The Athens-Clarke County
Leisure Services Department's

E-Newsletter

Downtown Parade Set for December 5

The 2024 Downtown Parade of Lights is scheduled for Thursday, December 5.

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.

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

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

Parade information, include a parade route map, is available at www.accgov.com/parade

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

Up in Lights!

The Leisure Services Department will host “Deck the Hollow” Holiday Lights at Bear Hollow Zoo from December 6-8 and 13-15 from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m..

The community is invited to celebrate the holidays in lights. Activities include live music, animal encounters and photo opportunities in the zoo illuminated with holiday lights. Concessions are available for purchase.

Admission fee is $5 per person, per night. Children ages 2 and under are admitted free of charge. Registration is not required.

For more information, please call 706-613-3580.

Outdoor Movie Event

at Sandy Creek Park

The Leisure Services Department will host a “Movies by Moonlight,” presentation on Thursday, December 19 at 6:00 p.m.at Sandy Creek Park.

Celebrate the holidays with the Sing-A-Long version of “Frozen.” Attendees are reminded to bring blankets and chairs to enjoy the film from the lawn. Warm up with s'mores around the fire and get ready for the holidays!

Special appearances by characters from the movie will be onsite and available for photos prior to the screening.

Free park admission to the event starts at 5:15 p.m. The screening is also free. Staffed fire pits will allow attendees to make a complimentary s’more. Complimentary hot drinks will be available.

Upon arrival, patrons will be directed to the movie viewing area. Restrooms will be available. Children must be accompanied by an adult

Registration is not required. Attendees are encouraged to bring picnic dinners, lawn chairs or blankets.

All park rules will be enforced, including dogs always on leash, no alcohol, smoking, or grills.

This event may use artificial snow and flashing lights.

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

Holiday Programs

Santa's elves have been hard at work planning a variety of holiday activities in December.

"Letters to Santa" at Heard Park
"Ornament Workshop" at Heard Park
"Grinchmas Ornament Workshop" at Howard Park
"Grinch and Go" at Howard Park
"Jolly Jamboree" at Lay Park
"Gingerbread Workshop" at Lay Park
"12 Days of Christmas" Virtual Program
"Cookies with Santa" at Sandy Creek Nature Center
"Breakfast with the Grinch" at Howard Park
Grinchmas Tea Party" at Howard Park
"Winter Kickoff" at Sandy Creek Nature Center

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

Gym Maintenance Underway

The Heard Park Community Center located at 400 McKinley Drive and Lay Park Community, located at 297 Hoyt St, are temporarily closed for annual maintenance to the gymnasium floors.

The centers are closed to the public due to the dust and heavy chemical odors generated while the floors are sanded and new finish is applied.

Both facilities will re-open Monday, December 2 at 8:00 a.m.

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

"Forest Bathing Experience" at Sandy Creek Park

Take a moment to invest in your health and well being through a guided immersive experience in the forest with Forest Bathing Experience at Sandy Creek Park.

The program will be facilitated by Heather Matherly, a Master Naturalist and Forest Therapy Guide. Attendees can expect a safe and gentle walk with instructions to help relax and focus the mind on the present. The walk will end with a tea ceremony from local plants.

This program, for ages 18 and older, and will take place Saturday, December 21 from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. at Sandy Creek Park.

The fee is $20 for ACC residents and $30 for non-residents. Online registration is underway.

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

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.

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