Weekend Adventures in the Heart of Georgia (5/8-5/10)

From markets to live music on Coleman Hill, there are plenty of things to do this weekend. The Museum of Arts and Sciences will present a unique family-friendly event on Friday that revolves around intriguing fractals, while runners who love bacon will likely set new personal records during the Great Bacon Race 5k on Saturday, and Sweet Diesel will perform on Coleman Hill during a Bragg Jam’s Second Sunday Concert on Sunday. The following are just a few fun, interesting, and often free things to do this weekend in the heart of Georgia.

FRIDAY, May 8th

  >> Center Park Farmers Market in Centerville (9 a.m.-1 p.m.)

The Center Park Farmers Market is a farm-to-table farmers market that will take place on the second and fourth Fridays of each month, starting this Friday. Vendors scheduled for this market include Acres & Oak Kitchen, Anne’s Sweet Tooth, Jail Creek Farms, and several others. The Center Park Farmers Market is free to attend.

    > Center Park at Centerville: 103 E. Church Street, Centerville

  >> Main Street Market in Forsyth (9 a.m.-5 p.m.)

The Main Street Market takes place every Friday starting in May and continuing until October. Local vendors will be selling items like fresh fruits and vegetables, honey, dairy, soap, and crafts. Forsyth Main Street’s Main Street Market is free to attend.

    > 23 East Main Street, Forsyth

  >> FOOD: Soft Opening of Chapis Teando in Monticello (3-9 p.m.)

Chapis Teando will serve Mexican food to Monticello’s residents starting this Friday during its soft opening. The restaurant will serve breakfast from 8 to 11 a.m., lunch from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and dinner from 4 to 9 p.m.

    > Chapis Teando: 107 W. Washington Street, Monticello

  >> Fractal Friday at the Museum of Arts and Sciences in Macon (6 p.m.)

Albuquerque, New Mexico’s Fractal Foundation, along with the Museum of Arts and Sciences, will present Fractal Friday, featuring “art-infused science experiences in the planetarium” featuring complex “fractal animations.” While the performance at 6 p.m., which will describe the science of fractals, is for family audiences, the 7 p.m. performance is described as “more experiential” by the museum. Fractal Friday costs $10 online for non-members, and $8.83 for members, at this link.

    > Museum of Arts and Sciences: 4182 Forsyth Road, Macon

Graphic courtesy of the Museum of Arts and Sciences

  >> Social Distortion Listening Party at Fresh Produce Records in Macon (6 p.m.)

Fans of rock band Social Distortion will gather at Fresh Produce Records next Friday to celebrate the band’s newest album, Born to Kill. Patrons will listen to the new album together, be eligible to win giveaways and prizes, and get a chance to purchase a variant of the album that can only be purchased at this event.

    > Fresh Produce Records: 563 Cherry Street, Macon

  >> MUSIC: Jason Eady at The Society Garden in Macon (8 p.m.)

Country singer and guitarist Jason Eady will perform at Macon’s The Society Garden this Friday night. Eady was born in Mississippi but is now based in Texas, where he is associated with the music scene there due to songs in the style of “old school honky-tonk.” The Society Garden will charge a $10 cover for this show at the gate.

    > Gallery West: 447 3rd Street, Macon

  >> MUSIC: Rare Birds at The Hummingbird in Macon (9:30 p.m.-1 a.m.)

Rare Birds, a four-piece rock and roll band based in Atlanta, will perform in Downtown Macon’s Hummingbird early Saturday morning. The band’s original music is influenced by 70’s rock, blues, gospel, and soul, according to a 2020 article on the Creative Loafing website. The Hummingbird will charge a $5 cover for this show.

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

SATURDAY, May 9th

  >> The Great Bacon Race 5k and Bacon Fun Run at Luther Williams Field in Macon (8 a.m.)

The unique Great Bacon Race will include bacon waiting for racers at every mile this Saturday. The 5k race will end at the historic ballfield’s home plate, where the Macon Bacon, along with baseball legends like Hank Aaron and Joe DiMaggio, once played. Tickets to the Great Bacon Race or the 1-mile Bacon Fun Run cost $30 online at this link.

    > Luther Williams Field: 225 Willie Smokie Glover Drive, Macon

Luther Williams Field has a fascinating history for baseball fans (Photographer Nate Weeks)

  >> Master Gardeners of Central Georgia’s Plant Sale at the Macon State Farmers Market in Macon (9 a.m.-4 p.m.)

Hundreds of locally grown plants will be on sale at the Master Gardeners of Central Georgia’s Plant Sale on Saturday. Shoppers can find perennials, annuals, vegetable seedlings, shrubs, houseplants, and trees, according to MGCG. There is no charge to attend this sale.

    > Macon State Farmers Market: 2055 Eisenhower Parkway, Macon

  >> Art Hike at Wesleyan College with Artspace Macon and Pam Pinkston in Macon (9 a.m.)

Artspace Macon takes artists for a hike each month where they create artwork while surrounded by inspiring natural scenes. These unique events for creatives, held in collaboration with Minds Eye Connections and Southern Queer Folk Hikes, are for artists of all levels and are designed for connection, reflection, and self-expression, according to the art school. Participants will need a water bottle, sketchbooks, and mosquito spray, with basic art materials provided. Art Hikes are free to attend with registration, although donations are accepted: hikers can participate in a post-hike studio time at Artspace Macon for $25.

    > Wesleyan Arboretum: 4760 Forsyth Road, Macon

  >> Mother’s Day at Field Cut Flowers in Macon (10 a.m.-6 p.m.)

Celebrate your mother with a day picking beautiful flowers at Field Cut Flowers in Macon. The cut flower farm’s You Pick will be open, and The Farmstand will be stocked, according to the farm. Tickets to Mother’s Day at the Field start at $35 online at this link.

    > Field Cut Flowers: 1291 Allen Road N., Macon

  >> Oak Ridge Cemetery Workday in Macon (10 a.m.)

Join Historic Macon Foundation (HMF) for a day of doing good by helping clean up Oak Ridge Cemetery in historic Rose Hill Cemetery. Bring small hand tools if possible, with work gloves, and dress for working outside. This HMF event is held in partnership with the Fringed Campion Chapter of the Georgia Native Plant Society and the Macon-Bibb Parks & Beautification Department.

    > Riverside Cemetery’s Madison Street Entrance: Macon

  >> Dog Mom Day at Just Tap’d in Macon

Dog Mom Day is an event for all the dog moms and the people who love them. Patrons will get one free bandana with a cocktail, a free pup-cup for dog children, and pup pizzas available for purchase as well.

    > Just Tap’d: 488 1st Street, Macon

  >> MUSIC: Allgood at The Society Garden in Macon (7 p.m.)

The band Allgood will celebrate the 35th anniversary of the band’s 90’s album Ride the Bee ’s at The Society Garden on Saturday night. Allgood’s sound, inspired by iconic bands like the Allman Brothers Band, mixes Southern blues and rock with improvisational jam band tunes. Tickets to see Allgood perform live cost $25 online.

    > The Society Garden: 2385 Ingleside Avenue, Macon

SUNDAY, May 10th * Happy Mother’s Day! *

  >> 50th Annual Student Art Show at The Creative Alternative in Macon (2-5 p.m.)

The Creative Alternative, a collaborative studio that focuses on training visionary critical thinkers, will host its 50th annual Student Art Show this Sunday. The art school also hosts a variety of classes and camps, including an Art Summer Camp scheduled for May 25th through 29th and an iMiller Sewing Academy Sew-Stars Fashion Camp from May 26th through July 31st.

    > The Creative Alternative: 262 Riley Avenue, Macon

  >> Bragg Jam’s Second Sunday Concert with Sweet Diesel on Coleman Hill in Macon (6-8 p.m.)

The honky tonk jam band Sweet Diesel will entertain music lovers in Downtown Macon’s Coleman Hill Park next Sunday. This family-friendly concert is free and open to the public.

    > Coleman Hill: 285 Spring Street, Macon

NOTABLE EVENTS NEXT WEEK:

  >> Tuesday, May 12th: Storytellers Macon presents Next Week Has Been Exhausting at Grant’s Lounge in Macon (6:30-8:30 p.m.): Storytellers Macon will once again present a unique night of storytelling at Grant’s Lounge next Tuesday night. Featured storytellers include Greta O’Dell and Lisa West, with special guest host June O’Neal, with audience members invited to tell their own stories as well. This storytelling event is free to attend. (576 Poplar Street, Macon)

Graphic courtesy of Storytellers Macon

  >> Friday, May 15th: 3rd Annual Mulberries Jam and Record Release at Vice Bar (6:29-11:59 p.m.): The 3rd annual Mulberries Jam will include a birthday set for Robert Lee Coleman and Dustin Murdock’s birthdays, performances by several local bands, as well as an album release set by Truffelina, a Macon band formed in 2009. (499 MLK Jr. Boulevard, Macon)

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.