Welcome to Visit Augusta GA blog

Ashton Randall, the Electronic Media Manager at the ACVB, went on her first Moonlight Music Cruise down the Augusta Canal. See video clips and photos from the cruise in this new video blog. For more information visit http://www.augustacanal.com 

WATCH VIDEO

Note: This blog was written last year after the Hispanic Festival. The 2011 Hispanic Festival is this weekend – October 8th & 9th.

Augusta is home to many different festivals, celebrating all sorts of different things. Each year in the fall the Hispanic American Cultural Association in Augusta hosts a weekend-long festival celebrating Hispanic heritage in Augusta.  A couple of weeks ago I decided to check out the Hispanic Festival. I love festivals, especially all the food!  This year there were food vendors from fifteen different Spanish speaking countries.

Everything smelled so good that it was hard to choose what to eat!  There were also plenty of choices for refreshments like pina coladas and fresh squeezed lemonade from the lemon truck.

The Augusta Common is always really lively during festivals and events like First Friday. There were a ton of folks enjoying the day along with the fantastic food and music.  I also found a fantastic pair of earrings for $5 at one of the vendors’ tents!

I had such a great time that I’m looking forward to the Hispanic Festival again next year!

(Note: This blog was originally posted November 5, 2010. It has been updated with information about Arts in the Heart 2011)

Arts in the Heart of Augusta is one of my favorite festivals.  I look forward to attending each year.  Every year a different country is showcased and this year it was Brazil.

This year I was on a mission!  My neighbor – Mr. Melvin has lived in Augusta all his life but has never been to Arts in the Heart!  I couldn’t believe it so I invited him to come along with me, my mom and youngest son.  Of course, he was surprised by how big of an event it was.

Obviously food is abundant with all the different countries represented.  There are over 15 different countries represented in the world food bazaar each year.  Mr. Melvin had no trouble deciding what to eat though.  He went straight for Jamaica.

I ate a Meat Patty from Jamaica on Friday  so I was headed for the Fish and Chips from Ireland on Saturday.

We walked around and checked out the  arts and crafts, and  jewelry before we stopped at a couple of the stages.

Now, there was a time when I would sit at the Children’s stage or the Family stage and just watch all the different groups perform.

If I got a good seat up front I wasn’t moving!  Since our group was mixed this year I thought we should keep it moving and get a little more variety.

I don’t think I will have to convince Mr. Melvin to go next year.  As a matter of fact he already told me he was going to bring his stadium chair next time!

Arts in the Heart of Augusta 2011: September 16 – 18

Friday, Sept 16: 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Saturday, Sept 17: 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.

Sunday, Sept 18: 12 noon – 7 p.m.

Featured Culture for 2011: GREECE

Weekend Badges: $7 at the gate   //  $5 in advance (available at all SRP locations) 

When the weather’s nice outside, one of my favorite things to do is grab a quick lunch and take it to the Living History Park. It’s right across the river in North Augusta and is about 5 minutes from downtown Augusta. It’s a public park that’s being transformed into a mini-settlement, complete with colonial style church, tavern and meeting place. Each year something new gets added.

I like to stroll around the park and look at the buildings or go sit in the garden and just enjoy the weather! What most people don’t realize is that there are monthly and annual events held at the park regularly. There’s “Last Saturday in the Park” which is the last Saturday of the month from January through November where parents can bring their kids for an interactive history experience. Or they’ve got events like “Spirits of Hallowed Eve” and “Colonial Times” each fall and “Christmas in the Backwoods” each winter. No matter when you come, it’s always like you stepped back in history!

So make time during your next visit to stop by and enjoy the Living History Park. And if you’re in town during one of thier events, make sure you go!

Living History Park

229 W. Spring Grove Ave, North Augusta

Park Open Dawn – Dusk

This summer William attended art camp at the Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art in Augusta, Georgia. I know this is something not everyone who visits Augusta has time to enjoy, but it you are visiting friends and family over the summer, it is definitely doable. It was so much fun, it is worth checking their summer schedule before you plan you visit Augusta.

The week long class had William building a habitat for his critter. The class was in the afternoon and I enjoyed each day getting the update about his critter’s new home. You might not be able to tell from the photo – but this highly advanced habitat has a satellite antenna, fire alarm, security system and coffee table.

Not to worry, this non-profit visual art school offers more than just critter classes. Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art offers opportunities for students of all ages and interests. Quarterly studio classes and workshops are available from drawing and painting to photography, weaving, clay, and sculpture.

The institute was founded in 1937 and housed in a fantastic historic building dating back to 1818. The classes are held in the Walker-Mackenzie Studio dating back to 1907.

In addition, the Gertrude Herbert serves as a showcase for local and regional artists, hosting at least six major exhibits of contemporary art in its Main Gallery each year. Rotating student exhibits feature works by school children from all over the Augusta area.

Gallery hours are 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Tuesday – Friday and Saturday by appointment only (24 hours advance notice requested). Admission is free; donations are encouraged.

Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art
506 Telfair Street, Augusta, Georgia.
www.ghia.org
(706) 722-5495