Oh Say Can You See!

The Athens-Clarke County Unified Government welcomes the community to celebrate Independence Day at the Star Spangled Classic Fireworks Display on Saturday, July 1!

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 on Buddy Christian Way near the airport and at Satterfield Park on Cherokee Road. 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 reminded to leave pets at home. In these parking areas, vehicles will not be allowed to move during the 20-minute 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 patterns in the area will shift at the conclusion of the show.

The Animal Services Department will offer their annual "Foster for the Fourth" program again this year. Apply to foster with them.

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

"Eras of the King" at the Morton Theatre

This will be a night to remember! Save the date for Saturday, July 1 for "Eras of the King" at the historic Morton Theatre!

Join us and master of ceremonies Jeff Lewis, and celebrate music of the greatest entertainer of all time! "Eras of the King" features Ultimate Elvis Champion Bill Cherry and Elvis Grand Champion Cote Deonath backed by the amazing Infinit-E Tribute band. In addition, "Eras of the King" presents a special gospel performance by the world-renowned Carolina Quartet.

But wait, there's more! This event will begin with a special guest performance by the Ultimate Johnny and June Tribute "Oh What A Good Thing". You don't want to miss Eras of the King!

Tickets are availble for purchase online.

For more information, please call 706-613-3770.

On Display at the

Lyndon House Arts Center

Lois Thomas-Ewings is the Founder and former Facility Supervisor of East Athens Educational Dance Center. Since her retirement in 2017, she has returned to her initial interest in painting. The Mythical Reality series of paintings exhibited at the Lyndon House Arts Center depict dancers and Black mythology.

Thomas-Ewings moved to Athens in 1985. Upon arrival, while searching for a representation of the arts that included racially diverse populations, she was drawn to the East Athens Community Center (now Heard Park) by a mural Wadsworth Jarrell painted on the side of the building, which identified it as a “place of the arts.” Soon, she launched what would become the East Athens Educational Dance Center.

Over the first six years of the dance program, Thomas-Ewings taught as a volunteer. When space at the community center became limited, she was allowed to make the small community center at Dudley Park the home for the Dance Center. The program grew that a more dedicated facility was required. In 2005, the East Athens Educational Dance Center opened on McKinley Drive.

All exhibitions are free of charge and open to the public. Exhibitions are on view during regular gallery hours Tuesday and Thursday 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, Friday and Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

For more information, please call 706-613-3623.

Independence Day

Holiday Hours

The Leisure Services Department will observe the Independence Day holiday on Tuesday, July 4. Parks will operate under regular hours of operation, facilities will be closed. Camps will be not take place.

Pools and splash pads will be open from 1:00 – 5:30 p.m. Admission is $1 per person.

All facilities and parks will re-open Wednesday, July 5 under regular hours of operation.

For more information, please call (706) 613-3800.0.

Buy Local!

Every Saturday through December, you can find the Athens Farmers Market at Bishop Park with a variety of vegetables, fruits, eggs and meat, flowers, artisan crafts, and prepared foods. There is live music to enjoy at each market and a free children’s activity.

The Farmers Market is proud to double SNAP dollars with the support of Wholesome Wave Georgia.

There is parking provided beside the pavilion. Overflow parking is available in the gravel lot by the tennis courts that are accessible via Sunset Drive.

This market runs ALL YEAR long!

Good Grades =

Free Pool Visits

The Report Cards Rewards Program returns for another summer of celebrating academic achievement

In order to be eligible, any student, Kindergarten through 12th grade, who resides in Athens-Clarke County must take a copy of the student’s final report card or equivalent to a Leisure Services pool or splash pad during the aquatics season. Locations include Heard Park, Lay Park, Memorial Park, or Rocksprings Park and the Walker Park splash pad.

The Bishop Park pool is closed for the summer for renovations.

A report card with all A's or all E's guarantees a free summer pool pass. A report card with all A's and B's, or all E's and M's, is good for 10 free swims.

For more information, please call 706-613-3589

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Make a Splash!

The Leisure Services Department will operate four public pools this summer including Heard Park, 400 McKinley Drive; Lay Park, 297 Hoyt Street; Memorial Park, 293 Gran Ellen Drive; and Rocksprings Park, 291 Henderson Extension. The Bishop Park pool is closed for the 2023 season for renovations.

During the aquatics season, pools are open Tuesday-Friday and Sundays, 1:00 – 5:30 p.m. Pool hours are noon – 5:30 p.m. on Saturdays. All pools and splash pads are closed on Mondays for maintenance.

The Rocksprings Splash Pad, located at 291 Henderson Extension. is open Tuesday-Friday and Sundays, 1:00 – 5:30 p.m. and noon - 5:30 p.m. on Saturdays. The Walker Park Splash Pad, located at 200 Trail Creek Street, is open Tuesday - Sunday from 10:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. The splash pads are closed on Mondays for maintenance. Pools and splash pads will be open on Independence Day.

Pool and splash pad admission is $1 per person, cash only. Pool passes are available for purchase and may be used at both splash pads and at all of the Department’s public pools. Individual pool passes are $20 and Family of Four pool passes are $40. Passes may be purchased onsite with forms of payment accepted including cash and check.

For more information, please call the ACCGov Leisure Services Aquatics Office at 706- 613-3589 or visit www.accgov.com/pools

ACCGov Leisure Services Online Registration

The Athens-Clarke County Leisure Services Department offers a diverse selection of activities highlighting the arts, environmental science, recreation, sports,
and holiday events for adults and children.

All registration takes place online at www.accgov.com/myrec .

ACCGov Leisure Services Scholarships

The Athens-Clarke County Leisure Services Department offers scholarship to qualifying Athens-Clarke County children.

Scholarships allow participants to pay less than the program fee.

For more information, including required documentation,
please visit www.accgov.com/scholarships

Georgia Recreation and Park Association

Agency of the Year

Populations: 80,000 - 150,000

2002, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2012, 2019, 2021

The Athens-Clarke County Leisure Services Department

205 Old Commerce Road, Athens, GA 30607

www.accgov.com/leisure

706-613-3800