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Fairs & Festivals

In The Home

LOCAL

October 11-20
Western Carolina State Fair
AikenAiken’s fair features two midways and more than 40 rides along with family shows, horticulture exhibits and arts and crafts. Entertainment includes Pretty Bird Paradise, K9s in Flight, demolition derby, magician and more. children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult 25 or older to enter. There is a clear bag policy. Free parking. westerncarolinastatefair.com

October 12
Evans Beer Fest
The Plaza
Sample more than 150 beers from local, regional and national breweries, breweries. Event features food, a souvenir glass and live music by Ryan Trotti. 2-5 p.m. $35-$65. evansbeerfest.com

October 18-27
Georgia-Carolina State Fair
Downtown Augusta
Augusta Exchange Club’s fair on Hale Street includes midway rides, carnival shows, livestock, artisan exhibits and attractions from Strates Shows. Admission is $7-$10; unlimited rides $30. Ages 17 or under must be accompanied by an adult. georgiacarolinastatefair.com

October 19
Fall Fest & Flea Market
Barton Field
All-day festival features food, drinks, hay maze, pony rides, arts and crafts, Vendor Village, Jeep Meet, flea market, live bands, college football tent and more. Begins at 9 a.m. Admission is free and open to the public. No pets, coolers or large bags. eisenhower.armymwr.com

October 26
Camellia City Festival
Downtown Thomson
Family friendly festival features more than 100 vendors. Includes food, live music, crafters,
artists, health and wellness services, jewelry, book signings and more. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Admission is free. Bring chairs or blankets. thomsonmcduffiechamber.com

October 31-November 10
Columbia County Fair
Columbia County Fairgrounds
The area’s favorite fair, founded and run by the Merchants Association of Columbia County, features midway rides and attractions from Drew Expositions, demolition derbies, Sea Lion Splash, Banana Derby, magician, petting zoo, master chainsaw artist, nightly concerts and more. $10 admission; ages 5 and under admitted free with an adult.. Unlimited rides $25-$30. After 7 p.m., ages 17 and under must be accompanied by a parent. No backpacks. Proper attire is required. Parking is free. columbiacountyfair.net

November 1-2
Columbia County Cultural Festival
Evans Towne Center Park
Inaugural festival will showcase a variety of cultures through food, performances, arts and crafts and more. 3-7 p.m. each day. Free admission. columbiacountyga.gov

Out-of-Town Festivals

September 14-November 3
Pumpkin Festival
Stone Mountain
Play by day, glow by night at this festival includes pumpkin patch, games, shows, dance party parade, trick-or-treat scavenger hunt, pie-eating contest, storybook characters, outdoor lights display, pumpkin laser show and after-dark parade. 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Fri., Sat. and Sun. Laser show begins 9:30 p.m. Sat. stonemountainpark.com

September 26-October 6
MOJA Arts Festival
Charleston
Celebration of African American and Caribbean arts includes classical music, dance, gospel concert, jazz concert, poetry, R&B, storytelling, theater, visual arts and ethnic food. mojafestival.com

September 26-October 27
Oktoberfest in Alpine Helen
Helen
America’s longest-running Oktoberfest features German music, food, polka dancing, horse-drawn carriage rides, homemade fudge and more in a Bavarian-style village. German-style bands from around the world perform in the Helen Festhalle. Open seven days a week. helenga.org

September 27-October 6
Georgia State Fair
Atlanta
Fair includes midway rides, petting zoo, camel and pony rides, pig races and family activities. Admission $5-$10; children 4 and under free. Ride wristbands $20-$30. Atlanta Motor Speedway. georgiastatefair.org

October 1-20
Historic Bluffton Arts and Seafood Festival
Bluffton
Event features locally harvested seafood, Lowcountry cuisine and area art. Streetfest on Oct. 19 and 20 includes a juried fine art show featuring more than 100 artists from 10 different states, food from premier restaurants and caterers and live music and entertainment. blufftonartsandseafoodfestival.org

October 2-5
Albino Skunk Music Festival
Greer
Bluegrass, Americana, folk, roots and rock music festival in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains features more than 25 bands, food vendors, craft beers, handmade crafts, farmers market, Kiddieland and DeTour de Skunk charity bicycle ride. Bring chairs and coolers. Tent and RV camping available. The Skunk Farm. albinoskunk.com

October 3-5
Moonshiners Reunion & Mountain Music Festival
Campobello
Authentic Appalachian folk festival in South Carolina includes live bands, arts and crafts, camping and all-night picking sessions. Bring lawn seating, tents, RVs and musical instruments. No pets or glass containers. Plum Hollow Farm. moonshiners.com.

October 3-13
Georgia National Fair
Perry
The largest fair in the Southeast is designated a Top 50 Fair in North America by Amusement Business magazine and one of the Best 202 Things About the South by Southern Living. Includes midway rides, live entertainment and nightly fireworks. Concerts include the Bellamy Brothers, Josh Turner, Ginuwine and more. Admission is $10-$15; ages 10 and under are free. Georgia National Fairgrounds. georgianationalfair.com

October 4-5
Beaufort Shrimp Festival
Beaufort
Festival features shrimp dishes from local and regional restaurants, food and beverage vendors, contests, live music, Run Forrest Run 5K Run/Walk, arts and crafts market and children’s area. Fri. 5-10 p.m. and Sat. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Admission is free. Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park. beaufortshrimpfestival.com

October 5
EGGtoberfest
Lawrenceville
Annual cookout features a baseball stadium filled with 450 cooks and more than 250 EGGs cranking out food. Includes food sampling, cooking demos, live music, kid zone, craft beer tastings, marching band and more. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. $75; children 12 and under are free. Advance tickets required. Coolray Field. biggreenegg.com

October 5-6
Fall Cotton Fair
Gay, Georgia
Designated a Top 20 Event from Southeast Tourism Society, this craft fair features works from more than 350 artists, live music and entertainment, homemade Southern food and wares, antiques, magic theater, children’s activities and more. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. $8-$15; children 10 and under are free. thecottonfair.com

October 6
Latin American Festival
Charleston
Celebrate the sights and sounds of the Latin and Caribbean cultures through merengue, reggaeton, bachata and salsa music; folkloric artwork and crafts; and authentic Latin American and Caribbean foods. Noon-5 p.m. North Charleston Wannamaker County Park. $25 per vehicle (up to 15 people per vehicle). No coolers or pets. ccprc.com

October 9-20
South Carolina State Fair
Columbia
Entertainment includes midway games, nearly 70 fair rides, stage shows, flower shows, equine show, petting zoo, concerts and more. Admission $5-$20; ages 5 and under are free. $10 parking (credit card only). Stroller, wagon, wheelchair and scooter rentals available at the South Gate. scstatefair.org

October 10-12
Savannah Greek Festival
Savannah
Three-day celebration of Greek food, music and heritage features homemade Greek foods and desserts, Greek dancing and music, church tours, marketplace and more. St. Paul’s Hellenic Center. Admission is $5 after 4 p.m.; military and children under 12 are free. savannahgreekfest.com

October 10-13
Tybee Island Pirate Fest
Tybee Island
Tybee transforms into a lively pirate village, celebrating the colorful seafaring history of the Georgia coast. Festival kicks off Thurs. with the Buccaneer Ball featuring grub, grog, pirates, wenches, music and dancing. Entertainment Fri. and Sat. includes live music, petting zoo, kids’ zone, carnival, parade, fireworks, market and costume contests. tybeepiratefest.com

October 11-13
Fall for Greenville
Greenville
Three-day food-tasting event spread over 8 blocks in downtown Greenville includes cuisine from more than 50 restaurants, more than 80 entertainers on eight stages, contests, challenges and kids’ area. Free admission; tasting tickets available. fallforgreenville.net

October 11-19
Georgia Mountain Fall Festival
Hiawassee
Two weekends of arts and crafts, country music, gospel music, mountain arts demonstrations, Pioneer Village, midway rides and more. Concert lineup includes Three Dog Night, Tracy Lawrence, The Malpass Brothers, Joe Nichols, Dylan Scott and more. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Parking is free. georgiamountainfairgrounds.com

October 12-13, 19-20
Georgia Apple Festival
Ellijay Fairgrounds
Festival features more than 300 arts vendors, craft demonstrations, classic auto show, 5K road race and parade. No pets. $10 adults; children 12 and under free. Ellijay Lions Club Fairgrounds. georgiaapplefestival.org

October 18-20
South Carolina Jazz Festival
Cheraw
The hometown of jazz king Dizzy Gillespie celebrates his 107th birthday with dozens of diverse jazz performances. Multiple venues. scjazzfestival.com

Highland Games & Scottish Festival
Stone Mountain
Scottish heritage festival includes traditional highland games, Scottish music and dancing, sheepdog and falconry shows, Tartan museum and more at Stone Mountain Park. stonemountainpark.com

October 19
Italian Heritage Festival
Hilton Head
Festival includes Italian food and wine, cooking demonstrations, grape stomping, pizza-eating contest, games, live entertainment and more. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Bring lawn chairs. No pets. Coastal Discovery Museum at Honey Horn. iachh.org

October 19-20
Gold Rush Days Festival
Dahlonega
Festival in the town square includes kid activities, fashion show, gold panning contest, wheelbarrow race, wrist wrestling, King and Queen coronation, live music, parade and more than 300 exhibitors and food vendors. 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Sat.; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sun. Free admission. goldrushdaysfestival.com

Fall Festival of Houses and Gardens
Beaufort
Visitors can explore a selection of private homes, gardens and plantations normally not open to the public. Sat. tour features homes on the Point and in historic downtown Beaufort. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. $65-$75. Sun. tour and Southern brunch at Tombee. 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. $200-$225. historicbeaufort.org

October 25-26
Jekyll Island Shrimp & Grits Festival
Jekyll Island
Festival features samples of shrimp and grits, shrimp boat tours, live entertainment, cook-off, craft brew tasting, cooking demonstrations, book signings, artist market and kids’ zone. Historic District. jekyllisland.com

Great Ogeechee Music & Seafood Festival
Richmond Hill
One of the largest seafood festivals in the Southeast includes seafood, arts and crafts, amusement rides, fireworks and live music from Clint Black, Sara Evans, The Marshall Tucker Band and more. Admission $15-$50; children 8 and under free. J.F. Gregory Park Pavilion. goseafoodfestival.com.

October 26-November 2
SCAD Savannah Film Festival
Savannah
Savannah College of Art and Design showcases cinematic excellence through competition film screenings, gala premieres, receptions, special screenings, workshops and more with lauded industry guests, award-winning professionals and emerging student filmmakers. Various venues and prices. filmfest.scad.edu

October 31-November 3
Hilton Head Motoring Festival & Concours d’Elegance
Hilton Head and Savannah
Automotive and motorsports festival features vintage cars and racecars and major international names in automotive collecting and racing. Port Royal Golf Club. hhiconcours.com

November 1-2
Pat Conroy Literary Festival
Beaufort
Festival features a series of free and ticketed events including author discussions, writer workshops, acclaimed presenters and more. patconroyliteraryfestival.org

November 3
South Carolina Oyster Festival
Columbia
South Carolina’s largest outdoor oyster roast features steamed oysters, food vendors, beer and wine gardens, arts and craft vendors and live music. Bring chairs, blankets and oyster knives and gloves. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Admission $10. Cost excludes oysters, food and beverages. Hampton-Preston Mansion. scoysterfest.com

Halloween Happenings 2024

Buzz

Local Halloween Fun

September 28-November 24
Corn Maze
Steed’s Dairy
Have old-fashioned family fun and explore a secret world of twists, turns and dead ends. Admission includes pony cart rides, hayride, petting zoo, cow-milking demonstration, pumpkin patch, games and more. Concessions are available. Open Sat. 10 a.m.-9 p.m. and Sun. 1-7 p.m. $9-$12; ages 2 and under are free. Free Military Appreciation Weekend is Nov. 9-10 for all active and retired military members with an ID. steedsdairy.com

October 17
Trick-or-Treat at Evans Towne Center Park
Evans Towne Center Park
Bring costumed children to the park for fun and safe trick-or-treating from local businesses. The park will be transformed into a Halloween wonderland, featuring not-so-spooky decorations, more than 100 candy stations, food vendors and ghoulishly good fun for visitors of all ages. Admission is free. 6-9 p.m. columbiacountyga.gov

Candlelight Concert: A Haunted Evening of Halloween Classics
Sacred Heart Cultural Center
The Listeso String Quartet performs Halloween-inspired music from movies and the classics under the glow of candlelight. Two performances are available: 6:30 p.m. and 8:45 p.m. Audience members must be at least 8 years old. sacredheartaugusta.org

October 18
Dracula – Ballet with a Bite
CCPAC
Slip some garlic in your pocket as the South Carolina Ballet presents blood, fangs and death in this Halloween cult classic based on the novel by Bram Stoker. The production includes a rock/jazz musical score and otherworldly special effects. Parental guidance is suggested (PG-13). 7:30 p.m. thecenterofcc.com

October 19-20
Walk with the Spirits
Westover Cemetery
Hear fascinating stories and learn about Augusta’s past and some of its notable citizens. You will be guided through the tour by “spirits” dressed in period costumes who come to life. Tours begin every 20 minutes from 2-5 p.m. Not recommended for children under 5. Call (706) 724-0436 for costs and reservations. historicaugusta.org.

October 24
Murder Mystery Dinner
Sacred Heart Great Hall
Dress in masquerade or cocktail attire for Murder at the Sacred Heart Masquerade Ball. Along with dinner and tantalizing conversation, party guests can try to figure out whodunit. 6-10 p.m. $65. sacredheartaugusta.org

Trick-or-Treat on Main Street
Downtown Harlem
Bring canned goods for It’s Spooky to Be Hungry and enjoy vendors and children’s games from 5-7 p.m. Kids are encouraged to wear Halloween costumes and trick-or-treat at Harlem merchants from 6-7 p.m. harlemmuseumandwelcomecenter.com

Harlem Halloween Movie Night
Harlem Library Plaza
Bring your chairs and blankets and watch the family friendly film Hocus Pocus on the library lawn. The movie is free and begins after Trick-or-Treat on Main Street. harlemmuseumandwelcomecenter.com

October 25
Spooktacular Trunk or Treat
Liberty Park
The City of Grovetown presents old-fashioned Halloween fun for families with trunk or treating, a DJ, food and craft vendors, games, a costume contest, trunk decorating contest and more. 6-9 p.m. Bring your own candy buckets. cityofgrovetown.com

Halloween Screen on the Green
Gateway Park
Bring your chairs and blankets and watch Haunted Mansion (PG-13) under the stars in Grovetown. Admission is free, and food vendors will be available. 6 p.m. columbiacountyga.gov

October 25-26
Jack-O-Lantern Jubilee
Downtown North Augusta
Join the fun at this family friendly festival on Georgia Avenue. Entertainment includes live performances, rides, arts and crafts, car show, children’s activities, food and beverage vendors and free concerts. Big Daddy Weave performs Oct. 25 with special guests Hannah Kerr and The Young Escape. Everclear performs Oct. 26 with The Guardians of the Jukebox. Free admission. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. northaugustasc.gov

October 26
Scarecrow Archery
Mistletoe State Park
Ages 8 years old and up can learn beginning archery with a compound bow and arrow. Once the art of shooting is mastered, scarecrows will be added to the target area. 10:15-11:15 a.m. Pre-registration is required at (706) 541-0321. $15. Parking is $5 per vehicle. gastateparks.org

Kids’ Fall Fun Celebration
Mistletoe State Park
During this outdoor program, kids will create a fall craft, play pumpkin and outdoor games, go on a scarecrow scavenger hunt and take a hayride by the lake. Each child will receive a small treat bag once they complete all the activities. Two sessions are offered, and pre-registration is required. 1-2:30 p.m. and 3-4:30 p.m. $10 per child. $5 parking. (706) 541-0321, gastateparks.org

Brew Ha-Ha Craft Beer and Comedy
Miller Theater
Halloween celebration for adults features a craft beer garden on Broad Street outside of the theater at 4 p.m. and a comedy show with headliners Brent Blakeney and Shaun Jones inside at 7 p.m. Wear a funny costume and you could win a special prize. millertheateraugusta.com

October 26-27
Halloween Family Camping
Phinizy Swamp Nature Park
Bring pre-packaged candy for tent-or-treaters and camp under the stars. Weekend includes a costume contest, pumpkin and tent decorating contests, campfire with s’mores, family activities and guided nature hike. 1 p.m. Sat.-noon Sun. $52 per group of up to 6 campers. $11 per additional camper. Registration required. (706) 396-1418, phinizycenter.org

October 27
Underwater Pumpkin Carving Contest
Clarks Hill Park
Bubbling waters. Carving knives. Sinister grinning gourds. There’s something spooky going on under the lake when scuba divers slip below the surface and compete in this annual underwater pumpkin carving contest (bring your own pumpkin). Pumpkins must be carved with a diver’s tool. Free food and drinks afterward while supplies last. Noon. neptunediveandski.com

Artrageous! Family Sunday: Boo Bash
Morris Museum of Art
Enjoy a frightfully fun day with free activities like face painting, decorating mini pumpkins, coloring treat bags, trick-or-treating in the galleries and taking selfies in the photo corner. Free. Costumes are welcome, but not required. 2-4 p.m. themorris.org

Halloween at the Symphony
Jabez Auditorium
Guests are encouraged to wear costumes to the Family Concerts at Columbia County Series to hear spooky favorites performed by Augusta Symphony. 4 p.m. $10-$33. augustasymphony.com

October 29
Spookduckular Halloween
Phinizy Swamp Nature Park
Bring little ones up to age 5 for Halloween-themed fun that includes a costume contest, stories, crafts and hands-on activities in nature. Bring a trick-or-treat bag and wear a costume. 10-11:30 a.m. $15.74 per child. Registration is required. (706) 396-1418, phinizycenter.org

October 31
Funk You & Friends Halloween
Imperial Theatre
Adults can have a hair-raising good time at this musical Halloween party headlined by the contemporary funk band with Gavin Hamilton. Special guests include Yeet and DJ Coco. 7-11 p.m. imperialtheatre.com

Easy Company by Futurebirds

Listen To This

There’s something mystical in the air. Maybe it’s the ghostly remnants of summer nights long past, or perhaps it’s the waft of a cinnamon broom or echoes of a lost radio frequency carrying the soul of a forgotten tune.

Whatever it is, Futurebirds has captured lightening in a bottle and unleashed it with its fifth and latest studio album, Easy Company.

From note one, Easy Company doesn’t just play — it conjures. It’s as if the band has tapped into a secret stash of sound, where the past and future collide with a wingspan of Southern rock, cosmic country and secret sauce.

The opener, “Movin’ On,” is a sticky-stomp journey about leaving things behind with the knowledge that they’ll always be a part of you. In a nod to Waynesboro, Georgia’s iconic landmark, this song hits close to home — “There is a huntin’ dawg painted up high on the water tower, and he’s pointin’ somewhere — and I’m gonna find out.”

The rest of Easy Company stitches together a beautiful tapestry of songwriting through the chemistry of the Bird’s lead members with songs like “Solitaires,” “Colorados” and the title track, “Easy Company.”

This isn’t just an album — it’s a journey, and the trip is worth taking, again and again.

– Chris Rucker

The Day Tripper by James Goodhand

Literary Loop

The right guy, the right place, the wrong time.

It’s 1995, and Alex Dean has it all: a spot at Cambridge University next year, the love of an amazing woman named Holly and all the time in the world ahead of him. That is until a brutal encounter with a ghost from his past sees him beaten, battered and almost drowning in the Thames.

He wakes the next day in a derelict room he’s never seen before, in grimy clothes he doesn’t recognize, with no idea how he got there. A glimpse in the mirror tells him he’s older—much older. He snatches a newspaper and finds it’s 2010 — fifteen years since the fight.

After finally drifting off to sleep, Alex wakes the following morning to find it’s now 2019, another nine years later. But the next day, it’s 1999. Never knowing which day is coming, he begins to piece together what happened in his life after that fateful night by the river.

But what exactly is going on? Why does his life look nothing like he thought it would? What about Cambridge, and Holly? In this thrilling adventure, Alex must navigate his way through the years to learn that small actions have untold impact. And that might be all he needs to save the people he loves and, equally importantly, himself.

The Life Impossible by Matt Haig

Literary Loop

The Life Impossible by Matt HaigFrom New York Times bestselling author Matt Haig comes an enchanting tale of hope, wonder and personal transformation.

When retired math teacher Grace Winters inherits a run-down house on a Mediterranean island from a long-lost friend, curiosity gets the better of her. She arrives in Ibiza with a one-way ticket, no guidebook and no plan.

Among the rugged hills and golden beaches of the island, Grace searches for answers about her friend’s life and how it ended. What she uncovers is stranger than she could have dreamed. But to dive into this impossible truth, Grace must first come to terms with her past.

Filled with wild adventure and a touch of magic and mystery, this is a story of the life-changing power of a new beginning.

“In a world that seems to be getting more unstable by the moment, Haig’s novels are a steady ship in rough seas. . .the author’s insistence on the power of connection to change lives comes through loud and clear,” says Kirkus.

Evolve by Phish

Listen To This

Evolve shines like multi-colored sunbeamsLike a surprise summer storm—unexpected, exhilarating, full of twists — Phish, a band known for its relentless innovation and live improvisation, delivers a supersonic cyclone of tuneage with its 16th studio album, Evolve.

Evolve shines like multi-colored sunbeams of wonder with a familiar, yet fresh, maze of melody and rhythm surrounded by a vibrant torrent of rock, funk and jazz. Rooted in traditional rock ’n’ roll but always flipping the script, band members noodle, zap, slap and stomp through a well-worn map with new routes and landmarks scribbled in the margins.

One of the album’s most intriguing moments comes with “Pillow Jets,” a track that starts as a lullaby before spiraling into a cacophony of sound. It’s the kind of song that could only come from a band that swims in unpredictability, where each note feels like it’s balancing on the edge of a new adventure.

“Oblivion” and “A Wave of Hope” maintain a high-energy vibe filled with bluesy riffs and soaring solos that recall the band’s jam roots, but it’s in the quieter moments where the album shows its depth in creating a space where listeners can lose themselves or find something new.

In Evolve, Phish has crafted an album that celebrates its past and leaps into the unknown. Inviting listeners to join them on a journey, the record doesn’t end with the final track but continues to evolve with each listen.

Whether you’re a Phish newbie or a seasoned Phan, Evolve will resonate with you long after the last note.

– Chris Rucker

The New Classic Home by Paloma Contreras

Literary Loop

Paloma Contreras How do you design a space that successfully mixes traditional and modern elements? In The New Classic Home, award-winning interior designer Paloma Contreras demonstrates how to successfully pair seemingly disparate pieces from different eras and styles to create harmonious, timeless and balanced interiors.How do you design a space that successfully mixes traditional and modern elements?

In The New Classic Home, award-winning interior designer Paloma Contreras demonstrates how to successfully pair seemingly disparate pieces from different eras and styles to create harmonious, timeless and balanced interiors.

Contreras, who has been featured in many major publications including House Beautiful, Vogue, Elle Decor, the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal, artfully walks readers through the process of mixing old and new, blending vintage pieces into even the most contemporary of settings to create spaces that feel both elegant and inviting.

With full-color photographs and accessible design tips for balancing color, scale and proportion, the pages also illustrate how to highlight elements of any architectural style, freshen classic silhouettes, and create layered, interesting spaces that celebrate the character of a home.

The New Classic Home is a showcase of beautiful interiors and a source of inspiration for those looking to include an element of modern surprise with a touch of elegant antiquity. It encourages readers to embrace their personal style while appreciating the enduring appeal of classic design.

Snake Oil King by Widespread Panic

Listen To This

Southern soul, Widespread PanicBust out the box fans and sweet tea — the sons of Southern soul, Widespread Panic, are back with an oasis of chilly, wet awesomeness that’s been brewing for nine years. Snake Oil King is a high-octane, six-pack of tunes that slings a dizzying blend of Panic’s swagger and gritty-hooked storytelling that quenches the ears and fans the soul.

From first splash, Panic brings the party with the funk-laden blues jam, “We Walk Each Other Home.” The rockin’ raft of Widespread’s effortless wonder floats from track to track, and the signature harmonic and lazy-hazy vocal blend of lead singer John Bell and keyboardist JoJo Herman can be found on the back-porch-groove ditty, “Tackle Box Hero.”

As the lush-layered arrangements of “Snake Oil King” drift into a Lowcountry sunset, the album appropriately wraps with “Small Town,” a big-splash melodic sizzler that brings it all home with a misty waterfall of dreamy Panic bliss to instantly calm the bark of these dog days.

With a Widespread celebratory toast to their classic formula, the hollerin’ sons of Athens, GA strike all the familiar chords for the die-hards and open the floodgate for newbies to devour and come back for seconds.

This isn’t just an album; it’s a triple-scoop masterpiece of emotion-commotion with a jammin’ ice-cream truck full of surprises.

– Chris Rucker

Searching for a Legend

Beyond the Peach State

A mythical (or not) creature brings bigtime adventure to the Appalachian Mountains.

Whether they call him Bigfoot, Sasquatch or Yeti, true believers have scoured wooded areas from Appalachia to the Pacific Northwest – and all corners of the globe – for sightings of the legendary figure.

In the southwest corner of Virginia, near the commonwealth’s smallest town of Norton, the creature answers to a different name – Woodbooger. And anyone who goes there will find him hiding in plain view in the wilderness of nearby Flag Rock Recreation Area.

Just beyond the parking area for the 1,000-acre park, a giant statue of the tall, hairy, humanlike being towers over a gravel path that leads to Flag Rock Overlook.

The Woodbooger became part of local lore in 2011 when Animal Planet filmed an episode of its program “Finding Bigfoot” in southwest Virginia. Courtesy of this national exposure, tourists flocked to the area in search of the elusive forest dweller. Taking full advantage of the creature’s newfound notoriety, the Norton City Council declared Flag Rock Recreation Area a Woodbooger Sanctuary in 2014.

Woodbooger. Nestled beneath High Knob NortonExplorers Delight

Visitors often take pictures of themselves with the Woodbooger statue. Explorers also are welcome to come to the area and search for the mysterious creature or photograph evidence of the beast’s existence as long as they don’t damage its habitat.

However, Norton is not only a base for those in search of the Woodbooger. Nestled beneath High Knob – the highest point in the Cumberland Mountains – the town is centrally located between two main highways, U.S. 23 and U.S. Route 58 Alternate, near the crossroads of Virginia, Kentucky and Tennessee.

The 4,200-foot High Knob summit is part of Stone Mountain which, at 13 miles wide and 26 miles long, connects many of the communities and recreation sites in the High Knob Region. Along with the city of Norton, the region includes nine Southwest Virginia communities in Wise, Scott and Lee counties.

Offering a variety of outdoor adventures, the region also is home to three state parks (Clinch River, Natural Tunnel and Southwest Virginia Museum), the more than 90,000-acre Clinch Ranger District on the Jefferson National Forest and other community parks and trails.

Activities range from hiking, hunting and horseback riding to camping, cycling (road, gravel and mountain) and climbing or bouldering on miles of cliffs. The region’s waterways offer opportunities for fishing and paddling as well.

In addition, the 40-plus mile Thomas Jefferson Scenic Byway Loop passes by additional recreation sites, scenic vistas and trails.

Stone Mountain, the High Knob Observation TowerObservation Tower and Overlooks

Located five miles above downtown Norton atop the summit of Stone Mountain, the High Knob Observation Tower is a popular destination for hikers. Distant peaks as far away as Great Smoky Mountains National Park and West Virginia are visible from the tower.

A one-mile trail (also the start of the 15.6-mile Chief Benge Scout Trail) travels from the observation tower parking lot to High Knob Recreation Area.

Evenings are prime time to tour the area as well. Since the Woodbooger is a nocturnal creature, a spectacular sunset just might get explorers in the mood for a nighttime adventure.

The observation tower, along with two overlooks, is an ideal spot to watch the sunset.

Powell Valley Overlook, located on U.S. 23 North between Big Stone Gap and Norton, offers sweeping vistas of Powell Valley and surrounding mountains.

At 3,200 feet in elevation, Flag Rock Overlook also provides a great vantage point to watch the sun dip below the horizon. The lights in downtown Norton illuminate the surrounding hillsides as well.

A daytime hike to Flag Rock Overlook showcases the reasons that the Woodbooger would feel at home in the region. Highlighting the area’s natural beauty, the scenic trail to the overlook provides panoramic views of the Appalachian landscape.

The almost three-mile out-and-back trek, which begins at Legion Park in Norton, requires hikers to navigate gradual inclines and rocky terrain along forested paths lined by towering trees. Yellow blazes mark the trail, but don’t forget to keep an eye out for the Woodbooger. If you don’t spot the real thing, well, the statue is only a few steps from the overlook.

In Good Company

The city’s Flag Rock Recreation Area is three miles above downtown Norton on the lower slopes of High Knob. The park is most often associated with “Flag Rock,” which can be seen from downtown as a rock outcrop capped by an American flag.

The stars and stripes have waved atop the rock pillar since the 1920s when a German immigrant is said to have scaled the outcrop and erected the flag to symbolize his love for his newfound home.

In addition, the Woodbooger is not the only one to enjoy sanctuary status in these parts. The Flag Rock Recreation Area also has been designated as a Green Salamander Sanctuary to protect the species’ habitat. It is the country’s only town or city property given special designation for this species.

There are 20-plus salamander species within the borders of Norton and Wise County, giving the region one of the world’s highest concentrations of salamander diversity.

If you spy a Green Salamander, consider yourself lucky (few trained herpetologists get to see the species) – and be sure to keep your distance. They don’t respond well to being handled, and the chemicals on humans’ skin can harm the amphibians.

Festivals and Food

Along with the elusive Woodbooger and Green Salamander, the region is home to many outdoor festivals. The annual High Knob Outdoor Fest is August 10-18, with adventures designed for beginners and experts alike.

Activities include an outdoor photo contest, kayak and canoe rides, a bouldering clinic, stargazing program, nature painting classes, outdoor yoga, forest botanicals festival, trail runs, mountain bike poker ride on the Flag Rock Area Trails system and more.

The festival culminates with a celebration in downtown Norton from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, August 17, that features live bands, a craft beer and wine garden, food trucks, local artisans and outdoor gear vendors and demonstrations. For more information, go to highknoboutdoorfest.com.

Aiming High

Sports
Jacob Judson, now 16 years old, was looking for a hobby, so he decided to try shooting at a local 4-H wobble trap team meet

Photos courtesy of Cyle Foley, Lefty Ray and Jonathan Johnson

Only two years after taking up sporting clays, a local phenom represented Team USA on an international stage.

It all started in February 2022 with an email about wobble trap shooting from the Columbia County 4-H Club. Appling resident Jacob Judson, now 16 years old, was looking for a hobby, so he decided to try shooting at a local 4-H wobble trap team meet at Columbia County’s old landfill.

After pulling a trigger for the first time ever at that event, Jacob was hooked on shooting sporting clays even though he had “never hunted in my life.”

He kept entering sporting clays events – and doing quite well, thank you – across the Southeast, and currently, he competes about 30 weekends a year.

“Jacob is still a name that people are trying to figure out,” says his father, Jonathan.

Spoiler alert: He’s making it easy for them.

Reaching His Goals

Beginning in E Class at the bottom of the shooting world rankings, Jacob rose to the Master Class in 11 1/2 months. Two years after taking up the sport, he represented his country at the 2024 World FITASC (pronounced FEE-task) Championship in Hudson, Wisconsin June 27-30 as a Junior member of Team USA.

For the uninitiated, FITASC an acronym for the international version of American sporting clays is the Olympics of the shooting world.

Jacob had to participate in at least four regional shoots to be able to qualify for Team USA at FITASC. Although the competitors came from across the world, they primarily live in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Europe.

Before the competition, it was hard for Jacob to comprehend his achievement. “When I got the Team USA jersey, that’s when it really hit me,” he says.

Marching in the opening ceremony with his teammates was surreal for him. “It’s hard to explain,” he says. “It was great to represent my country.”

He represented America well. Jacob finished 20th in the Junior division out of almost 100 competitors, and he finished in 130th place in the entire 950-person field, which included shooters of all ages.

In the FITASC competition, shooters faced a series of eight parcours, or courses. Each parcour had 25 targets, which were launched from different stations, for a total of 200 targets. The shoot is based off of a menu board, and participants cannot mount their guns until they see the target.

Jacob met his individual goal of hitting at least 20 clays in each parcour and finished with a score of 166.

“I was happy about it,” he says. “It was a good score.”

Building Competitors

The overall winner of the competition, Zach Kienbaum of Savannah, who is also Jacob’s coach, had a score of 189.

He helps Jacob develop his skills and keep things in perspective.

“At that age, I don’t really care how he shoots,” Kienbaum says. “We’re building competitors for the future. I want to build the best adult Jacob. I want to build the best competitor we can.”

Kienbaum, who coaches many high-level adults, normally doesn’t teach teens unless they’re committed and serious about the sport.

“Jacob is the type of kid that I like working with,” he says. “He came out of nowhere. A year ago, no one really knew who he was. He burst onto the scene.”

Kienbaum says Jacob’s raw talent, along with his low-key demeanor, sets him apart from other shooters.

“He has a great attitude. He’s calm and even-keeled,” says Kienbaum. “His mind just understands what he’s trying to do.”

In Master Class events across the country, Jacob often competes against men in their 30s and 40s who have been shooting for years.

“It’s hard to compete against them. They have a lot more experience and a lot more control in what they do,” says Jacob. “I try to shoot with my coach whenever I can. I try to pay attention to what he’s doing and copy it.”

In addition, Jacob, who started shooting at Pinetucky Gun Club in Blythe in June 2022, has continued to hone his skills with the club’s team, the Pullits. Charles Dolan of Pinetucky says Jacob is the gun club’s first shooter to achieve a national ranking.

“He has worked with the right coaches. He has worked with the right people,” says Dolan. “He has a natural ability and great hand-eye coordination. He has put in the hard work, and that’s what it takes.”

Making Friends

Despite his considerable talent, Jacob says one of the most rewarding aspects of the sport is the people he meets.

“They all compete against each other, but they’re friends at the same time,” says his mother, Lynn. “They want to beat each other, but they’ll give each other a hug afterward.”

Admittedly shy, Jacob, a junior in Columbia County’s Virtual Academy who previously attended Harlem High, says the competitions bring him out of his shell.

“When I’m at a shoot, I’ve had to meet people and learn how to talk to them,” he says.

Reconnecting with friends and meeting new ones, as well as getting experience with more difficult targets, was his favorite part of the FITASC competition.

“I’m friends with a lot of people in the sport, and it was great seeing people I know,” Jacob says. “Meeting other people from around the world is a cool experience, too.”

Pickleball, Y’all

Sports

Dink, drink or dine — come for one, or come for all three. Columbia County is now home to the area’s first indoor pickleball center.

Dink, drink or dine — come for one, or come for all three. Bringing a new sports and restaurant concept to the county, owners Nancy and Troy Akers have opened Dink’d, an indoor pickleball facility in Petersburg Shoppes on Furys Ferry Road.

“Pickleball has exploded nationwide, and it’s no different here,” says Joe Clemente, chief operating officer. “There is no facility of this kind anywhere in the area. We want Dink’d to be a destination in the community.”

Troy Akers agrees. “We know the area is ready for this,” he adds.

The 27,000-square-foot, climate-controlled facility offers extended hours seven days a week, and Dink’d features nine championship pro-surface courts for tournaments, leagues, clinics, lessons and open play. Other activities include glow-in-the-dark pickleball and themed nights.

Dink, drink or dine — come for one, or come for all three. “If it’s really hot or really cold or it’s raining, people can play pickleball,” Clemente says. “Pickleball is addictive. It’s easy to learn, and people enjoy the camaraderie. A place like Dink’d caters to different generations of pickleball players.”

Dink’d is not just for pickleball, however. Additional amenities include a pro shop, full kitchen with a chef-inspired menu and full service bar with beer on tap, cocktails and mocktails.

Packages for parties, corporate outings and other events include court space, catering options and multimedia.

“The food and beverage component is a big part of this, and it makes us different from other pickleball facilities,” says Clemente.

Vu Nguyen, a pro-level pickleball player, will serve as head of pickleball operations. Memberships, which give people earlier access to courts than the general public, include pro and social levels.

“We’re a member-based model, but the public is welcome,” Clemente says. “If you reserve a court or just want to hang out, we’re open to everyone.”

Nancy and Troy Akers have opened Dink’d, an indoor pickleball facility in Petersburg Shoppes on Furys Ferry Road.For tournaments, Akers says they plan to work with the county to offer play at Dink’d and nearby Columbia County Racquet Club.

“This is an Augusta-based business. It’s not a chain. When you come to Dink’d, you’re supporting a local business,” says Akers. “It’s going to be a best-in-class facility that will make the community proud.”

For more information, visit dinkdpickleball.com.

Double Header

Sports
Harlem High local high school baseball team recently won back-to-back state championship titles.

Photos courtesy of Harlem High School and Augusta Christian Schools

A local high school baseball team recently won back-to-back state championship titles.

The words bear repeating. After all, not one, but two, Columbia County teams – Harlem High and Augusta Christian – successfully defended their state championships this year.

To capture its latest Georgia Class-AAA crown, Harlem swept Calvary Day School this spring by scores of 13-5 in game one and 7-0 in the second game.

Last year the Bulldogs also swept their opponent for the title, defeating Ringgold High School 5-3 and 2-1 with come-from-behind victories in both games.

The 2023 and 2024 state championships were the sixth and seventh titles for Head Coach Jimmie Lewis, who has led the program for the last 46 years of his 48-year career on the Harlem baseball staff.

“It means a whole lot when you’re 71 years old,” he says. “They were a team. They were not a bunch of individuals.”

With last year’s title, the Bulldogs ended a 37-year drought by winning their first state championship since 1986. They finished as runners-up in 1992 and 1999 when Lewis coached his four sons.

He also led the team to state championships in 1979, his first year as head coach, and pulled off a three-peat in 1981, 1982 and 1983.

In addition, MaxPreps ranked Harlem as high as No. 9 in the nation and No. 1 out of all classifications in Georgia this year.

high school baseball team recently won back-to-back state championship titlesAugusta Christian shut out Cardinal Newman High School, 8-0, in the third game of the best-of-three series to win this year’s South Carolina Independent School Association’s Class-AAAA baseball championship. The team also won the first game, 3-1, after dropping game two in extra innings.

A year ago, the Lions won the school’s first state title since 2007 by defeating Hammond High School, 9-3, in the decisive third game.

With this season’s title, Austin Robinson, a 2013 Greenbrier High grad who pitched in back-to-back state championships for the Wolfpack, won his second crown in three years as Augusta Christian’s head coach.

“It means everything, especially to the boys who put in all the work and the time. They’ve dedicated their lives to baseball,” he says. “I wish I could take credit, but the credit goes to those boys and what they’ve done the last four years.”

Senior Moments

Both coaches say they had great leadership from the seniors on their teams the last two years, and the state championships were special to the players.

“The seniors have been playing together since we were real little,” says Harlem’s Amerson Guy, the grandson of Oakland Raiders punter and Pro Football Hall of Famer Ray Guy. “We’ve always dreamed about winning a state championship, but to do it back-to-back was truly incredible.”

He says the 2023 state championship was more exciting because it was the first one Harlem had won in years, but teammate Caiden Coile favors 2024.

“The second one was different because it was the last game that the seniors played together,” he says.

Augusta Christian’s Wilson Donnelly shared that sentiment. “We won the first one for last year’s seniors. The second one felt different because it was my last one,” he says. “I’m glad I got to share it with my teammates and friends. I’ll get to tell my kids that I won back-to-back state championships in high school.”

His teammate, Khaleel Pratt, believes there is no feeling like winning back-to-back championships. “Not many people get to experience that,” he adds. “It was a lot of fun to do it with my guys.”

Along with their back-to-back titles, the seniors on both teams amassed some impressive numbers during their playing days as well.

The Harlem seniors went 128-18 during their four-year high school careers, 73-2 the last two seasons, 10-0 in the 2023 playoffs and 10-0 in the 2024 playoffs. They also set a Bulldogs record with a 37-game win streak that dates back to last season.

Of the eight seniors on this year’s Harlem team, six wanted to keep playing baseball and earned college scholarships.

Jake Fulmer will play at Toccoa Falls College; Tyler Simmons, the Region 4-AAA Player of the Year; is headed to USC-Aiken; and Shane Wheeless will suit up for East Georgia State College.

Jeremiah Hamilton, Guy and Coile will be teammates again at Andrew Junior College, and Hamilton is excited about bringing everything they learned from Coach Lewis to the next level.

“It’s more than just baseball at Harlem. He teaches young kids how to be men,” he says. “We have great chemistry, and we can’t wait to gel with the other players and have a great season.”

The Augusta Christian seniors had a 40-15 record the last two seasons, and all six of them earned scholarships to play collegiate baseball.

Pratt will play for the University of Kentucky, and Luca Perriello is a Virginia Tech signee.

“Playing for Augusta Christian and Coach Robinson taught me how to be a teammate,” Perriello says. We learned to work together, not just on individual goals.”

Eric Doyon is bound for Columbia International University; Santiago Pacheco will play for Southern Union State Community College; Jonah Shipes is going to Gordon State College and

Donnelly signed with the University of West Georgia.

The Meaning of Team

Both teams had to overcome injuries throughout the season. In addition, Robinson says, “We knew we had a target on our backs after last year.”

Lewis, the 2024 Region 4-AAA Coach of the Year, agrees.

“We faced everybody’s best pitcher. My crowd stepped up to the plate. We battled, and we beat them,” he says. “I think if I had told them they were going to play the Atlanta Braves, they would expect to beat them.”

To reach their goals, the players pulled together as a team.

“No one man can win a game. It takes a team, and ‘team’ means ‘together everyone achieves more,’’’ says Lewis. “When we work as a team, we have a chance to win.”

Lewis also says he wouldn’t be successful without assistant coaches Chris Waters, Rusty James, Hunter McBride and Lonnie Morris; trainer Robert Leslie; athletic director Rodney Holder, and his wife of 50 years, Nancy. He even got to share last year’s title with his grandson, Landen Lewis, who was a senior on the 2023 team.

Robinson’s wife, Molly, came to every game with their 1-year-old daughter, Lilly, on her hip, and the players acknowledged their fans as well.

“All the support we had from the people of Harlem, you’ll never find anywhere else,” says Will Holder, a rising HHS senior who has committed to Georgia Southern. “They traveled everywhere with us.”

History of Success

Of course, Columbia County has a long history of baseball success.

Robinson credits the pedigree to head coaches like Lewis, Terry Holder (grandfather of Will and father of Rodney, who won back-to-back 4A state championships at Greenbrier in 2006 and 2007) and Gerald Barnes.

“Augusta is a great stomping ground for baseball because of these three men,” he says.

Terry Holder won eight state baseball championships at Evans (five) and Greenbrier (three) high schools. At Westside High in Augusta, Barnes won more than 900 games and two state titles.

“When you play and coach around people like Terry Holder and Gerald Barnes, you tend to learn. Sometimes they beat your brains out, but that’s how you learn,” Lewis says.

The future also is bright for Columbia County baseball, and HHS and Augusta Christian are eyeing a three-peat next year.

“It’s doable,” says Lewis. “We need to practice hard, work hard, set goals, take one game at a time and go after it.”

The 2025 Bulldogs also will play on the newly christened Jimmie Lewis Field, which will be dedicated at the start of the season.

Ethan Duckworth, a rising senior for Augusta Christian, says winning the first two state championships was hard. As for a three-peat, he adds, “We’re going to try to find a way to get it done.”

By Todd Beck

Swan Song by Elin Hilderbrand

Literary Loop

Swan Song by Elin HilderbrandWhen rich strangers move to Nantucket, social mayhem and a possible murder follow. Can the island’s best locals save the day and their way of life?

Chief of Police Ed Kapenash is about to retire. Blond Sharon, the notorious island gossip, is going through a divorce. But when a $22 million summer home is purchased by the mysterious Richardsons (how did they make their money, exactly?) Ed, Sharon and everyone in the community are swept up in high drama.

The Richardsons throw lavish parties, flirt with multiple locals, flaunt their wealth with not one but two yachts and raise impossible hopes of everyone they meet. When their house burns to the ground and their most essential employee goes missing, the entire island is up in arms.

The last of Elin Hilderbrand’s bestselling Nantucket novels, this is a propulsive medley of glittering gatherings, sun-soaked drama, wisdom and heart, featuring the return of some of her most popular characters and the timeless island of Nantucket.

“Hilderbrand’s final Nantucket novel will draw old and new readers out of the woodwork,” says Booklist. “This is aspirational escapism at its finest.”

The Avett Brothers

Listen To This

self-titled album, The Avett BrothersAs summer brings the heat with exciting excursions, backyard soirees and ice cream truck marathons, there’s magic in finding the perfect soundtrack to accompany every moment. With their latest self-titled album, The Avett Brothers offer not just a collection of songs, but a journey for the ride.

From the crisp melodies of the album opener “Never Apart” to the cosmic harmonies of “Orion’s Belt,” The Avett Brothers capture the essence of life’s seasons with an effortless grace. It’s as if they’ve distilled the very fragrance of scattered rain, warm breezes and every sense trigger in between to build a thunderhead crescendo of awesome.

But it’s not just the lyrical content that evokes the sense-fueled season; it’s the intentional craftsmanship of melodic arrangements and spatial genius that carve a profound emotional connection that ebbs and flows like the tides, shifting and changing with the passing of time.

Tracks like “Love of a Girl” and “Forever Now” showcase the band’s versatility, seamlessly blending folk, rock and Americana influences into a sound that feels both timeless and fresh.

And with their trademark blend of gritty, heartfelt lyrics and soulful instrumentation, they craft a crustless sonic sandwich that satisfies the hunger for more.

So, as the sun moves up the mercury, let The Avett Brothers be your SPF for the adult swim of life.

Chris Rucker

A La Sala by Khruangbin

Listen To This

As the sun feels closer and the heat feels hotter, summer makes a collect call from sweet destinations. Whether it’s a backyard sprinkler or a sandy shore, we are invited to soak up the vibe. And whether you are on the road or lounging around, A La Sala (translation: To the Room), the latest cosmic creation by the smooth-groove Houston funk-rock trio Khruangbin, is a must-have in the sonic solstice cooler.

Pouring an auditory cocktail into a universe where groove and gravity skip hand in hand, Khruangbin’s trademark blend of blues, funk, surf and lo-fi rock delivers a variety of flavors that are as cool as they are clever. From the moment the needle drops, you’re whisked away on a journey that defies both time and space.

Tracks like the colorful sunset-jam “Fifteen Forty-Three” or the cabana-clopping “Hold Me Up (Thank You)” bring rhythms braided in a Duane Eddy twang that are equal parts intricate and irresistible. The album’s simplistic yet exotically complex layers drop a refreshing loop of fruity-sweet gems that reflect like sun on the water and crash with soothing waves of expanding reverberations.

This is an all-inclusive acoustical resort, where you can lose yourself and float down the lazy river of auditory delight. So put on your shades, turn up the volume, toss your cares in a cooler of Khruangbin and let the vibes take you away.

– Chris Rucker