Oh Say Can You See!

Athens-Clarke County Unified Government welcomes the community to celebrate Independence Day with a fireworks display at the Star Spangled Classic on Saturday, July 3! Fireworks will be launched at approximately 9:30 p.m. from Athens Ben Epps Airport. The display will be viewable from many locations around the Lexington Road, Cherokee Road, & Gaines School Road intersection as well as two locations provided by Athens-Clarke County.

Limited, first-come, field parking will be available near the airport on Buddy Christian Way and at Satterfield Park. These locations will open at 7:00 p.m. and all ACCGov park rules will be enforced including no alcohol, fireworks, grills, or smoking. The community is encouraged to leave pets at home. In these parking areas, vehicles will not be allowed to move during the show for the safety of fellow spectators. All spectators are reminded to respect private property when choosing a viewing location and not to park on the side of roads to view the fireworks. Traffic updates will be available on Bulldog 93.3. Traffic patterns in the area will shift at the conclusion of the show.

Everyone is reminded to follow CDC guidelines to enjoy this community celebration from a socially distant area between groups. Spectators are encouraged to stay arm’s length from their vehicles.

The special event is sponsored by The Athens-Clarke County Unified Government and Bulldog 93.3.

For more information, please call 706-613-3800 or visit www.accgov.com/fireworks .

Independence Day Holiday Hours

The Leisure Services Department will observe the Independence Day holiday on Monday, July 5. Parks will operate under regular hours of operation; facilities will be closed.

All pools and splash pads will operate under regular hours of operation on Sunday, July 4, but will be closed on Monday for maintenance.

For more information, please call 706-613-3800.

Planning for Bishop Park Improvements!

The Leisure Services Department is seeking public input on the design for the SPLOST-funded Bishop Park Improvements project. Citizens are encouraged to provide input on the vision for this project, focusing on the pool and other amenities.

The following public input sessions are scheduled:

• Saturday, July 10 from 10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. at the Athens Farmers Market at Bishop Park.
• Monday, July 12 from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. at Bishop Park BBQ pavilion
• Thursday, July 15 from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. with a virtual meeting, the link is available www.accgov.com/leisureserviceslistens.

An online public input survey is available from July 4, 2021 at midnight through August 1, 2021 at 11:59 p.m. at www.accgov.com/leisureserviceslistens. Staff will be available at the public input sessions to discuss the project with residents who can share their ideas regarding park improvements. Children are encouraged to attend and will participate in a concurrent visioning process.

For more information, please call 706-613-3801 or visit www.accgovcom/leisureserviceslistens

Meanwhile at the Lyndon House...

The Lyndon House Arts Center presents Endless Party: A Collection of Party Animals, paintings by Athens based artist Will Eskridge.

Will Eskridge grew up in a family with a veterinarian Dad and an artist Mother. Combining both these interests, Will has been developing a deep affinity of the animal kingdom through representing them in pop colored gold tinted paintings. For this current collection of works on view, perfectly timed for the summer, Will has added our favorite treats with the local fauna we love, ice cream sandwiches, donuts, lollipops, possums, raccoons, snakes, and more.

This exhibition is accompanied by a scavenger hunt at Bear Hollow Zoo at Memorial Park. So, on a hot day, come by and see this show, pick up your map and take a trip out to the zoo.
The exhibition is free and open to the public and on view through July 24. 2021. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Gallery hours are Tuesday and Thursday from 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. and Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
For more information, please call 706-613-3623.

Calling All Teens!

The Leisure Services Department continues the Grand Slam summer program for teens.

Grand Slam is a special summertime program for individuals aged 11-17 who reside in Athens-Clarke County. This program takes place Friday evenings in June and July from 7:00 – 10:00 p.m. at Lay Park.
Grand Slam will not take place Friday, July 2.

Evenings include games, giveaways, guest speakers, life enrichment activities, music, refreshments, sports, and more.

Free transportation will be provided to and from Grand Slam from East Athens Community Center at 400 McKinley Drive and Rocksprings Park at 291 Henderson Extension.

The program is free of charge, however online registration is required at www.accgov.com/grandslam

For more information, please call 706-613-3589 or visit www.accgov.com/grandslam.

ACCGov Leisure Services has transitioned to a new online registration system.

If you haven't created your new online account,
do so today at www.accgov.com/leisure!