Oh Say Can You See!

The Athens-Clarke County Unified Government welcomes the community to celebrate Independence Day at the Star Spangled Classic on Saturday, June 28 at Southeast Clarke Park at 4440 Lexington Road! Complete details and map are available at www.accgov.com/fireworks

Free activities, including carnival rides, face painting, inflatables, a photo booth, and more begin at 6:00 p.m. and will be set up on the Lexington Road fields. A special concert by the Funk Brotherhood will take place from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. A food truck court will be onsite with items for purchase. Fireworks will be launched at approximately 9:30 p.m. from near the Athens-Clarke County Tennis Center.

To accommodate parking at this event, a free shuttle will regularly circulate from the Wal-Mart off of Lexington Road, Whit Davis Elementary School, and the World-of-Wonder Playground parking lot. Parking at these locations is strongly encouraged allowing space at the park to be prioritized for people with accessibility needs. The Shuttle and parking locations will open at 5:30 p.m. All ACCGov park rules will be enforced including no alcohol, personal fireworks, grills, or smoking. Pets are not allowed at this event.

Event attendees must follow traffic laws and not park or use private property when choosing a viewing location and not park on the side of roads to view the fireworks. The park will close at the end of the show. No overnight parking allowed. Traffic patterns in the area will shift at the conclusion of the event.

The ACCGov Animal Services Department will offer their annual "Foster for the Fourth" program, again, this year. Apply to foster at www.accgov.com/animalservices

If severe weather is predicted in advance, the Star Spangled Classic will take place Friday, June 27. Notice of changes will be posted on the Leisure Services social media pages.

This event is sponsored by The Athens-Clarke County Unified Government and presented by the Leisure Services Department.

For more information, please visit www.accgov.com/fireworks

Shop Local

The Athens Farmers Market takes place each Saturday at Bishop Park. This market is from 8:00 a.m. - noon and hosts more than 40 vendors each week.

A wide selection of locally grown fruits and vegetables, eggs, meats, baked goods, prepared and preserved foods, handmade art, fresh flowers, and hot coffee are at each Saturday market. Bishop Park has ample parking available throughout the park. Dogs are welcome outside of the pavilion but are not allowed on the tennis courts themselves.

"Thaw Line" Exhibition at

Lyndon House Arts Center

The Lyndon House Arts Center hosts the Summer Series of exhibitions featuring Thaw Line by Lindsey Kennedy and Josh Skinner. The show is on view through August 30, 2025. A discussion with the artists is scheduled for Thursday, July 31 at 5:30 p.m.

The photography exhibition Thaw Line centers the natural world—both in its intimate details and expansive landscapes—and humanity’s shifting relationship with it. In Josh Skinner’s black-and-white images, the human presence is always felt, even when physically absent: an empty deer stand, an abandoned construction site, ghostly trailers nestled in the woods. These are quiet traces of how we’ve imprinted ourselves onto the land.

Lindsey Kennedy’s photographs, rendered in a subtly muted yet richly textured palette, capture the elemental power of nature—blazing fire, crystalline waterfalls frozen mid-cascade, the relentless spread of invasive plant life. Her work quietly reflects on the delicate balance between destruction and beauty.

Thaw Line is suffused with a sense of contemplation—a reconsideration of the world around us and our place within it. Skinner and Kennedy offer viewers space to reflect, emotionally and intellectually, on where we now stand in relation to the natural world. It’s a dynamic union—fluid, unresolved—where the protagonist shifts, and the story continues to unfold.

All exhibitions at Lyndon House Arts Center 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. The Lyndon House Arts Center is closed on Saturdays when there is a University of Georgia home football game.

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

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Independence Day Holiday

On Friday, July 4, the Leisure Services Department's parks will operate under regular hours of operation, facilities will be closed. All facilities will reopen on Saturday, July 5 under regular hours of operation.

In observance of this holiday, department summer 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.

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

"Social Ride - No Drop"

at Dudley Park

Looking for a ride with no road riding? "Social Ride - No Drop" is the group ride for you! Every month we will ride sections of the North Oconee River Greenway and/or Firefly Trail.

This is a leisurely-paced, no drop ride and is perfect for beginners, or those looking to build their confidence to ride more frequently. All abilities are welcome. Bring your own bike and helmet.

This program is for ages eight years and older and is set for Thursday, July 10 from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. at Dudley Park. Online registration is underway.

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

Good Grades =

Free Pool Passes

The Report Cards Rewards program celebrates ACC students with good grades.

In order to be eligible, any student, Kindergarten through 12th grade, who resides in Athens-Clarke County must take a copy of his/her final report card of the year or equivalent to the park office where a swimming pool is located.

A report card with all A's or all 4's guarantees a free summer pool pass. A report card with all A's and B's, or all 3's and 4's, is good for 10 free swims.

For more information, please call 706-613-3589.

"The Ultimate Rewind Show" at the Morton Theatre

Step back in time and enjoy this tribute show featuring some of the best hits of the 50s, 60s, 70s, & 80s!

"Ultimate Rewind Show" is scheduled for Saturday, July 12 from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. at the Morton Theatre.

Tickets may be purchased online.

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Summer Camp

Registration Continues

2025 Summer Camp registration continues! Limited space is still available for children and teens.

Camp information is online at www.accgov.com/myrec

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

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