By Kathryn Schiliro, Managing Editor  |  photo by angelina bellebuono

 

Cleaning. Thaw. Fever. Training. Break.
It's spring, officially. (As if that wasn't evident by the growing neon yellow tint on the hood of your car.)

Last Friday, March 20, marked the Spring Equinox. So, as the top of the sphere that is Earth begins its reach for the sun, it's time to flip the mattress, smell the flowers and join your fellow man out-of-doors in the ever-increasing daylight.

And Morgan County provides so many opportunities to do just that.
What follows is a list, compiled by the Citizen, of just some of the highlights of seasonal events (and other good opportunities to get out and about) in the county.
Spring forth!

 

 

Saturday, March 28:

"The Greatest Wealth is Health"

The Morgan County African American Museum's health fair, co-sponsored by Morgan Memorial Hospital, the Morgan County Health Department, Jim Boyd and Associates, AllState Insurance and Cotton State Insurance, will be open to the public beginning at 11 a.m. The event is set to feature blood pressure checks, holistic consultations, chiropractic consultations, nutritional counseling, bone density tests, glucose tests, body composition evaluations and information on organic gardening.
For more information, call the Museum at 706.342.9191 or visit www.mcaam.org.

Saturday, April 4:

First Annual Easter Egg Hunt

Rockin' S Arena
For more information, call Sara Flager at 706.818.1992.

Rutledge Area's Largest Yard Sale

An excellent reason to do some MAJOR spring cleaning, the City of Rutledge's Web site encourages participants to come and "find a treasure, sell your treasures, or just enjoy the day." The cost of renting a space or table is $10, and can be obtained by contacting a Rutledge Beautification Committee member or Molly or Ed at The Caboose or Red Doors Studio.

Doggie Easter Egg Hunt

The Georgia Rescue and Rehabilitation (GRR) event is set to feature plastic eggs filled with prizes and dog treats hidden throughout Heritage Park. Microchipping, dog tags and more will be offered, and Jen Gran Photography will be available to take spring-themed pet pictures.
Registration begins at noon, and the hunt begins at 1 p.m. The cost of admission is $5 per pooch. All dogs must be on a leash. Human refreshments will be available for purchase.
For more information,
call 706.752.1500 or visit www.garescueandrehab.com.

 

Sunday, April 5:

Palm Sunday Procession

An annual tradition, local residents (and livestock) process through the streets of downtown Madison in celebration of Palm Sunday.
For more information, contact a participating downtown Madison church.

 

Saturday, April 11:

"When the Dogs Bark," Community Yard Sale, Pet Fair and Grand Prize Raffle

A fund-raiser for Companion Animal Hospital (CARI), this event will be held, rain or shine, at North Main Village from 10 a.m. to dusk. Donations for the yard sale (which are 100 percent tax-deductible) are being accepted through Thursday, April 9, and pick-up is available.
As part of the Pet Fair, information and sign-up opportunities will be available for volunteer programs, on-the-spot pet adoptions and spay and neuter coupons. Door prizes will be given throughout the day and desserts will be available as part of a bake sale.
CARI will also hold a raffle drawing for their Grand Prize Gift Basket, valued at $2,000 at the event. Tickets for the raffle cost $5 a piece and are currently available at Perk Avenue, Madison Drug, Laughing Moon and In High Cotton.
For more information, call Donna at 706.818.0144 or Alex at 207.604.6426.

 

Saturday, April 11:

Annual Morgan County Recreation Department Easter Egg HuntHeritage Park

1 p.m.

 

Thursday, April 16 to Saturday, April 18:

Antebellum Trail Pilgrimage

 

Friday, April 16:

Country Road Cruisers Car Club "Cruise In"

Madison's Downtown Square
5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

 

Friday, April 17 to Sunday, April 19:

Bike Ride Across Georgia (BRAG) Spring Tune-Up Ride

 

Saturday, April 18:

Annual NAACP Parade

 

Thursday, April 23 to Saturday, April 25:

Antebellum Trail Pilgrimage

 

Friday, April 24:

Farm City Tour

 

Saturday, April 25:

Madison Fest and Equifest

An annual event, Madison Fest features a barbecue challenge and arts and crafts vendors. This year focuses on home and garden, and will include speakers on the subject.
Equifest, the first festival of its kind in Morgan County, set to be held at the Morgan County Ag Center, will be held in conjunction with Madison Fest and will feature all things horse-y. The event is set to include Ed Dabney, Georgia Ladies Aside, the Peach State Mounted Shooters, local talent and two "Ask the Expert" sessions.
For more information about Madison Fest, call the City of Madison at 706.342.1251. For more information about Equifest, contact Rennie Nestor at 706.474.6043.

 

Thursday, April 30 to Saturday, May 2:

Antebellum Trail Pilgrimage

 

Friday, May 1 to Sunday, May 3:

Madison in May Bicentennial Tour of Homes

Sponsored by the Madison-Morgan Cultural Center, the annual event will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, with wine and cheese receptions from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
For more information, call the Center at 706.342.4743 or visit www.mmcc-arts.org.

 

Through Saturday, May 9:

"Georgia in Bloom Art Fest"

Sponsored by the Madison Artists Guild, this second annual art event features the spring-themed work of more than 50 Georgia artists in 14 venues throughout the county. While Guild representatives hope that the show provides a boost for local artists and businesses alike, part of the proceeds from the sales of these artworks will go to benefit the Guild's programming (soon to be held in Town Park's Ponder Cottage, future home of the Guild).
Awards receptions will be held for both student artists, whose work is on display at the Steffen Thomas Museum in Buckhead, and adult artists, and the Madison Visitors and Convention Bureau will provide a purchase award for a chosen piece of work to hang in the Madison Welcome Center permanently.
Additionally, the Guild will host a "Georgia in Bloom Paint Out" during the weekend of the Spring Tour of Homes.
Guides to the event are available in the Madison Welcome Center.
For more information, visit the Guild's Web site at www.madisonartistsguild.org

 

Saturday, May 16:

Rutledge Country Fair

An annual event, the fair is set to feature "a parade; vendors in the park selling all manner of arts and crafts, collectibles, and other merchandise; rides and activities for the children; food; entertainment and lots of fun!" according to the city's Web site.
For more information, contact Molly or Ed at The Caboose or Red Doors Studio.

 

Saturday, May 23:

"Soul of Madison" Street Festival in the Park

This event, sponsored by the Morgan County African American Museum, is slated to be held in the park across from the Museum. "Various aspects of the African American heritage, culture, food, art and etc. will be tastefully represented in a soulful fashion," according to the Museum's Web site. Vendors will pay for a space at which to display and sell their goods.
For more information, call the Museum at 706.342.9191 or visit www.mcaam.org.

 

Saturday, May 30:

"Sail into Spring" Gala

Steffen Thomas Museum

 

Friday, March 27 toTuesday, June 30:

"The Many Faces of Madison: A History of Portrait Painting in the Piedmont"

Part of the celebration of Madison's bicentennial year, the Madison-Morgan Cultural Center's exhibit, according to the Center's Web site, "includes over 35 portraits dating from the late 18th century to 1985. The exhibit focuses on people from Madison and Morgan County, but includes other fine works of portraiture.” The exhibit is curated by Spalding Nix of Spalding Nix Fine Arts & Antiques in Atlanta.

The opening reception is slated for this Friday, March 27 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. A Children's Portrait Show, featuring works by Morgan County school children, will be held in conjunction with the exhibit on Friday, April 3 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at The Hall.

For more information, call the Center at 706.342.4743 or visit www.mmcc-arts.org.

 

 

Printed in the January 26, 2009 edition.