Time for Some Summer Fun in the Sun!

The kids are getting restless at school, mom & dad are getting antsy with anticipation of almost three months of kids at home full-time whining “I’m bored” and “mom, can’t we go do something??” With gas prices rising almost as fast as the temperatures, trying to find something budget-friendly for the entire family can become quite a task in itself.

But fear not citizens of Columbia County! We've got you covered!

With so many things to do locally over the next several months, there is hope that the kids will be busy and not bored during the dog days of summer. Here are some of the things on the calendar to help you get a head start on your summer planning:

Jim Quick and the Coastline will perform at this year's Summer Beach Blast.

-Summer Beach Blast is coming to Evans Towne Center Park on Friday, June 6^th. Not only does this concert feature three awesome beach bands—The Catalinas, Jim Quick & the Coastline, & The Embers—but there will be tons of fun activities for kids and parents alike including water slides, beach sand, volleyball and corn hole. The best part is kids under 12 get in FREE! Kick off your summer in the right way! Tickets are on sale NOW! 

For more information visit www.evanstownecenterpark.com.

-Family Movie Matinees will be six Wednesdays in June & July when parents can bring their kids to enjoy a free movie at 1 p.m. at the Performing Arts Center in the Evans Branch Library. The movies list includes Epic (6/11), Despicable Me 2 (6/18), Walking with Dinosaurs (6/25), The Croods (7/9), Cloud with a Chance of Meatballs 2 (7/16), and Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters (7/23). Seats are first come, first serve, and tickets will be available starting at 12:30 p.m. on movie day in the lobby of the library.

-Karaoke Under the Stars will be at the Columbia County Amphitheater (behind the library) two Fridays in June this year. Friday, June 13^th will be kid’s night with special guest Tara Scheyer. Not only will your kids get to showcase their talents, but Tara will also be performing a short concert at 7:30 p.m. Sign-ups will begin at 6 p.m. and songs will start at 6:30 p.m. There will be food and beverages available for purchase and probably some surprises along the way. This event is free to the public, and dancing is encouraged! Kids are also welcome back the next Friday for our all-ages karaoke night—but mom and dad are highly encouraged to sing on stage on Friday, June 20^th. Same time, same place, new guest—DJ Kris Fisher. Again, free to the public, and food and beverages will be available for purchase.

-The Fourth of July Celebration this year is sure to be a special night. For the first time, it is being moved to Evans Towne Center Park, and there will be tons of activities all day, beginning at an earlier time—2 p.m. This event is free to the public, but be sure to bring your change for food, drinks, and other fun fares.

With a county rich in natural resources and magnificent parks, maybe this is the summer to hit the great outdoors.

-Evans Towne Center Park is a family favorite and with plenty of space for picnicking, frisbee, a large playground, dog park, and a water feature to keep cool. With the addition of the new B-Cycle kiosk and the expansion of the playground underway, ETCP is great place to take the family this summer. Check out www.evanstownecenterpark.com for park information as well as a list of any events going on at the park this summer.

-The Columbia County Library Park is a shady alternative to ETCP, with lots of trees and picnic shelters. There are also some great playgrounds for children of all ages, and a water feature where the kids will love to get wet with their friends. Often during the summer, the Catch Phrase Café will open their concession stand and offer shaved ice, ice cream, and other treats for the kids who have been playing hard all afternoon.

Splash Pads at both the Library and ETCP are a fun way to cool off during the hot summer months

-Wildwood Park is a fantastic place for a fun day get away, right down the road from your own back yard! Wildwood not only offers beach access to the lake and a great swimming area for families, but there are also picnic areas, covered pavilions for picnicking, playgrounds, and trails for walking and biking. At only $3 for a day pass for cars, this is a great way to spend a day in the great outdoors! If camping is up your alley, reserve your campsite today for only $20 per night. Call 706-54-0586 for more information or directions and check out their new Facebook page for details about events at the park.

-Riverside Park is a multi-use recreational facility that has direct access to the Savannah River, along with a large picnic shelter, volleyball and tennis courts, two playgrounds, and a beautiful dog park for Fido to enjoy the summer days with the family.

You never know what kind of wild life you'll run into at one of our nature parks!

-Savannah Rapids Park & Canal is a hidden gem in Columbia County. Situated along the Augusta Canal and Reed Creek waterfall, this is a picturesque place for a family picnic or a scenic bike ride. There is a toddler’s playground, along with several open picnic tables and barbeque grills for general use. There are bicycle and kayak rentals available on-site. Visit ccrentalfacilities.com for more information.

-Reed Creek Park is Columbia County’s local nature center located in the heart of Martinez. With trails that are open from sunrise to sunset, 7 days per week, this is a great place for spotting wildlife with your little ones.  Reed Creek Nature Center often offers programming for children. Check their website, www.reedcreekpark.com for dates and information.

-Heggie’s Rock is a natural phenomenon located right here in Columbia County. It is such an exceptional area that it has been designated as a National Natural Landmark. It is one of the finest remaining examples of Piedmont flat rock in the nation and plays home to numerous endangered plant and wildlife species. This is a great adventure for those with children middle school aged and above. For more information on visiting the preserves, you can e-mail tncgeorgia@tnc.org.

Other things to check out:

-Summer Co-Ed rec basketball at Patriot’s Park starts on May 27^th and continues through July. This is a league for ages 9-16, and registration is through May 9^th. Visit www.columbiacountyga.gov for more information about how to sign your child up today.

-The Columbia County Summer Reading Program kicks off on May 22^nd at the Evans Branch Library at 4 p.m. with crafts and fun for all ages. Parents can pick up program information and get signed up.  The program has tons of educational activities all summer, through July, including reading enrichment classes for all ages, special programs from magicians and other entertainers, self defense classes for kids, and even some competitions for the teens. The Evans, Harlem, and Euchee Creek Libraries all are involved in this program and you can visit www.ccolibrary.org for more information.

-The Evans Towne Farmers Market at the Columbia County Amphitheater is another great place to enjoy some quality family time. Every Thursday this summer, from 4:30-7:00, peruse some of the area’s best local fares while enjoying cooking demos, music, and entertainment. What a great way to start your child’s interest in healthy, clean eating as well as supporting the locally grown movement. Check evanstownefarmersmarket.com for more information and a schedule of events.

For information on any of the above events or facilities, please visit www.columbiacountyga.gov.