Events

Originally created to celebrate the arts, each month we host the community and area visitors to come check out what makes Downtown Americus such a great place to visit, shop and dine. Some months have themes like Artsapalooza, Flashback Friday, and Downtown Tailgate. Every month hundreds come out to stroll our streets on the First Friday evening and enjoy everything that downtown can offer. If you are interested in sponsoring a First Friday, please contact us directly. You are also welcome to suggest your own level and benefits.

The annual “Taste of Sumter” is a countywide event focused on locally-owned Sumter County-based restaurants, catering companies and other establishments that produce food/consumable items. Maintaining the “Shop Local” theme, there will be no national chain food vendors at the event. This event is intended for families and friends to come out and enjoy the culinary aspect of Sumter County. Sponsorships can be given for the musical performances, beverages, or the general event.

The first ever Food Truck Fest is an event full of delicious food and fun! This event will include the best of the best food truck vendors from around the region, arts and crafts vendors, live music, and more. This event is intended for families and friends to come out and enjoy great food and entertainment. Sponsorships are available for musical performances, beer and wine, or the entire event.

The annual Downtown Christmas Open House event is popular amongst the locals of Sumter County and surrounding counties. The businesses downtown are open showcasing their holiday merchandise. Participants can expect to visit with Santa, sample chestnuts, enjoy carriage rides, take advantage of great shopping discounts, and more. The most popular of Christmas in Downtown Americus is the lighting of the big Christmas tree and the Parade of Trees that surround it, all lit and decorated with a special message to all. Sponsorships for this event are available upon request.

This event has been based around the chili cook-off which brings out several hundred people to taste excellent locally-made chili. Approximately 16 entries participate in the event. This event includes musical performances in several stores as well as art demonstrations and great food & drinks to enjoy throughout the evening. Sponsorships are available for specific chili locations, musical performances, or the entire event. We invite your suggestions.

Although the name says it all, this event is designed for the No. 1 shopper in the family. We will have several locations available to taste amazing wines, as well as, locations to taste the most decadent chocolates. Attendees will receive a tasting glass and passport to guide them through the downtown and each will have a chance to win great prizes, and everyone will go home with their own “goody bag” filled with chocolates and wine-related gifts. Suggestions are welcome.

Tapping Americus’ rich history of artisan glass blowing and combining it with Georgia’s innovative craft brewing culture, Hot Glass Craft Beer fuses these – two artisan worlds together in one epic event. This event provides festival participants an opportunity to experience regional breweries with a variety of beers from each, along with live mobile glass-blowing by artists from all across the country. Through this event we aim to expand local access to a wider range of finely crafted brews while increasing awareness of the art of mobile glass blowing. New sponsors are encouraged to become a part of this event as it continues to grow. Suggestions are welcome.