A festive, outdoor shopping mall, Pier Park is a collection of retail shops, eateries, and fun spots. Pier Park is across Hwy 98 on the famed Panama City Beach.

After playing on the beach by the pier, simply walk across the road to world-class shopping and dining. Of course, one of the “must visits” is Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville. Great food and entertainment!

See a list of the shops and learn more at Pier Park.

It’s been several years since I have been to Panama City Beach but it was still the same:  Wonderful.  The sugary white sands beckoned as I remembered previous visits.

The beach was full of youngsters playing, sunbathing humans seeking that natural tan, and others playing frisbee toss.  There was of course, the infamous parasailing and jet ski trips into the ocean.  I enjoyed the beach immensely.

Traffic was extremely heavy in the downtown area.  People were definitely enjoying driving the strip.  It never stopped, continuing until well after midnight.  Since I couldn’t stay on the beach during  mid-afternoon (would have become a lobster), I decided to see the downtown area.  I came upon a car festival on a street corner and made this video.

New Courthouse

Ice Cream Stand

Lawn Mower Races at Georgia JugFest and Old Knoxville Days
Kids First

Close!

Now The Big Guys’ Race Their Lawn Mowers

Ms. Mona Lowe

The third weekend in May each year, Crawford County, Georgia holds a celebration to commemorate its legacy of hand-made pottery. Known as Georgia JugFest and Old Knoxville Days, the celebration was held this year on May 15.

Elaine Westbury, Georgia JugFest Chairwoman With Photo of Hall of Fame Inductee Thomas Piles

Now I don’t know anything about pottery, but if it’s a festival, I’m there. So I drove to Crawford County for the fun and excitement and came away with a completely new perspective on festivals. Sure the usual festivities were there: food, crafts, old car show, antique tractor show and lots more. However, there was a real sense of purpose to this festival.

Charlie West Honored on Patron's Roll. Also Fired the Wood Kiln

The focus of the celebration was very real: paying homage to the Master Potters of this county. It was also a tribute to each potter’s individual traits and skills. Just as the old art masters’ (e.g. Picasso) work could be recognized by the brush strokes, the paint, or colors he used, it was the same with pottery craftsmen. As each potter handcrafted his wares, he used his hands a certain way or used a specific clay or glaze. Sometimes he would sign his work and sometimes he didn’t.

Pat Keller's Pottery Class

Crawford County is also known to have a clay that is unique and indigenous to the area. Many collectors seek to add to their collection pieces of pottery made in the 1800′s with Crawford County clay. It is easily identifiable when laboratory tested.

I had the privilege of attending the Georgia JugFest’s opening reception and Hall of Fame induction. The proud heritage was very evident in the room, as I heard more than once someone say, “This is our day.” Opening remarks were by Ms. Mona Lowe and then Elaine Westbury, the JugFest chairwoman. We were also treated to a pottery class by Ms. Pat Keller. WOW! The knowledge she has about the history and culture of the pottery masters would fill several volumes.

Antique Jug

The Georgia JugFest and Old Knoxville Days are sponsored by Roberta-Crawford County Chamber of Commerce and Crawford County Historical Society. Visit their websites to learn more.  Other Related Stories and Sources:

• From Mud To Masterpiece
• Folk Pottery
• Georgia JugFest on Facebook
• More Photos of Georgia JugFest

According to Mike Brown, a neighbor and volunteer at the event, some 4000 people attended the Friday night session. The featured performer that night was Brantley Gilbert, a well known entertainer in the South. Saturday night’s feature was Coy Bowles of the Zac Brown Band who is from Thomaston. Many local favorite bands played throughout the event.

Sponsors of the Festival

Of course, a definite favorite of everyone’s was the barbecue cook-off. Over 50 barbecue teams participated of which 45 were professional teams. WOW! Plenty of awesome barbecue was available. Awards were presented to the winners late Saturday afternoon.

Festival food was abundant. My favorite was the ‘Spiral Potatoes’. I met the fine folks who operate this stand, but unfortunately I didn’t get their names. The ‘Spiral Potatoes’ were delicious.

Other events included a kids’ play area and the popular ‘Greased Pig Chase’.

Red Neck Chimenay

Definitely make plans now for next years’ “Smoke on the Water‘ BBQ and Bluegrass Festival, in Thomaston, GA.

Sources:
1. Mike Brown
2. BBQandBluegrassFestival.com
3. The Thomaston Times

Other Photos:

Festival Stage Side Shot

Festival Stage

Party Time

My schedule allowed me to go only one day this year and it was well worth it.  I love cherry pie and cherry ice cream!  So it was cherry bliss at the ribbon cutting ceremony to open the Third Street Park Festivities.  Cherries and Cream Ice Cream was served, compliments of Pet Dairies.

Entertainment was abundant with live bands featured daily and nightly, presented by Pizza Hut on the CocaCola Entertainment Stage. Here is a preview:

Although there are many Cherry Blossom Festivals across the U.S., Macon’s is a little different.  Macon celebrates the Yoshina Cherry Tree, which is seldom seen in the South.  The festival was started in 1982 and has now become on of the Top 20 events in the South.

You must make plans to attend next year’s festival.  In the meantime, learn more at www.cherryblossom.com

Stay, Ski & Save Green
Perfect for skiers and riders who are trying to minimize their impact on the environment, the Stay, Ski & Save Green package includes lodging at 968 Park Hotel, a certified eco-friendly hotel, a bottle of Northern California wine at check-in, a lift ticket to Sierra Resort, enough carbon credits to offset a roundtrip from the Bay Area, complimentary access to the Sierra Resort shuttle, and 15% off merchandise at Sierra Mountain Sports including eco-friendly lines from brands like Holden, Burton, Smith, and Cilla.

All this for just $99 per person mid-week, based on double occupancy. Valid from January 2, 2010 through the end of the winter season, excluding January 16 – 17, 2010 and February 12-20, 2010.  To book the Stay & Ski Green package, log on to www.968parkhotel.com/sierra or call 877-544-0968 and mention the “snow” promo.

Go for the Gold
Cool off your Olympic fever with this golden deal, valid February 12 through 28, 2010. The package includes lodging at Inn by the Lake in a standard queen room, 2 adult lift tickets to Sierra Resort, and a welcome basket with an autographed photo of Sierra Resort and U.S. Snowboarding team member Hannah Teter, a bottle of Hannah’s own maple syrup, and a bottle of champagne to celebrate the success of the U.S. Olympic athletes. Watch the 2010 Winter Games action at Lane 17 Sports Bar inside Inn by the Lake’s Tahoe Bowl. Packages start at $155 per night for a standard queen room. To book the Go for the Gold package, log onto www.innbythelake.com or call 530.542.0330.

Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort: Keepin It Real

Recognized in the 2010 TransWorld SNOWboarding Resort Guide as a Top 10 Overall Resort as well as among the Top 10 Best Parks and Top 10 Best Pipes in the nation and known for its wind-protected slopes, incredible tree skiing and family programs, Sierra Resort is a bastion of the authentic California ski experience. Easy to get to and always laid-back, Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort welcomes skiers and snowboarders to escape from everyday life and enjoy the simple pleasure of winter in the mountains. Sierra Resort and the Eldorado National Forest are partners in recreation.

The closest major resort to Sacramento, Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort is located just 12 miles west of Lake Tahoe and receives an annual average of 480 inches of snowfall. For more information, visit www.SierraAtTahoe.com or call 530.659.7453.

Note: This event has been rescheduled from Dec. 6. Tickets sold for that date will be honored. Tickets are $55 and $65 and are available at the Northern Quest box office at (509) 481- 6700 or through TicketsWest at (800) 325-7328 or ticketswest.com

Background
Clint Black was born in a decidedly non-country location – Long Branch, NJ. However, his family moved to Texas before he turned one, so Black rightly considers himself a product of the Lone Star state. A natural and self-taught musician, Black sampled a variety of musical styles early in his career. He also sampled a bunch of different day jobs that paid the rent: construction worker, fishing guide and bait cutter, all while he played guitar and sang solo in small clubs and lounges.

22 Number One Hits
In the early 1980s, Black decided to focus on country music. It was a wise choice. His 1989 debut album Killin’ Time produced an unprecedented five consecutive number one singles. In fact, of the 30 singles he’s had on the county charts, 22 have reached number one.

In addition to recording nine studio albums, Black began exploring the business side of the music industry and formed his own recording label, Equity Music Group. And just to complete the entire show business package, Black has dabbled in acting and in 1998 starred in Still Holding On: The Legend of Cadillac Jack.
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Artist contact: 310-209-3110
Web: clintblack.com
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The Kalispel Tribe of Indians, located in Usk, WA, contributes to the economic selfsufficiency of the Tribe, its members, and the surrounding communities.

Source: The Northern Quest Resort & Casino

Now through February 4, 2010, Georgians can register to win a free three-day, two-night stay at one of Georgia’s five State Park Lodges through Conserve Georgia, Georgia State Parks and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.

Registration is free and available through the Conserve Georgia Web site at www.ConserveGeorgia.org. The Web site is a portal to dozens of state and public/private conservation initiatives that help to make the air, land, water, energy and wildlife resources in Georgia more sustainable.

“Perhaps the best way to spur an interest in conservation is to help people develop an appreciation for the beauty and fragility of our natural resources. Spending a few days at a Georgia State Park Lodge is a fantastic way to experience Georgia’s natural beauty and create closer bonds with nature and their family and friends,” said Chris Clark, Chair of the Conserve Georgia Council and Commissioner of Natural Resources.

One winner will be chosen on February 5, 2010 for a three-day, two-night stay at their choice of Amicalola Falls State Park & Lodge, Dawsonville, Ga.; Red Top Mountain State Park & Lodge in Cartersville, Ga.; Unicoi State Park & Lodge in Helen, Ga.; George T. Bagby State Park & Lodge in Fort Gaines, Ga.; or Little Ocmulgee State Park & Lodge in McRae, Ga. Entries are limited to one per person during the entry period. The prize consists of one room, subject to availability. The winner will forfeit the prize if it is not redeemed on or before May 25, 2010.

About Conserve Georgia

ConserveGeorgia.org is a user-driven Web site that allows each visitor to select the kind of content they want to see based on their interest as an individual, business, educator, agribusiness or local government entity and features 3-D scenes of Georgia’s varied natural environment: urban life, rural Georgia, the north Georgia mountains and coastal Georgia.

Conserve Georgia partner agencies include the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority (GEFA), the Department of Community Affairs (DCA), the University System of Georgia (USG), the Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC), the Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission (GSWCC), the Department of Education (DOE), the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Department of Agriculture (DOA).

A Culture of Conservation
The Conserve Georgia program was developed to foster a culture of conservation throughout the state of Georgia. Nearly a dozen state agencies and authorities are working together with businesses, civic leaders, educational institutions, non-profit organizations and residents to make Georgia’s air, land, water, energy and wildlife resources more sustainable now and for generations to come. The program’s Web site – www.ConserveGeorgia.org – serves as a portal to help Georgians find information on a wide range of conservation resources and programs.

Georgia State Park Lodges
The Georgia Department of Natural Resources operates five state lodge parks across Georgia with meeting and banquet facilities, which are perfect for family reunions, retreats, birthday parties, weddings and weekend getaways. The Georgia State Park Lodges feature hotel-style, comfortable accommodations with affordable rates year-round. And, the Georgia State Parks offer such diverse recreational activities as watersports, golf, fishing, hiking and nature trails.
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Contact:
Matt O’Connor, McRae, 404.917.0675 or moconnor@mcrae.com
Stephanie Milo, McRae, 404.917.0682 or smilo@mcrae.com
Sarah Dearman, Conserve Georgia, 404.463.2092 or sarah.dearman@dnr.state.ga.us

Our National Parks are some of the best Staycation destinations available in the U.S. Most offer lodging of some kind, whether it’s a Park Lodge, camping areas or RV parking. All offer scenic wonders and natural entertainment.

Visit the National Park Service website to learn more and plan your Staycation.