Valdosta Downtown Is a Hub of Activity

In this podcast, Brandie Dame talks about events, events, and more events happening in Downtown Valdosta. Less than six months on the job as Valdosta's new Main Street Director, Dame is busy preparing for the official opening of the much-anticipated Unity Park Amphitheater.

The amphitheater will be a focal point for downtown events and available for organizations to rent. "We really want concerts…to bring people downtown Valdosta to shop and dine and just explore our beautiful downtown," she said. 

Located on the corner of Lee Street and Central Avenue, the amphitheater's official opening will take place Saturday, August 20, from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., with a host of family-friendly activities, a kid's zone, splash pad, food trucks, and live bands. One of them is The Motowners, a tribute band that will perform from 8 to 10 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. 

The popular "First Friday" is now "Friday After Five," featuring themed events and a flexible schedule. "We know a lot of people go on vacation and out of town, and we didn't want to take that business away from our downtown businesses. So, we renamed it Friday After Five to move it around." 

A Packed Calendar: 

August 5: Friday After 5 Pup Crawl will give people a chance to bring their pets downtown. USA Rescue Team will have adoptions of dogs and cats. In addition, the Valdosta Main Street table will have "pup crawl" merchandise for shoppers that presents a receipt from a downtown merchant.  

September 9: Friday After 5 will be part of Valdosta State University's annual Family Weekend. 

October 27:  Is the annual "Witches Night Out," a fun-filled time to dress in your scariest (or not so scary) costume and come downtown to shop and enjoy delicious treats in local restaurants. 

 2nd Saturday (April-December): The Maker's Market is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and includes vendors who grow and sell fresh produce, baked goods, jams and jellies, handmade items, art, and more. 

December 2: Friday After Five will highlight the annual Christmas Tree Lighting in Unity Park Amphitheater around 5:00-5:30 p.m.

December 3:  The annual Valdosta Christmas parade will start at 6 p.m. at Woodrow Wilson Drive, proceed south on N. Patterson Street, and end in Downtown Valdosta. 

Downtown Expansions

Opening in September is Downtown Social, a family entertainment venue with virtual games, darts, shuffleboard, and an assortment of food and beverage items. 

The Southern Cellars features "wine and charcuterie" and much more.

GUD Coffee recently moved into a larger space and expanded its menu. Next year a boutique hotel will open on the top floors. 

Hammer and Stain South Georgia is a wood and paint DIY studio located on West Hill Ave. 

Join us next time as we continue to promote South Georgia as a great place to live, work, play, and visit.

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