Community Events

From late September and through October, Haunted Montrose is celebrating years of striking fear into visitors' hearts. Located down a dark, deserted road, Haunted Montrose lures you in for a scare and fills your dreams with nightmares. The fear starts at different times every day, so follow the link to find your scare time and ticket link!

Everyone gets the VIP treatment at Haunted Montrose with a Timed VIP Experience ticket for $28! Pick your date, your 30-minute time slot, and show up 5 minutes early.

2024 marks the 25th year of the Athens to Savannah Ride. Choose from 4-day gravel, 3-day road or single-day options. The Athens to Savannah Ride is a fundraiser for the Georgia Hi-Lo Trail.

Gravel cyclists roll out of Athens on Thursday, Oct. 17, for the 4-day ride to Savannah. Each day takes riders to a new destination on courses through rural Georgia. Gravel riders can expect amazing terrain--from the red clay of the hilly Piedmont region to the sandy soils of the Coastal Plain.

Road cyclists can opt for the 3-day option, departing Athens on Friday, Oct. 18, and finishing in Savannah on Oct. 20.

Learn more about courses, lodging, registration, and single day options on AthensToSavannah.com

We can’t plan a trip to Madagascar for you, but we can help you meet one of its most iconic native species. Experience our Lemur Wild Encounter!

Meet and feed some of the amazing primates that make the island of Madagascar one of Earth’s richest and most dynamic natural ecosystems, and learn what you can do to help one of the most endangered groups of mammals on the planet.  

• Meet outside the entrance to The Living Treehouse 15 minutes before the Wild Encounter.
• Please note that availability is limited for all Wild Encounters. 

DAYS AVAILABLE:
Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at 11 a.m.

COST: $45 + Zoo admission | MEMBER COST: $41

AGE RANGE: 4 and up

AGE SPECIFICATIONS:

• Children must be 4 years old and up to participate.  
• Children 15 years old and under must be accompanied by a ticketed Wild Encounter adult.  
  • There must be one ticketed Wild Encounter adult for every two ticketed children, 15 years old and under.

Oktoberfest features traditional and contemporary Bavarian Style music performed by both Bavarian and American artists. Dancing, food, drink and fun!

The traditional Oktoberfest parade will be Saturday, Sept. 7 at 12 noon.

The tapping of the first keg of Oktoberfest will follow at the Festhalle Fussen Biergarten.

Dates:

Sept. 5-8 (Thursday – Sunday)
Sept. 12-15 (Thursday – Sunday)
Sept. 19-22 (Thursday – Sunday)
Sept. 26-Oct. 27 (nightly)

Times:

Monday through Thursday, 6-10:30 p.m.

Friday, 6 p.m.-Midnight

Saturday, 1 p.m.- Midnight

Sunday,  1- 7 p.m.

For more information call 706-878-1908 or visit www.helenchamber.com

This four-day class, taught by artist/author Larry Moore, will focus on the principles of design and abstraction. The emphasis is on the creative process, exploring new ways to develop a painting, create inventive compositions, and build an authentic voice in your work. You will be shown a simple system for developing your voice as an artist, the level of abstraction is up to you. His goal is to help each artist find a way of expressing that works for them, whether they wish to interpret more, push their process, or get more insight into design. Larry's worked extensively in almost every medium, so all are welcome.

This is an open medium class, but gouache, oil, and acrylic are best suited. It's not a good time to learn a new medium, like gouache, so work in what you are familiar with.

Larry Moore has been teaching for 30 years and is the author of "Fishing for Elephants: Insights and exercises to inspire authentic creativity."  Workbook available on iBook, Kindle available on Amazon. 

Oct. 17-20, daily 9 a.m.-4 p.m. $695 (All mediums)

Together in partnership with the American Theatre Organ Society, The Strand will screen the 1928 silent film classic "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" on Sunday, Oct. 20, at 3 p.m.. With live accompaniment on The Strand’s Mighty Allen Theatre Organ, seeing one of these classic films is a one-of-a-kind musical and visual experience.

Each film also features an organ pops pre-show concert beginning 30 minutes before showtime.

About "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde": Based on the Robert Louis Stevenson story, Dr. Henry Jekyll's enthusiasm for science and his selfless acts of service have made him a much-admired man. But as he visits Sir George Carew one evening, his host criticizes him for his reluctance to experience the more sensual side of life. Sir George goads Jekyll into visiting a music hall, where he watches the alluring dancer Gina. Jekyll becomes fascinated with the two contrasting sides of human nature, and he becomes obsessed with the idea of separating them. After extensive work in his laboratory, he devises a formula that does indeed allow him to alternate between two completely different personalities, his own and that of a brutish, lascivious person whom he names Hyde. It is not long before the personality of Hyde begins to dominate Jekyll's affairs.

About the Organist:  Ron Carter is a sought-after theatre organ concert and silent film accompanist playing in theaters throughout the southeast. He is the theatre organ consultant for Allen Organ Studios of Atlanta, and the House Organist for the Earl and Rachel Smith Strand Theatre. He has been a member of the Strand Theatre Board of Trustees since its inception in 2003 and served as Board Secretary for 13 of those years. He is past Chairman of the Board for Marietta's Pops Orchestra, Symphony on the Square. Ron is also the former President of the Atlanta Chapter of the American Theatre Organ Society and a recipient of its 2009 Life Time Achievement Award. Ron has served five churches in a part time capacity as organist/Choir Director for more than 50 years.

Movie Length:  1 h 36 m

Movie Rating:  Not rated

This four-day class, taught by artist/author Larry Moore, will focus on the principles of design and abstraction. The emphasis is on the creative process, exploring new ways to develop a painting, create inventive compositions and build an authentic voice in your work. You will be shown a simple system for developing your voice as an artist. The level of abstraction is up to you. His goal is to help each artist find a way of expressing that works for them, whether they wish to interpret more, push their process or get more insight into design. Larry's worked extensively in almost every medium, so all are welcome.

This is an open medium class, but gouache, oil and acrylic are best suited. It's not a good time to learn a new medium, like gouache, so work in what you are familiar with.

Larry Moore has been teaching for 30 years and is the author of "Fishing for Elephants: Insights and exercises to inspire authentic creativity."  Workbook available on iBook, Kindle available on Amazon. 

Oct. 17-20, daily 9 a.m.-4 p.m. $695 (All mediums)

2024 Boo at the Zoo Dates:
Oct. 19, 20, 26, 27
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

It’s time for Boo at the Zoo!

Wake the Komodo dragon, gila monster and hooded vultures!

Zoo Atlanta’s Boo at the Zoo is Atlanta’s favorite fun family Halloween festival! During the last two weekends of October from 9 a.m.-3 p.m., enjoy trick or treating, plenty of photo opportunities, themed entertainment and activities, costumed characters and so much more. Costumes are welcome.

Boo at the Zoo is about creating special memories with the family, not necessarily to bring home the biggest haul of candy. Come for the candy but stay for the fun! This event is rain-or-shine; however, some activities may be delayed or canceled due to rain

Boo at the Zoo is free for Zoo Atlanta Members and children under 3; free with general admission. Zoo Atlanta Members do not require a timed reservation for Boo at the Zoo.

Entertainment
Available 9 a.m.-3 p.m. unless otherwise noted. 

• Kids’ Trick or Treat Lane: Visit booths along Trick or Treat Lane for some scary good treats! Kids can expect to visit about a dozen treat stations, collecting one piece of candy at each while supplies last. Note to grown-ups: trick-or-treating is complimentary and designed for the kids.
• Kids’ Craft: Get into the spirit with a fun, Halloween-themed craft while supplies last.
• Carnival Games: Try your luck for a petrifying prize at our carnival games.
• “The Missing Mayor” Train Ride: Take a train ride to help us look for Boo Town’s missing Mayor! Purchase of a Rides ticket required. Themed train rides run 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.  
• Family-Friendly Performances: To be announced! 
• Strolling Characters: You’ll never know who you’ll run into! Keep an eye out for special characters roaming around the Zoo from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Perfect for a photo-op! 

The Scare Factor
Boo at the Zoo is merry, not scary!

• Decorations: Boo at the Zoo décor includes mostly friendly spooks!
• Costume Guidelines: While we encourage creativity, we also value safety, good judgment, and animal welfare. Please take a moment to read over our latest rules and regulations on our website.

Second Annual Hall County

Artist Educator Exhibition

• Sept. 6-Oct. 25

• Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Reception: Friday Oct. 25, 5:30pm – 7:30pm

Come enjoy the start of Augusta Through Fresh Eyes, an art exhibition celebrating the talent of high school and college students in the CSRA at Sacred Heart Cultural Center.

View their latest work, enjoy light refreshments, and support these local artists. All the art is for sale and will remain displayed until the end of the exhibit on Nov. 1. All sales support the ongoing preservation of Sacred Heart.

The opening reception is from 5-7-p.m, Oct. 8, in the Sacred Heart Great Hall and is free to attend.

Celebrate the splendor of autumn at Rock City’s Fall Colors, where pumpkins and hay bales decorate this charming seasonal event.

Feel fall and stroll the gardens as the colors change and take in the beauty of new native sunflower and wildflower patches. Overhead, the autumn glow of hanging lanterns guides the way through the Grand Corridor and the Hall of the Mountain King.

Enjoy the sights and sounds of old-time and bluegrass performances. See the seasons change before your eyes!

In recognition of the vital importance of increased visibility and diverse representation of LGBTQ+ communities and issues, particularly in our rural areas, the Steffen Thomas Museum of Art is honored to present Queer Perspectives, a juried exhibition in Fall 2024.

Join us every weekend at the Callaway Discovery Center for our Woodland Workshops Series! Woodland Workshops is a hands on workshop for children of all ages.

• Sept. 21-22 - Animal Track Molds
• Sept. 28-29 - Bee/Bug Hotels
   
• Oct. 5-6 - “Pebbles” the Stone Snake
• Oct. 12-13 - Make a Garden Stone
• Oct. 19-20 - Monster Pumpkins
• Oct. 26-27 - Monster Pumpkins
   
• Nov. 2-3 - Pinecone Bird Feeder
• Nov. 9-10 - Leaf Pounding
• Nov. 16-17 - Animal Track Molds
• Nov. 23-24 - Gourd Birdhouses
• Nov. 30-Dec. 1 - Dried Leaf Art
   
• Dec. 7-8 - Wood Ornaments
• Dec. 14-15 - Wood Ornaments
• Dec. 21-22 - Make a Winter Wreath
• Dec. 28-29 - Make a Garden Stone

NETHERWORLD Haunted House, one of Atlanta’s longest-running immersive experiences, is back with more creepy creatures, terrifying monsters, and frightful fun this scary season! The attraction will feature two new haunts: Wake the Dead and Mr. Grendel's Birthday Party of Horrors. Both haunts will feature intricate sets, otherworldly effects, and live monsters! 

After completing each haunt, guests will arrive at the festival-styled Midway, packed with Halloween spirit, games galore, roaming monsters, food trucks and more.

Haunt goers can also discover more fun at NETHERWORLD’s House of Creeps monster museum, or five epic escape rooms at Escape the Netherworld. 

All tickets are time and date specific. Please arrive during the timeslot listed on your ticket. SpeedPasses are also available to expedite entry. For more details on the haunts and to purchase tickets, visit www.fearworld.com. 

* Please check www.fearworld.com for specific times and pricing. 

Open Nightly Sept. 27-28, Oct. 3-6, 9-14, 16-20, 22-31-Nov. 3  

Closing Weekend – Nov. 8-9 

Pumpkins in the Park Scavenger Hunt: A Fall Adventure for Families at Savannah Rapids Park

Are you looking for a fun and active way to get your family outdoors this fall? Look no further than the Pumpkins in the Park Scavenger Hunt at Savannah Rapids Park! From Oct. 1-31, this exciting fall-themed scavenger hunt offers a perfect opportunity for kids and families to explore the beauty of Columbia County while enjoying the festive spirit of autumn.

What to Expect

The Pumpkins in the Park Scavenger Hunt is a family-friendly event that encourages kids to stay active while hunting for hidden fall-themed décor throughout the park. Here's what you need to know:

• Event Dates: Oct. 1-31
• Location: Savannah Rapids Park, a beautiful outdoor space perfect for fall fun.
• Time: Anytime during the park’s opening hours—ideal for a weekend adventure or a weekday afternoon!

How to Participate

Participation in this fun event is simple and free! Follow these steps to join the scavenger hunt:

1. Stop by the Columbia County Visitors Center (located at 3300 Evans to Locks Road in Martinez). The Visitors Center is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
2. Pick up your checklist and map, which will guide you to all 13 fall-themed decorations hidden around Savannah Rapids Park.
3. Search the park for the hidden decorations, and check them off your list as you find them.
4. Once you've found all 13, return to the Visitors Center to submit your completed checklist. Kids will receive a fall-themed prize (while supplies last) as a reward for their participation!

The Madison Artists Guild & Gallery's 6th Annual Holiday Market is filled with one of a kind gifts ready to purchase for the holidays – wreaths, ornaments, pottery, jewelry, glass art, paintings and more.

The market will be open Oct. 18-Dec. 31, during regular MAGallery hours: Monday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., with extended hours of 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Shop Sip ‘N Stroll Saturdays in November, during Madison’s Fifth Fridays (open until 7 p.m.), Holiday Tour of Homes and Candlelight Shopping (open until 7 p.m.).

With more than 30 artists providing a variety of handmade items, shoppers will find something for everyone this holiday season.

Come early to find the best selections.

Oktoberfest features traditional and contemporary Bavarian Style music performed by both Bavarian and American artists. Dancing, food, drink and fun!

The traditional Oktoberfest parade will be Saturday, Sept. 7 at 12 noon.

The tapping of the first keg of Oktoberfest will follow at the Festhalle Fussen Biergarten.

Dates:

Sept. 5-8 (Thursday – Sunday)
Sept. 12-15 (Thursday – Sunday)
Sept. 19-22 (Thursday – Sunday)
Sept. 26-Oct. 27 (nightly)

Times:

Monday through Thursday, 6-10:30 p.m.

Friday, 6 p.m.-Midnight

Saturday, 1 p.m.- Midnight

Sunday,  1- 7 p.m.

For more information call 706-878-1908 or visit www.helenchamber.com

Modernizing the Traditional Still Life is a reinterpretation of artists elements and principles typically used in classical art technique and theory. We will introduce methods from a variety of previous artist movements in order to modernize our current "classical" ideas and still life painting application process. Understanding specific common philosophy or goals within movements such as Impressionism, Tonalism, and Abstraction, in-combination with Traditional-Realism, will allow the painter to explore and translate their art into a more personal and contemporary manner initially based off academic ideas. 

Renovating and Updating light and shadow, and composition design. Various techniques of drawing along with preliminary sketches, value, and color studies, and fundamentals of color mixing in order to prepare for the final painting will also be reviewed. Updating the Classical approach of monochromatic underpainting, direct observation and brush and tool application of color, followed by glazing techniques, will also be discussed and shown. 

Class will consist of lectures, slide analysis, and individual critiques, while the student paints his or her own still life. 

Students should obtain their own still-life reference photos, beginning on the second zoom session. We will discuss still life reference possibilities in the first zoom session. 

Oct .7-Dec. 16, six sessions, every other Monday, 9-11 a.m. $695

Second Annual Hall County

Artist Educator Exhibition

• Sept. 6-Oct. 25

• Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Reception: Friday Oct. 25, 5:30pm – 7:30pm

Come enjoy the start of Augusta Through Fresh Eyes, an art exhibition celebrating the talent of high school and college students in the CSRA at Sacred Heart Cultural Center.

View their latest work, enjoy light refreshments, and support these local artists. All the art is for sale and will remain displayed until the end of the exhibit on Nov. 1. All sales support the ongoing preservation of Sacred Heart.

The opening reception is from 5-7-p.m, Oct. 8, in the Sacred Heart Great Hall and is free to attend.