The Athens-Clarke County
Leisure Services Department's

E-Newsletter

"Forest Fantasy" at

Sandy Creek Nature Center

Forests are magical, especially at night. Join us for this family program full of imagination. Enjoy building fairy houses, making sticks into wands and other fun activities. Costumes are encouraged to help create the magic!

Forest Fantasy is scheduled for Friday, November 8 form 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. at Sandy Creek Nature Center. The fee is $3 per person. Online registration is underway.

For more information, please call 706-613-3615.

Autumn Splendor

Lakeside Loop Hike

at Sandy Creek Park

Celebrate the beauty of fall with an epic day hike. Come along with Trails and Open Space staff on this seven-mile trek around Lake Chapman. Wear shoes for hiking and pack in essentials for this 4-hour walk. The fall color should be spectacular!

Autumn Splendor Lakeside Loop Hike is scheduled for Saturday, November 9 from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. at Sandy Creek Park. The fee is $3 for ACC residents and $5 for non-residents and the $2 per person park admission charge.

All children must be accompanied by an adult. Attendees should have a small day pack with a water bottle, snack, and personal items for a four-hour hike. Online registration is underway.

For more information, please call 706-613-3620.

"Candlelight:

A Tribute to Taylor Swift"

Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to awe-inspiring locations like never seen before in Athens-Clarke County.

Discover the music of Taylor Swift at the Morton Theatre under the gentle glow of candlelight.

This special performance is scheduled for Friday, November 22 from 8:30 - 9:30 p.m. Tickets are now available online.

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

Winter Program Online Registration Begins in November

The Department announces its winter program opportunities for 2024-2025.

A diverse selection highlighting the arts, environmental science, recreation, sports, and holiday events are planned for adults and children.

Online program registration for Athens-Clarke County residents will open at 9 a.m. on Saturday, November 2. Non-residents may register online starting Monday, November 4 at noon. Before registering, individuals who have not already done so must establish a free online account at www.accgov.com/myrec. Payment may be rendered using an American Express, debit card, Discover Card, MasterCard, Visa, or a MasterCard or Visa gift card.

Registration will continue until programs are at full enrollment or they begin.

New scholarship applicants and individuals with expired scholarships must visit a Leisure Services Department facility office to apply for a scholarship or to renew an expired one at least five business days prior to registering for a program. Scholarships may not be applied for online. Information regarding scholarship program changes, including required documentation, is available at www.accgov.com/scholarship.

Individuals who do not have access to a computer or smart phone may register online using the computer labs at Heard Park at 400 McKinley Dr., Lay Park at 297 Hoyt St., or Howard Park at 291 Henderson Ext. during regular hours of operation.

For more information, call 706- 613-3800.

Parade Applications

Deadline is Nov. 5

The Athens-Clarke County Leisure Services Department announces that entries are now being accepted for the 2024 Athens-Clarke County Downtown Parade of Lights. This year’s parade is scheduled for Thursday, December 5. The deadline for entries is Tuesday, November 5, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. Late applications are not accepted. This is a firm deadline.

The online application is available at www.accgov.com/parade The parade application fee is $40.

This year’s theme is “Run, Run Rudolph.” Annually, more than 75 entries, including floats and performing units, compete for such prizes as ““Best Use of Theme,“ “Best Performance,” “Best Use of Lights,” and "Most Original Float." The best overall float receives the “Mayor’s Award.”

The parade begins at 7:00 p.m. on the corner of Hancock Avenue and Pulaski Street ending in front of the stage at City Hall for the traditional tree lighting ceremony.

The Downtown Athens Parade of Lights is coordinated by the Leisure Services Department. It is sponsored by the Athens-Clarke County Unified Government and the Athens Downtown Development Authority.

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

"Anastasia, The Musical" at the Morton Theatre

Athens Creative Theatre (ACT) presents "Anastasia the Musical" at the Morton Theatre in downtown Athens Thursday, November 7 through Sunday, November 10.

From Tony winners Terrence McNally, Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens, creators of such Broadway classics as "Ragtime" and "Once On This Island," this dazzling show transports its audience from the twilight of the Russian Empire to the euphoria of Paris in the 1920s, as a brave young woman sets out to discover the mystery of her past. Pursued by a ruthless Soviet officer determined to silence her, Anya enlists the aid of a dashing con man and a lovable ex-aristocrat. Together, they embark on an epic adventure to help her find home, love, and family.

Show times are Thursday-Saturday at 7:30 p.m, with matinee performances on Saturday at 2:00 p.m and Sunday at 3:00 p.m. Tickets are now on sale online,or, by phone at 706-613-3771, or in person at the Morton Theatre Box Office located at 195 W. Washington Street Mondays through Fridays from noon to 4:00 p.m.

Veterans Day Hours

Leisure Services Department facilities and Sandy Creek Park will be closed Monday, November 11 in observance of Veterans’ Day. All other parks will operate under reduced hours of 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

All facilities and parks will reopen Tuesday, November 12 under regular hours of operation.

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

Tree Needed for City Hall

It's time! The Athens-Clarke County Landscape Division is looking for a donated tree to be placed in front of the City Hall for the holiday season.

The tree must be at least 35 feet high and 20 feet wide. ACCGov Landscape staff will cut down and transport the tree.

If you have tree you would like to donate call 706-613-3561.

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, 2023

The Athens-Clarke County Leisure Services Department

205 Old Commerce Road, Athens, GA 30607

www.accgov.com/leisure

706-613-3800