4-07-2025 10:20am

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

Nate Weeks Editor

The Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park is full of beautiful views during this time of year (Photographer Nate Weeks)

This week in Middle Georgia there will opportunities take in a night of true storytelling at Grant's Lounge, look for a new job at two job fairs, enjoy celebrations of spring and live music, and even float down a river under a full moon. The following are just a few of the possible adventures scheduled to take place this week in the heart of Georgia.

MONDAY, April 7th

Country Club Park Grand Reopening in Forsyth (10:30 a.m.)

The City of Forsyth will have a grand reopening of Country Club Park on Monday morning. Forsyth has recently spent $3 million to renovate the park with 16 new pickleball courts, a covered basketball court, and an amphitheater. Attendees will be some of the first to check out the park’s new features and improvements at this free, family-friendly event.

> Country Club Park: 343 Country Club Drive, Forsyth

TUESDAY, April 8th

Storytellers Macon presents “Threading the Needle” at Grant’s Lounge (6:30-8:30 p.m.)

Storytellers Macon will return to the iconic Grant’s Lounge for another evening of true stories about different themes. The theme on Tuesday will be “Threading the Needle” and storytellers can recall tales of close calls, narrow escapes, and lucky moments in their own lives. Fashion designer, seamstress, and wardrobe stylist Ashley Monique Wilson will be the featured storyteller for the night. This open-mic event allows anyone to sign up to tell a story for five minutes on stage in front of a usually full audience of Middle Georgians. Threading the Needle is free to attend but mature audiences are suggested because of the stories are uncensored.

> Grant’s Lounge: 576 Poplar Street, Macon

WEDNESDAY, April 9th

MUSIC: Chicago at the Macon City Auditorium (7 p.m.)

Chicago returns to the Macon City Auditorium to perform once again on Wednesday. The multi-Grammy award-winning band describes themselves as “a rock and roll band with horns” and are known worldwide for hits like “If You Leave Me Now” and “Hard Habit to Break”. Tickets to see Chicago currently start at $75.75 on ticketmaster.com.

> Macon City Auditorium: 415 1st Street, Macon

THURSDAY, April 10th

JOB FAIR: CARBO Hiring Event in Milledgeville (8 a.m.-4 p.m.)

CARBO will be looking to hire employees such as a Utility Operator, Maintenance Technician, an SR Maintenance Technician, and a Plant Engineer at this hiring event on Thursday. This company’s product is used in industries like oil and gas as well as mining and metal casting. CARBO is offering another hiring event on Wednesday in Macon (3090 Mercer University Drive) during the same time period.

> 156 Roberson Mill Road, Milledgeville

April Full Moon Yoga and Fundraiser at Coleman Hill (6 p.m.)

Amber Pierce of Wild Heart Yoga will hold a Full Moon Yoga class on top of Coleman Hill on Thursday. Proceeds from this free/donation based event will help fund an aerial installation at Wellness Hug, a non-profit yoga studio. Show up early to create chalk art and meet with other yoga practitioners. This yoga class is for all levels and chair yoga is available.

> Coleman Hill: 285 Spring Street, Macon

Macon Bike Party: The ‘Stache Bash (6-8 p.m.)

This Macon Bike Party event will feature only mustached bike riders. While the mustaches don’t have to be real, they have to be either drawn, glued, or otherwise created. Riders are also invited to wear “barbershop stripes, cowboy hats, or full-on 70’s flair” to match their mustaches. Helmets are required at this free family-friendly event. Riders can also meet at the Rose Room after the unique bike ride to continue the party. Registration will take place at Bike Walk Macon’s office starting at 6 p.m. This family-friendly event is free and open to the public.

> Bike Walk Macon: 830 High Street, Macon

COMEDY: William Lee Martin at The Capitol Theatre (8 p.m.)

William Lee Martin will perform as part of his Funny Life Tour at The Capitol Theatre on Thursday. Martin, also known as “Cowboy Bill,” describes himself as a writer, cowboy, and cleanish comedian. There will also be a free meet and greet after the show. Tickets to see comedian William Lee Martin currently start at $32.47 online at this link.

> Capitol Theatre: 382 2nd Street, Macon

Comedian William Lee Martin educates a crowd about how to properly talk to country folks in this YouTube video

FRIDAY, April 11th

Annual Book Sale at The Round Building in Carolyn Crayton Park (10 a.m.-7 p.m.)

The Friends of the Library Macon and the Middle Georgia Regional Library will hold their annual book sale this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Members of The Friends of the Library Macon can also take part in a preview sale on Thursday. Books will be a reasonable $1 for paperbacks and $2 for hardcovers with DVDs and audiobooks priced at $2 as well as a large amount of individually priced books in many different categories. Annual membership to Friends of the Library is $25 ($10 for students).

> The Round Building: 130 Willie Smokie Glover Drive, Macon

JOB FAIR: Road Construction Job Fair 2025 (10 a.m.-1 p.m.)

Job seekers looking for a construction job will meet at the Anderson Conference Center on Friday. Highway contractors will be recruiting both experienced and non-experienced construction workers. Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S., according to Georgia Road Jobs.

> Anderson Conference Center: 5171 Eisenhower Parkway, Macon

April's Guided Full Moon Float at Juliette Park in Juliette (7 p.m.)

Ocmulgee Outdoor Expeditions (OOE) will float down the Ocmulgee River under a full moon, which will be the Pink Moon, on Friday night. Glow sticks will help participants see as they take a leisurely float down the river. Ocmulgee Outdoor Expeditions transport floaters to the location where they get on the water and they provide necessary gear necessary for a safe trip, according to OOE. Tickets to April's Guided Full Moon Float start at $75 for rentals or $35 for shuttle only on the Ocmulgee Outdoor Expeditions website.

> Juliette Park: 5543 Juliette Road, Juliette

MUSIC: The 7th Annual Macon Blues Festival at the Macon Coliseum (8 p.m.)

The 7th Annual Macon Blues Festival will feature acts like King George, Tucka, Pokey Bear, West Love, and JWONN as part of the Blues is Alright Tour. Tickets the the Macon Blues Festival currently start at $59 on ticketmaster.com.

> Macon Coliseum: 222 E. Hancock Street, Milledgeville

MUSIC: Hughes Taylor at The Society Garden (8-10 p.m.)

Hughes Taylor will be singing the blues at The Society Garden on Friday evening. The Society Garden usually charges a cover charge at the gate starting an hour or so before the music begins.

> The Society Garden: 2389 Ingleside Avenue, Macon

MUSIC: Roofdog at Grant’s Lounge (9 p.m.)

Roofdog will be returning to Grant’s Lounge to perform “high-energy rock” on Friday. Tickets cost $10 at the door or online (with fees) at this link.

> Grant’s Lounge: 576 Poplar Street, Macon

SATURDAY, April 12th

Magnolia Market and Chalk Walk in Eatonton (10 a.m.-3 p.m.)

Downtown Eatonton will celebrate the Magnolia Market and Chalk Walk with arts and crafts vendors selling unique wares on the Eatonton Courthouse lawn while chalk artists create detailed works of art out of chalk. This family-friendly event is free to attend.

> The Round Building: 100 South Jefferson Avenue, Eatonton

Perry Dogwood Festival (4/12-4/13) (10 a.m.-6 p.m.)

The annual Perry Dogwood Festival will take place this Saturday and Sunday. Visitors will get a chance to celebrate spring while enjoying tasty food, beautiful art, and family fun. The festival will go until 5 p.m. on Sunday. This family-friendly event is free to attend.

> Perry Area Chamber of Commerce: 900 Carroll Street, Perry

Record Store Day at Fresh Produce Records (10 a.m.)

Fresh Produce Records will celebrate Record Store Day with independent record stores across the world on Saturday morning. This event always brings true audiophiles and vinyl fans to Downtown Macon to get a first chance at buying the special titles released every Record Store Day. There will be fresh coffee and bagels from Sweet Eleanor's and Macon Bagels during this free event and you can preview the Record Store Day releases at this link. The remaining Record Store Day titles will be available on the Fresh Produce Records’s website on Sunday starting at 8 a.m.

> Fresh Produce Records: 567 Cherry Street, Macon

2025 Magnolia Soap Box Derby (11 a.m.)

The Magnolia Soap Box Derby has been taking place since way back in 2009. Soap Box Racing had its beginning even further back in the 1930s and Macon helps keep the tradition alive every second Saturday in April. The Magnolia Soap Box Derby includes three types of racing: Professional, Shadetree, and the Gravity Racing Challenge, which is specifically for high school students. Soap Box Derbies feature hand built vehicle that use the power of gravity to move a racer down the hill on Magnolia Street as quickly as possible. This family-friendly event includes food trucks, music, and lots of exciting races.

> Magnolia Street, Macon

Picnic in the Park/Food Truck Festival in Carolyn Crayton Park (11 a.m.-4 p.m.)

The Picnic in the Park/Food Truck Festival returns to Carolyn Crayton Park on Saturday. This family-friendly event is free to attend.

> Carolyn Crayton Park: 150 Willie Smoke Glover Drive, Macon

Spring into Spring at Robins Park in Warner Robins (11 a.m.-2 p.m.)

The RAFB 78th Force Support Squadron invites the public to celebrate spring in Robins Park on Saturday. This family-friendly event will include bouncy castles, obstacle courses, crafts for kids, and an egg hunt that starts at 11:30 a.m. Rumor has it a bouncing Easter bunny will also be hand for festive photo opportunities.

> Robins Park: 614 Warner Robins Street, Warner Robins

2025 ArtHealthy Festival in Milledgeville at GCSU (12 p.m.)

The annual ArtHealth Festival returns to Milledgeville's GCSU's Front Campus on Saturday. This event will feature hundreds of vendors, live music and entertainment, art exhibits, well activities, food trucks, and more. This family-friendly event is free to attend.

> 300 West Hancock Street, Milledgeville

MUSIC: 2 Year Anniversary Party at Bulldogs Bar & Grill (2 p.m.)

Bulldogs Bar & Grill will be celebrating its 2 year anniversary on Saturday with a Bike and Car Cruise-In (2-6 p.m.), a performance by the always entertaining Big Mike (7 p.m.), giveaways and prizes, food and drink specials, and more.

> Bulldogs Bar & Grill: 3750 Bloomfield Village Drive, Macon

MUSIC: South of Atlanta Fest and the BBQ Band Day Party at The Big House Museum (4/12-4/13) (2-5 p.m.)

The annual South of Atlanta Fest will be hosted by Grammy-nominated country artist Brent Cobb on Saturday afternoon. The band Slaughter Creek will start the event at the Big House on Saturday, followed by Silverada and Ben Chapman at the Capitol Theatre later that day (7 p.m.). South of Atlanta Fest will also include intimate Songwriter Rounds and a pop-up at Fresh Produce Records as well as an after party at Grant's Lounge (11 p.m.). Tickets to South of Atlanta Fest cost $65 (plus fees) for a two-day general admission ticket or $35 for a one-day ticket online at this link.

> The Big House Museum: 2321 Vineville Avenue, Macon

MUSIC: Music at Georgia's Old Governor's Mansion in Milledgeville (6 p.m.)

Georgia College will celebrate spring at the Old Governor's Mansion in Milledgeville on Saturday. The college's Wind Symphony, Women's Ensemble, Orchestra, University Chorus, Max Noah Singers, saxophone, and string quartets will take part in the celebration, according to the organizer. This event is free and open to the public though a $5 donation is encouraged to help support the Georgia College music department. The concert will take place in the Magnolia Ballroom in case of rain. This family-friendly event is free and open to the public.

> Georgia's Old Governor's Mansion: 120 South Clark Street, Milledgeville

April's Full Pink Moon Float at Central State Boat Ramp in Milledgeville (7:30 p.m.)

The Oconee Outfitters will be offering a float down the Oconee River under the light of a full moon. This moon is the pink moon which gets its name from the pink phlox wildflowers that often bloom around this time of year. Tickets to this event start at $55 for a single kayak or $15 for shuttle service for a single craft online at this link.

> Central State Boat Ramp: Boat Landing Road, Milledgeville

GC&SU Pride Drag Show at Buffingtons in Milledgeville (10 p.m.-2 a.m.)

GC&SU's Pride Alliance will present a "night of glamour and pride" late Saturday night at Buffingtons. There is no cover charge for this show.

> Buffingtons: 120 West Hancock Street, Milledgeville

Sunday, April 13th

Loomis Bros. Circus at the Macon Coliseum (2:30 p.m.)

The circus is back in town this Sunday when the Loomis Bros. Circus takes over the Macon Coliseum. Online reviews mention fun family-friendly experiences that can even hold the attention of toddlers. General admission tickets cost $30 (plus fees) on ticketmaster.com.

> Macon Coliseum: 200 Coliseum Drive, Macon

MUSIC: South of Atlanta Fest at The Capitol Theatre (7 p.m.)

During the last day of the South of Atlanta Fest, there will be a behind-the-scenes tour from the Georgia Music Foundation and Brent Cobb at Capricorn Studios (1-2 p.m.) followed by a special songwriter round with writers Neil Medley, Wade Sapp, and Brent Cobb, and an album signing with Brent Cobb and friends at Fresh Produce Records (4-5 p.m.) Finally, The band Loula opens for Brent Cobb and the Fixin's at The Capitol Theatre and one last after party will take place at Grant's Lounge (11 p.m.). Tickets to South of Atlanta Fest cost $65 (plus fees) for a two-day general admission ticket or $35 for a one-day ticket online at this link.

> The Capitol Theatre: 382 Second Street, Macon