4-15-2025 6:13pm

Fun Things to Do this Week in the Heart of Georgia

Nate Weeks Editor

The always interesting Magnolia Soap Box Derby took place this past Saturday by Washington Park in Downtown Macon (Photographer Nate Weeks)

This week in Middle Georgia there will be lots of opportunities to network, spend quality time with family and friends at many free events, and listen to live music at venues across the heart of Georgia. The following are just a few of the adventures to be had this week in cities like Macon, Warner Robins, Jackson and Milledgeville.

MONDAY, April 14th

Monday Game Night at Friends on the HILL in Warner Robins (8 p.m.-1 a.m.)

Every Monday night, Friends on the HILL and Game Master Matt invite you to bring your favorite card games, board games, and video games to share with other patrons at Friends on the HILL. This event is free to attend.

> Friends on the HILL: 104 Westcliff Boulevard, Warner Robins

TUESDAY, April 15th

Walk ’n’ Talk: Playground + Park Tour with iStroll Macon (6-7:30 p.m.)

Bike Walk Macon will host one of their monthly Walk ‘n’ Talk events on Tuesday. The topic for this Walk ’n’ Talk will be a Playground and Park Tour with iStroll Macon that starts at Fall Line Brewing Co. This one-hour easy-pace group walk meets on the third Tuesday of each month from March to June and September to December. Participants should be able to walk 3 miles non-stop and should wear appropriate fitness gear and bring water, according to Bike Walk Macon. This family-friendly event is free to attend.

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

WEDNESDAY, April 16th

April Eggs & Issues at Central Georgia Technical College (7:30-9 a.m.)

Milledgeville-Baldwin Chamber invites the public to “wake up and get connected” this Wednesday at the April Eggs & Issues. Participants will be served breakfast, get to network with fellow Middle Georgia citizens, and learn more about the latest developments and updates for Milledgeville. This event is free to attend.

> CGTC: 163 North ABC Street, Milledgeville

3rd Annual Community Baby Shower in Jackson (10 a.m.-12 p.m.)

The Butts County Life Enrichment Team is hosting its 3rd Annual Community Baby Shower at the Butts County Performing Arts Center this Wednesday. This community baby shower is open to anyone who is expecting a child or who have children up to 5 years old. Raffle prizes that will be awarded include 2 car seats, gift baskets, diapers, and more. This event is free to attend.

> Butts County Performing Arts Center: 405 Franklin Street, Jackson

MUSIC: Alligator Gar at Goat Island Tavern in Jackson (6 p.m.)

Alligator Gar will be singing popular beach tunes, swamp music, alt-country, boogie, swamp rock, and good old rock and roll at this free performance on Wednesday at Goat Island Tavern. There is no cover charge for this show.

> Goat Island Tavern: 33 2nd Street, Jackson

THURSDAY, April 17th

JOB FAIR: MiGA Spring 2025 Career and Resource Fair at the Anderson Conference Center (10 a.m.-1 p.m.)

Goodwill of Middle Georgia and the Spring Career and CRSA will host the Spring 2025 Career and Resource Fair at the Anderson Conference Center this Thursday. This event is open to all job seekers, students and alumni across all career fields, according ot the organizer.

> Anderson Conference Center: 156 Roberson Mill Road, Milledgeville

HEALTH: Black Maternal Health with Piedmont Medical at Shurling Library (4:30 p.m.)

Piedmont Medical Center will present an event that “aims to foster discussions and awareness to empower mothers for healthier pregnancies and childbirth experiences,” according to the organizer. This is a free event.

> Shurling Library: 1769 Shurling Drive, Macon

FRIDAY, April 18th

Basketball Headquarters at Hightales Rooftop Bar (1-11 p.m.)

Basketball fans will meet at the Hightales every Saturday and Sunday to watch basketball while enjoying drinks and great views of Downtown Macon.

> Hightales Rooftop Bar: 401 Cotton Avenue, Macon

Flashlight Easter Egg Hunt at Second Baptist Church (6 p.m.)

Second Baptist Church's kids ministry will present a Flashlight Easter Egg Hunt on Friday. This event will include inflatables, games, a free dinner, and of course Easter eggs. Attendees are requested to register at this link prior to the event.

> Victory Park: 48 Victory Way, Bonaire

MUSIC: Them Dirty Roses at Grant’s Lounge (9 p.m.)

Them Dirty Roses is a band from Alabama that plays Southern rock who was called the “Southern rock band you’ve been waiting for” in an article on the Rolling Stone website. Doors will open at 8 p.m. and the show starts at 9 p.m. Tickets cost $15 at the door or online (with fees) at this link.

> Grant’s Lounge: 576 Poplar Street, Macon

Them Dirty Roses's music video for the song "Guide You Home" was published a month ago on YouTube and has already been viewed almost 50,000 times

MUSIC: Georgia Red Clay at The Hummingbird (9:30 p.m.-1 a.m.)

Georgia Red Clay (GRC) is another Southern rock band performing Friday night in Downtown Macon. GRC is based out of Atlanta and have released a debut single (“Don’t Tread On Me” (2013)) and an EP (“DIG IN” (2014)). GRC has helped support acts like The Marshall Tucker Band, and .38 Special. There will be a $5 cover at the door for this show.

> The Hummingbird Stage & Taproom: 430 Cherry Street, Macon

SATURDAY, April 19th

Houston County Habitat for Humanity ReStore’s Easter Sale (9 a.m.)

The Houston County Habitat for Humanity ReStore will have an Easter Sale on Saturday. As part of this sales event, customers will get a chance to find Easter eggs hidden in the store for discounts, according to the store.

> Habitat for Humanity - Houston County: H2607 Moody Road, Warner Robins

Spring Bird Hikes at Indian Springs State Park (9-10 a.m.)

Cameron Thompson of the Southern Bird Walk Club will lead a Spring Bird Hike at picturesque Indian Springs State Park on Saturday morning. Hikers will visit different parts of the park searching for and watching birds and learning how to identify them. Hikers will meet at the spring house for this free event (ParkPass costs $5). Spring Bird Hikes will also take place on future Saturdays (April 19th, April 26th, and May 3rd).

> Indian Springs State Park: 567 Cherry Street, Macon

Spring Sip n Shop at Perry Ace Hardware (10 a.m.-2 p.m.)

Customers at Perry’s Ace Hardware will take part in a Spring Sip n Shop this Saturday. The hardware store will offer grilled samples from recteq (grill manufacturer) along with D’Marie Cocktail Slushies, sales, and door prizes.

> Ace Hardware: Magnolia Street, Macon

Dickey Farms 2025 Strawberry Festival (10 a.m.-4 p.m.)

Dickey Farms’s 2025 Strawberry Festival will return to the historic peach farm on Saturday. Festival goers can enjoy Dickey Farms strawberries, fresh produce, items from local vendors, food trucks, live music, a kids zone, and more, according to the farm. This family-friendly event is free to attend.

> Dickey Farms: 3440 Musella Road, Musella

Junior Ranger Day at the Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park (11 a.m.-2 p.m.)

Kids 4 and older can earn a Junior Ranger this Saturday at the Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park during Junior Ranger Day. Attendees will do hands-on activities, complete a Junior Ranger booklet, and learn about the history and nature of the Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park. There is no registration required to attend Junior Ranger Day. Guardians or parents must be present during this free event.

> Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park: 1207 Emery Highway, Macon

MUSIC: Bluebirds and Bluegrass Festival at Dauset Trails (9 a.m.-5 p.m.)

The Bluebirds and Bluegrass Festival will include performances from The Kody Norris Show, Edgar Loudermilk, and Backline. Dauset Trails is a non-profit sanctuary established in 1978 that has grown to include 2,000 acres where injured or orphaned animals native to Georgia can have a safe and permanent home. The bluegrass band The Kody Norris Show will perform at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., according to the sanctuary. This family-friendly event is free and open to the public.

> Dauset Trails: 360 Mount Vernon Road, Jackson

Action in Art Demonstration in Downtown Macon (11 a.m.-3 p.m.)

Several local artists and citizens as well as organizations like Macon Rising will hold a First Amendment gathering and demonstration in Downtown Macon on Saturday. There will be a live mural painting, a community chalk art activity, and music at this event. The Action in Art demonstration is being held to bring attention to the recent controversial deportations of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, Remeysa Ozturk, and Badar Khan Suri, according to the organizers.

> Poplar Street between 2nd and 3rd Street, Macon

Longleaf Distilling Co.’s 2nd Birthday Bash (12-10 p.m.)

Macon’s Longleaf Distilling Co. will be turning 2 years old this Saturday and will be celebrating with a party the public is invited to. Specials featured as part of the celebration include a tree being planted for every cocktail sold, tacos served all day, free snowcones, a “Birthday Suit” cocktail, and more. Longleaf Distilling Co. is known as Middle Georgia’s first legal distillery. The distillery donates a portion of sales to help plant environmentally beneficial longleaf pine trees, according to Longleaf Distilling Co.’s website.

> Longleaf Distilling Co.: 664 2nd Street, Macon

Easter Block Party at Faith Life Family Church (1-3 p.m.)

Faith Life Family Church will throw an Easter Block Party with inflatables, a Kona Ice Truck, crafts, an egg hunt for kids (up to 4th grade), RonDingo's BBQ Plates and Smoked Chicken Plates for sale, giveaways, and more. Register for the Easter Block Party at this link.

> Faith Life Family Church: 1519 Leverette Road, Warner Robins

Easter Egg Hunt at Milledgeville FMC Children and Family Ministry (5:30 p.m.)

The Milledgeville FMC Children and Family Ministry will be hosting an Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday with four egg hunts: babies up to 2 years old children will start at 5:45 p.m., 3 to 5 year olds start at 5:50 p.m., 6 years old to 2nd grade students start at 5:55 p.m., and 3rd to 5th grade students start at 6 p.m. Interested families are requested to sign up at this link for this free Easter Egg Hunt.

> Faith Life Family Church: 1519 Leverette Road, Warner Robins

MUSIC: Travis Denning at The Society Garden (7-10 p.m.)

Travis Denning is a signer and songwriter from Warner Robins who has been recording in Nashville and is visiting Middle Georgia for this performance at The Society Garden. Travis Denning had a Top 40 debut single “David Ashley Parker From Powder Springs” and a Platinum certified single with the song “After A Few”. Tickets to see Travis Denning this Saturday start at $30 on eventbrite.com (plus fees).

> The Society Garden: 2389 Ingleside Avenue, Macon

MUSIC: Rock on the Hill at Friends on the HILL in Warner Robins (8 p.m.)

GMO Productions presents Rock on the Hill this Saturday. This concert will feature performances from three different heavy metal rock bands: Low Frequency Messiah, Years of Sorrow, and Robins Fire. There will a $10 cover at the door for this 21 and up heavy metal show.

> Friends on the HILL: 104 Westcliff Boulevard, Warner Robins

Thrift Shop Prom at The Hummingbird (9:30 p.m.-2 a.m.)

If you are looking to redo prom, with a unique twist, The Hummingbird’s Thrift Shop Prom is just for you. Every year, the music venue and bar presents an Adult Prom. This year the prom’s theme is Thrift Shop and prom attendees are encouraged to shop at local thrift shops for their prom outfits. A photographer will be present to capture special moments from the Thrift Shop Prom while DJ Laylo will provide the music. There will be a $5 cover at the door for this event.

> The Hummingbird Stage & Taproom: 430 Cherry Street, Macon

SUNDAY, April 20th

West of the Belltower: 420 Festival and Forum at The Society Garden (2 p.m.)

West of the Belltower: 420 Festival & Forum will take place on Sunday at The Society Garden. The event is free until 5 p.m. will include a day of "health, wellness, advocacy, and community fun" with resources, talks, and activities for kids as well as adults. Court of Miracles will present an Easter egg hunt, silent disco, and field day games during this festival. Macon’s BAS and Direwoof will perform starting at 5 p.m. Tickets cost $15 (plus fees) at this link or $20 a door.

> The Society Garden: 2389 Ingleside Avenue, Macon

Monster Jam at the Macon Coliseum (3 p.m.)

Enormous monster trucks will race and compete at the Monster Jam this Sunday at the Macon Coliseum. Monster Jam will take place on three days, with two shows on Saturday (1 and 7 p.m.) and one show on both Friday (7 p.m.) and Sunday (3 p.m.). Expect to see famous trucks like the Grave Digger, El Toro Loco, and the Megladon. Freestyle Motocross racers will also be zooming around the track doing impressive stunts and tricks. Ticket prices for Monster Jam start at $15 (plus fees) on ticketmaster.com.

> Macon Coliseum: 200 Coliseum Drive, Macon