Weekend Adventures in the Heart of Georgia (9/18-9/20)

The curious and adventurous can learn more about the moon in Macon, take a spooky walking tour in Milledgeville, run for a cause, and much more this weekend in Middle Georgia. This weekend, there are two events where Middle Georgians and visitors will pay tribute to the life and legacy of music executive Alan Walden, including a music-filled celebration of life on Sunday at Macon's The Society Garden. 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 18th

  >> ASTRONOMY: Preview of International Observe the Moon Night: Sky Over Macon at the Museum of Arts and Sciences in Macon (6-9 p.m.)

The Museum of Arts and Sciences’ Sky Over Macon will give the curious a preview of NASA’s annual International Observe the Moon Night during this Friday’s Sky Over Macon. In addition to informational handouts and activities, attendees will view the moon and sun in telescopes (weather permitting) from 5:30 to 6 p.m. Making the evening even more entertaining, Mercer University’s drama department will perform a scene from their upcoming production of the astronomy-related play “Silent Sky” from September 24th through 26th. Sky Over Macon costs $10 for adults and $5 for children (3 to 17 years old).

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

  >> Ghosts of Milledgeville Morning Walking Tour (7-8:30 p.m)

Much about Milledgeville’s history is haunting, including the deteriorating massive campus of Central State Hospital, once the “world’s largest mental hospital.” The tour guide will lead Middle Georgians to notable locations while telling some of the more frightening stories about Milledgeville’s past residents and long history. Tickets to the Ghosts of Milledgeville Morning Walking Tour cost $15: reserve in advance by calling (478) 452-4687 or visiting Milledgeville’s Visitor Center.

    > Milledgeville Visitor Information Center: 200 West Hancock Street, Milledgeville

Milledgeville has many historic buildings, including Georgia Military College, which was established in 1879 (Photographer Nate Weeks)

  >> MINI GOLF: PAR-TEE at The Patio at Rigby’s in Warner Robins (8-11:45 p.m)

Rigby’s Entertainment Complex has a deal on food, drinks, and mini golf games on Friday or Saturday night at Rigby’s Entertainment Complex’s The Patio at Rigby’s. The bar and grill restaurant is open 7 days a week. The PAR-TEE patio special features a $49 unlimited selection of a selection of food and drinks along with mini golf games late into the night for attendees 21 and older.

    > The Patio At Rigby’s: 2001 Karl Drive, Warner Robins

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

Calder Allen almost became a fly-fishing guide; he decided to follow the creative path of his grandparents, Terry and Jo Harvey Allen, and became a full-time musician, according to his website. The Texan will be performing country music at historic Grant’s Lounge this Friday evening with Mica Folk supporting. Tickets cost $15 at the door and online.

    > Grant’s Lounge: 576 Poplar Street, Macon

  >> MUSIC: Foreigner at the Macon City Auditorium in Macon (9:30 p.m.): Foreigner

The British-American rock band Foreigner, which is one of the best-selling bands of all time, will perform at the Macon City Auditorium next Friday. Foreigner’s biggest hits were released in the late 70s and early 80s, including singles like “Feels Like the First Time” and “Cold as Ice.” Tickets to see Foreigner in concert can be purchased online at this link.

    > Macon City Auditorium: 200 Coliseum Drive, Macon

SATURDAY, September 19th

  >> RUNNING: Steps to Freedom 5K: Run, Walk & Celebrate Recovery at the W.E. Knox Civic Center in Gray (8 a.m.)

Gray’s Celebrate Recovery New Haven Baptist Church is raising funds during the Steps to Freedom 5K on Saturday morning. Recovery groups are invited to bring and set up tables with materials to share. The Steps to Freedom 5K starts and ends at the W.E. Knox Civic Center: registration costs $40, which includes a shirt.

    > W.E. Knox Civic Center: 161 W. Clinton Street, Gray

  >> RUNNING: Color Me Graceful: A 5K Run for Recovery at the Georgia Premier Cross Country Course in Macon (9 a.m.)

The Alan Walden Memorial Weekend kicks off with the Color Me Graceful 5K this Saturday in Macon. Racers who wish to participate in Walden’s honor are invited to register as part of Team Alan & Tosha. Part of Walden’s massive legacy is his support of Passionate Grace’s mission of developing structured recovery housing and long-term stabilization support for adult men, according to a recent press release. Check-in for the Color Me Graceful 5K begins at 8 a.m. Registration is $45 for adults, $15 for youth, and $30 per person for teams of 10 or more racers.

  > Georgia Premier Cross Country Course: 3450 Fulton Mill Road, Macon

  >> SHOPPING: Perry Farmers’ Market (9 a.m.-1 p.m.)

Shoppers can find agricultural products like seasonal produce as well as jam, jellies, flowers, baked goods, and more at the year-round Perry Farmers’ Market. Spending money with local vendors is a great way to help support the local economy and your Middle Georgia neighbors.

    > Perry Farmers’ Market: 1000 Ball Street, Perry

  >> PLANTS: 2026 Annual Native Plant Festival in Byron (9 a.m.)

Middle Georgia’s green-thumbed residents can attend a native plant sale, learn about the importance of native plants, and do unique plant-related activities, according to the organizers, Fringed Campion Chapter of the Georgia Native Plant Society and the Georgia Native Plant Society. A plant sale will take place from 9 to 9:30 a.m., followed by an educational talk about native plants from GNPS Board Chair Michael Cowan from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., nursery tours and a native plant sale from 10:30 to 11 a.m.,“Fun with the Fringe” activities, like making an olla (which helps with watering) from 11 to 12 p.m., and finally another nursery tour and native plant sale from 12 to 12:30 p.m. The 2026 Annual Native Plant Festival is free to attend.

    > Boy Scout Road Nursery: 1494 Boy Scout Road, Byron

  >> 52nd Annual Buggy Days Festival in Barnesville (9/19-9/20) (9 a.m)

The two-day-long 52nd Annual Buggy Days Festival will celebrate 200 years of Barnesville’s history with live music, hundreds of arts and crafts vendors, activities for families and kids, a classic car show, food trucks, and more. Attendees can buy a collective souvenir cup that lights up only during the annual festival. Learn more about the schedule for this festival at this link. Admission is free to the family-friendly 52nd Annual Buggy Days Festival.

    > Multiple Locations in Downtown Barnesville

  >> Voices of Heritage: A Black Storytelling Day at Georgia’s Old Capital Heritage Center at the Depot in Milledgeville (2 p.m)

Storytellers will share stories about African-American leaders Sallie Ellis Davis, Lisa Cook, and Jon Ingram at A Black Storytelling Day this Saturday in Milledgeville. Attendees can also visit the Central State Hospital Museum. Free popcorn will be available while supplies last, according to Georgia’s Old Capital Heritage Center at the Depot. This family-friendly event is free to attend with registration at this link.

    > Georgia’s Old Capital Heritage Center at The Depot Inc: 95 Depot Circle, Milledgeville

  >> ART: “Anchored in Hope” Opening Reception at Tanglewood Art Studios in Macon (4-6 p.m)

Young artists of Camp HOPE Central Georgia will present their artwork during an opening Reception of the “Anchored in Hope” art exhibit at Macon’s Tanglewood Art Studios this Saturday evening. The Crisis Line & Safe House of Central Georgia, Inc. and the Macon Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office present Camp HOPE, a 5-night sleepaway camp for children who have experienced abuse or secondary victimization of violence. The opening reception of “Anchored in Hope” is free and open to the public.

    > Tanglewood Art Studios: 1080 Third Street, Suite 500, Macon

Graphic courtesy of Tanglewood Art Studios

  >> ART: Opening Reception for “The Space Between” at Artspace Macon in Macon (5-8 p.m.)

Artspace Macon presents the opening reception for "The Space Between," a group art show featuring artwork from Macon artists that explores “positive and negative space both visually and metaphorically,” according to Artspace Macon. 10% of sales will help support Artspace Macon’s Creative Wellness programming. The opening reception for “The Space Between” is free to attend.

    > Artspace Macon: 2378 Ingleside Avenue, Macon

  >> ROLLER DERBY: Southern Harm Roller Derby vs. Hard Knox Brawlers at Griffin Skate Inn in Griffin (7 p.m.)

Southern Harm Roller Derby will compete against the Hard Knox Brawlers during exciting roller derby at the Griffin Skate Inn. After the action is over, attendees are invited to stay and skate. Tickets for this roller derby event start at $20 online at this link.

    > Griffin Skate Inn: 2489 N. Expressway, Griffin

  >> MUSIC/FILM: Chuck Leavell: The Tree Man - An Evening of Film, Songs, and Stories at The Piedmont Grand Opera House in Macon (8 p.m.)

Allman Brothers Band and Rolling Stones member Chuck Leavell will present music and stories, along with a screening of the documentary “Chuck Leavell: The Tree Man,” at Macon’s Piedmont Grand Opera House on Saturday. The documentary features appearances from friends and acquaintances of Leavell, including former President Jimmy Carter, Eric Clapton, Mick Jagger, and more. Tickets to this event cost $45 online at this link.

    > The Piedmont Grand Opera House: 651 Mulberry Street, Macon

SUNDAY, September 20th

  >> BIKING: The Dirt Dash at Dauset - Second Middle Georgia Composite Race at Dauset Trails in Jackson (8 a.m.-3 p.m.)

Mountain bike racers will speed through the mountain bike racecourse at Dauset Nature Trails during the Dirt Dash at Dauset this Sunday. As shown in the video below, this race is sure to be an exciting one for participants and those cheering them on.

    > Dauset Trails: 221 College Street, Jackson

The Georgia Cycling Association uploaded a point-of-view video of what racers will see during The Dirt Dash at Dauset

   >> MUSIC: Sing Along Brunch: Emo Edition at Switch Macon (12 p.m.)

Black eyeliner and emo vibes will be plentiful at Switch Macon’s Sing Along Brunch: Emo Edition this Sunday. This event will feature a DJ, interactive sing-alongs, Signature Switch brunch, games and prizes, and more. Tickets to Sing Along Brunch: Emo Edition cost $5 online at this link.

    > Switch Macon: 470 1st Street, Macon

  >> MUSIC/CELEBRATION OF LIFE: Loose Change, Freebird ATL, Last Living Souls, Charlie Wooten Project, Lizella Reign, Freebird Atlanta, 2 Lane Blacktop, Rachel Forehand, and Willie Morris > Alan Walden: A Life Well Played at The Society Garden in Macon (3-10 p.m.)

The life and legacy of Alan Walden will be celebrated at Alan Walden: A Life Well Played - 30 Years of Love, Music, Mayhem this Sunday at Macon’s The Society Garden. Walden's music career helped form the soul and southern rock music genres, and he worked with music icons like Otis Redding, Sam & Dave, Etta James, and Boz Scaggs. This celebration of life is free and open to the public.

    > The Society Garden: 2389 Ingleside Avenue, Macon

NOTABLE EVENTS NEXT WEEK:

  >> MONDAY, September 21st: MUSIC: Macon-Mercer Symphony Orchestra #1 at the Piedmont Grand Opera House in Macon 7:30 p.m.): Guest conductor Case Scaglione will lead the Macon-Mercer Symphony Orchestra, along with two electrifying soloists, violinist Stefan Jacklw and cellist Brannon Cho. Tickets to this event start at $30 online at this link. (651 Mulberry Street, Macon)

  >> THURSDAY, September 24th: Macon Pride Lively Libations and Karaoke Social at Piedmont Brewery & Kitchen in Macon (5 p.m.): The annual Macon Pride Lively Libations and Karaoke Social will feature a new beer release from Piedmont Beer and entertaining karaoke with friends and neighbors in Downtown Macon’s Piedmont Brewery & Kitchen. This event is free to attend. (450-B Third Street, Macon)

  >> FRIDAY, September 25th: COMEDY: Off The Rails Comedy Showcase at stARTup Studios in Macon (8 p.m.): Comedians from Macon and Atlanta will amuse attendees of Off The Rails Comedy Showcase next Friday evening. Featured comedians include Macon’s Caroline Exum and Atlanta’s Jacob Chalk and Allson Page. Tickets to Off The Rails Comedy Showcase cost $15 in advance and $20 at the door. (1055 Riverside Drive, 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.