Spring into Augusta-area entertainment from Greek Festival to Columbia County Fair
The days are getting warmer, gardens are in full bloom, and the bees are buzzing all about. This means spring is here, and while the mainstream occasions like Easter and the Masters have passed, there’s still plenty of fun to be had.
Multiple family-friendly staples will be returning in the coming weeks like the Augusta Greek Festival to the Columbia County Fair in addition to new events like the Summerville PorchFest. For the aspiring Jedi, “May the 4th” a.k.a. Star Wars day will be celebrated across the Augusta area.
Here are more details on these and other upcoming spring festivities:
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Fun with food and refreshments
Columbia County's Food Truck Friday returns 6-9 p.m. April 26 at Evans Towne Center Park in Evans at 7016 Evans Towne Center Blvd.
Columbia County's Evans Market is 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 27 at Evans Towne Center Park. Farmers and artisans will be on site selling their goods. This market returns every Saturday through June 29.
Augusta Craft Beer Festival is 1 p.m. April 27 at SRP Park in North Augusta at 187 Railroad Ave. Several different breweries from around the South will be present with their hand-crafted drinks and attendees will have unlimited samples. General admission starts at $56 while designated drivers can get in for less than $30. For more info, go to augustacraftbeerfest.com.
The spring edition of the Augusta Greek Festival is 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 10-12 outside Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Augusta at 953 Telfair St. There will be a ton of greek delicacies to enjoy from gyros to feta fries and baklava-derived treats as well as some gift vendors and lively dancing. Admission is free, but the proceeds of the event go to the church's community-support program.
Hephzibah's Food Truck Friday and Classic Car Cruise is 5 p.m. May 10 at the Hephzibah Agricultural Center at 4245 Peach Orchard Rd. There will be a variety of food trucks to sample from while checking out retro rides and live music to listen to.
The 18th Annual Boss Hog Cook-Off is 5-11 p.m. May 10 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 11 in Waynesboro at 591 Short St. Teams will compete to make the best ribs, BBQ, brisket, and chicken. There will also be live music and unlimited free rides. Ticket prices vary. For more info, go to bosshogcookoff.com.
Ag + Art Tour's Aiken County stop is 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 11 at Boondock Farms in Jackson at 755 Foreman St. There will be farmers, live music, and food trucks.
The 6th Annual Mimosas on Main is 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 11 in the plaza outside the Harlem Branch Library at 145 North Louisville St. There will be various vendors, a DJ, mimosas and brunch, and giveaways. The event is reserved for ages 21 and older.
Wiener Fest is 1-5 p.m. May 18 at Savannah River Brewing Co. in Augusta at 813 5th St. There will be hotdog eating competitions, multiple vendors, and a wiener cosplay contest.
Outdoor concerts and dance parties
Boogie in the Garden CharityFest is 4-8 p.m. April 27 at Riverside Antiques and Treasures in North Augusta at 646 East Buena Vista Ave. There will be four music acts, food trucks, and special sales. Proceeds will go to the Community Ministry of North Augusta and Project Lifting Spirits.
The Inaugural Summerville PorchFest is April 28 at various locations around the Summerville Historic District in Augusta. There will be a range of live acts 1-5 p.m. capped off with a party at Partridge Inn at 2110 Walton Way. For more info, go to summervilleporchfest.com.
An Evening of Jazz is 6:30 p.m. April 28 at the Augusta Commons on Broad Street in downtown Augusta. Admission is free.
The Hopelands Concert Series is every Monday at 7 p.m. at Hopelands Gardens in Aiken at 135 Dupree Pl. Admission is free. Parking is available across the street at the Green Boundary Club at 780 Whiskey Rd. The schedule for the next few shows is as follows:
April 29: The SureFires (Jaycie and Brooke)
May 6: Aiken Concert Band
May 13: Preston and Weston
May 20: Savannah River Winds
May 27: Aiken Civic Ballet Company
Candle Light Jazz with ATL Dream Vision is 7:30-10 p.m. May 5 at Augusta Commons. Admission is $10 for ages 13 and older, free for younger children.
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May the 4th be with you
Star Wars: Unlimited Trading Card Game Tournament is 2-5 p.m. April 28 at Augusta Book Exchange in Martinez at 280 South Belair Rd. Entry fee is $12.
A "May the 4th Be With You" Bash is 4-6:30 p.m. May 2 at the Hub West in Augusta at 631 Chafee Ave. There will be intergalactic characters, a live orchestra, a cool green-screen set-up, a thematic costume parade, trivia, crafts, and free goodies.
MasterCon Augusta's Star Wars Cantina Crawl is May 4 in downtown Augusta. Registration is 6 p.m. at Joes Underground at 8th and Broad streets with the crawl starting at 7 p.m. One of the stops is at Le Chat Noir which will mirror the home world of the Sith during which the lounge is also hosting "Atmosphere: Dark Dance Edition" at 8:30 p.m.
Harlem Summer Movie Series' Star Wars Day is 8:30-11:30 p.m. May 4 in the plaza outside the Harlem Branch Library. Families will get to watch one of the Star Wars movies and see a "real" lightsaber.
Shopping in the sun-shine
Back to Nature Garden Center's Spring Craft and Artisan Market is 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 27 in Augusta at 1815 Kissingbower Rd. Dozens of local artisans will be selling their hand-made merchandise. There will also be live entertainment and a miniature animal farm. Admission is free. For more info, go to backtonatureaugusta.com/spring-market.
River City Events' Annual Spring Artisan Market is 11 a.m. April 27 at Pendleton King Park in Augusta at 1600 Troupe St. There will be several artisans plus a limited number of food vendors. Admission is free. For more info, go to rivercity-events.square.site/spring-artisan-market.
Redemption Church's Semi-Annual Augusta Handmade Fair is noon-4 p.m. May 4 at the Doris Building n Augusta at 930 Broad St. Local and regional creatives will be on site helping raise funds for Redemption Church's Missions Fund, financing Sojourn Uganda, local nonprofit organizations, and its partner missionaries. Admission is free.
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More outdoor activities
The 4th Annual Columbia County Spring Fair is now through April 28 at the fairgrounds in Grovetown at 5462 Columbia Rd. There will be plenty of fair-foods and rides in addition to a huge schedule of events like demolition derby, an antique tractor show, and a falconry show. Gate admission is $10. Hours of operation and more info are available are columbiacountyfair.net.
Sacred Heart Garden Tours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 26 and 27. Feast your eyes on the vibrant gardens at Sacred Heart Cultural Center on Greene Street in Augusta and throughout the community. Tickets are $30 in advance and $35 at the door. For more info, go to sacredheartaugusta.org/garden-tours.
Earth Day Augusta is 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 27 at Phinizy Swamp Nature Park in Augusta at 1858 Lock and Dam Rd. There will be various vendors, live animals and entertainment, hayrides, and giveaways. Admission is free.
Spring Fest in Downtown North Augusta is 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 27 on West Pine Grove Avenue between Georgia Avenue and West Avenue. There will be more than 50 food and art vendors as well as live music and a kids area.
Hidden Haven Saddle Club's Farm Day Festival is 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 27 in Harlem at 1156 Country Line Rd. There will be pony and hayrides, face painting, bouncy slide and obstacle course, pony kissing booth, crafts, toddler play area, food, lemonade, snow cones, games, and more than 30 vendors. Free admission and parking. Some activities will require tickets with a ticket booth located at the entrance.
EastWind Village Social is noon-4 p.m. April 28 at EastWind Castle in Trenton at 527 Johnston Hwy. Learn and develop your skill with foam swords, archery, and more aspects of medieval life.
Relay for Life is 5 p.m. May 3 in Evans at Evans Towne Center Park. There will be music, food, and activities raising funds for the American Cancer Society. For more info, go to secure.acsevents.org.
Western Carolina Antique Tractor Pull is May 4 at Western Carolina State Fairgrounds in Aiken at 561 May Royal Dr. Gates open 9 a.m. and the opening ceremony is at 11 a.m. There will be food trucks, craft vendors, a kid's pedal tractor pull, and other activities. Admission is $10 for ages 13 and older, free for younger children. It's a cash-only event. Proceeds will go to the Children's Hospital of Georgia.
Columbia County's Family Fitness Day is 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 4 at Gateway Park in Grovetown at 215 Partnership Dr. There will be food trucks, a drum circle, face painting, balloon animals, and free instructional workout classes from multiple fitness clubs. Admission is free.
YMCA Family Field Day is 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 4 at the Wilson Family YMCA in Augusta at 3570 Wheeler Rd. There will be traditional field day games plus food, vendors, and music. Admission is free.
Columbia County's Fiesta Fest is 5-9 p.m. May 11 at Columbia County Amphitheater in Evans at 7022 Evans Town Center Blvd. There will be tacos, margaritas, games, and a mariachi band.
Third Thursday in Downtown North Augusta is 5-8 p.m. May 16 along Georgia Avenue. There will be fun and specials from the neighboring businesses.
Columbia County's Barks in the Park is 6-8 p.m. May 16 is at Evans Towne Center Park. Families can bring their dogs to a day full of ramps, tunnels, balls, and splash pads. There will also be dog-friendly vendors with raffles and giveaways.
This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Augusta-area things-to-do: Greek Fest, county fair, craft markets
