Bicycles, Brews, Blues and Good Ole' Fashioned BBQ!

I remember the first time I rode my bicycle without training wheels. I was a lady with a mission and after a few bumps and bruises along the way, I was a master of the art by the age of five. I continued to love my bike and as I grew, my parents ensured that my bike grew with me.

Fast forward several...(ahem!) years, and I haven’t ridden my bike in quite some time. Actually, I think my parents may have sold it in a garage sale, leaving me at times dreaming of those days when I could zip around the neighborhood or park with the greatest of ease. Now thanks to a new amenity available at Evans Towne Center Park, all of those bike riding desires can be fulfilled!

B-Cycle is a self-service bike kiosk located in Evans Towne Center Park on the side of the concession/restroom building. This is a service that the county is very excited to offer, and it is ready just in time for summer! The bikes are meant for riders 18 and up, which is perfect for all of those parents/adults, like me, whose bicycle may have ended up in someone else’s garage after years of no rides.  You can pay as you go—the $8 fee includes two hours of riding—or you can sign up for a yearly membership which offers endless riding possibilities. For more information on B-Cycle, check out columbiacounty.bcycle.com, or stop by the park and see for yourself!

Not only is it prime bike season, but the azaleas are in full bloom, the pollen is in full force and the warm weather has finally settled in. Spring time in Columbia County has officially sprung and that means it's time for our annual spring rite of passage, Blues, Brews & BBQ! For three consecutive Fridays, beginning April 25th, the Columbia County Amphitheater will be THE place to be for good music and good food from the area's best barbecue pit masters.

Blues, Brews & BBQ will be held at the Columbia County Amphitheater

This year we have a great line-up of musical acts! Kicking off the series this year (thanks to an unwelcome rain delay on the 18^th) will be The Kenny George Band on April 25^th  with delicious BBQ from Perry Foster’s BBQ (Hank Williams, Jr. is a fan of their stuff!). If you enjoy getting your late-breaking, local news from WRDW’s Richard Rogers, wait until you hear him on drums! On Friday, May 2^nd, News 12’s Breaking News Band will be opening up for Athens favorite blues band, Funky Bluester with BBQ from local favorite Jus’ Plain Smokin’.  The closing week of the show will feature Chris Ndeti & Company (from Mama Says fame) with BBQ by Dixie Pig. Brews will be available for purchase, provided by Vineyard Wine Market.

Athens favorite Funky Bluester will perform on Friday, May 2nd

Admission is $5 for adults, children 12 and under are free. So grab your blankets & chairs (no coolers, please) and get your heapin' helpin' of the area's best BBQ at the 9th Annual Blues, Brews & BBQ shindig happening at the Columbia County Amphitheater (behind Evans Branch Library)! For more information visit columbiacountyga.gov or call (706) 650-5005.

Time to Get Scramblin'

It’s that time of year again. Time to dust off your baskets, pull out your bunny ears, and throw away all of the candy you forgot was still left in those eggs. It’s hard to believe that it is already April and that Easter is right around the corner!

Our annual Columbia County Easter Egg Scramble will be held on Saturday, April 12^th at Evans Towne Center Park. We have two different times for different age groups.  Ages 1-4 will begin their scramble at 10 a.m. and ages 5 and up will begin their scramble at 11 a.m. We have over 15,000 eggs this year…and over 30 grand prize baskets to be won!! Be sure to arrive early so that you can pay your $1 admission fee and be prepared for when we sound the start whistle. Those eggs don’t last long once the scrambles begin!

This year, we have lots of fun things going on aside from the scrambles. Aggregates USA will be on site again, generously handing out hot-dogs and sodas to participants!  We will also have the Fun Cruiser from West Acres Baptist church with other treats for the kids.  WJBF is bringing special guest, Freddie the Forecaster, and arts and crafts for the kids. The Fabulous Fun Clown Company will be painting faces and creating balloon animals of all kinds—so be sure to bring some extra dollars for some cool face art or a fabulous balloon creature. The very talented Kelley Family will be on hand with their family blue-grass band to do a short concert from 10:30-11:00 on the Lady Antebellum Stage. This group travels all over Georgia performing, and it will be a real treat to have them!  There will also be the opportunity for parents to get their child’s picture with the Easter Bunny!

We will all be praying for sunny, warm weather….but if it does happen to be nasty outside, the scramble will be moved to the following Saturday, April 19^th. Same time, same place. Just keep a look out on Facebook, Twitter, and the county website for an announcement, or if you’re in doubt, feel free to give us a call any time Monday-Friday, 8-5 p.m.

We all have fond memories of our Easter egg endeavors as children and we hope that you will bring your family to make some new memories at the park! Be sure to dress in your best, festive Easter apparel. Bunny accessories are not a requirement, but highly recommended. This will be such a fun day for the kids and parents alike!