Weekend Adventures in the Heart of Georgia (9/4-9/6)

First Friday celebrations will take place in cities across Middle Georgia to start the weekend, with plenty of other things to do for foodies, live music fanatics, and shoppers. Macon's First Friday events include the Grand Opening of a new drinking establishment, receptions for art exhibit openings, live music, and more. The following are just a few of the fun, interesting, and often free things to do this weekend in the heart of Georgia.

FRIDAY, September 4th

  >> FOOD: FoodieLand Food Festival at EchoPark Speedway in Hampton (9/4-9/6) (3 p.m.)

FoodieLand is a nationwide food festival featuring more than 250 vendors with food from around the world, artisan shops, games, and live music, according to FoodieLand - Atlanta. Food prices at this festival include $6 samplers and 19 food items for $10 or less. Tickets to the FoodieLand Food Festival cost $15 online at this link.

    > EchoPark Speedway: 1500 Tara Pl, Hampton

  >> ROAD TRIP: Dragon Con 2026 in Atlanta (9/3-9/7)

More than 70,000 fans of science fiction, fantasy, gaming, comics, literature, art, music, and film will gather in Atlanta for Dragon Con through Monday next week. This annual event includes contests, workshops, parties, appearances from featured guests (including Sean Astin and Richard Dean Anderson this year), and much more. You can purchase Dragon Con 2026 tickets online at this link.

    > Multiple Locations: Atlanta

This sculpture would fit in at Dragon Con, which is known for its impressive cosplay and unique things to do and see (Photographer Nate Weeks)

  >> First Friday in Downtown Macon

First Friday in Downtown Macon includes a monthly art crawl, special events, live music, and specials at local retailers and restaurants. For those looking for others in the community with similar interests and activities, Find Your People returns to The Overlook for this First Friday, a beautiful historic event venue located at 484 1st Street, from 5 to 8 p.m. 1st Street is also a great place to start an art crawl, with the Macon Arts Alliance (In Tandem features the artwork of Jeff and Laura Surace with an opening reception from 4 to 7 p.m.) and 567 Center for Renewal (Nothing Concrete features abstract art by both local and regional artists with an opening reception from 5 to 8 p.m.) next to plenty of food and drinking establishments to enjoy.

    > Multiple Locations: Downtown Macon

  >> ART: Psychodelik Pete presents Electrified Church at Gallery West in Macon (5-9 p.m.)

The opening reception for Electrified Church, featuring the far-out artwork of Psychodelik Pete, aka Peter Nogas, will take place this Friday night at Gallery West. Nogas is a self-taught artist whose artwork pays tribute to the Art Nouveau style, psychedelic art from the 60’s and 70’s, flowers, and cultural experiences, according to Gallery West. Electrified Church’s opening reception is open to the public.

    > Gallery West: 447 3rd Street, Macon

  >> FOOD: Taste of Italy on Main in Butler (5:30 p.m.)

Downtown Butler’s First Friday theme this month is Taste of Italy on Main. Visitors will find Italian-inspired dishes, sweet desserts, and a night out on the town. Butler is a small city in west-central Georgia and is the county seat of Taylor County.

    > 12 Cedar Street, Butler

  >> MUSIC: Choir of Babble with Special Guest Justin Cutway at Vice Bar in Macon (9 p.m.)

Choir of Babble’s music is haunting and beautiful, with lyrics that resonate long after the songs end. Singer/songwriter and radio personality Justin Cutway will open the show. There is no cover charge at Vice Bar.

    > Vice Bar: 499 Martin Luther King Jr., Macon

  >> MUSIC: ADAM.BOM, Blessed B33zy, Old Flame at Gold Bar’s First Friday Silent Disco and Grand Opening in Macon (9 p.m.)

Macon’s newest drinking establishment, Gold Bar, presents its Grand Opening during September’s First Friday. This event is hosted by B3 Silent Events and includes 3 stations of music to dance to from ADAM.BOM (EDM), Blessed B33zy (hip-hop), and Old Flame (Retro WTF). This event is for those 21 and older.

    > Gold Bar Macon: 518 Cherry Street, Macon

The Gold Bar is located where Travis Jean Emporium once was in Downtown Macon (Photographer Nate Weeks)

  >> MUSIC: Giant DeNiro at The Hummingbird (9:30 p.m.-1 a.m.)

Milledgeville’s Giant DeNiro is an absurdist punk band that will be playing indie and pop-punk hit songs this Friday. Many famous acts have performed at The Hummingbird, including Col. Bruce Hampton, Old Crow Medicine Show, and Drivin’ N’ Cryin’. The Hummingbird will charge a $5 cover at the door for this show.

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

SATURDAY, September 5th

  >> 60th GFSC State Horse Championship Show at the Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter in Perry) (9/5-9/7) (7 a.m.)

The Georgia Federation of Saddle Clubs (GFSC) will hold its 60th annual State Horse Championship Show this Saturday through Monday. This equestrian event will also celebrate the 250th anniversary with a patriotic opening show. Raffle tickets will also be available for $5 each or 6 for $20. Learn more about this event from GFSC.

    > Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter’s Reaves Arena: 401 Golden Isles Parkway, Perry

  >> MUSIC: Georgian Harmony Singing by Middle Georgia Shape Note Collective in Roberta (10 a.m.-3 p.m.)

The Middle Georgia Shape Note Collective (MGSNC) will be performing Georgian Harmony Singing in Roberta this Saturday morning. This unique type of singing features more than one independent melody line occurring at a time. Lunch will be served to attendees at noon, according to MGSNC. This event is open to the public.

    > Roberta Civic Center: 93 S. Mathews Street, Roberta

Georgian Harmony singing produces haunting and beautiful music

  >> SHOPPING: Macon Market at stARTup Studios in Macon (9/5-9/6) (10 a.m.-5 p.m.)

The two-day Macon Market returns to stARTup Studios this Saturday and Sunday. The Macon Market features local vendors offering unique artwork, delicious treats, jewelry, and more. Sunday’s Macon Market takes place from 12 to 5 p.m. This shopping event is free to attend.

    > stARTup Studios: 1055 Riverside Drive, Macon

  >> Ghosts of Milledgeville Morning Walking Tour in Milledgeville (10-11:30 a.m.)

The Ghosts of Milledgeville: A Morning Walking Tour is a guided tour of historic Downtown Milledgeville this Saturday morning. Milledgeville was founded in 1803 and served as Georgia’s capital for over 60 years, so there are plenty of exciting stories to keep tour takers entertained during the 90-minute tour. Tickets are limited for this tour, and those interested can reserve a spot in advance by calling (478) 452-4687. Tickets for the Ghosts of Milledgeville Walking Tour cost $15 per person.

    > Milledgeville Visitor Information Center: 200 W. Hancock Street, Macon

  >> COMEDY: Ali Siddiq: The Custom Fit Tour at the Macon City Auditorium in Macon (8 p.m.)

Comedian Ali Siddiq will bring his Custom Fit Tour to the Macon City Auditorium this Saturday. Siddiq discovered his ability to make others laugh while locked up for selling illicit drugs at the young age of 14, started his comedy career the next year, and has now released multiple solo albums and TV specials, according to Wikipedia. Tickets for this show currently start at $74.40 online at this link.

    > Macon City Auditorium: 415 1st Street, Macon

  >> MUSIC: Blue Velvet Atlanta at The Society Garden in Macon (8-10 p.m)

Blue Velvet Atlanta is a band of five female musicians who play “classic and original funky rocking blues,” according to the group’s Facebook page. This will be the band’s first performance at Macon’s The Society Garden

    > The Society Garden: 2389 Ingleside Avenue, Macon

SUNDAY, September 6th

  >> The 3rd Annual Little Miss 478 Pageant at The Douglass Theater in Macon (1:30 p.m.)

Beyond the Reign: The Little Miss 478 Pageant Experience presents the 3rd Annual Little Miss 478 Pageant this Sunday at The Douglas Theatre. This pageant will include participants from 0 to 11 years of age. The theme for the Little Miss 478 Pageant this year is “Rooted in Culture. Crowned with Confidence.”

    > The Douglass Theatre: 355 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Macon

NOTABLE EVENTS NEXT WEEK:

  >> FRIDAY, September 11th: MUSIC: DJ Nina Sky at the Big ‘O’ Homecoming Show & Dance at The Robins Financial Capitol Theatre in Macon (8 p.m.): The 5th Annual King of Soul Festival pays tribute to the King of Soul, Otis Redding, and will kick off with a performance by DJ Nina Sky on Friday. An Evening of Respect then takes place on Saturday at the Macon City Auditorium, with appearances from special guests like CeeLo Green, Eric Burton, Lamont Landers, and more. Tickets for both events can be purchased online at this link. (382 2nd Street and 415 1st Street, Macon)

  >> SATURDAY, September 12th: 14th Annual Heart of the Dragon Boat Races at Lake Tobesofkee in Macon (8 a.m.): Big Brothers Big Sisters Heart of Georgia will present the 14th annual Heart of the Dragon Boat Races next Saturday. This fundraising event features exciting races between various organizations in Middle Georgia. (660 Moseley Dixon Road, Macon)

Help us keep uncovering the best of Middle Georgia!

Your donation goes a long way toward keeping Middle Georgia Times independent and focused on what matters most: you and your community. You can help support Middle Georgia Times with your donations at this link or through our Venmo account (@MiddleGATimes). Any amount is greatly appreciated! - Nate Weeks, Editor of the Middle Georgia Times

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.