3-17-2025 1:13pm

Fun Things to Do this Week in the Heart of Georgia

Nate Weeks Editor

Wiener dogs take over Downtown Macon on Saturday during a race to see which is the fastest of its kind in Middle Georgia (Photographer Nate Weeks)

Many unique and fun events are taking place this week, including the return of the Cherry Blossom Festival to Macon with special events like the popular Weiner Dog Race as well as nightly concerts in Central City Park. The following are just a few of the adventures you can go on with your loved ones in the next seven days in Middle Georgia.

MONDAY, March 17th

St. Patrick’s Day

Pot of Gold Pup Hunt at Barks N Brews (4-9 p.m.)

Barks N Brews will be celebration St. Patrick’s day with green beer, a “Pot of Gold pup hunt”, and a photo backdrop on Monday evening. This event is open for those with day passes and month passes and no dog is needed to visit the dog park’s bar. The Grillin and Chillin food truck will be on site for this St. Patrick’s Day event.

> Barks N Brews: 695 Riverside Drive, Macon

TUESDAY, March 18th

Ribbon Cutting for the Otis Redding Foundation Center for the Arts (11 a.m.)

The Otis Redding Foundation, along with the Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce, will be cutting a ribbon to officially open the brand new Otis Redding Foundation Center for the Arts in Downtown Macon on Tuesday morning. The new building will serve as a “multipurpose space for students ages 5-18 to explore their interests in all elements of music”, according to the Otis Redding Foundation. This event is free to attend.

> Otis Redding Foundation Center for the Arts: 436 Cotton Avenue, Macon

Walk ’n’ Talk: Rhythm & Roots Stroll with Visit Macon (6-7:30 p.m.)

The Rhythm & Roots Stroll is a walking tour through Downtown Macon that focuses on the music, architecture, and history of the city. This approximately one-hour easy-pace walk takes place on the third Tuesday of each month (from March to June and September to December). Leashed dogs are welcomed and Visit Macon asks participants wear appropriate fitness gear and to bring water. Walk 'n' Talk events are free thanks to sponsorship by Piedmont Macon.

> Visit Macon’s Downtown Visitor Center: 450 Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard, Macon

WEDNESDAY, March 19th

VECTR Career Fair in Warner Robins (10 a.m.-1 p.m.)

The Georgia Veterans Education Career Transition Resource Center (VECTR) is hosting a Career Fair for veterans, transitioning service members, and the community on Wednesday. VECTR is an organization that helps connect veterans to careers through education and training.

> VECTR: 1001 S. Armed Forces Boulevard, Warner Robins

MUSIC: Mercer University Wind Ensemble presents Chamber Winds at The Society Garden (6 p.m.)

The second annual Chamber Winds will include memorable performances from the Mercer University Wind Ensemble on the big stage at The Society Garden. Brittan Braddock is the producer of Chamber Winds and this event is free and open to the public.

> The Society Garden: 2385 Ingleside Avenue, Macon

THURSDAY, March 20th

HOCKEY: Macon Mayhem vs. Birmingham Bulls: School Day Game (10 a.m.)

Students from across Middle Georgia will be going on a field trip to watch the Macon Mayhem play this Thursday morning for an educational experience at a hockey game. Tickets cost $10 and every student in attendance will receive a STEM educational worksheet, a free ticket to the hockey game, and more. Learn more about this event on the Macon Mayhem’s website.

> Macon Coliseum: 200 Coliseum Drive, Macon

MUSIC: Mercer University Opera presents “Rinaldo” at Fickling Hall (7:30-9 p.m.)

Classical music composer G.F. Handel’s opera “Rinaldo” is one of his most famous operas and tells the story of love and war against evil with a warrier, sorceress, and a riveting love story. If you aren’t able to attend this performance, there will also be performances on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of this week. General admission tickets to this event cost $20 at this link or $10 if you have a student ID.

> The Society Garden: 2385 Ingleside Avenue, Macon

FRIDAY, March 21st

International Cherry Blossom Festival (3/21-3/30) (8:30 a.m.)

The ten day long Cherry Blossom Festival returns to Macon on Friday. The yearly festival includes special events like the Ultimate Air Dogs competition, interactive sea lion shows, a magician, life like dinosaurs, pig racing, tethered hot balloon rides, live music every night, fair rides and fair food, and more. Other Cherry Blossom events will take place in other locations in Downtown Macon such as the always exciting Weiner Dog Races. Tickets to the festivities at Central City Park cost $10 at the gate and Unlimited Rides Presale tickets currently cost $22.25 (plus fees) online at this link.

> Central City Park: 115 Willie Smokie Glover Drive, Macon

Rosie the Riveter Day Celebration at the Museum of Aviation’s Scott Hangar (11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.)

Rosie the Riveter Recognition Day is celebrated on March 21st to honor the women who helped support the American war effort during World War II. Rosie the Riveter is the name of the allegorical cultural icon along with the catchphrase “We Can Do It!” that represented women working unglamorous jobs such as in factories and shipyards. Visitors are invited to build gliders, dress up, and take photos with “Rosie” in the museum’s photo booth. This family-friendly event is free and open to the public.

> Museum of Aviation: 1942 Heritage Boulevard, Warner Robins

Cosplay Weekend at Hello Boba Cafe (3/21-3/23) (12-5 p.m.)

Hello Boba Cafe and Swagged Out Nerd (SON) will host a unique three-day event for cosplayers in celebration of the Cherry Blossom Festival at Hello Boba Cafe starting on Friday. Cosplayers will receive 50% off their drinks when they mention they are in cosplay.

> Hello Boba Cafe: 359 Third Street, Macon

Echoes of Sound at Poplar Street Park (7-10 p.m.)

NewTown Macon and Dashboard present a brand new immersive art installation from artist Megan Mosholder. This work will pay tribute to Macon’s musical legacy and its cultural evolution, according to the organizers.

> Poplar Street Park: 555 Poplar Street, Macon

HOCKEY: Macon Mayhem vs. Birmingham Bulls: Ice Out Cancer (7 p.m.)

The Macon Mayhem will face off against the Birmingham Bulls once again on Friday for Ice Out Cancer night. This game will “recognize, spotlight, and honor all those” who have battled cancer and will include a special ice painting event where attendees can commemorate their loved ones names in paint. Tickets for this game start at $13 (plus fees) online at this link.

> Macon Coliseum: 200 Coliseum Drive, Macon

MUSIC: Pet Sounds Live - The Beach Boys Album Experience at The Capitol Theatre (8 p.m.)

Pet Sounds is the Beach Boys’s eleventh studio album and incorporates “elements of pop, jazz, exotica, classical, and avant-garde” music creating unique hit songs like “Good Vibrations” and “God Only Knows”. Pet Sounds Live seeks to recreate the experience of the Beach Boys recording Pet Sounds on stage in front of a live audience.. Tickets to see Pet Sounds Live currently cost $32.47 for back balcony seats, $38.14 for front balcony seats, and $43.30 to $50 for floor seats (plus fees) online at this link.

> The Capitol Theatre: 382 Second Street, Macon

MUSIC: Tom Petty and The Broken Hearts at The Society Garden (8-10 p.m.)

Tom Petty and The Broken Hearts is a tribute band from Gainesville who perform songs from Petty’s years with the Heartbreakers. Tom Petty not only was a rock star during his lifetime but he also wrote songs for artists like Roy Orbison and Stevie Nicks and wrote iconic songs like “American Girl”. Tickets cost $15 online (with fees) at this link or at the gate.

> The Society Garden: 2389 Ingleside Avenue, Macon

MUSIC: The Midwest Express featuring Jackson Stokes at Grant's Lounge (9 p.m.)

The Midwest Express is a band made up of Jackson Stokes and Mattie Schell of St. Louise, Missouri, and a backing band that features different regional guests artists every night, assuring no show is exactly the same. Tickets to this show cost $10 at the door or online (with fees) at this link.

> The Society Garden: 2389 Ingleside Avenue, Macon

The official music video of Jackson Stokes's "Can't Get You Out" tells a story of love and loss

SATURDAY, March 22nd

Open Hangar at Peach State Aerodrome in Williamson (9 a.m.-2 p.m.)

Ron Alexander Youth Aviation Program will celebrate its first event of 2025 with airplane rides, yard games, a raffle, and more. This family-friendly event is free to attend.

> Peach State Aerodrome: 349 Jonathan's Roost Road, Williamson

Ultimate Air Dogs Dock Diving Competition (3/22-3/23) (11 a.m.-5 p.m.)

The Ultimate Air Dogs Dock Diving Competition features very athletic dogs leaping long distances into the air and into a large pool in the middle of Downtown Macon’s Second Street. Other Cherry Blosssom related events will be taking place downtown at the same time as well. The Ultimate Air Dogs Dock Diving Competition is free to attend.

> Downtown Macon

Cherry Blossom Festival Isekai Convention at the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame (3/22-3/23) (11 a.m.-7 p.m.)

Cosplayers and fans of e-sports, cosplay, anime, and gaming will gather together for the two day long Cherry Blossom Festival Isekai Convention. This family-friendly event will include special guests such as Ariel Jade Live, Alyson Leigh Rosenfeld, and Solar Wolf Cosplay, a cosplay contest (3/22 at 3 p.m. $25 entry fee), game tournaments, wrestling, speciality boba drinks, karaoke, music from DJ Shelz, live performances, an anime car show, and more. General admission tickets are $10 prior to the event at this link and $15 at the door.

> Georgia Sports Hall of Fame: 301 Cherry Street, Macon

International Cherry Blossom Festival’s Cherry Blossom Wiener Dog Race (12 p.m.)

One of this writers favorite events at the Cherry Blossom Festival is the Wiener Dog Race. Long but tiny dogs with big hearts and a lot of enthusiasm (as well as spunk and curiousity) race to determine who is the “Fastest Wiener Dog in Middle Georgia”. Make sure to get there early if you want a good view of the action as this is a popular event. The Cherry Blossom Wiener Dog Race is sponsored by Paulk Landscaping and Apparel Authority with media sponsors Cumulus and WGXA.

> Downtown Macon: Cherry Street, Macon

Macon Vintage Market at The Overlook (12 p.m.)

Macon’s newest event venue, The Overlook, is hosting an “afternoon of shopping, sipping, and discovering unique vintage finds” at the Macon Vintage Market this Saturday afternoon. This event is free to attend.

> Downtown Macon: Cherry Street, Macon

Pet A Truck at Bibb County Sheriff’s Office Animal Services (1-4 p.m.)

This free family-friendly event will include free cat and dog adoptions, a touch a truck zone, vendors, and food trucks.

> Bibb Co. Sheriff’s Office Animal Services: 4214 Fulton Mill Road, Macon

MUSIC: The Gathering III at The Capitol Theatre (5 p.m.)

Hope for the Heart of Georgia presents The Gathering III will a night of “unified worship and prayer” in Downtown Macon’s The Capitol Theatre. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. Tickets for this show are free on eventbrite.com but donations are welcome (Cashapp: $H4HGOne).

> The Capitol Theatre: 382 Second Street, Macon

MUSIC: The Secret Naughty Pleasures: This show K*lls Fascists at Herb & Tonic Dispensary in Byron (7-10 p.m.)

Feral Fever, Herb & Tonic Dispensary, and Caly Hess present the band The Secret Naughty Pleasures's first gig of 2025 at This Show K*lls Fascists, a concert to help relieve the stresses of modern day reality. This show is for those 21 years old and older and entry is $10 at the door.

> Herb & Tonic Dispensary: 220 GA-49, Byron

MUSIC: Lizella Reign at The Society Garden (8 p.m.)

Lizella Reign is a band made up of "seasoned, 50+ year veterans of the Macon music scene" and they will be taking over The Society Garden on Saturday night for a show. The band is also bringing a super secret special guest for this performance. There is usually an entry fee at the gate to help support the musicians.

> The Society Garden: 2389 Ingleside Avenue, Macon

SUNDAY, March 23rd

Meet the Dogs at Paws in Middle Georgia Animal Rescue (11 a.m.-2 p.m.)

If your family is in search of a new, furry, adorable family member, the Middle Georgia Animal Rescue has an event for you. This Sunday, you can meet adoptable dogs looking for new families. You can even take them home on the same day if you fill out a pre-approval application on the rescue’s website.

> Middle Georgia Animal Rescue: 408 North Houston Rd, Warner Robins

Cherry Blossom Pink Parade Party at First Presbyterian Church (2:30 p.m.)

The First Presbyterian Church in Downtown Macon invites the public to enjoy the Cherry Blossom Parade on Sunday in the church’s new outdoor space. Guests will enjoy pink games, pink cotton candy and lemonade at this free, family-friendly event.

> First Presbyterian Church: 682 Mulberry Street, Macon

Cherry Blossom Parade in Downtown Macon (3 p.m.)

The Cherry Blossom Parade includes festive floats, marching bands, and more. The parade route begins at the intersection of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Cherry Street, proceeds down Cherry Street, and then takes a right onto Second Street, turns on Mulberry Street, and ends of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.

> Downtown Macon