Crossroads of the Great South

ANDREA

Swainsboro Jaycees 4th Annual Freedom Fest

by

Swainsboro Gears Up for 4th Annual Freedom Fest on July 5

Swainsboro, GA – The countdown is on for one of Swainsboro’s most anticipated summer events. The Downtown Development Authority of Swainsboro is thrilled to once again host the Swainsboro Jaycees Freedom Fest on Friday, July 5, bringing a day of celebration to downtown.

Freedom Fest has quickly grown into the second-largest event in Swainsboro, drawing both locals and visitors with its vibrant mix of family-friendly entertainment, food, and community spirit. This year’s festivities will include live music, arts & crafts vendors, food trucks, and the always-popular Red, Wet & Blue Water Parade, a favorite among families and children.

The celebration will conclude with a spectacular fireworks display, lighting up the night sky in a joyful tribute to freedom and community pride.

Vendor registration and parade entry forms are now open, and organizers are encouraging early sign-ups to secure a place in the event.

“This event brings the heart of our community together,” said a representative of the Downtown Development Authority. “We’re proud to support the Jaycees in hosting Freedom Fest, and we’re looking forward to another amazing turnout.”

Organizers are also calling on the community for support. Donations to the Swainsboro Jaycees and the Downtown Development Authority of Swainsboro help make Freedom Fest possible. Contributions go directly toward covering costs for entertainment and fireworks, ensuring the event remains free and fun for all attendees.

To register as a vendor or sign up for the parade, please visit the Downtown Swainsboro Georgia Facebook page, the City of Swainsboro website, or contact the Downtown Development Authority of Swainsboro directly.

To make a donation toward entertainment, please contact the Downtown Development Authority of Swainsboro. For fireworks donations, reach out to the Swainsboro Jaycees. All donations can be dropped off at Swainsboro City Hall. Please be sure to specify which organization your donation is for so it can be directed appropriately.

Whether you’re there for the food, the fun, or the fireworks, Freedom Fest is a celebration you won’t want to miss.

2025 Pine Tree Festival Backyard BBQ Cookoff

by

Pine Tree Festival Backyard BBQ Contest
Hosted by the Downtown Development Authority of Swainsboro

Join us for an exciting Backyard BBQ Contest during the Pine Tree Festival this year! We’re thrilled to offer cash prizes to the top BBQ teams, thanks to our generous sponsors.

Prizes:

    • 1st Place: $500

    • 2nd Place: $400

    • 3rd Place: $300

Entry Fee: $50 per team
Limit: 20 teams

Don’t miss your chance to compete for the title of BBQ champion! For more information or to register your team, click here.

We want to extend our sincere thanks to our sponsors for making these prizes possible!

Register HERE

2024 Christmas Festivities Volunteer Registration Form

by

🎄 Call for Volunteer Musicians and Dancers for Swainsboro’s Christmas Festivities! 🎄

The holiday season is upon us, and we’re excited to invite local musicians and dancers to join us for Swainsboro’s Christmas Festivities on December 7th at the Swainsboro Boneyard! 🎉✨

This is a fantastic opportunity to showcase your talents and help spread festive cheer to our community! 🎶💃🕺

We are seeking volunteers in the following categories:

🎵 Musicians – All instruments welcome!

💃 Dancers – Any style of dance!

🎤 Both – Musicians and dancers who want to perform together!

Please ensure that your performance is family-friendly to help create the perfect holiday atmosphere!

Event Details:

📅 Date: December 7th

⏰ Time: Live Performances starting at 2:00 PM

📍 Location: Swainsboro Boneyard

📞 Contact: Melissa Kirby, Downtown Development Director

📧 Email: melissa@cityofswainsboro.org

📱 Phone: 478-237-7025

How to Volunteer:

If you or your group would like to participate, please complete the Volunteer Registration Form. We are organizing the event lineup now, so please submit your form as soon as possible.

🎤 Volunteers will be allotted 30-minute performance segments. If you need more time due to multiple groups or other requirements, please note it on the form.

🎄 We also encourage volunteers to participate in the Christmas parade! We are doing our best to accommodate performers in the festivities and the parade.

The registration form can be obtained by scanning the QR code below.

What to Expect:

🎉 A fun, festive, and family-friendly atmosphere!

🎶 A chance to connect with local performers and spread holiday cheer to the Swainsboro community.

🌟 The opportunity to have your performance featured in the Christmas and parade festivities!

We look forward to celebrating the season with you! Whether you’re a solo performer or part of a group, this is your chance to make the holidays extra special for everyone in Swainsboro! 🎅🎉

Please share this post and help us spread the word! 🌟

2024 Christmas Vendor Registration is Now Open!

by

🎄 Calling All Vendors! 🎄

We are thrilled to announce that vendor applications are now open for our 2024 Christmas festivities! This is a fantastic opportunity to showcase your products and help us spread holiday cheer.

Don’t miss your chance to be part of this festive celebration! For more details and to submit your application, please scan the QR code or click HERE to register!

Happy holidays!

2024 Christmas Parade Entry Form

by

🎉 Exciting News: Swainsboro Christmas Parade Entry Registration is Now Open! 🎄

Get ready to spread some holiday cheer! We are thrilled to announce that our annual Christmas Parade registration is officially open. Join us for a festive celebration filled with joy, creativity, and community spirit!

🗓 Registration Details:

  • Deadline: November 25th
  • Who Can Participate: Everyone! Floats, marching bands, dance groups, and more are welcome.
  • How to Register: Scan the QR code below or register here.

Let’s make this year’s parade the best one yet! Gather your friends, family, and community groups to create unforgettable memories.

For questions or more information, contact us at melissa@cityofswainsboro.org.

Ho, ho, hope to see you there! 🎅✨

Annual Downtown Magical Christmas Open House!

by

Experience the season’s joy with a festive day of shopping and celebration downtown!

✨ Date: November 8th – 10th

✨Location: Downtown Swainsboro Georgia

Store days and hours vary per location.

Explore our downtown shops and discover unique gifts from our charming boutiques and shops!

🎁 Highlights Include:

Exclusive offers from participating stores.

Experience the holiday spirit with decorations and festive fun.

Shop local this holiday season and find the perfect gifts for everyone on your list. Bring your friends and family to make unforgettable memories this holiday season. Let’s celebrate together!

Don’t miss out—mark your calendars!

 

 

 

2024 Fall Festival & Music Concert

by

Join us for the Annual Downtown Swainsboro Fall Festival & Trunk or Treat.

Laura & Dale Rivers Band will be performing live at 7 PM.
Food Trucks and Arts & Crafts will be set up at 2 PM - until
Fall Festival and Trunk or Treat from 5 PM to 7 PM
Boo'tiful Costume Contest 5 PM to 5:30 PM
Arts on Green Street 5 PM to 7 PM

Arts & Crafts and Food Truck vendors register Here

Volunteers setting up booths or trunks register Here

Downtown Swainsboro Earns Main Street Accreditation

by

The City of Swainsboro has been designated as a 2021 Accredited Main Street™ program for meeting rigorous performance standards. Each year, Main Street America and its partners announce the list of accredited programs to recognize their exceptional commitment to preservation-based economic development and community revitalization through the Main Street Approach™.

“We are proud to recognize this year’s 889 nationally accredited Main Street programs that have worked tirelessly to advance economic vitality and quality of life in their downtowns and commercial districts,” said Patrice Frey, President & CEO of Main Street America. “During an incredibly challenging year, these programs demonstrated the power of the Main Street movement to drive impressive local recovery efforts, champion small businesses, and foster vibrant downtown districts. I am inspired by their hard work and confident that these accredited communities will continue to help their downtowns flourish in the next stages of recovery.”

Downtown Swainsboro’s performance is evaluated annually by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs Office of Downtown Development, which works in partnership with Main Street America to identify the local programs that meet 10 national performance standards. Evaluation criteria determines the communities that are building meaningful and sustainable revitalization programs and include standards such as fostering strong public-private partnerships, documenting programmatic progress, and actively preserving historic buildings.

Swainsboro’s Main Street Program is managed by the Downtown Development Authority (DDA), which has been a catalyst in the revitalization of downtown Swainsboro. As one of the five original Georgia Main Street Cities designated in the 1980s, Swainsboro reclaimed its accreditation as a state and national Main Street City in 2016 and has worked diligently in maintaining the distinction since.

“Despite the many challenges of 2020, we are fortunate that no downtown Swainsboro businesses closed. In fact, we welcomed three new businesses which created more than 16 new jobs and four properties were renovated during that time,” said Lynn Brinson, Director of Downtown Development.

Accreditation as a Main Street America City and Georgia Classic Main Street Program provides opportunities for technical assistance, training opportunities, and economic development programs, as well as access to unique funding programs. It also signifies the community’s commitment to revitalizing downtown, preserving its historic structures, and strengthening its economic base.

According to the National Main Street Program, “Main Street America is a special mark of distinction. It is a seal, recognizing that participating programs, organizations, and communities are part of a national movement with a proven track record for celebrating community character, preserving local history, and generating impressive economic returns.” Approximately 15 percent of Georgia cities have attained this honor.

“I have always felt that the real character of any city is truly reflected in the original downtown area. Lynn and the Downtown Development Authority members have done a tremendous job in keeping our downtown alive and vibrant. We are lucky to have them working for us all,” said Swainsboro Mayor Charles Schwabe.

Swainsboro’s Main Street Program is led by the City of Swainsboro’s Department of Downtown Development and the Downtown Development Authority of Swainsboro Board of Directors.  The 2021 DDA Board of Directors is composed of: Gary Mason, Board Chair; Margaret Anne Allmond; Stephanie Flanders; Anna Gambrell; Daisy Reeves; Jim Roberts; Mayor Charles Schwabe (ex-officio); Ken Warnock (ex-officio); and Michael Bright (ex-officio).  Lynn Brinson is the Director of Downtown Development.

To keep up with the latest news and announcements from downtown Swainsboro, follow along on Facebook @downtownswainsboro.