Family, Food, Fireworks and of course, the Fourth!
Last year’s 4th of July was another win, even with the rain. (See post about that here) Today our agenda is just as packed but we wouldn’t have it any other way and chance of rain is only 20% so even better. We are looking forward to spending time with our family we don’t see as often as we all would like, eating some yummy BBQ, and celebrating a new baby that will be joining the family this fall and FiReWoRkS!! But first on our agenda the annual 4th of July parade in our little town.
Hope you all have a great day, full of the 4 F’s! 🙂
Mattox Q is on it’s way to becoming known outside of our small town. We have entered a BBQ competition and we are spending our summer perfecting the recipes and learning the ins and outs of our new smoker. Our first big trial run will be Friday, so far we have played around with it, tested a few things out but Friday it’s on…we are catering a baby shower/4th of July lunch. 🙂
Our new toy!
We are not under the illusion that winning the competition is well…a long shot but we are giving it all we got and it’s one step closer to our restaurant dream. 🙂
If you are in the Athens area the weekend of August 15th, then stop by the Classic City BBQ Festival to try out some unforgettable Mattox Q!
And now that you have watched that adorable summer-time video, let’s talk about fun, cheap things to do with your family this summer.
The Library! We always love the library but during the summer it gets even better. From science fun to drumming to puppet shows to a Star Wars Day – so many fun, FREE things to do. And do not limit yourself to the Athens Library drive a little further to the Oconee County Library or to the Madison County one. Each one has a different summer schedule so you can find something to fit your family.
Sandy Creek Nature Center offers many family activities throughout the year but even when there is not a scheduled event the Center itself is worth going to. My kids can explore for hours and it’s FREE!
Their next scheduled event:
Snake Day 2014
Join Sandy Creek Nature Center for Snake Day on June 7 from 12pm to 4pm . See lots of live snakes, make a snake craft, play snake games and more. Several speakers will be presenting information on snakes too. Food is available on site (Shane’s Rib Shack & shaved ice) and more.
This year; authors Whit Gibbons, John Jensen, Carlos Camp, and Matt Elliott will attend. These experts will answer questions, do presentations and sell and sign copies of the book “Amphibians and Reptiles of Georgia”.
Admission is $3/person for ACC residents, $5/person for out of county. Visitors under 3 years of age are free.
No pool in your backyard? No problem! Athens has 5 swimming pools/splash pads that your family can enjoy and super cheap too! Day passes are $1.00 per person but if you think you will be enjoying the pools all summer long then I highly recommend getting a family (up to 4) pool pass for $30. You can purchase the pool pass at any of the locations.
The kids enjoying the Memorial Park pool!
The kids love the splash pad at the East Athens Community Park!
Georgia Museum of Art hosts family days once a month and they are FREE! The next one will be on Saturday, June 14 at 10am.
Check out the beautiful southern pottery in the exhibition “Women, Art and Social Change: The Newcomb Pottery Enterprise” upstairs, then create and decorate your own pot in the Michael and Mary Erlanger Studio Classroom using air-dry clay. Join us at 11 a.m. in the galleries for a special interactive gallery games tour.
Cheap kid movies at local theaters – yes, please!
University 16 Summer Movie Series $1/admission Tues/Thurs at 10am
Carmike Summer Kid Series – Seats $4.00 includes admission, small popcorn & drink Thursdays at 10am
Skating is always a cool way to beat the summer heat. 🙂 There are several great skating rinks nearby and most offer summer deals.
TUESDAY: 1-5p.m. / PRICE: $6.00 Summer fun session.
TUESDAY: 5-8p.m. / PRICE: $5.00 It is open for anyone to attend. It’s a great session for elementary age kids.
THURSDAY: 1-5p.m. / PRICE: $6.00 Summer fun session.
THURSDAY: 5-8p.m. / PRICE: $5.00 All You Can Eat Pizza with your paid admission. Summer fun session.
FRIDAY: 7-11p.m. / PRICE: $9.00 Friday night is kid hangout night. It’s basically the best blend of Hip Hop, Rap, and Pop. It’s just a BIG party to get your weekend kicked off right.
SATURDAY DAY: 12noon-4p.m. / PRICE: $7.00 Welcome to our birthday parties. Every Saturday morning it’s time to throw the biggest parties with HUGE prizes given away all morning. Don’t worry, you can still show up even if it’s not your birthday because this session is for the whole family.
SATURDAY NIGHT: 7p.m.-10p.m. / PRICE: $10.00 It’s time for family night at the Galaxy. Every Saturday night it’s on. FREE PIZZA and all the fun your family can handle. You don’t want to miss a single Saturday night.
*Take $2 off if you have your own skates except for Thursday and Saturday night sessions. All kids must pay to enter. We do have a $1 admission charge for any non-participating parents. All prices include skate rental & taxes. Sorry but NO checks.
Great Skate in Jefferson is another skating local rink that offers summer specials – and here you go:
Great Skate in Jefferson
A summer must in Georgia is the Stone Mountain Laser show. It has been revamped this year with more lights, more lasers and more music. We started our summer out this year by visiting Stone Mountain and it did not disappoint. The only cost is $10 to park, the laser show is free!
Stone Mountain Laser Show
Kids Bowl Free! Yep, you heard that right (disclosure: you do have to pay for shoe rental) you get 2 games of bowling per child for free per day! And all you have to do is sign them up at www.kidsbowlfree.com. There are over 1,050 locations to choose from, the closet one to Athens is in Lawrenceville at Stars and Strikes – that place is amazing by the way! We did this last year and have already signed up for this summer.
Please use my email msmattox@gmail.com in the “referred by” field. We’ll both be entered to win some cool prizes including iPads and a trip to Walt Disney World!
The kiddos bowling last summer at Stars and Strikes.
This list will, hopefully, help you get your summer started and as the summer progresses and I find more free, cheap things to do I promise I will share. I am always on the lookout and please share your great ideas as well! Have a safe, memory making summer!
There are a lot of great things in the Athens,GA area to do this summer for cheap and some even FREE! I am sure there are more than what is on this list but these are the ones that we have enjoyed. If you know of any others, please leave a comment telling us all about it!
Skating for $3 a person including skates on Tuesday nights at Fun Galaxy (formerly known as Skate Around USA). Say what?!? We enjoyed this adventure last night and had so much fun! The great thing is only the ones that will be skating have to pay. I was amazed at the new changes that have taken place since it changed ownership. Cleaner and family friendlier are at the top of the list. They also have other specials during the summer that you can check out on their facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/FunGalaxyAthens?fref=ts
I highly recommend checking them out, maybe we will see you there!
The kids were having too much fun for me to get a great picture. This was the best that I could get. 🙂
Check out your local library. Each week they have different events for families to enjoy from puppet shows, to magic shows, to pajama night, the list is huge! I took the kids to Cave Painting at our local library a few weeks ago and I think I had as much fun as the kids.
Their masterpiece. They would have made great Cave People! 🙂
Splash Pad at East Athens Park. If you haven’t taken your kids to this yet – WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?!? 🙂 It’s only $1/person! They also have a great playground right beside the splash pad.
Georgia Museum of Art hosts monthly Family Days and they are FREE! This is a great way to expose your children to art without paying high museum admission costs.
Sandy Creek Nature Center – If you haven’t taken your kids here, you must. It is free! Plus, they host monthly activities for your family to enjoy together. We did a Family Fishing Night and had so much fun. It was only $10 for the whole family!https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sandy-Creek-Nature-Center/211544335586
Summer Kids Movie Series at Carmike and Beechwood Cinemas. We haven’t taken the kids yet but have it on our Summer Fun Calendar. 🙂
Click on the picture for more information about Carmike Cinemas Summer Kid Series.
Click the picture for more information about Beechwood Cinemas Summer Kid Series.
2013 Cow Appreciation Day at Chick-Fil-A. Dress like a cow and get FREE FOOD – Okay, I am there!!
Click the picture for more information.
Catching Fireflies (or Lightening Bugs as some call them). This is a must for everyone! I know it isn’t a place to go but it’s summer, how could I leave this off?!? 🙂
Visit Bear Hollow Zoo/Memorial Park. Free and a great family activity. From seeing the zoo animals, to feeding the ducks, to playing on the playground, there is so much to do for FREE!
Click the picture for more information.
I hope you find these activities as enjoyable as my family does. May you all have a great last half of the summer and find ways to create lasting memories while saving money. 🙂 ~ Melissa
CaMpHoTeL 