Get ready for a whirlwind of entertainment as the 51^st Columbia County Fair kicks off November 3 for ten days of pulse-pounding midway rides, outlandish stunt shows and wacky fair food. 

This year’s lineup includes returning favorites such as the Sea Lion Splash, Galaxy Girl Aerial Motorcycle Stunt Show, demolition derbies and petting zoo.

New attractions include Chase’s Racing Pigs, Farmily Feud Agricultural Game Show and sanctioned bull riding with the top 25 bull riders in the Southeast.

The Merchants Association of Columbia County, a non-profit organization of local business volunteers, presents the fair each year at its fairgrounds on Columbia Road across from Patriots Park. Special amenities include free parking with security, free golf cart shuttles, free nightly entertainment and free admission for kids 3 and under.

Proceeds from the fair benefit many local charities and provide scholarships to seniors from each Columbia County public high school. For more information, visit columbiacountyfair.net.

2016 Fair Schedule:

Thursday, November 3
Hours: 4-11 p.m.
Admission: $7; free admission 4-5 p.m.
Unlimited Ride Special: $15
FFA Judging: 6 p.m.
Musical Entertainment: Donna Jo
Bull Riding: 7:30 p.m. 

Friday, November 4
Hours: 5 p.m. – midnight
Admission: $7
Unlimited Ride Special: $20 from 9:30 p.m.-midnight
Musical Entertainment: Tony Howard Motown Review
Bull Riding: 7:30 p.m. 

Saturday, November 5
Hours: Noon – midnight
Admission Special: $7
Kids’ Day Special: Kids ride free noon – 1 p.m.
Musical Entertainment: Will McCranie Trio 

Sunday, November 6
Hours: 1 – 11 p.m.
Admission Special: $7; $1 off with church bulletin
Unlimited Ride Special: $20
Musical Entertainment: Little Roy and Lizzie, 5-7 p.m. 

Monday, November 7
Hours: 5 – 11 p.m.
Admission: $7
Unlimited Ride Special: $20
Musical Entertainment: Brandon Shane Reeves
Demolition Derby: 7:30 p.m. 

Tuesday, November 8
Hours: 5 – 11 p.m.
Admission: $7 or free admission with 5 non-perishable items per person for the food bank
Unlimited Ride Special: $18
Apollo Talent Night: Ages 1-12 

Wednesday, November 9
Hours: 5 – 11 p.m.
Admission: $7
Unlimited Ride Special: $20
Musical Entertainment: Ippie Music
UGA Georgettes Dance Team: 6 p.m.
Student Appreciation Night 

Thursday, November 10
Hours: 5 – 11 p.m.
Admission: $7
Senior Night: $3 admission for adults 55 and older with ID card
Military Appreciation Night: $3 admission with military ID
Unlimited Ride Special: $20
Apollo Talent Night: Ages 13 and up 

Friday, November 11
Hours: 5 p.m. – midnight
Admission: $7
Musical Entertainment: Tim Cardiere
Demolition Derby: 7:30 p.m. 

Saturday, November 12
Hours: Noon – midnight
Admission: $7
Kids’ Day Special: Kids ride free noon – 1 p.m.
Unlimited Ride Special: Buy unlimited ride stamp between noon-3 p.m. for $25 and come back later
Musical Entertainment: The BTUs
Chainsaw Carving Auction: 9 p.m. 

Sunday, November 13
Hours: 1-11 p.m.
Admission: $5
Unlimited Ride Special: $20

It’s not the same old song and dance with the variety of shows that Augusta Amusements is bringing to the area for the holidays.

On Monday, November 14 at 3:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., the Annie Moses Band pays tribute to the most treasured love songs of the last century in “The Art of the Love Song.” The epitome of old-school elegance, the band — which scores an impressive double chart entry on Amazon’s Classics chart and Billboard’s Classics/Crossover chart — performs music that is reminiscent of the Great American Songbook of the 1940s and 1950s and borrows from artists of the ’60s and ’70s such as Don McLean, Paul Williams and John Lennon.

The concert is a memorable collection of some of the greatest love songs written, including “Evergreen,” “And I Love You So,” “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face,” “And I Love Her,” among many others.  The band’s corresponding 60-minute PBS Special has been airing on PBS stations across the country since early 2016. Tickets are $39 for the matinee and $49 for the evening performance.

The holiday season kicks off with “A Very Electric Christmas” by Lightwire Theater on Thursday, December 1. Performed in complete darkness, the show tells the story of a young bird named Max who tries to get home for Christmas after being separated from his parents while flying South for the winter.

The storyline features Nutcracker soldiers with candy canes, naughty rats, an electric Christmas tree surrounded by presents, glow worms, dancing flowers and other creatures that light up the stage. Audiences of all ages will enjoy timeless Christmas songs from Nat King Cole, Tchaikovsky, Mariah Carey and others. Shows start at 3:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $28.50 for adults and $14.50 for children under age 12.

“Merry Christmas Darling: Carpenters’ Christmas,” starring Michelle Berting Brett, celebrates the biggest hits of one of the most successful recording duos of all time. The performance, a natural offshoot of the “We’ve Only Just Begun: Carpenters Remembered” show, features a full complement of Karen and Richard Carpenter’s classic repertoire.

Brett takes center stage accompanied by her 7-piece Nashville band and performs songs like “Close to You,” Yesterday Once More” and “We’ve only Just Begun” along with holiday favorites. The show begins at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, December 8. Tickets are $39.50.

All performances will take place at Jabez S. Harden Performing Arts Center. For more information, call (706) 726-0366 or visit augustaamusements.com.

There’s nothing shy about Big Kenny and John Rich. If you’ve ever been to one of their hard-hitting concerts you know what we mean. If that fortune has escaped you, here’s your Big — and Rich — break. The high-energy country music duo is bringing the party to Evans Towne Center Park on Friday, November 4. 

Along with a set list that includes crowd favorites such as their first No. 1 hit, “Lost in This Moment,” the duo will perform their most recent hits from Gravity, including “Look at You” and “Lovin’ Lately.” With any luck fans will also hear a tribute to our military with “8th of November,” a patriotic crowd singalong of “God Bless America” and a blistering version of “Rollin’ (The Ballad of Big & Rich)” before leaving the park.

Cowboy Troy will join the duo onstage for several songs that featured him, including “I Play Chicken With a Train” and — don’t you know it — “Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy).” DJ Sinister, who has the #1 Internationally Syndicated Country Remix program on radio, and hometown Southern rocker Eric Lee Beddingfield join the party and put the icing on the cake. 

For tickets or more information, visit gamedayladya.com.

Come sing the successes of the Central Savannah River Land Trust at its annual Bash on the Banks of the Savannah River

Everyone should enjoy the natural resources in the area, but the Central Savannah River Land Trust is showing its appreciation for those who support its conservation efforts as well.

The Land Trust will hold its 13th annual Bash on the Banks of the Savannah River at the River Island Clubhouse on Thursday, October 27. About 250 people have attended the event, which is open to people age 21 and older, in the last several years.

“It’s an opportunity for us to celebrate the projects that we have done in 2016 and share our plans for 2017,” says Veronique Marchal, the Land Trust director of communications.

The menu will include Southern barbecue and an oyster roast, and a cash bar will be available. The Unmentionables will entertain the party-goers with live music. The event also will include a raffle and a live auction. Raffle items range from a kayak and Belgian chocolate to a day at the National Wild Turkey Federation and an activity at Sharpe Shooters. Local artist Richard Worth will paint a nature scene during the first part of the evening, and the watercolor will be auctioned off at the event.

“He will be painting along the banks of the Savannah River,” says Marchal. “People can bid on the painting, and the winner can take home a little bit of the river.”

Funded entirely by donations and grants, the Land Trust focuses its efforts on protecting large areas of natural habitat, the major sources of our drinking water, larger forests that purify the air and grand vistas that offer scenic views.

Since 2001, the Land Trust has protected almost 6,000 acres of land in Columbia, Richmond and McDuffie counties in Georgia and Aiken, Edgefield and Barnwell counties in South Carolina. The organization’s reach extends as far upstream as Hart County and as far south as Statesboro.

The Land Trust has worked with local governments as well as individual neighborhoods and communities to preserve areas for public recreation and for residents’ recreation in neighborhoods such as River Island. The Land Trust also has joined forces with private landowners, farmers and ranchers to preserve natural resources in the area. 

Currently, the Land Trust is working on projects such as the CSRA Regional Greenway Program, Greystone Preserve, a neighborhood conservation initiative and farmland conservation in upper Columbia County and Clarks Hill Lake. 

The Greenway Program will connect more than 70 miles of multi-use trails in Columbia, Richmond and Aiken counties. The project encompasses Euchee Creek Greenway, Savannah Rapids Pavilion and the Augusta Canal Trail in Columbia County, and the trails will connect to downtown Augusta, south Augusta, Fort Gordon and North Augusta, South Carolina. The Greystone Preserve project includes the construction of a new outdoor educational campus on the preserve, which has more than 260 acres of running or hiking nature trails, in North Augusta.

Through the neighborhood conservation initiative, the Land Trust is working with Columbia County neighborhoods such as Farmington, Sumter Landing and River Island to preserve greenspace. So far, more than 300 acres have been preserved in and around Columbia County neighborhoods. As part of its farmland conservation efforts, the Land Trust has preserved 2,300-plus acres of farms in and around Columbia County and Clarks Hill Lake.

If You Go:

What: Bash on the Banks on the Savannah River 

When: 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. Thursday, October 27 for ages 21 and older

Where: River Island Clubhouse

How Much: $50 per person; cash bar available 

More Info: csrlt.org

Community members can brush up on the talents of local artists at the annual Art After Dark exhibition

Columbia County and the surrounding area are full of talented people, and the skills of some of the most gifted local artists will be on display at Art After Dark. The signature event of the Artists’ Guild of Columbia County, the annual affair will feature an evening of art and entertainment. Guests will have the opportunity to purchase art in mediums such as watercolors, oils, acrylics, photography, pottery, fiber arts, jewelry and mixed media. They can participate in the silent auction as well.

“The money raised from the art auction goes toward a $1,000 scholarship for a high school senior who is going to study art at Augusta University,” says Jane Waldrop, the Artists’ Guild treasurer.

“We’re trying to promote the knowledge of art that we have in Columbia County,” says Waldrop. “People don’t have to go out of town to buy good art.” 

The Artists’ Guild offers classes to all ages ranging from children and teenagers to adults and seniors. Next year the organization plans to start a program in which artists will demonstrate their skills at some of the area facilities for senior citizens.

The Artists’ Guild is a group of professional and amateur artists and patrons of the visual arts. The organization provides opportunities for artists to exchange creative ideas and business information, to show and sell their work, and to increase their knowledge through workshops. Membership is open to anyone age 17 or older who resides in the Central Savannah River Area.

If You Go:

What: Art After Dark

When: 7 p.m. – 10 p.m. Saturday, October 29

Where: Jabez S. Hardin Performing Arts Center

How Much: Free; cash bar available

More Info: artistguildcc.org

The Portrait Gallery

Columbia County Ballet presents an original production of “Alice” to celebrate Imperial Theatre’s 100th anniversary.

“If you don’t know where you are going, any road can take you there,” Lewis Carroll wrote in Alice in Wonderland. However, fans of the classic novel should head straight to Imperial Theatre Friday, September 16 for Columbia County Ballet’s production of “Alice.”

Michael Viator, Columbia County Ballet alumnus and resident choreographer, has created a fanciful adventure in Wonderland with his original production of “Alice.” This full-length creation is will be performed in honor of the theater’s coming 100th anniversary. With vibrant colors and powerful music score, the Mad Hatter kicks off the fun with his frolicking party and bizarre friends.

Because the performance coincides with Arts in the Heart, parking passes for the lot at Eighth and Reynolds streets behind the theater will be available for $5 per vehicle.

As a prelude to the main attraction, a Mad Hatter’s Tea Party (A Very Merry Unbirthday) will be held 3-4:30 p.m. Sunday, September 11 at Imperial Theatre. This complimentary family event, a preview drop-in for Viator’s premiere of “Alice,” will feature footage of the creation of this original, full-length story ballet. The preview includes a character meet-and-greet, cash bar, hors d’oeuvres and live music. Younger attendees are encouraged to dress in Alice-themed costumes.

If You Go:

What: “Alice”

When: 7 p.m. Friday, September 16

Where: Imperial Theatre

How Much: $12-$38; parking pass $5

More Info: (706) 860-1852 or imperialtheatre.com

Augusta Amusements opens its 2016-17 season with guitarists Loren Barrigar and Mark Mazengarb on Friday, September 23. Displaying outstanding musical chemistry and a varied repertoire of original and arranged music, the international guitar duo entertains audiences with their guitar duets and vocal harmonies.

Influenced by jazz, bluegrass, western and popular music, the duo builds its guitar style on the thumb-picking techniques pioneered by guitar greats Merle Travis, Chet Atkins and Jerry Reed. Loren and Mark’s live performances feature guitar skills as well as musicality and the ability to be creative spontaneously. The interaction between the two musicians, who have toured extensively in the United States and in Europe, is as much a part of their show as their world-class guitar playing. 

If You Go:

What: Loren and Mark, international guitar duo

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, September 23

Where: Jabez S. Hardin Performing Arts Center 

How Much: $35 

More Info: augustaamusements.com or (706) 726-0366

If you’re craving crawfish, then hightail it to the area’s only French Quarter-inspired festival.

There are plenty of ways to kick off your summer fun, but it’s hard to top the eighth annual Mudbugabeaux-N-Brew festival. Even the name makes you smile.

The crawfish boil will include a crawfish-eating contest – of course, local live bands, a free commemorative T-shirt for the first 1,000 visitors, children’s activities and more. The festival also will feature craft and domestic beer, but the focus definitely is on the crawfish.

“We want people to learn more about crawfish. We cook them live on-site,” says Jim Beck, owner of French Market Grille West, which puts on the event. “There are lots of craft beer festivals, but we want to do something different. This is the last time to have an event before it gets too hot to have an outdoor summer festival.”

Other Cajun and Creole dishes such as jambalaya and muffuletta sandwiches also will be available. All-American favorites such as corndogs and lemonade will be on the menu as well. In addition, a variety of vendors, ranging from car dealerships to outdoor sporting goods stores, will have booths at the family friendly festival.

If You Go:

What: Mudbugabeaux-N-Brew Festival

When: 3 p.m. – 9 p.m. Saturday, June 4

Where: Augusta Commons

How Much: $5 

More Info: frenchmarketwest.com

Anyone who has ever wondered what ham radio is all about has the opportunity to learn at Amateur Radio Field Day. The free event will be held from 2 p.m. Saturday, June 25 until 2 p.m. Sunday June 26 by local amateur radio clubs. 

The Amateur Radio Club of Columbia County will hold its event at the Grovetown Lions Club, 105 Whisky Road, while the Amateur Radio Club of Augusta field day will be at Blythe City Hall, 294 Church Street.

“People can come out, and we’ll guide them through opportunities to talk on the radio to people around the world,” says Rusty Welsh, the Columbia County club president. 

During the annual event, amateur radio operators across North America establish temporary ham radio stations in public locations to showcase the science and skill of amateur radio. The goal is to test preparedness skills, including deployment and operations of equipment, and to contact as many other amateur radio stations around the globe as possible during the 24-hour period. 

Ham radio operators provide a critical public service for the community during times of disaster, and they can provide reliable communications when the normal infrastructure is offline or overwhelmed. Licensed by the Federal Communications Commission and trained in the art and science of radio communications as well as basic electronics theory, amateur radio operators own and maintain their own communications equipment and are prohibited by federal law from receiving payment for services.

“A lot of people have no idea what amateur radio is, but we want people to know we’re here,” says Chris Clark, the Augusta club president. “We pride ourselves on being an educational club. We do a lot of community service during events and emergency situations in the area.”

If you’re just thinking about “Cooling Out,” then the Summer Beach Blast is the place for you. Evans Towne Center Park will become our own little “Ocean Boulevard” when The Catalinas, The Tams and Soul Dimension perform beach music favorites.

In addition to music, the event will feature a sandy “shoreline” and free water slides for the younger set and the young at heart. 

Concertgoers who purchase VIP tickets will get “Big Kahuna” treatment including reserved parking, a Lowcountry dinner, beer and wine, preferred seating and viewing areas, and private restrooms.

No coolers are allowed, but food and beverage vendors will be on hand. Bring blankets or chairs to sit and listen to the music – unless of course, you’re dancing the night away. Shoes are optional.

If You Go:

What: Summer Beach Blast

When: Friday, June 3; gates open at 4:30 p.m., music begins at 6:15 p.m.

Where: Evans Towne Center Park

How Much: General admission – $10 in advance, $15 at the gate; VIP – $80; advance tickets are available online or at Associated Credit Union

More Info: (706) 650-5005 or summerbeachblast.com

Having the blues is a good thing at this annual concert in Thomson.

A small town event offers big time appeal at the 23rd annual Blind Willie McTell Blues Festival in Thomson. Musicians travel from across the country to entertain audiences at the festival that is named in honor of the Thomson native and blues guitar pioneer of the early 20th century. This year’s concert lineup includes Ronnie Earl & The Broadcasters, Larry Campbell & Teresa Williams, Cash Box Kings, Buckwheat Zydeco, The Deslondes, Jerron “Blind Boy” Paxton and Bruce Hampton and The Madrid Express.

Although few of McTell’s recordings earned mainstream popularity, his influence on the modern music and art scenes is well known. Some of his songs, including “Statesboro Blues” and “Broken Down Engine Blues,” have been recorded by famous artists such as the Allman Brothers, Taj Mahal and others.

Concertgoers are welcome to bring blankets and chairs for lawn seating. No pets or coolers will be allowed. Regional food will be available for purchase at the food court.

Pulling Strings
The annual Blind Willie McTell Music Festival is not the only way Thomson is honoring the legacy of its native son and influential blues musician. McTell’s 12-String Strut, a public art project featuring a dozen 7-foot polyurethane replicas of 12-string Stella guitars, is recognizing his musical contributions year-round. 

The 12-string Stella guitar was McTell’s instrument of choice, and local artists have created designs for the guitars that are on display in Thomson and McDuffie County. The public art display combines art and history to provide interpretation and everyday exposure to the musician’s legacy.

The guitars in downtown Thomson – the central location of the display – include an audio box that tells McTell’s story and plays samples of his music. The project coincides with the Georgia Department of Economic Development’s Year of Georgia Music, which will promote tourism with the state’s musical heritage, superstars and venues throughout the year. The guitars will remain on display for three years.  

If You Go:

What: Blind Willie McTell Blues Festival

When: Saturday, May 7; gate opens 11 a.m.; music begins at noon

Where: 1021 Stagecoach Road N.E., Thomson; (follow I-20 west to exit 172; take a right off exit ramp) 

How Much: $30 in advance; $40 at gate

More Info: blindwillie.com