Schools is still out and so is the sun, which means there is more summer to enjoy. This will be a peak time for outdoor entertainment, which the Augusta area will have plenty of from festivals and farmers markets to outdoor concerts and food trucks.
But the summer in Georgia is bound to get pretty hot, which is why there is also all kinds of indoor entertainment including free or discounted movie nights, and a range of shows.
Here are more details on these and other things-to-do this summer:
Outdoor festivals, markets
Camp Soul City returns 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 13, highlighting downtown Augusta businesses with a day of fun and shopping. "Campers" will be given a map and take it to the participating businesses which will each have merit badges you can earn by completing some activities. Here are some of the participants and their activities:
- Augusta & Co: Edible campfire building.
- The Book Tavern: Collage your own bookmark.
- FIELD: DIY bug spray.
- Augusta Candle Co: Citronella candle making.
- Tiffinie Bleu Bridal: Floral workshop.
Admission is free. More information is available at downtownsoul.city.
Peach Festival is 10 a.m. July 13 at Cold Creek Nurseries in Aiken at 398 Hitchco*ck Pkwy. There will be live music, food trucks, kid-friendly activities, peach-themed treats, and adoptable puppies and kittens.
Project Freedom Ride's Dog Days of Summer is July 13 at the Columbia County Amphitheater in Evans at 7022 Evans Towne Center Blvd. There will be human and pet-friendly vendors, food trucks, dog art, and a dunk tank. The live entertainment schedule is as follows:
- Dog and family yoga at 10 a.m.
- Columbia County Sheriff's K9 demo at 11 a.m.
- Dog obedience, tricks, and frisbee demo at noon.
- (TENTATIVE) Fort Eisenhower's K9 demo at 1 p.m.
Another dog-friendly event is AARP Georgia's PAWS for the Cause 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 13 at the Augusta Common along Broad and Reynolds streets. There will be free food, games, and dog treats.
Boondock Farm's Tomato Pie Festival is 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 14 in Jackson, South Carolina at 755 Foreman St. Pies will be available for purchase in addition to fresh produce and other merchandise. There will also be live music, food trucks, and trail hiking.
Southeast Crab Feast is 1-3:30 p.m. July 14 at New Savannah Bluff Lock & Dam Park in Augusta at 2105 Lock and Dam Rd. All-you-can-eat, fresh blue crabs will be available to chow down on with fish and chips. There will also be music and other family friendly environment. Tickets are available for about $50 for adults and $15 for kids at eventbrite.com.
Augusta Parks and Recreation's Candlelight Music Series is every Sunday 7:30-10 p.m. at the Augusta Common. Admission is free. Here is this summer's schedule:
- July 14: Frequency 5
- July 21: Tre Sounds
- Aug. 4: Lady and the Gents
- Aug. 11: Sounds Unlimited
The Inspire Cookout is noon-4 p.m. July 20 at Big Oak Park in Augusta at 2803 Boy Scout Rd. There will be free food, a basketball competition, games, and a raffle.
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Indoor fun away from the sun
"Tipsy Spelling B-E-E: Sevenf Edition" is 8 p.m. July 13 at Le Chat Noir in Augusta at 304 8th St. Participants will go through rounds of drinks and attempting to spell words. The winner receives a bar tab and season tickets to Le Chat Noir. Tickets to play are about $35 and are available at simpletix.com. Attendees may watch for free, purchase raffle tickets and bet on who will win.
"The Art of the Rings - The Art Towers," an art show inspired by the Lord of the Rings, will be at Le Chat Noir through Aug. 2. There will be a free reception 6-9 p.m. July 12 featuring food and co*cktails, thematic costumes, and a free showing of the extended edition of "The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers."
Casino Night is 7 p.m. July 19 at the WOW! Club at SRP Park in North Augusta at 187 Railroad Ave. Players will receive 20 playing chips which may be redeemed for raffle tickets. There are more than $2,000 worth of prizes available. There will also be appetizers, a cash bar, and photo ops. Tickets are $20 for singles, $35 for couples, and are available at app.associationsphere.com.
Christmas in July Summer Market is 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 25 at Sacred Heart Cultural Center in Augusta at 1301 Greene St. There will be 14 vendors participating in addition to kids crafts and more. Admission is free. For more info, go to sacredheartaugusta.org.
Riverside Church of Christ's Family Game Nights are the last Friday of every month at 6 p.m. in North Augusta at 401 Murrah Rd. Bring snacks and one of your favorite games. Admission is free. The one on July 26 is an ice cream social.
Reptiday North Augusta is 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 27 at the BEC Plex in North Augusta at 5955 Jefferson Davis Hwy. There will be various live animals from around the world and pet products. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for ages 5-12, and free for younger kids. They will go on sale two or three weeks out at repticon.com/tickets.
Savannah River Ecology Laboratory's Science Saturday is 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 3 at Riverview Park Activities Center in North Augusta at 100 Riverview Park Dr. Guests can get an up-close look at reptiles, amphibians, plants, and more.
Summer movie nights
Columbia County Library's Summer Movie Series is every Wednesday at 2 p.m. in Evans at 7022 Evans Towne Center Blvd. The schedule for the next month is as follows:
- July 10: "The Goonies"
- July 17: "Jumanji"
- July 24: "James and the Giant Peach"
- July 31: "Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl"
Georgia Theatre Company's Summer Kids Show Series is coming to Evans Cinemas at 4365 Towne Centre Dr. Every Tuesday and Thursday, a family-friendly movie will be screened at 10 a.m. with $2 tickets as well as drinks, M&M's, and popcorn for $2 each. The schedule for the next month is as follows:
- July 11: "Migration"
- July 16 and 18: "Spiderman: Across the Spider-Verse"
- July 23 and 25: "The Lego Movie"
Harlem Summer Movie Series will screen "Grease" at 8 p.m. July 13 at the outside plaza of the Harlem Library at 145 N Louisville St.
Regal Summer Movie Express is back, and both the Regal Augusta Exchange and Regal Aiken Mall are participating. Every Tuesday and Wednesday, a pair of family-friendly movies will be screened at 11 a.m. with $1 tickets. Guests can buy a specially-priced $5 snack pack including a junior-sized drink, snack-sized popcorn, and fruit snacks with an optional $3 Dippin’ Dots add-on. The schedule for the next month is as follows:
- July 16-17: "Sonic the Hedgehog" and "Clifford the Big Red Dog."
- July 23-24: "Sonic the Hedgehog 2" and "Trolls Band Together."
- July 30-31: "Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile" and "Kung Fu Panda 3"
Augusta's Movies on the Green is once a month at 7:30 p.m. at the Augusta Common. Here are the next two scheduled:
- July 19: "Trolls Band Together."
- Aug. 16: "Elemental."
In addition to the movies, there will also be inflatables, games, face painting, food and beverage vendors. Admission is free.
"Movies at the Miller" brings a free movie once a month to the screen of the Miller Theater in Augusta at 708 Broad St. Doors open at 3 p.m. and movies start at 4 p.m. The last one of the summer is "Kung Fu Panda" on July 21. Snacks, including alcoholic beverages, will be for sale. While it's free to watch, those interested must RSVP with the box office or by going online to millertheateraugusta.com.
Monetta Drive-In continues to be open every weekend with back-to-back movies being shown at each of the three screens. The first starts around dusk (around 7:45-8 p.m.) with admission getting you access to both movies at whichever screen you choose. "The Big Mo" costs $10 for adults, $5 for ages 4-11, and free for younger kids. For the latest show offerings and more info, go to thebigmo.com.
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School supply giveaways
Hawk Law Group's Book Bag Bash is 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 13 at the Bell Auditorium in Augusta at 712 Telfair St. School supplies will be given out to 1,000 K-12 students from the Augusta area. There will also be costumed characters, bounce houses, and other activities.
Cumberland AME's Back-to-School Bash is 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 13 at the church in Aiken at 121 Kershaw Street SE. There will be school supplies being given away, food, music, and a kids activity zone. The child must be present to receive supplies. RSVP for free at tickettailor.com.
Faith Seed Harvest's Back-to-School Bash is 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 13 at the ministry in North Augusta at 406 Belvedere-Clearwater Rd. School supplies and backpacks will be given away on a first come, first serve basis. There will also be food and vendors on site.
North Aiken Elementary's Back-to-School Bash is noon-5 p.m. July 19 in Aiken at 100 Bears Rock Rd. There will be school supplies, a DJ, vendors, and plenty to eat from cotton candy and ice cream to hot dogs.
RISE Augusta's Back-to-School Bash is 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 27 at the Hub in Augusta at 631 Chafee Ave. Guests can enjoy games, food and drinks, activities, and face painting. There will also be free book bags stuffed with school supplies, vision and blood pressure screening, and a book fair.
Impact Church's "Back 2 School Bash!" is noon-2 p.m. July 27 at North Harlem Elementary School at 360 West Trippe St. Families will enjoy food, face painting, and inflatables. There will also be free haircuts and backpacks filled with school supplies.
The Path Worship Center's Back-to-School Party is 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 28 in Martinez at 4301 Wheeler Rd. There will be live entertainment, games, crafts, food, and inflatables. Families can leave with book bags and school supplies as well as free haircuts, medical and dental screenings. Those interested in the bags and supplies must register ahead of time by calling (706) 736-6394 or by emailing 3minc@mirmakmin.com.
