| Connecting the ACCGov Leisure Servces Department with Local School Children
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Sandy Creek Park Open House and "Movies by Moonlight"
The Athens-Clarke County Leisure Services Department will host an Open House and a Movies by Moonlight presentation at Sandy Creek Park located at 400 Bob Holman Road.
The Open House scheduled for Sunday, October 11 begins at 3:00 p.m. and includes crafts, field games, inflatables, and photo booth.
Bike Athens will be on site, from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m., for a “True Beginner” program. Attendees are welcome to bring their own bikes, but can reach out to Bike Athens at bikeathensshop@gmail.com to borrow one to ride. There will be an adjusted traffic pattern in the park. The road over the dam will be closed to vehicles so bicyclists are able to have a vehicle-free experience riding in the area. The beach/playground parking lot will be reserved for ADA and priority parking. The main field will be used as parking during the event time.
The Sandy Creek Park Hootenanny will take place from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. Everyone is welcome to bring an acoustic instrument and join in on the fun.
The event culminates with a Movies by Moonlight event featuring the film, “Harry and the Hendersons” at 7:00 p.m.
Park admission is free starting at 3:00 p.m. All activities and the movie presentation are free of charge as well.
For more information, please call 706-613-3631.
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Clarke County School District Artworks on Display
This special show is on view October 1, 2026 - January 23, 2027. The opening reception is scheduled for Tuesday, October 6 from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
This CCSD exhibition explores what it means to be rooted. Perhaps the mind goes to plants, vegetables, and trees, or to family roots, family trees, and the people and places one comes from. As viewers look through these artworks, they are invited to think about roots in a bigger way: histories, collaborations, friendships, communities, and the ways ideas connect and spread.
Rooted is accompanied by a beautiful publication documenting all the students' artwork. This complimentary catalog is available to each child in the show and, as quantities last, family, friends, and visitors. Thank you to the supporters and sponsors who make this publication possible.
Exhibitions are on view during regular gallery hours Tuesday and Thursday 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m., and Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Children must be accompanied by an adult. All exhibitions are free and open to the public.
For more information, please call 706-613-3624.
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Downtown Parade of Lights - Call for Entries
The deadline for entry applications is Tuesday, November 3, 2026 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 80 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 “Holiday Party.”
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
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Next on Stage!
Athens Creative Theatre invites everyone to dive into the underwater world of Bikini Bottom with The Spongebob Musical!
Based on the beloved animated series, this vibrant and hilarious musical follows SpongeBob and his friends as they band together to save their home from impending disaster. Filled with heart, humor, and an unforgettable score featuring songs by legendary artists from across the music industry, this exciting production celebrates friendship, optimism, and the power of community.
These performances are scheduled for November 6 - 8 at the Morton Theatre. Tickets are now on sale.
Call 706-613-3771 to reach the box office. Tickets are $15 for adults and all students w/ ID, as well as all children 17 years and younger, are admitted free of charge. Discounted rates are available for groups of 5 or more. Please call the Morton for details.
For more information, please call 706-613-3771.
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Winter Program Online Registration Begins October 31
The Leisure Services Department announces its winter program opportunities for 2026-2027
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 31. Non-residents may register online starting Monday, November 2 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.
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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 24, 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. The kick off is at 8:45 a.m. followed by the clean up at 9:00 a.m. at Dudley Park.
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Get Ready for Halloween!
The Department will host a variety of Halloween events for goblins of all ages.
Please visit www.accgov.com/halloween for a list of upcoming activities.
For more information, please call 706-613-3800.
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Bird Walk
Join our friends from Oconee River Land Trust and wildlife biologist Lauren Gingerella on a Bird Walk in Tallassee Forest.
Strap on those hiking boots, grab your binoculars, water, and a snack for an early morning walk with the birds
This program, for ages 12 and older, is scheduled for Saturday, October 3 from 8:30 - 10:00 a.m. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Online registration is underway.
For more information, please call 706-410-4525.
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Improvements Underway
The Heard Park parking lot and the plaza area in front of the community center are being updated to improve ADA accessibility. Additionally, a turnaround is being added to the parking lot. Currently, there is limited parking. The work is expected to be completed by the end of 2026.
The Walker Park playground is currently closed for an upgrade. Posts are in place for the installation of sail shades. The complete installation is expected to be finished in early November.
The Bishop Park playground is currently closed for replacement. Work is expected to be finished by mid-October.
For more information, please call 706-613-3800.
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ACCGov Activities and Online RegistrationThe 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
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ACCGov Leisure Services ScholarshipsThe Athens-Clarke County Leisure Services Department offers scholarship to qualifying Athens-Clarke County children. Scholarships allow participants to pay less than the program fee.
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