Decatur County and its various townships and cities host numerous events, festivals, and happenings throughout the year. There are bass fishing tournaments, festivals for the entire family to enjoy, caroling events, tours, parades, and more. There is sure to be something that you will enjoy.
Below is a list of many of the tourism events, festivals, and other happenings located in and around Decatur County that may catch your interest. Â
AREA FESTIVALS AND EVENTS
Rattlesnake Roundup
Location: Whigham, GA
Date: Last Saturday in January
Contact Information: Cairo/Grady County Chamber of Commerce at 229-377-3663
Notes: The event site is a 15 minute drive from Bainbridge. Â
Riverside Artsfest
Location: Bainbridge, GA
Date: Third weekend in March
Contact Information: Artsfest Board Chairman, Lynda Todaro, at 229-246-8148
Notes: This festival celebrates a different state in the Union each year. Â
Dogwood Festival
Location: Attapulgus, GA
Date: Last weekend in March
Contact Information: City of Attapulgus, at 229-465-3322
Notes: Parade, arts and crafts, food, entertainment, and a street dance. Â
Rose Festival and Parade
Location: Thomasville, GA
Date: Fourth week in April
Contact Information: Thomasville Chamber of Commerce at 229-226-9600
Notes: Events include a parade, entertainment, rose show, street dance, golf classic, a 10K run, and a 5K walk. Â
Mayhaw Festival
Location: Colquitt, GA
Date: Second week in May
Contact Information: Colquitt/Miller County Chamber of Commerce, at 229-758-2400
Notes: Events include a parade, entertainment, and arts and crafts. Â
Rivertown Days
Location: Bainbridge, GA at the Earle May Boat Basin
Date: Second week in May
Contact Information: Bainbridge-Decatur County Chamber of Commerce at 229-246-4774
Notes: Events include entertainment and activities for all ages, including remote control boat races, canoe rides, kids activities, and much more. Â
July 4th Celebration
Location: Bainbridge, GA at the Earle May Boat Basin
Date: July 4th
Contact Information: Bainbridge-Decatur County Chamber of Commerce at 229-246-4774
Notes: Celebration includes a program of music to be presented at the Performing Arts Center. Enjoy entertainment, food, and FIREWORKS! Â
Bikefest Weekend
Location: Just outside of the Bainbridge City Limits
Notes: This is a major event for bikers and motorcycle enthusiasts, drawing riders from all over the country. Celebration includes entertainment, food, vendor booths, and more! Â
Trick or Treating Downtown
Location: Downtown Bainbridge, GA
Date: Oct 31, starts at 3:30 P.M.
Contact Information: The City of Bainbridge, at 229-248-2000
Notes: Downtown Merchants provide "tricks or treats" to kids of all ages. There is also a costume contest and a pumpkin contest! Â
Decatur County Fall Festival & Fair
Location: Decatur County Fair Grounds
Date: First week in November
Contact Information: Bainbridge-Decatur County Chamber of Commerce at 229-246-4774
Notes: Rides, exhibits, food, and PLENTY of fun for the entire family! Â
Holiday Open House
Location: Bainbridge, GA
Date: Sunday before Thanksgiving
Contact Information: Bainbridge-Decatur County Chamber of Commerce at 229-246-4774
Note: This event kicks off the Christmas season with stores open on Sunday afternoon 1 P.M. to 6 P.M. Â
Mule Day
Location: Calvary, GA
Date: First Saturday in November
Contact Information: Cairo/Grady County Chamber of Commerce at 229-377-3663
Notes: Events include a parade, contests, arts and crafts, turkey shoot, and flea market. Â
Bainbridge High School Homecoming and Homecoming Parade
Location: Bainbridge, GA
Date: Around the second week in November
Contact Information: Bainbridge High School at 229-248-2239 Â
Swine Time
Location: Climax, GA
Date: First Saturday after Thanksgiving
Contact Information: Call 229-246-3300 or write P.O. Box 131 / Climax, GA 39834
Notes: Events include a parade, numerous contests, good food, and lots of arts and crafts. Â
Christmas Parade
Location: Bainbridge, GA
Date: Usually held the third Thursday in December at 7 P.M.
Contact Information: The City of Bainbridge, at 229-248-2000
Notes: A lighted parade to entertain the whole family. Â
Christmas Candlelight Walking Tour
Location: Bainbridge, GA
Date: First Thursday in December
Contact Information: City of Bainbridge, Mainstreet at 229-248-2000 Â
Caroling in Willis Park, with the Bainbridge British Brass Band
Location: Willis Park in Downtown Bainbridge
Date: Christmas Eve (December 24th) at 6:00 P.M.
Contact Information: The City of Bainbridge, at 229-248-2000
 Other Attractions and Happenings
Heritage Tour of Homes
Brown Bag Concerts in Willis Park
River Music Series at Earle May Boat Basin
Bainbridge Little Theatre productions on Troup Street
Firehouse Center & Gallery on Water Street, Art and Cultural Events Â
Pictured from left is the Bainbridge Little Theatre on Troup Street, the Firehouse Center & Gallery on Water Street and a portion of Broughton Street in downtown Bainbridge.
To view past Board of Commissioner meeting minutes, the county budget, draft of proposed animal ordinance or other documents, go to the left-hand column under "Directory," click on "County Commission," and scroll down to bottom of the page to find and click on the required document to view it.
Keep Decatur County Beautiful’s Electronic Recycling Event is coming up Saturday, August 23rd at Decatur County Fairgrounds -1213 Vada Hwy., from 10am – 2 pm. At this time, local residents can drop off old personal computers, monitors, LCD screen/flat screen monitors, VCRs, radios, stereos, DVD players, microwaves, power supplies, rechargeable batteries, vacuums, banking equipment, telephones, pagers, networking equipment, laptops, keyboards, mice, power cables, medical equipment (non-hazardous), printers, copy machines, fax machines, cell phones, transformers, scanners, portable electronic devices, servers, HUBS, ink and toner cartridges, remotes, modems, projectors, cameras, and televisions ($10/set charge to leave tv sets.) *Items Not Accepted: Refrigerators, washing machines, clothes dryers, dishwashers, mercury containing devices (thermometers, fire alarms), hazardous chemicals/materials, light bulbs, fluorescent tubes, bio-waste. (*NOTE: appliances ARE accepted at both Decatur County Landfills. For information, call 465-3188.)
Employment Opportunities
Decatur-Grady 911 Communications Operator Trainee - Part- time (34 hrs per week) during 6 month training period. Insurance/Retirement Benefits after training and Certification. 18 yrs of age, HS diploma or GED, background check, drug screen and driver's history required. Must be able to work rotating shift, weekends, holidays and be on call.
Georgia Certified Paramedic- ITLS & PALS Preferred - 24/48 hr shifts. Up to $4000 Sign On BonusÂ
Contact Human Resources at 229-248-3030 for employment opportunities
County Calendar
The next regular Board of Commissioners meeting is 7 p.m. Tuesday, August 26, 2008, at County Administrative offices on Broughton Street. Call 248-3030 for more information. Commission minutes from previous meetings can be viewed at bottom of County Commission main page.
The Second Annual Decatur County Employee Health Fair will be held Tuesday, August 19, at the Administration Building at 203 W. Broughton St., from 6:30 am to 3 pm. It is recommended that any employee wishing to participate in the free lab work should fast at least 12 hours before having blood drawn. Smoking Cessation classes begin in September, as well as a series of "Lunch & Learn" health sessions. Employees must register for these free classes at the Health Fair. (Go to "News & Events" page under "Directory" for dates, times of these classes.) Contact Human Resources Director Marjorie Mayfield at 248-3030 for more information.
A Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax election will be held Tuesday, September 16, 2008 for the purpose of allowing citizens to decide if they want to renew the one cent tax in Decatur County, which, if passed, is expected to generate a total amount of $36,867,625 in five years for use by the county, the Hospital Authority and the county's four municipalities to pay for infrastructure improvements, capital projects and capital purchases.
Keep Decatur County Beautiful's Annual Rivers Alive! Event will take place on Oct. 11 this year. Call 229-246-3611 for more information.
