It is late June now in Athens, GA. Contrary to the reputation of the area for summer time heat, it is a temperate 82 degrees and sunny today. The weather has been pleasant due to the volume of rain we have had this year. Area lakes, have I mentioned there are four lakes within an hour’s drive that cover a total area of 164,000 acres, are at or a couple of feet off “full pond” again now that the drought has left the southeast!
As I scan through local events I notice the Athens Farmer’s Market is in full swing now through November 14th. In addition to locally grown food, there are crafts, music, “merriment, and our memories shared on Saturday mornings with the young and the old alike at Bishop Park.”
The Sun Flower Music Series at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia also just opened for the summer season. Groups on the schedule are (June 23) Modern Skirts (power-pop quartet) (July 14) FiveEight (three-piece rock band), and (August 25) Grogus (Latin jazz, salsa, Afro-Caribbean jazz and reggae). Tickets can be found at www.uga.edu/botgarden.
If you are in the mood for a little more volume to your music, you have got to go to AthFest. More than 175 bands playing on outdoor stages and in Athens' downtown clubs. Music, art, and KidsFest provide entertainment for every age. What is really great is that all Outdoor stages are free.
Actor/Comedian Patton Oswalt, of Pixar’s Ratatouille fame, says that “Athens is a Bubble Dream City of Goodness and like Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory where the streets are paved with pot and Leprechaun’s bring you coffee in the morning.” Well after that, you are either missing the 60’s or are at least curious enough to come give Athens, GA a try!
