Good morning, Athens.

Athens-Clarke County Unified Government will host the Star Spangled Classic at Southeast Clarke Park on Saturday, June 28 unless severe weather moves the event to Friday, June 27.

Free activities begin at 6:00 p.m.—carnival rides, face painting, inflatables, a photo booth, and a Funk Brotherhood concert from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.—with fireworks launching around 9:30 p.m. and a free shuttle running from designated parking areas.

Police arrested 43-year-old Sue Griffin, who was living in a North Chase Street storage unit with a 73-year-old man, last week after a Banks County warrant was discovered following neighborhood complaints and the finding of drug-related items near the unit — the man was issued a trespass warning.

On June 4th, a 53-year-old man from Highland Park Drive was arrested at Piedmont Athens Medical Center after nurses discovered bags of crack and fentanyl in his clenched hand during a hospital gown change—he now remains in pretrial detention without bail.

Markieth Dontate Laguines, 33, of Coleridge Court was arrested last week after he punched his ex-girlfriend at the Athens Gardens apartment complex on June 2—he faces charges for aggravated battery and a probation violation and is held without bail.

Athenians gathered at City Hall on June 14 to mark Black liberation with a flag raising and libation ceremony led by community figures—each honoring the legacy of emancipation.

The Athens Anti-Discrimination Movement will host a Juneteenth Music and Art Festival on June 19 from 3 to 7 p.m.—featuring live shows and a marketplace of Black-owned businesses.

Sandy Creek Nature Center will host a free firefly identification class on Tuesday, June 24 from 8:30 to 10:30 p.m. in partnership with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, where attendees will observe local firefly species and learn about their flashing patterns (space is limited) (online registration is required).

Inspections from May 22 to June 9 found that nine Athens area restaurants scored 87 or below, with one deli reporting fly issues that led to a bug zapper in the kitchen — officials noted several safety and sanitation problems during the reviews.

The scores were issued by the Georgia Department of Public Health from Athens-Clarke and Oconee counties.

Georgia women’s track and field team won its first outdoor national championship on June 14 at Hayward Field in Eugene—earning 73 points with strong performances in the 400 meters, high jump, hammer throw and javelin.

Coach Caryl Smith Gilbert led the team to this historic win, adding another milestone to the program.

Bad Movie Night

8-10 p.m. — Ciné — Free entry — Enjoy a quirky film about love and suspicion with a twist of bad movie charm.

Athfest 2025

Various times — Downtown Athens — Free entry — Celebrate an unforgettable weekend of live music, art, and community in the vibrant city of Athens, GA.

Country River Band Performance

7-11 p.m. — VFW Post 2872 — $10 — Enjoy classic western and honky-tonk music with line dancing during band breaks.

pondgorl at Athfest Club Crawl 2025

7-11 p.m. — Hendershot's — Fundraiser for local music and arts education — Enjoy live music while supporting K-12 education in Athens.

Classic City Trail Ride

12 p.m. – 6 p.m. — Athens Fairgrounds — Family-friendly activities — Saddle up for a delightful four-day trail ride event full of fun for everyone.

Motown, R&B & Soul Night with The Original Splitz Band

7-10 p.m. — The Foundry — $10 adv (+tax/fees) — Dance the night away to the iconic sounds of Motown, R&B, and Soul classics.

Homebuyer Education Workshop

9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. — Athens Land Trust — $10 — Learn essential home-buying skills through this HUD-certified course for first-time homeowners in Georgia.

Band of Horses Concert

6-10 p.m. — Georgia Theatre — $40+ — Experience the emotionally charged sound of Band of Horses as they perform their latest album and classic hits.

Turkish Mosaic Lamp Workshop

10 a.m. — SpringHill Suites Athens Downtown/University Area — Book Now on Eventbrite! — Explore ancient techniques to create stunning mosaic lamps while enjoying Turkish delights.

Vern Daysel & The Burning Breeze

9:30 p.m. — Nowhere Bar — Check for entry cost — Enjoy captivating hooks and stellar songwriting from Vern Daysel and his band.