This photogenic and engaging town brings on the fun
(Scroll down to see Doc Holliday Festival, September 7, 2024, and more events)
GRIFFIN, GEORGIA—JULY 2024—As summer winds down, travel seems to trend toward slower-moving adventures close to home.Take a road trip just 40 miles south of Atlanta to Griffin and Spalding County, Georgia for the unforgettable charm, leisure sports and recreation, a thriving art scene and more. Founded in 1840, this former railroad and cotton town has preserved its fascinating architecture and evolved into an ideal getaway destination with plenty to do and see.
This city gives off a small-town vibe with big rewards – boutiques, antique shops, 20+ restaurants, 2nd Saturday events, a free Summer Concert Series, and more music and entertainment every weekend. The downtown area offers 900+ free public parking spaces and the theatre and concert admission prices are reasonable. Stroll the streets with a Griffin GoCup–from 4 p.m. to midnight daily, select restaurants in the Arts and Entertainment District provide them to ages 21 and up. Food and fun events make it a must-do for a friends getaway or family weekend.
Here are just a few reasons to visit now through the end of the fall.
August 2-3, 2024
Griffin Stampede Pro Rodeo
Kiwanis Fairgrounds
1025 South Hill Street
Griffin GA 30224
770-228-8200
https://www.rodeoticket.com/griffin-stampede-pro-rodeo/rodeo-information
Gates open at 5:30 p.m. and Rodeo action begins at 7:30 p.m. each night. Arrive early for good food and mingle with the vendors. VIP packages include behind the scenes tour, meet and greet with the cowboys, clowns and bullfighters, preferred seating and more. It is highly recommended that you purchase your tickets on this site now, as this is a sellout event.
August 17, 5-9 p.m.
September 14, 5-9 p.m.
September 29, 12-4 p.m.
October 27, 12-4 p.m.
Iris City Concert Series + Market
Park at Sixth, 204 East Solomon Street
Griffin, Georgia
770-228-5356
https://www.facebook.com/downtowngriffin
https://www.cityofgriffin.com/Home/Components/Calendar/Event/999/17
Shop local vendors while enjoying live music and delicious food. This free, family-friendly event is hosted by the City of Griffin and the Griffin Downtown Council. Free public parking is available in the parking deck on Solomon Street.
August 3, August 17, August 23, September 7, September 20, October 11, October 18, October 25, November 2, November 16
Legendary Favorites – Legendary Tribute Bands
Griffin Opera House
102 N Hill St
Griffin, Georgia
770-688-7188
https://thegriffinoperahouse.com/events
The Griffin Opera House has quite a popular lineup of top-drawing, audience-approved tribute bands, a perfect way to get a live, high-energy fix of your favorite tunes without the high prices. On the schedule, in order of appearance date, tributed bands representing: Def Leppard; Kiss; Steely Dan; Eric Clapton; The Doors; Aerosmith; Elton John; Journey; Tom Petty and The Blues Brothers; all tribute bands, respectively. For more on each band, showtimes and tickets, visit https://thegriffinoperahouse.com/events.
Recurring event: August 10; September 14; October 12; November 9; December 14, 2024
Downtown Griffin Second Saturdays
Downtown Griffin, Georgia 770-228-5356
https://www.facebook.com/downtowngriffin
https://www.griffinchamber.com/events/second-saturday
Stroll the streets and enjoy art, entertainment, live music, unique merchant promotions and see why Griffin is such a fun and welcoming town. Each month has a theme, including Ice Cream Stroll, Rhythm and Brews, Fall Fling, Holiday Open House, Merry and Bright.
Recurring: August 10, September 14, October 12, 2024
Georgia Grown Downtown Market 2023
Historic City Hall, 201 East Solomon Street
Griffin, Georgia
An open-air marketplace that features Georgia Grown farmers, crafters, artisans, and more from
2– 5 p.m. Free parking at Historic City Hall or the Solomon Street public parking deck. Come shop local fruits, vegetables, eggs, coffee beans, organic meats, homemade treats, and enjoy live music on the patio.
September 7, 2024
Doc Holliday Festival and BBQ Championship
10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Griffin City Park
821 Pimento Avenue
Griffin, Georgia
(770) 228-8200
https://www.dochollidayfest.com/
Free admission; family friendly. Griffin-Spalding is home to the Western figure John Henry “Doc” Holliday, the area’s native son. The legendary gunslinger grew up in Griffin and later returned after dental school before heading west to Texas. Explore the birthplace and dental office of “Doc” Holliday, and attend the annual event, which includes Shootout at the O.K. Corral reenactments, local vendors, family entertainment and more. The Doc Holliday BBQ Championship is a Georgia BBQ Association event; chefs compete for a portion of the $13,000 total payout. Contestants prepare their best pork loin, pulled pork, or pork rib. Ancillary contests for brisket, steak, wings, and desserts will also be held. No ticket needed and no cost to attend the festival.
Self-guided tour of the places Doc Holliday knew as a young man, when Griffin was a prosperous cotton town. https://ingriffin.com/explorations/doc-holliday/
September 20–28, 2024
Spalding County Fair
Kiwanis Fairgrounds
1025 South Hill Street
Griffin Georgia
770-228-8200
https://www.facebook.com/kiwanisofgriffincenter/
An old-fashioned county fair with exciting attractions, delicious fair food, a petting zoo, live entertainment, and much more.
Stay Overnight
Griffin-Spalding has a wide variety of lodging options, including a historic loft, bed and breakfasts and traditional hotel brands. The area also features many VRBO and Airbnb options including some private estates with properties for rent. The Historic Brookfield Estate, an 1875 Italianate-Federal style home, with its well-appointed rooms, vacation cottages and its intact outbuildings and gardens, is the perfect place to recharge and re-connect. For even more romantic seclusion, choose Sanctuaire Atelier, a boutique cottage nestled in the woods, complete with kitchen, a cozy living space, fireplace, a patio with a firepit and beautiful sunrises and sunsets. The Bell House is an iconic home built in 1874, now restored as an event venue and bed and breakfast in downtown Griffin. Luxurious furnishings and outdoor spaces are special hallmarks. The Shepherd’s Lodge at Addis Acres is a restored four-bedroom, three bath home with deck and firepit are set in 60 acres of serene countryside. Hiking trails, a fishing and kayaking pond, a horse barn and paddock are all part of the woodsy vibe.
The official website of the Griffin Spalding Business & Tourism Association is https://ingriffin.com.
More Arts and Entertainment info and options can be found at https://ingriffin.com/arts-entertainment
Journalists: for download captioned, credited photos and more themes and details, please go to https://www.travelmediapressroom.com/georgia/griffin-spalding-county-georgia