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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!

🎉 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! 🎅✨

Join us for the 3rd Annual Swainsboro Jaycees Freedom Fest in Downtown Swainsboro. Live music by Kaleb Sanders.

Vendors register HERE.

Join us in Downtown Swainsboro for the 77th Annual Pine Tree Festival & Southeast Timber Expo! Visit www.pinetreefestival.org for more information.

Pine Tree Festival Schedule & Event Map

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.

The Swainsboro Jaycees will host its annual Independence Day fireworks show at the Swainsboro – Emanuel County Recreation Department’s Billy C. Carmichael Complex on Sunday, July 4th. The fireworks will begin at dark.

The Swainsboro Police Department’s Annual Treasure Hunt is taking place now through the month of June. Each day, an SPD Officer hides a specially painted rock displaying his or her badge number. Clues to the rock’s location will be posted on the Swainsboro Police Department Facebook Page. Once the rock has been located, the finder may return it to the Police Department for a special prize. The treasure hunt is open to children ages 3 – 12. For more information, and for today’s clue, visit the SPD Facebook page.