Weekend Adventures in the Heart of Georgia (4/16-4/19)

The adventurous can attend a plant sale in Lockerly Arboretum in Milledgeville, attend a wrestling match in Locust Grove, celebrate music and independent record stores during Record Store Day at Fresh Produce Records in Macon this weekend, and much more. The following are just a few of the different, interesting, and often free things to do this weekend in the heart of Georgia.

FRIDAY, April 17th

  >> Lockerly Arboretum Plant Sale in Milledgeville (4/17-4/18) (9 a.m.-2 p.m.)

Milledgeville’s Lockerly Arboretum will host its annual plant sale this Friday and Saturday. Shoppers will be able to find annuals, perennials, trees, pollinator-friendly plants, and more. The Lockerly Arboretum is 50 acres and there is no charge for entry. The Lockerly Arboretum Plant Sale is free and open to the public.

    > Lockerly Arboretum: 1534 Irwinton Road, Milledgeville

  >> Warner Robins Autism Awareness Carnival (2:30-6 p.m.)

The Surpass Behavioral Health clinic celebrates Autism Awareness Month this Friday with The Warner Robins Autism Awareness Carnival, a free community event featuring crafts, games, prizes, and more. Surpass Behavioral Health offers ABA therapy for children and teens with autism. This family-friendly event from Surpass Behavioral Health is free to attend.

    > Surpass Behavioral Health: 820 Duke Avenue, Warner Robins

  >> Annual Spring Wine Tasting in Downtown Perry (5-8 p.m.)

Perry will hold its annual Spring Wine Tasting this Friday evening in historic Downtown Perry. This event features wine tasting throughout Downtown Perry, live music, shopping, and more. General admission tickets for this event cost $50 online at this link.

    > Downtown Perry

  >> WRESTLING: Rumble…in The Grove in Locust Grove (5-7 p.m.)

Locust Grove Main Street and 1 Fall Wrestling (1FW) will present Rumble…in The Grove this Friday. This family-friendly event will feature 1FW wrestling and food trucks. Rumble…in The Grove is free to attend.

    > Locust Grove City Hall: 3644 Highway 42, Locust Grove

  >> MUSIC: Ashes at Grant’s Lounge in Macon (9 p.m.)

Ashes is a Macon rock-and-roll band that has been busy building a solid musical reputation in Middle Georgia. This show is the release show for the band’s debut EP “Ashes.” Tickets to this event cost $10 at the door.

    > Grant’s Lounge: 576 Poplar Street, Macon

Ashes recently released a music video for the band's song "Where You Going?"

SATURDAY, April 18th

  >> 5th Annual Thomaston Art & Soul Fest (10 a.m.-4 p.m.)

The Thomaston Art & Soul Fest will include local vendors, live music, food, art competitions, activities for kids, the Smokin’ Souls Backyard BBQ Competition, and more. The Thomaston Art & Soul Fest is free and open to the public.

    > Greatest Generation Memorial Park: 213 Park Drive, Thomaston

  >> Locust Grove Day (10 a.m.-2 p.m.)

Locust Grove Day celebrates the Henry County town of Locust Grove, which has a population of around 8,000+ and is located around 35 miles southeast of Atlanta. Locust Grove Day starts with a parade through Downtown Locust Grove starting at 10 a.m. The celebration also includes an Arts & Crafts Festival at City Hall (10 a.m.-2 p.m.), a Street Dance at Claude Gray Park (7-10 p.m.), and finally fireworks at Claude Gray Park. It might surprise some readers to learn that NBA’s Shaquille O’Neal was Locust Grove’s Director of Community Relations and then Chief of Community Relations, which is only one of the facts that make Locust Grove worthy of celebrating. This family-friendly event is free to attend.

    > 3644 Highway 42, Locust Grove

  >> MUSIC: Record Store Day at Fresh Produce Records in Macon (10 a.m.)

Record Store Day is an annual event that celebrates the unique world of independent record stores like Macon’s Fresh Produce Records. Record Store Day brings together music lovers with record store owners and employees for a day of appreciation of all things music, with special releases just for the occasion. Outside of the record store, Bob and Bert will perform starting at 8 a.m., with Frogs of Calabash following at 9 a.m., and Rachel Forehand performing at 10 a.m. (which is when the store opens). Macon’s Shy Company will perform inside Fresh Produce Records at 11 a.m. This music-filled event is free to attend.

    > Fresh Produce Records: 567 Cherry Street, Macon

Fresh Produce Records special concerts will artists like Ollie Becker (Photographer Nate Weeks)

  >> FOOD: Picnic in the Park at Carolyn Crayton Park in Macon (11 a.m.-4 p.m.)

Macon-Bibb County Recreation will present another family-friendly Picnic in the Park this Saturday at Carolyn Crayton Park. Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets, lawn chairs, family, and friends to enjoy music, food, and a kids’ zone. Picnic in the Park is free and open to the public.

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

SUNDAY, April 19th

  >> Food Truck Fly-In in Griffin (11 a.m.-3 p.m.)

The Food Truck Fly-In is a unique event featuring food trucks and airplanes at the Griffin+Spalding Airport and Kiwanis Fairgrounds in Griffin. This family-friendly event includes kid-friendly activities, live music, unique aircraft, and food trucks. The Food Truck Fly-In is free to attend.

    > Griffin+Spalding Airport: 1035 S. Hill Street, Griffin

  >> Waggin for HOPE: Dog Parade and Festival at Barks N Brews in Macon (1 p.m.)

The Crisis Line & Safe House of Central Georgia, Inc. is presenting the 2nd annual Wagging for Hope Dog Parade & Festival this Sunday at Barks N Brews. Proceeds from this community event will help benefit the Crisis Line & Safe House, which provides services to victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking, along with their children. Tickets for Waggin for HOPE start at $5 online at this link.

    > Barks N Brews: 663 Riverside Drive, Macon

Graphic courtesy of Crisis Line & Safe House of Central Georgia, Inc.

  >> MUSIC: Frank Hurricane at Fresh Produce Records in Macon (7 p.m.)

The one-and-only Frank Hurricane will be performing at Fresh Produce Records on Sunday. This unique musical act's sound is hard to define, but it mixes folk music with Americana and the blues. Hurricane's latest album is Southern Shrymp (In the Big City). Doors open at 7 p.m. , and entry is $10 at the door.

    > Fresh Produce Records: 567 Cherry Street, Macon

NOTABLE EVENTS NEXT WEEK:

 >> Friday, April 24th through Sunday, April 26th > 10 a.m.-2 p.m.: Annual Books Sale at the Round House in Carolyn Crayton Park in Macon: Friends of the Library Macon and the Middle Georgia Regional Library will hold the annual Book Sale at the historic Round Building next weekend. This sale will include thousands of gently-used books and media, with prices including $1 for paperbacks to $2 for hardcovers.

  >> Saturday, April 25th > 11 a.m.: Bacon Fest 2026 at Luther Williams Field in Macon: Bacon Fest is a free, family-friendly event that celebrates Macon’s baseball team, the Macon Bacon, as well as the popular, greasy snack. Bacon Fest 2026 will include bounce houses, live music, food trucks, a bacon cook-off, and more.

Did we miss an event you are excited about? Leave a comment below to let others know about other fun and interesting events taking place this week in Middle Georgia.