WELCOME

TO

MACON, GEORGIA

Contact these

organiza ons for more

informa on about

Macon, Georgia:

Macon‐Bibb County Conven on & Visitor Bureau 478‐743‐1074 or 800‐768‐3401 450 MLK Jr. Blvd h p://www.visitmacon.org/

Greater Macon Chamber

of Commerce

478‐621‐2000

305 Coliseum Dr.

h p://maconchamber.com/

Macon Economic

Development Commission

478‐621‐2030

305 Coliseum Dr.

h p://www.maconworks.com/

Macon‐Bibb County

478‐751‐7400

h p://www.maconbibb.us/

Bragg Jam Music Arts & Kids Fes val

For 15 years now, the last Saturday of July is Macon, Geor‐gia's ul mate summer music fes val. Rain or shine, more than 50 bands take to 15 stages and put on one unfor‐ge able show a er another in a jam‐packed, rock, blues and soul‐infused night.

But the Bragg Jam Fes val isn't just for live‐music lovin' night owls. During the day, Bragg Jam's Arts @ the Park hosts a free day me event where families are invited to create, perform and play in the heart of the city. The event features art, food and beverage vendors, live music, com‐munity performances and nature‐oriented ac vi es.

As the sun goes down, Bragg Jam's signature Concert Crawl is already geared up, featuring live music perfor‐mances at a variety of Macon hotspots.

Central Georgia Greek Fes val

Opa! Macon, Georgia’s Greek community rolls out the red

carpet and puts on its apron to share their culture with

Macon during this late September fes val at Holy Cross

Greek Orthodox Church in Downtown Macon. Some 3,000

guests each year come out to enjoy a weekend of live

Greek music and dance, delicious authen c cuisine, tours

of the church and shopping courtesy of vendors selling

religious items, iconography, music and videos, and tradi‐

onal Greek clothing and jewelry.

Macon Beer Fes val

The Macon Beer Fes val is a party with a cause. In its third

year as a Pints for Prostates event, this grassroots cam‐

paign uses the universal language of beer to reach men

with an important health message. The campaign raises

awareness among men about the need for regular health

screenings and PSA tes ng.

Put on by the Rotary Club of downtown Macon, Main

Street Macon and several of the downtown venues. You’ll

be able to stroll to different loca ons and sample three

beers at each loca on. Men 40 and over will be offered a

free PSA blood test, a $75 dollar value.

FESTIVALS & EVENTS

Ocmulgee Indian Celebra on

During the third weekend in September, Macon welcomes to town the largest Na ve American gathering in the Southeast. More than 200 cra smen, dancers, storytellers, living history demonstrators and others with es to the area return to their ancestral home at Ocmulgee Na onal Monument in Macon, Georgia. Named one of the Top 20 Events in the Southeast by the Southeast Tourism Society, the celebra on shares this vital piece of American history with some 20,000 guests to the monument each year. The Ocmulgee Indian Celebra on allows new genera ons to understand their Na‐ve American heritage, arts, and culture first‐hand through

interac on and observa on.

Pan African Fes val

Since 1996 Macon’s Tubman African American Museum has enjoyed the success of this signature event celebra ng Afri‐can influences on world‐wide culture. Founded by Nigerian immigrant and Tubman supporter Chi Ezekweche, the Pan African Fes val fills Macon’s Ta nall Square Park with live music, dance, food, cultural demonstra ons, children’s ac vi‐es, outdoor movies and a poetry café in an adjacent coffee

house. Two stages provide live Gospel, Hip‐Hop, Rhythm & Blues, Caribbean and Reggae, while a variety of vendors sell art, jewelry, books and other handcra s. People of all ages and ethnici es come together for this fes val formed around the principles of Love, Peace, Unity and Hope.

Annual Soap Box Derby

On your mark, get set, GO! The second Saturday of April

brings out the compe tor in everybody as teams of home‐

made soapbox racers vie to be named the fastest and most

crea ve cars in a thrilling race down the steep hill of Magno‐

lia Street, beside the College Hill Corridor’s beau ful Wash‐

ington Park in one of InTown Macon's friendliest neighbor‐

hoods. Coupled with the park's invi ng early‐spring blossoms

and great live music, the derby not only brings out compe ‐

tors, but hundreds of spectators and fans who enjoy a full

day in the park with picnics and pets. Always family‐friendly,

the Magnolia Street Soap Box Derby is full of ac vi es for

children, including big wheel races, and is host to on‐site lo‐

cal vendors and food trucks, for those who prefer to picnic

with the convenience of no packing. It's a spring me a er‐

noon of wholesome, old fashioned fun in historic downtown

Macon, Georgia, and racers and race fans of all ages are invit‐

ed to par cipate and join the merriment. Be there to see‐‐or

be one of‐‐Macon‐Bibb's best good‐sports in ac on at the

Magnolia Street Soap Box Derby!

FESTIVALS & EVENTS

Crossroads Literacy Fes val

Over the past four years, the conference has been proud

to bring hundreds of writers together to learn from the

likes of Steve Almond, Rick Moody, Joshilyn Jackson, Jay

Parini, Judith Or z‐Cofer, Carlo Rotella, Gail Simone, Idris

Goodwin, Tina McElroy‐Ansa, Adam Davies, Laure a Han‐

non, and several others. Not to men on all the talented

writers from the metro Macon area who’ve given their

me to make this conference happen.

Macon Film Fes val

A er another record‐breaking year in 2013, the Macon

Film Fes val is heading in to its 9th year with a four‐day

fes val. The Macon Film Fes val screens independent

films from around the world in mul ple historic theatres

in the city's downtown district. The fes val features film

screenings, celebrity guests, special screenings, and work‐

shops throughout the fes val weekend.

Macon Cherry Blossom Fes val

Each March, Macon becomes a pink, co on‐spun paradise

as over 300,000 Yoshino cherry trees bloom in all their

glory. For 10 days, fes val‐lovers are treated to one of the

most extravagant displays of spring me color in the na‐

on as they visit the town referred to by Congressional

Records as the Cherry Blossom Capital of the World.

The Interna onal Cherry Blossom Fes val has a racted

people to Macon, Georgia from across the world since

1982.

Cherry Blossom Fes val has won over 110 Haas and Pinna‐

cle Awards from the Interna onal Fes val and Events As‐

socia on and was recently named Favorite Fes val/Event

in Georgia by the Reader’s Choice Awards in Georgia Mag‐

azine.

FESTIVALS & EVENTS

Second Sunday

With more than 90 public parks and green spaces, Macon

was once described as “a city in a park.” One of the most

beloved, Washington Park on charming Magnolia Street, is

home to the popular Second Sunday free concert series

hosted by the College Hill Alliance. From March to Novem‐

ber, every second Sunday of the month is celebrated with

a free family friendly outdoor concert featuring a local or

regional musical act. Hundreds of neighbors (from

throughout the city) bring their lawn chairs, blankets, pic‐

nic baskets, visi ng friends, and even pets to enjoy the

rich heritage for which the city is famous and that es us

all together – music!

First Friday

Every First Friday of the month in downtown Macon,

Georgia, is a mul ‐block party! Art galleries host openings

and shows, shops stay open later and frequently host spe‐

cial events, family events take place, local downtown res‐

taurants offer First Friday specials, musicians set up on the

sidewalks to fill the streets with live Georgia music, and

live concerts are sponsored by NewTown Macon, the

city’s urban renewal agency. If you're looking for a pleth‐

ora of things to do in Macon GA, First Friday is prime‐

me! The monthly celebra on of the arts and downtown

Macon GA life is a long me favorite and a mainstay

among Middle Georgia’s calendar of events.

Screen on the Green

There’s nothing like watching a movie under the stars, but

since most drive‐in theaters are a thing of the past, the

College Hill Corridor and Macon Film Fes val have joined

forces to present Big Screen Movie Nights around the Cor‐

ridor and downtown each spring, summer and fall.

Ta nall Square and Amerson Waterworks parks, Coleman

Hill overlooking the city, the historic Terminal Sta on,

neighborhood gardens and even Riverside Cemetery have

hosted movie‐goers with their blankets, lawn chairs and

snacks for these family friendly movie nights.

FESTIVALS & EVENTS

Performing Art Venues

The Grand Opera House has hosted Gregg Allman,

American Idol Stars, The Nutcracker, Lewis Black, and

an annual Broadway series. The Grand Opera House

is a 1,030 seat theater, and is Macon’s premier per‐

forming arts venue.

Cox Capital Theatre has hosted Mother’s Finest,

Travis Tri , Packway Handle Band, and Wet Willie.

Cox Capital Theatre has become a cornerstone in the

revitaliza on effort of downtown Macon and is once

again a symbol of community, opera ng as a movie

house and live entertainment venue.

Douglass Theatre hosts Macon Film Guild and simul‐

cast Metropolitan Opera performances. The Douglass

Theatre hosted early jazz and blues greats such as

O s Redding, Bessie Smith, James Brown, Ma Rainey

and Li le Richard while running the feature length

films and serials popular throughout the country at

the me.

Now newly renovated, the Douglass Theatre provides

mul cultural events and films and holds educa onal

performances for area school children.

Macon Centreplex & Auditorium has hosted the All‐

man Brothers, BB King, Vince Gill, Alan Jackson,

Widespread Panic, Elton John, Bill Cosby, and the

Ringling Brothers. The Macon Centreplex is Georgia’s

largest entertainment facility & conven on center

outside of metro‐Atlanta. The Macon Auditorium’s

unique copper dome is reportedly the largest in the

world.

MUSIC & THEATER

Macon Symphony

Macon Pops

Theatre Macon

Macon Li le Theatre

Performing Arts & Venues

The Georgia Sports Hall of Fame Museum in Macon, Georgia, is the country’s largest state sports museum. The 43,000 square feet state‐of‐the‐art museum houses over 3,000 ar facts. From the old style cket booths to the brick columns in the rotunda and special ligh ng, the museum invites visitors to experience the history of sports in Georgia with more than 14,000 square feet of high‐energy exhibit space and a Hall of Fame corridor that honors the over 300 inductees.

The Museum of Arts and Sciences is a community re‐source for life‐long learning and enrichment, serving au‐diences of all ages and interests. As Georgia’s largest mu‐seum devoted to the arts and sciences, the Museum seeks to engage visitors, evoke wonder, s mulate curiosi‐ty, and open minds to new worlds of discovery. The Mu‐seum serves about 65,000 visitors annually, including 20,000 school children. In 2006, the Museum celebrated 50 years of service to Central Georgia and beyond.

The Big House Allman Brothers Museum is at 2321 Vine‐

ville Avenue, Macon, GA. In 1969 it was for rent, and by

January 1970 it became the house where members of the

band, their roadies, friends and families lived un l 1973.

It was the focal point of gathering in those early years

when the magic that is the Allman Brothers Band was just

taking shape and radia ng from this sleepy Southern

town.

Mulberry Street Market is a year‐round, producer‐only

Farmers' Market in Downtown Macon, GA, held every

Wednesday from 4‐7 PM.

A partnership between The City of Macon Main Street

Program, Macon Roots and Community Health Works,

the Mulberry Street Market was created in 2011 with the

intent to bring life and business to Macon’s Central Busi‐

ness District. In just three years, the market grew from 10

to 30 vendors and even spawned a mobile farmers mar‐

ket known as the Veggie Van, which serves the needs of

lower‐income neighborhoods and serves as an educa on‐

al tool for K‐12 students on the importance of healthy

ea ng.

Lake Tobeso ee Recrea on Area offers a complete and

hospitable recrea on facility in the Middle Georgia area.

For outdoor recrea onal ac vi es, you don't have to

search further than Bibb County's Lake Tobeso ee, and

its three public parks for the most accommoda ng facili‐

es. At Lake Tobeso ee you can enjoy fishing, camping,

boa ng, picnicking, tennis and swimming from one of our

three white sand beaches.

Museums & Attractions

Cycling

Macon features over 100 miles of bike trails.

The GA Industrial Children’s Home (The Pig Trail) feat‐

ures a 7 mile trail that is fun for riders of all skill levels. It

offers a mix of technical single‐track, a fast, twisty sec on

through pine trees, and some double track. Not much

climbing, but one short, steep hill dubbed “Chandler’s

Challenge” may test you. This is a very popular trail, so

be on the lookout for other bikes, runners, hikers, and

dogs.

L. H. Thompson features a 4.5‐mile trail at the L.H.

Thompson Factory. The trail offers a li le bit of every‐

thing. This trail has good climbs and descents, including

a few steep ones. You’ll also find long jumps, lots of ex‐

posed roots, switchbacks, and a creek crossing. The land‐

owners would like you to sign a waiver before you hit the

trail.

The East Macon Park 5‐mile trail is mostly single‐track

with some fast downhill’s and good climbs, with a couple

of switchbacks thrown. Watch out for the sand.

Macon hosted 2011 Southeastern Collegiate Cycling Con‐

ference. Nearly 155 riders and 23 schools represented.

17.5 mile rolling‐hill course. Macon is also the home to

the Ocmulgee Mountain Bike Associa on (OMBA). OMBA

is the Middle GA Southern Off‐Road Bicycle Associa on

(SORBA) Chapter. This group builds and maintains trails,

supports races and fes vals, and bikes rides!

Hiking

Amerson River Park ‐ This pris ne 180 park, on land do‐

nated by the Macon Water Authority, is currently the

northernmost point on the Ocmulgee Heritage Trail.

Featuring Macon’s only handicap‐accessible playground,

Waterworks Park also features a picnic pavilion, a lovely

river‐side pavilion and a canoe launch along the Ocmulgee

River. Easily accessible from I‐75, this is a natural choice

for locals exploring their hometown or visitors who’d like

to stretch their legs and get outdoors.

Museums, Attractions, Recreation

Mercer University Enrollment: 4,429 (Undergraduate) 8,341 (total) High‐est Offering: Ph. D. Founded in 1833, Mercer offers programs in liberal arts, business, engineering, educa on, medicine, and law. Mercer University, for the 13th consecu ve year, has made the Top 10 in U.S. News & World Re‐port’s annual ranking of comprehensive universi es in the South. Mercer is ranked No. 9 in the South in the 2012 “Best Regional Universi es” category. The Univer‐sity is also ranked No. 7 in the South in the category of “Great Schools, Great Prices,” and Mercer’s School of Engineering is once again ranked among the Top 50 undergraduate engineering programs in the na on.

Middle Georgia State College Enrollment: 9,000 Highest Offering: Bachelor’s Degree Founded in 2013 by the combina on of Macon State College (founded in 1968) and Middle Georgia State College (founded in Cochran in 1884), Middle Georgia State College is a baccalaureate‐gran ng ins tu on with an enrollment of nearly 9,000 students. With beau ful facili es in Macon, Cochran, Dublin, Eastman and Warner Robins, Middle Georgia State is focused on providing professionally oriented programs to address the workforce needs of Georgia.

Wesleyan College Enrollment: 607 Full me. Co‐ed graduate programs: 81 Highest Offering: Master’s Degree The first college in the world chartered to grant de‐grees to women, Wesleyan College was founded in 1836 and offers bachelor degrees in 32 majors and 27 minors including self‐designed majors and interdiscipli‐nary programs, as well as eight pre‐professional pro‐grams. The Princeton Review ranked Wesleyan College as one of its Best Value Colleges for 2012.

Central GA Technical College

Enrollment: 14,639 at its six community campuses and online learning. As one of the largest technical colleges in the state, CGTC provides technical training, adult educa on and con nuing educa on courses. It offers more than 100 associate degrees, as well as diploma and technical cer ficate program op ons in business, health, technical, trade, industrial and personal service.

UNIVERSITIES & COLLEGES

Eat

Macon has various dining op ons to choose from and to fit every budget. The local cuisine in the downtown area comes in many flavors like Southern Home Cook‐ing, Italian, European, Chinese, Hispanic and African. Coffeehouses downtown have also brought a new fla‐vor to those looking to try various blends of coffee and pastries as well as late night visitors looking for entertainment and friend gatherings. A wide selec on of chain restaurants can be found all over Macon‐Bibb County as well as locally owned eateries serving eve‐rything from Northern Italian fare, elegant French cui‐sine, or gourmet pizzas and local “watering holes’ that serve great food.. Shop

Macon, the regional shopping des na on for Middle Georgia, draws from a 35 county area and a racts travelers on Interstates 16, 75, and 475. This is appar‐ent in the wide variety of retail, restaurants, and en‐tertainment offerings. Macon offers a range of shop‐ping opportuni es from the nearly 1 million square feet of fully‐enclosed retail shopping and dining at Macon Mall to specialty and an que shops and the Shoppes at River Crossing. With 750,000 square foot of open‐air shopping, dining, and entertainment, the Shoppes at River Crossing has become Macon's prem‐ier shopping des na on. Macon is also the home to dozen locally owned bou ques. From urban chic to southern classic, we offer shopping opportuni es for everyone.

Live

Whether you are interested in apartment living or a

house with a front porch and a yard, Macon has a

home for every taste and every budget. There are

500+ lo s and apartments in downtown Macon, and

more than 100 residen al units currently under con‐

struc on. 138 years in the making, the Dannenberg

lo s is one of Macon’s premier loca ons for down‐

town living. The neighborhoods of College Hill have

the lowest crime rates in the city and homes to fit eve‐

ry lifestyle and budget, from $60,000 rehabbed lo ‐

style shotgun houses to fully restored $1 million man‐

sions.

Eat. Shop. Live.

For more informa on, contact Patrick J. Topping, CEcD at 478‐621‐2030, ptopping@maconworks.com