Locations
Monday, August 4
Athens
Athens, home of the University of Georgia, is located along the North Oconee River in Clarke County in the rolling Piedmont of northeast Georgia. According to the U.S. Census, Athens-Clarke County is Georgia’s sixth-largest city. The city has a vibrant music scene centered in downtown Athens, next to the University of Georgia’s North Campus. Major music acts associated with Athens include numerous alternative rock bands such as R.E.M., the B-52s, Widespread Panic, and more.
Thomson
Located 65 miles east of Athens along I-20, Thomson is the McDuffie County seat. Known as the “Camellia City of the South,” it boasts a population of roughly 6,800. The historic, walkable downtown features local boutiques, antique shops, and the restored 19th-century train depot. Thomson is known for being the birthplace of blues icon, Blind Willie McTell.
Skidaway Island
Skidaway Island stands as a history-rich, remote and pristine barrier island where natural beauty can be found almost anywhere in the thousands of square acres of nature and adventure. Three residential communities are situated on the island: The Landings, The Marshes and Southbridge. In addition to those residential areas, the island also has The Village, four churches, the Skidaway Island State Park, maintained by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, and UGA’s Skidaway Island campus.
Tuesday, August 5
Savannah
Chatham County, the third county formed in Georgia, was created from what had been Christ Church Parish and part of St. Phillip’s Parish, dating from 1758. The county was named for one of England’s most celebrated prime ministers, William Pitt, the Earl of Chatham. Comprising the state’s northern most coastal area, at the mouth of the Savannah River, Chatham County includes the site on which Gen. James Oglethorpe landed in 1733 to establish the Georgia colony.
Present-day visitors enjoy Savannah’s elegant architecture and historic ironwork featured in such structures as the birthplace of Juliette Gordon Low, founder of Girl Scouts of the United States of America, and the Telfair Museum of Arts, one of the South’s first public museums.
Vidalia Onion Country
Originally discovered by accident in the 1930s during the Great Depression, Vidalia onions have grown to be considered as a favorite across America. The Vidalia Onion Act of 1986 granted the trademark of the name “Vidalia onions” and defined the growing region in south Georgia. Vidalia onions are grown from a distinctive Granex seed, then packed and sold on or after the official pack date annually.
*Credit: Georgia Department of Agriculture
South Georgia Muscadines
Muscadines, known as American wild grapes, are native to the Southeastern United States. Thus, they are well adapted to the warm, humid conditions of the region. The muscadine grape was discovered in America in 1584 by English explorer Sir Walter Raleigh. Later a golden, bronze-colored muscadine was found along the Scuppernong River in North Carolina and thus was named “scuppernong.” Through the years, these wonderful tasting grapes have developed numerous nicknames such as bullis, southern grapes, and swamp grapes.
Though long a favorite of southerners for their sweet, fruity taste (muscadines make a delicious, nutritious snack straight from nature), recent research reveals that muscadines contain high levels of resveratrol. Resveratrol is one of the compounds found in red wine that is believed to help reduce the risk of abnormal cells and heart disease. Muscadines are high in vitamin C and ellagic acid. Muscadines also contain potassium, vitamin B, and trace minerals.
Though they still grow wild, most of today’s muscadines and scuppernongs are grown in commercial vineyards. Harvest season is typically August through September.
*Credit: Paulk Vineyards
UGA Tifton Campus
The University of Georgia Tifton Campus lies in the heart of south Georgia agriculture. It’s also the home of the Coastal Plain Experiment Station and the UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center.
Scientists on the Tifton campus primarily focus their projects toward traditional agriculture. These projects include, but are not limited to, research on Georgia’s main row crops: cotton, peanuts, tobacco, small grains, soybeans and vegetables. Tifton campus researchers also conduct leading research in the field of irrigation and global information systems.
UGA-Tifton researchers and scientists are preparing the next generation of agricultural leaders to take the world’s stage.
UGA graduate students work closely with Tifton campus researchers to complete their graduate studies. UGA undergraduate students can earn a Bachelor of Science or Masters degree in several program areas on the Tifton campus.
Wednesday, August 6
Columbus
The city of Columbus was settled in 1828. It was an important shipping port and in 1918, became home to the U.S. Army’s Camp Benning (now Fort Benning). Set along the Chattahoochee River on the border with Alabama, Columbus has become a popular spot for outdoor lovers with the longest natural urban whitewater course in the world and a zipline across the river. The thriving downtown, known locally as Uptown Columbus, is a mecca for attractions, restaurants, and shops.
Fort Benning
Fort Benning is a United States Army post in the Columbus area. Located on Georgia’s border with Alabama, Fort Benning supports more than 120,000 active-duty military, family members, reserve component soldiers, retirees and civilian employees on a daily basis. As a power projection platform, the post can deploy combat-ready forces by air, rail, and highway for their designated mission.
Macon
Macon is located at the center of the state. The roots of American music run deep in Macon where Little Richard helped birth rock ‘n’ roll, James Brown recorded his first demo and Otis Redding took soul music to unsurpassed heights. Macon is home to Capricorn Studios, which we will visit on the tour.
Atlanta
Fulton County was formed from DeKalb County in 1853. In 1932, Milton and Campbell counties were consolidated with Fulton County, resulting in its current elongated shape. Three cities were recently created out of the entire unincorporated eastern part of north Fulton: Chattahoochee Hills, Johns Creek and Milton.
Atlanta, the county seat and state capitol, was named Terminus in 1842. Its name was later changed to Marthasville, in honor of Gov. Wilson Lumpkin’s daughter, and then to Atlanta in 1848.
Thursday, August 7
Georgia Power
Georgia Power is the largest electric subsidiary of Southern Company and the primary electric provider in the state. Committed to sustainable growth and enhancing the quality of life in the communities it serves, Georgia Power partners with local organizations across the state on economic development, education and environmental initiatives.
North Georgia Wine Country
Nestled against the foothills and peaks of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the southern terminus of the ancient rolling Appalachian Mountain chain, North Georgia’s vineyards slope and sprawl from high elevations, offering majestic views from all angles. Initially associated with sweet and muscadine wines, the state’s wine industry has undergone a metamorphosis since the first post-Prohibition grapevine plantings of popular European varieties in the early 1980s.
Brasstown Valley
Brasstown Valley is a region in the north Georgia mountains that is home to our state’s tallest peak, Brasstown Bald. The area is known for its waterfalls, vineyards, hiking and wildlife.
Friday, August 8
Hartwell
Hartwell is a charming lakeside city situated about an hour’s drive (roughly 50 miles) northeast of Athens. Known as the gateway to the massive 56,000-acre Lake Hartwell, it offers a historic downtown square. The area features unique shops, local dining, outdoor recreation, and community events.