Weekend Adventures in the Heart of Georgia (10/9-10/11)

Although Hurricane Isaias may ruin plans for many Middle Georgians this weekend, there are plenty of things to do, including a draft horse show at the Georgia National Fair, concerts, and a unique event where kayakers/floaters will wear Halloween costumes while drifting down the peaceful Ocmulgee River. Before heading out this weekend, check the weather and whether the event is still going forward as scheduled, given the possible inclement weather. The following are just a few of the fun, interesting, and often free things to do this weekend in the heart of Georgia.

FRIDAY, October 9th

  >> Georgia National Fair Draft Horse Show at the Georgia National Fairgrounds in Perry (10/9-10/11) (8 a.m.)

The Georgia National Fair Draft Horse Show’s theme this year is Ride for Liberty: Celebrating 250 Years of Freedom. Beautiful draft horses, large horses bred to pull heavy loads, will compete at the Georgia National Fair Draft Show. Learn more on the Georgia National Draft Horse Show’s new website. General admission tickets to the fair, which include entry into this event, cost $15 for adults (11 to 59) and $5 for children (3 to 10).

    > Georgia National Fairgrounds’ Perdue Arena: 401 Larry Walker Parkway, Warner Robins

Cumberland Island's beautiful wild horses are much smaller than the draft horses at the Georgia National Fair Draft Horse Show (Photographer Nate Weeks)

  >> PICKLEBALL: Beer + Pickleball Friday Night at Play Rhythm & Rally in Macon (5 p.m)

Rhythm & Rally’s Beer + Pickleball Friday Night invites both experienced and novice pickleball players to visit the large pickleball facility in the old Macon Mall for a night of pickleball and cold beverages. Piedmont Brewery & Kitchen will be on-site serving beer and wine from a pop-up bar. The venue says the entire facility will be open play for $5 per person during Beer + Pickleball Friday Night.

    > Play Rhythm & Rally: 3661 Eisenhower Parkway, Macon

  >> MUSIC: Electric Avenue: The 80s MTV Experience at The Robins Financial Capitol Theatre in Macon (8 p.m.)

Find out how video killed the radio star and more at Electric Avenue: The 80s MTV Experience this Friday evening. Fans of New Wave and 80’s music will want to attend this show. Tickets to Electric Avenue: The 80s MTV Experience start at $34.95 on tixr.com.

    > The Robins Financial Capitol Theatre: 382 2nd Street, Macon

  >> MUSIC: Jeremy Short & Marc Ridge and The Revelers at Grant’s Lounge in Macon (9 p.m.)

Jeremy Short, who was named one of the top 30 blues guitarists at the International Blues Challenge, and Marc Ridge and The Revelers, a 3-piece band out of Lafayette, Indiana, that plays roots rock, blues, and country soul, will perform at Grant's Lounge on Friday night. Tickets to this show cost $12 at the door or eventim.us.

    > Grant’s Lounge: 576 Poplar Street, Macon

  >> MUSIC: Jerry’s Briefcase at The Hummingbird Macon (9:30 p.m.)

Jerry's Briefcase is a deep jam roots band that will play Grateful Dead tunes and old-school Honky Tonk jams at historic Grant’s Lounge this Friday. Tickets to see Jerry’s Briefcase cost $5 at the door.

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

SATURDAY, October 10th

  >> RUNNING: 5K Run for the Children at the Georgia Masonic Home in Macon (8 a.m.)

The 5k Road & Trail Run for the Children is an entry-level 5K course through the scenic campus of the Masonic Home of Georgia early Saturday morning. The Masonic Home of Georgia is a non-profit residential childcare facility located on over 600 acres in Macon. Packet pickup and check-in/registration start at 7 p.m., with the awards and post-race celebration taking place at 8 a.m. 5K registration costs $40 per person: learn more about this event at this link.

    > Masonic Home of Georgia.: 1417 Nottingham Drive, Macon

  >> RUNNING: Georgia National Fair 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run in Perry (8 a.m.)

The Perry Kiwanis Club's Georgia National Fair 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run will take place on two courses through the historic downtown Perry this Saturday. Register online for either the 5K or 1 Mile Fun Run on runsignup.com.

    > Carroll Street, Perry

  >> PILATES: Cor & Cultura - Pilates on the Rooftop at Hotel Forty Five in Macon (10 a.m.)

Cor Studio will present Pilates on the rooftop of Downtown Macon’s Hightales Rooftop Bar in collaboration with Hotel Forty Five and the Macon-Bibb Hispanic Festival this Saturday morning. Pilates is a low-impact exercise that can help improve core strength, posture, flexibility, balance, and more, according to healthline.com. Proceeds from this event will benefit the Macon-Bibb Hispanic Festival. Cor & Cultura cost $10 per person, and space is limited, so reserve your spot online at this link.

    > Hightales Rooftop Bar: 401 Cotton Avenue, Macon

  >> Monroe Fall Fest in Downtown Monroe (10 a.m)

Downtown Monroe's annual Fall Fest will feature children's activities, more than 200 vendors, and more this Saturday. A family-friendly costume contest will kick off with registration at 10 a.m. on Monroe’s historic courthouse lawn. The Monroe Fall Fest is free and open to the public.

    > Downtown Monroe: 111 S. Broad Street, Monroe

  >> FOOD: Atlanta Speedway Airport Food Truck Fly-In at Atlanta Speedway Airport in Hampton (10 a.m.-3 p.m)

Visitors to the Atlanta Speedway Airport can explore aircraft that will be on display while dining on meals from food trucks this Saturday at the Food Truck Fly-In. Atlanta Speedway Airport was once known as Clayton County Airport - Tara Field and covers an area of 160 acres, according to Wikipedia.com. Admission is free for this unique event.

    > Atlanta Speedway Airport: 474 Speedway Boulevard, Hampton

  >> Witches Float on the Ocmulgee River at Amerson River Park in Macon (12-4 p.m.)

The Witches Float on the Ocmulgee River will feature creatively costumed participants on decorated kayaks and floats leisurely floating through scenic Amerson River Park this Saturday afternoon. Those who buy a raffle ticket or bring a feminine product donation for Macon Periods Easier will be entered into a drawing to win prizes like a free paddle excursion from Ocmulgee Outdoor Expeditions, according to organizers. Tickets for the Witches Float start at $20 on fareharbor.com.

    > Amerson River Park: 2654 Riverview Road, Macon

Graphic courtesy of Visit Macon and Ocmulgee Outdoor Expeditions

  >> SHOPPING: Middle Georgia Oddities: Mega Halloween Market at Rigby’s Conference Center in Warner Robins (12-6 p.m.)

Rigby’s Conference Center will hold its biggest market of the year this Saturday with Middle Georgia Oddities: Mega Halloween Market. Shoppers will be able to browse spooky and strange items from over 40 vendors at this market. The Middle Georgia Oddities: Mega Halloween Market is free to attend.

    > Rigby’s Conference Center: 2001-A Karl Drive, Warner Robins

  >> 19th Annual Seven Islands Archaeology Day at Indian Springs Hotel Museum in Flovilla (12-4 p.m.)

The Ocmulgee Archaeological Society, Middle Georgia Preservation Alliance, and the Butts County Historical Society will present family-friendly archaeological activities and more this Saturday afternoon at the Indian Springs Hotel Museum. Attendees will learn about artifact identification, pottery-making, primitive skills, living history, Georgia Indian Lifeways, the Indian Springs Hotel tours, and more, according to organizers. The 19th Annual Seven Islands Archaeology Day is free and open to the public.

    > Indian Springs Hotel Museum: 1803 Highway 42, Flovilla

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

Lexington, Mississippi’s Twurt Chamberlain will bring his unique sound that blends blues, rock, and hip-hop to Grant's Lounge on Saturday night. Twurt is a stage name and an acronym for “The World’s Most Unique Representation of Truth,” according to the artist’s website. Tickets to see Twurt Chamberlain live cost $10 at the door or eventim.us.

    > Grant’s Lounge: 576 Poplar Street, Macon

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

Ground Strum will perform classic rock, 90s rock, and country music at Downtown Macon’s The Hummingbird this Saturday evening. Ground Strum is a local acoustic 3-piece band that can often be found performing in Downtown Macon and other venues around Middle Georgia. Tickets for this show will cost $5 at the door.

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

SUNDAY, October 11th

  >> ART: Blown Glass Pumpkin Experience at stARTup Studios in Macon (2-4 p.m.)

The Blown Glass Pumpkin Workshop at stARTup Studios will teach participants the basics of glass blowing while learning how to create a one-of-a-kind blown glass pumpkin. These workshops also take place on Sunday, October 18th, Saturday, October 24th, Sunday, October 25th, and Saturday, November 14th. Tickets for stARTup Studios’ Blown Glass Pumpkin Experience cost $105 on fareharbor.com.

    > stARTup Studios: 1055 Riverside Drive, Macon

  >> MUSIC: The Basement Club at Bragg Jam’s October Second Sunday Concert on Coleman Hill in Macon (6-8 p.m.)

Americana/rock/pop band The Basement Club will perform on Downtown Macon’s Coleman Hill this Sunday as part of Bragg Jam’s Second Sunday concert series. Tents and grills are not allowed at this concert, but picnics, coolers, lawn chairs, blankets, and toys are encouraged. If you are interested in sponsoring one of these free community events from Bragg Jam, email sponsorships@braggjam.org. Bragg Jam’s Second Sunday concerts are free and open to the public.

    > Coleman Hill: 285 Spring Street, Macon

NOTABLE EVENTS NEXT WEEK:

>> TUESDAY, October 13th: Storytellers Macon presents “How I Got Here” at Grant’s Lounge in Macon (7 p.m.): Storytellers Macon brings another unique evening of storytelling to iconic Grant’s Lounge next Tuesday. The theme for the evening will be “How I Got Here,” and Vida Latina Kitchen’s Paula Berenguer Aguirre will be the featured storyteller. Anyone can sign up to tell a true, 5-minute story at this link. This storytelling event is free to attend. (576 Poplar Street, Macon)

Graphic courtesy of Storytellers Macon

  >> FRIDAY, October 16th: Tour of Progress 2026 in Macon (5-8 p.m.): Learn all about the recent developments in Downtown Macon during NewTown Macon’s Tour of Progress 2026 next Friday. This annual event starts at Gilmer Warehouse and ends at Neel's Lofts for a courtyard party this year, according to NewTown Macon. Tours leave every 10 minutes, with the last tour departing at 6:20 pm. Tickets for the family-friendly Tour of Progress Tour are free on eventbrite.com. (598 3rd Street, Macon)

  >> FRIDAY, October 16th: Macon Periods Easier Homecoming Gala at The Overlook on First in Macon (7-10 p.m.): Macon Periods Easier’s biggest fundraiser of the year, Crowned for a Cause: Homecoming Gala 2026, will take place next Friday at The Overlook on First. This gala will include a DJ, dancing, hors d’oeuvres, a cash bar, and a silent auction. Tickets for the Macon Periods Easier Homecoming Gala start at $35 on zeffy.com. (484 1st Street, 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.