Okay, real talk: this is one of those weekends where the CSRA shows off. A Greek festival downtown, a parade for a comedy legend in Harlem, two nights of bluegrass in Aiken, and a gospel group celebrating 89 years. Eighty-nine!
One heads-up before you make plans: Saturday looks stormy and Sunday looks wet. I put the rain timing at the bottom so you can plan around it.
See you out there,
Jesus, Editor at The CSRA Brief
Events this Weekend
Augusta Fall Greek Festival (Fri-Sun)
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church downtown turns into a four-day Greek street party: gyros and pastries, live music, dancing, church tours, and a vendor market.
Admission is free, which makes this the easiest yes of the weekend.
Fri and Sat 11am-9pm, Sun 11am-6pm, 953 Telfair St.
Oliver Hardy Festival (Sat)
Harlem throws its 37th annual party for its most famous son, the bigger half of Laurel and Hardy.
Parade at 10am, then live entertainment, food and craft vendors, classic film screenings, and the Laurel and Hardy museum on Louisville St.
Free, 9am-3pm in downtown Harlem.
Sawyer Brown (Fri)
The country hitmakers behind "Some Girls Do" and "Thank God for You" play Evans Towne Center Park under the lights.
Show at 7pm, 7016 Evans Town Center Blvd.
Resale tickets start around $50.
Southern Strings Fest (Fri-Sat)
Two nights of bluegrass, funk, and Americana at Bruce's Field in Aiken, with the Infamous Stringdusters, Yonder Mountain String Band, Lettuce, and more.
Proceeds support the Kisner Foundation's youth programs.
Ticketed; grab yours at southernstringsfest.com.
Creeps & Treats (Sat)
Pendleton King Park gets spooky a little early with crafts, music, and food trucks for the whole family.
Saturday afternoon at 1600 Troupe St.
A solid warm-up act for Halloween.
Swanee Quintet 89th Anniversary (Sun)
Eighty-nine years of gospel harmony gets a full celebration at Paine College's Heal Center, with the Mighty Clouds of Joy, the Highway QC's, and special guest Jamal Roberts.
Doors at 3pm, show at 4pm.
$60 at the door, $80 VIP, with a senior discount.
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs ballet (Sun)
Need an indoor option for Sunday? Miller Theater has you covered with Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, a family-friendly ballet performed by the United European Ballet Company.
Doors at 3pm, show at 4pm, 708 Broad St. Check the Miller Theater box office for tickets.
The weekend weather
Friday is hot and mostly sunny, near 89. Saturday's storm chances climb through the day (40-70%), high in the low 80s. Sunday brings rain, 80-90% chance, high in the mid 70s.
The National Weather Service says the heaviest rain lands Saturday evening into Sunday evening, with isolated flooding possible. If you are headed to Harlem or Pendleton King on Saturday, check the event page that morning.
That is the weekend. Go enjoy it.
Jesus
