 p.m.)

Fresh Produce Records sells both vintage and brand-new albums and music paraphernalia, and it also hosts events like listening parties for the release of select new albums. One such event will take place on Tuesday when guests at the record shop will listen to Aphex Twin's 1994 album “Selected Ambient Works Volume II,” which has been reissued.

> Fresh Produce Records - 567 Cherry Street, Macon

WEDNESDAY, October 2nd

New City Showcase at The Society Garden (7 p.m.)

New City Church’s New City Band will perform worship songs, covers, as well as original songs at the New City Showcase on Wednesday evening at The Society Garden.

> The Society Garden - 2389 Ingleside Avenue, Macon

THURSDAY, October 3rd

“Let’s Talk Dirt! Secrets of the Rhizosphere” with Paige Tench at Mercer’s Willet Science Center (6 p.m.)

Learn the fascinating facts about how “microbes and plants work together to sustain each other” from Paige Tench at Mercer’s Willet Science Center. This free event is presented by the Georgia Native Plant Society Fringed Campion Chapter. Attendees are requested to enter the Mercer University Campus from the south side at College Street and not Stadium Drive, park near the tennis courts or behind Willet Science Center, and enter the Willet Science Center from the front doors with the glass lobby.

> Willet Science Center - 1501 Mercer University Drive, Macon

Georgia National Fair Starts in Perry (10 a.m.-9 p.m.)

The Georgia National Fair returns to Perry for ten days of rides, fair food, special shows, competitions, live music, and more. The Bellamy Brothers, a pop and country music duo who had a string of hits in the 1970s and 1980s, will perform on the first night of the fair. The fair’s concerts are free with fair admission, which is $10 for adults (kids 10 and under get in free).

> Georgia National Fairgrounds - 401 Larry Walker Parkway, Perry

FRIDAY, October 4th

Fair Food Frenzy in Downtown Macon (3-9 p.m.)

Fair Food Frenzy returns to Downtown Macon this weekend with a celebration of fair-themed food and drinks for the whole weekend. Participating locations include Cashman’s Pub (Doritos Walking Tacos), Daiquiris & More (Walking Tacos, Fried Oreos, Kettle Corn), Fall Line Brewing Co. (Bucket of Donut Holes), and H&H (Smoked Turkey Leg with Side of Fried Corn). Other participating locations include Hello Boba, Jalapenos Cantina, Just Tap’d, La Bella Morelia, Longleaf Distilling Co., Loom at Hotel Forty Five, Kinjo, Kudzu Seafood Company, Ocmulgee Brewpub, Reboot Retrocade & Bar, Rookery, Satterfield’s BBQ, Sweet Eleanor’s, Taste and See, The Brick, and Yay Beignet.

> Downtown Macon

Good Medicine’s Silent Scream Halloween Disco presented by Visit Macon (8 p.m.)

Good Medicine will return to Downtown Macon during October’s First Friday. This Halloween-themed event will include a silent disco and dance party, a vendor market, a trunk or treat, a costume contest, and more. This family-friendly event is free to attend.

> Third Street Park, Macon

Halloween Town Market at Quill (5-8 p.m.)

Quill at The Woodward in Downtown Macon will present a Halloween Town Market this Friday with Halloween-themed vendors, themed cocktails, and more. This family-friendly event is free to attend.

> Quill at The Woodward - 350 Second Street, Macon

The Price is Rite at Fresh Produce Records (5-8 p.m.)

Tripp Spears and Matthew Robinson will perform at Fresh Produce for “The Price is Rite” for October’s First Friday.

> Fresh Produce Records - 567 Cherry Street, Macon

Flea Market Preview Party from Historic Macon Foundation (5-8 p.m.)

The Historic Macon Foundation’s (HMF) Flea Market returns this weekend and starts with a preview party where attendees can shop all the unique items at a special event that will raise money for the foundation. Tickets for HMF members are $35, tickets for nonmembers are $50, and a limited number of VIP tickets will be sold for $100 (VIPs will get to start shopping at 5 p.m. instead of 6 p.m.). You can purchase tickets for the preview party at this link. The public sale, when there is no entry cost, will take place on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 12 to 4 p.m.

> 357 Oglethorpe Street, Macon

October First Friday in Downtown Macon (5-11:45 p.m.)

Macon’s First Friday will include plenty of art, music, food, and entertainment. Below are just a few of the special events Downtown Macon visitors can enjoy this Friday:

- Visit Green Light Gallery for a new exhibit titled “They Want My Soul” opening at 5 p.m. with work from the artist Christopher Haun. Haun will also speak at 5:30 p.m.

- The Rare Birds will perform original music “inspired by the best 70s rock, blues, gospel, and soul” at The Hummingbird, with music starting at 10 p.m. and a $5 cover.

- JBA’s Feel Good Friday will include music from DJ B3 and special Guests starting at 10 p.m. There is a $5 Cover for those 21 and older and a $10 cover for those 18 to 20 years old.

- Hotel Forty Five will host a 90’s Party celebrating hip hop and rhythm and blues at Hightales Rooftop Bar with music from DJ T.K.S. Attendees are invited to dress in their favorite 90s fashions.

> Green Light Gallery - 62 1st Street, Macon

> JBA - 425 Cherry Street, Macon

> The Hummingbird - 430 Cherry Street, Macon

> Hotel Forty Five - 401 Cotton Avenue, Macon

“Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem” Screening in Perry (6-10 p.m.)

The City of Perry will screen the kid’s movie “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutual Mayhem” on Friday. There will be free popcorn and food trucks, but no outside coolers are permitted. The City of Perry encourages attendees to bring lawn chairs and blankets for more comfortable seating. In case of inclement weather, this free event may be canceled.

> Perry Events Center - 1121 Macon Road, Perry

Yacht Rock Schooner at The Capitol Theatre (8 p.m.)

The Yacht Rock Schooner is an 8-man band out of Atlanta, and fans of bands like Hall & Oates, Steely Dan, Kenny Loggins, and Michael McDonald will especially appreciate this show. The doors open at 7 p.m., and the show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets to see Yacht Rock Schooner in concert start at $18 and can be purchased at The Capitol Theatre’s box office or online at this link.

> The Capitol Theatre - 382 Second Street, Macon

SATURDAY, October 5th

Octoberfest Celebration and Pumpkin Patch at The Society Garden (12 p.m.)

Fall is officially here, and there will be another celebration of the season at The Society Garden on Saturday with a DJ providing festive music, a traditional Beer Garden food menu from Liliana's food truck, The Society Garden’s annual Stein Holding competition starting at 3 p.m., as well as a pumpkin patch, and more.

> The Society Garden - 2389 Ingleside Avenue, Macon

Lil’ Ed and the Blues Imperials at Grant’s Lounge (9 p.m.)

Lil' Ed and the Blues Imperials will be playing blues music at historic Grant's Lounge this Saturday. The doors open at 8 p.m., and the music starts at 9 p.m. Tickets are $15 in advance online at this link or at the door.

> Grant’s Lounge - 576 Poplar Street, Macon

SUNDAY, October 6th

Pumpkins and Paws at Bibb County Sheriff’s Office Animal Services (1-5 p.m.)

The Bibb County Sheriff’s Office will be hosting a fall festival with free pet adoptions, free microchips, food trucks, vendor booths, bounce houses, a game trailer, pony rides, face painting, pet photography, live music, and more. This family-friendly event is free and open to the public.

> Bibb County Sheriff’s Office Animal Services - 4214 Fulton Mill Road, Macon

Fall Line’s Fall Market (1-5 p.m.)

Fall Line’s Fall Market will bring local vendors selling seasonal items, including jewelry, sweets, clothing, gifts, and more, to Fall Line Brewing Co. this Sunday.

> Fall Line Brewing Co. - 565 2nd Street Lane, Macon

CANCELLED DUE TO FLOODING: 2024 Macon Witches Float at Amerson River Park (2-5 p.m.)

The 2024 Macon Witches Float returns to Amerson River Park this Sunday. The Macon Witches Float is a family-friendly event that brings costumed witches, warlocks, and more to the Ocmulgee River for a good cause, supporting the philanthropic mission of Macon Periods Easier. Check in starts at 2 p.m., and the float begins at 3 p.m. A shuttle service will take participants back to the north end of the park once their float is done. Witches Float tickets are $25 until October 5th and $30 on the day of the event. The first 150 participants will also receive goodie bags.

> Amerson River Park - 2551 North Pierce Circle, Macon

Barktoberfest at The Society Garden (3-9 p.m.)

Barktoberfest is a fall festival for the dogs (and their loved ones). Sister Sandoz will perform at this unique event and a portion of proceeds will go to Habitat 4 Hounds, Furever after Rescue, and the Puppery’s groom team, according to the venue. Tickets to Barktoberfest cost $10 per pet and include a "ruff"le ticket and entrance into the costume contest

> The Society Garden - 2389 Ingleside Avenue, Macon