The Athens-Clarke County
Leisure Services Department's

E-Newsletter

Movies by Moonlight features "Wicked"

at Walker Park

The Leisure Services Department will host a free “Movies by Moonlight” outdoor movie on Friday, October 10 at 7:40 p.m. at Walker Park at 211 Trail Creek Street.

The event features the 2024 musical “Wicked.”

Registration is not required. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets and will sit on the upper field to watch the film on the large inflatable screen. Costumes are encouraged for this spooky night.

Upon arrival, patrons will be directed to the movie viewing area. The public should bring their own refreshments. Food and beverages will not be sold or provided at the park. Restrooms will be available.

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

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

Downtown Parade of Lights Call for Entries

The Leisure Services Department announces that applications are now being accepted for the 2025 Athens-Clarke County Downtown Parade of Lights. This year’s parade is scheduled for Thursday, December 4 at 7:00 p.m

The deadline for entries is Tuesday, November 4, 2025 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.

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 “Cooking up a Great Holiday.”

The parade begins 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 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 and application forms can be found at
www.accgov.com/parade or by contacting Leisure Services at 706-613-3800 or paradeoflights@accgov.com

"Music in the House" at the Lyndon House Arts Center

The Lyndon House Arts Center (LHAC) invites the community to experience Music in the House, a quarterly event that blends live local music with live figure drawing and creative expression.

The first session will take place on Thursday, October 9, from 6-7:30 p.m. in the lower atrium of the LHAC.

This unique program offers a welcoming space for all ages to gather, listen, and create. We provide the drawing easels and creative writing tables, guests bring sketchbooks, journals, and drawing supplies.

Each Music in the House event features a local musician performing original work, surrounded by easels and writing tables for those who wish to engage artistically. It’s a space for community connection, artistic inspiration, and joyful creativity.

Music in the House was made possible through the generous support of Leara Rhodes.

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

"Poetry for the People"

at Dudley Park

Join Athens Poet Laureate, Mikhayla Robinson Smith as she hosts an afternoon of poetry in Dudley Park on Saturday, October 5 from 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. . Enjoy popsicles from King of Pops and kids activities with the Pop up Park.

"Poetry for the People" will include O-Jeremiah Agbaakin, Daniel Barnum, Courtney Omega Doss (Colored Only Café), Palmetto Ford, Vanessa “Most Elevated Deepness" Harris, Brittany Lynch, Abhijit Sarmah, Ellie Swensson, Patty Tacuri , Alys Wilman & More!

This event is inspired by the work of American poet, educator and activist, June Jordan, and is for all ages, free and open to the public.

Halloween Fun Underway!

Have a ghoulish time with all of the Halloween events scheduled this fall!

Save the Date! Winter Program Online Registration Begins November !

The Leisure Services Department announces its winter program opportunities for 2025-2026.

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 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 1. Non-residents may register online starting Monday, November 3 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.

Rivers Alive!

Athens-area residents will wade into local rivers and streams as part of the continuing statewide campaign to clean and preserve Georgia’s waterways.

Rivers Alive is a volunteer cleanup program initiated by the Georgia Environmental Protection Division and organized across Georgia by several local organizations

On Saturday, October 11, help maintain our community's rivers and streams litter free at Rivers Alive, Athens-Clarke County's largest volunteer clean-up event! With more than 25 projects --many of the which are family-friendly -- there's a perfect fit for people of all ages

For project details and to register, visit www.accgov.com/riversalive

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