Athens, Georgia
2008 Annual Events Calendar

From the Athens Convention & Visitors Bureau... Check out the great times ahead in 2008! Make plans now to be in Athens during one or more of these marquee Annual Events. The Athens Convention & Visitors Bureau website, www.VisitAthensGA.com is your complete source for travel information, updated events, special offers and travel packages, and hotel reservations. 

FEBRUARY

Taste of Athens, 15th annual
February 24, 2008 
The Classic Center
Recognized as one of Athens' premier social events, A Taste of Athens features the very best in food and drink offered by more than 60 Athens area restaurants, caterers and beverage distributors. A Taste of Athens also features the Red Clay Chefs competition, a stellar silent auction of one-of-a-kind artwork, memorabilia and gift packages donated by local artists and merchants.
TIME: 6 - 9 p.m.
COST: $45 in advance/ $50 at the door
706-353-1313
http://www.tasteofathens.com 

MARCH

Athens Home and Garden Show, 14th Annual
March 1-2, 2008
The Classic Center
The Athens Area Home Builders Association's annual Home & Garden Show is the premier event for people considering remodeling their homes, landscaping their yards or even building or buying their dream homes. Area builders, retailers, Realtors(R), bankers and other professionals will be on hand to answer questions about the latest in home decor, landscaping, lighting, cabinetry, construction, financing, and much more. A Kids' Corner includes activities, arts and crafts, and other family events.
TIME: Sat. 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.; Sun. noon - 5 p.m.
COST: $5 adults/$4 seniors/$3 ages 3-12/under age 3 free.
706-357-4444
http://www.onlineathens.com/homeshow 

APRIL

G-Day Spring Football
April 5, 2008
Sanford Stadium
Georgia Football is back in action! Come get a preview of the great things that lay ahead for the 2008 Bulldogs!
TIME: Gates open at 12:30pm
COST: Adults $5, Youth $3, UGA students free with ID
706-542-7969
http://www.georgiadogs.com 

UGA International Street Festival
April 5, 2008
College Square, Downtown Athens
An annual festival of cultural displays, traditional costumes, dances, and international bands. Presented by the 23rd International Student
Organizations at UGA.
TIME: noon - 5 p.m.
COST: No admission charge
706-542-5867
http://www.uga.edu/isl 

Classic City Brew Fest, 13th Annual
April 6, 2008
Foundry Park Inn & Spa
The 13th annual Classic City Brew Fest will feature all the best gourmet beers available in Georgia, live blues from Atlanta's Big Robert T, and portions of the proceeds will go to Project Safe. The event will once again be sponsored by the local Athens Terrapin Beer Company and Five Points Bottle Shop. Tickets are $30 and will go on sale in November 2007; they go fast, so it is recommended that you sign up at the website to be notified of sale dates.
TIME: 3 p.m. - 7 p.m.
COST: $30 in advance. TICKETS SELL OUT FAST!
706-254-2739
http://www.classiccitybrew.com 

Robert Osborne's Classic Film Festival, 4th Annual
April 10-13, 2008
Classic Center Theatre
Hosted and programmed by Robert Osborne, the four-day festival celebrates classic motion pictures through the screening of several newly remastered 35 mm prints of classic Hollywood, independent, and foreign films. Special guests associated with the films will appear on stage with Mr. Osborne after the screenings to discuss their work with the audience.
COST: $10 each film, or $60 for a festival pass
706-357-4444
http://www.grady.uga.edu/osbornefest 

Athens Regional Foundation Classic (Nationwide Golf Tour), 3rd Annual
April 14-20, 2008
Jennings Mill Country Club
Professional golf comes to Athens and Jennings Mill, with a Bob Cupp- designed, 6,924-yard course. The event offers a $500,000 purse with profits benefiting the Athens Regional Foundation.
904-475-3350
http://www.arfcgolf.org 

Boybutante Ball, 19th Annual
April 19, 2008
40 Watt Club, 285 W. Washington St.
The 'party to end all parties' is a large cabaret show and dance with a large mainstream following, that benefits AIDS support services through the Boybutante AIDS Foundation. A week's worth of fun events proceeds Saturday's ball; see www.boybutante.org for complete schedule.
706-227-3530
http://www.boybutante.org  

Athens Twilight Criterium, 29th Annual
April 26-27, 2008
The Twilight Criterium is a favorite spot on the national cycling tour circuit, both for its unique evening format and the large crowds that gather in Athens' vibrant downtown retail and entertainment district. A full range of festival activities for the entire family!
TIME: Multiple events; the marquee Twilight event is at 8 p.m. Saturday.
LOCATION: Downtown Athens
COST : Free admission; fees for some activities.
706-207-4607
http://www.athenstwilight.com 
Downtown Athens

MAY

Athens-Clarke Heritage Foundation's Spring Tour of Homes
May 2-4, 2008
The 2008 Spring Tour of Homes will be the first in a series featuring Architects of Athens. The 2008 Tour will focus on a selection of homes that were designed by Frederick J. Orr (1874-1935) and have been placed on the National Register for Historic Places. Orr designed over 30 buildings in Athens in the early 20th century. He worked with a variety of styles from Colonial Revival to Spanish Mission Revival.
706-353-1801
http://www.achfonline.org 

Hot Corner Celebration, 8th Annual
May 3-4, 2008
A celebration of Athens' early center of black commerce. Highlighted events include music from spiritual singing groups, choirs, bands, and rap artists; speeches and food.
TIME: Daylong
COST: Most events free
706-543-2080
Downtown Athens

Athens Human Rights Festival, 30th Annual
May 3-4, 2008
The Athens Human Rights Festival brings together political activists, musicians and artists in a celebration of advances in the area of human rights and call for further action. Free event.
TIME: 10 a.m. - Midnight Saturday; 2 p.m. - 10 p.m. Sunday
COST: Free
College Square, Downtown Athens
706-208-8674
http://www.athenshumanrightsfest.org 

Birchmore Trail Day, 8th Annual
May 4, 2008
Memorial Park and Bear Hollow Wildlife Trail
The annual Birchmore Trail Day includes games and activities for children, scavenger hunts on the Fred Birchmore Nature Trail and a chance to meet the legendary Athenian Fred Birchmore, who rode a bicycle around the world, hiked through many countries and built the massive Great Wall of Happy Hollow.  Those who walk the Birchmore Trail will receive a special 'I survived the Birchmore Trail' patch. The Trail, just over a mile in lengh, is named for 95 year-old Fred Birchmore-adventurer, naturalist, author, speaker, world traveler and civic leader. One of the few 'urban forest' trails in Clarke County, it begins in Memorial Park, winds beneath towering trees and over a deep gorge and passes by Birchmore's home, 'Happy Hollow', which is encircled by a gigantic stone wall he built when he was 75 years old. Meet in the small meadow in Memorial Park off Gran Ellen Drive near the trailhead of the Birchmore Trail. No cost; all ages welcome!
TIME: 2-4 p.m.
706-613-3580

Zoo Day
May 17, 2008
Memorial Park and Bear Hollow Wildlife Trail
This Open House at Bear Hollow Wildlife Park features animals not normally housed at the zoo, plus displays, demonstrations, and educational sessions.
TIME: 11:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
COST: $3 per person or $10 per family.
706-613-3616
http://www.athensclarkecounty.com/~bearhollow 

'Memorial Day in Memorial Park' Celebration, 7th Annual
May 25, 2008
Memorial Park and Bear Hollow Wildlife Trail
Start the holiday's festivities with a visit to Bear Hollow's Exhibit Hall on Sunday. Visitors can view native reptile and amphibian species as well as exotic arachnids.  Follow with a family fun day full of activities including inflatables and free swim at the pool. A special ceremony in front of the flagpole will take place at 3pm.
COST: No admission, but donations will be accepted.
706-613-3616
http://www.accleisureservices.com 

JUNE

Snake Day, 29th Annual
June 7, 2008
Sandy Creek Nature Center and ENSAT Center
Come see and learn about snakes and other mysterious reptiles from Georgia and throughout the world! Touch a live snake and participate in snake-themed activities and crafts, such as slithering through an obstacle course, making rattlesnake eggs, and face painting.
TIME: 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.
COST: $3 county residents, $5 all others
706-613-3615
http://www.sandycreeknaturecenter.com 

AthFest Music and Arts Festival, 12th Annual
June 18-22, 2008
Experience over 100 bands on outdoor stages and in Athens' renowned clubs. Original music, art, local film screenings, and KidsFest provide entertainment for all ages. Outdoor stages free; all-venue weekend wristbands available for sale.
NAMED A TOP 20 EVENT BY THE SOUTHEAST TOURISM SOCIETY!
TIME: All Day, All Night
COST: Outdoor stages, KidsFest, and art are free; all-venue weekend wristbands available for sale.
Downtown Athens
706-548-1973
http://www.athfest.com 

JULY

Star Spangled Classic
July 4, 2008
A family-oriented July 4th celebration with live music and an exciting fireworks show at dark. Festivities include the Little Mr. and Miss Firecracker contests, live music by the Classic City Band and Power Play, and a community birthday cake served by Athens-Clarke firefighters.
No admission charge.
TIME: 6 - 10 p.m. entertainment; fireworks at 9:30 p.m.
COST: Free
706-613-3625
Bishop Park, 705 Sunset Dr.
http://www.athensclarkecounty.com 

AUGUST

'Perspectives' Pottery Exhibit, Sale, and Workshop, 5th Annual
August 29 - September 24, 2008
The 5th annual pottery sale held over three weekends features contemporary and folk pottery of Georgia's fifty best known ceramic artists with 4,000 ceramics in one location. Concurrently, a three-week exhibit in the twp galleries at the OCAF Art Center highlights additional works by these fifty potters and selected collectors of ceramics.
TIME: Please visit website for complete schedule of exhibits and studio tours.
COST: Free
706-769-4565
Oconee Cultural Arts Foundation, 34 School St., Watkinsville
http://www.ocaf.com 

SEPTEMBER

Greek Festival
September 13-14, 2008
Opa! Come for live music, Greek food and pastries, dancing, jewelry and gifts, plus lectures and demonstrations of all things Greek. Register for a chance to win two airline tickets to Greece. Sponsored by the St. Philothea Greek Orthodox Church.
770-725-2639
Marswood Hall, 3761 Mars Hill Rd., Watkinsville

Grace's Doggie Birthday Party
September 21, 2008
A celebration for dogs; a benefit for those who care for them. Party with your favorite pooch, complete with treats, entertainment, silent auction, and contests.
TIME: 3 - 6 p.m.; will be held rain or shine.
COST: $15 adults, $5 kids, dogs are FREE!
706-769-2633
Ashford Manor Bed & Breakfast, 4 Harden Hill Rd.
http://www.gracesbirthday.com 

OCTOBER

North Georgia Folk Festival, 24th Annual
October 4, 2008
Sandy Creek Park, 400 Bob Holman Rd., off US 441, north of Athens
Experience traditional folk music from blues to bluegrass, plus traditional craft demonstrations, activities and sales. Crafts include chair making, cider making, folk painting, white oak baskets, corn shuck dolls,spinning, jewelry making and more. The Kid's Fest will feature arts and crafts facilitated by Lyndon House Arts Center staff and animals facilitated by staff from the Sandy Creek Nature Center.
TIME: 1 p.m. to 9 p.m.
COST: $12 adults, $3 for children ages 3 - 16. Plus park admission $2 per person, ages 4-64.
706-613-3631
http://www.athensfolk.org 

Athens-To-Atlanta Road Skate, 27th Annual
October 5, 2008
A famous American tradition, Athens-to-Atlanta combines the beauty of northern Georgia, the friendliness of the in-line skating community, and the rigors of distance skating. It's more than a road skate; it's the defining outdoor skating event in America. So whether you elect the 38, 52, or 87-mile distance and skate on four or five wheels, the Event allows you to skate for time, for the challenge of finishing, or for the friendship of spending the day with people from all over the world. All skaters except those in the 52-mile event start in Athens, Georgia, and roll through the rural Georgia countryside through the first two checkpoints to the 38-mile station. Here the 38 mile finishers take off their skates and cheer on the rest of the field as they attempt to conquer the rest of the course to Atlanta.  Free bus service takes the 38-mile finishers either back to Athens or to the 87-mile finish line in Atlanta.
404-806-7251
Departs from The Classic Center, 300 N. Thomas St.
http://www.a2a.net