Where We Will Be Staying
UPSON COUNTY CIVIC CENTER
101 Civic Center Dr, Thomaston, GA 30286
Shuttles from Hotels (Thomaston) 5:30am - 7:30am On Constant loop
THINGS GOING ON IN THOMASTON
Upon our arrival in Thomaston, our hosts will have a whole welcoming committee with waters, watermelon, and all sorts of goodies. There will be food trucks at the Civic Center, where we will be staying and shuttles that will provide us with some transportation to explore the downtown hotels and restaurants. There will be a DJ, fun and games at the middle school track where we are set up to camp. Aside from all of that, there will be a local band playing downtown for us as we explore what restaurants and other sites that Thomaston has to offer.
Downtown Thomaston Activities – 4 pm to 8 pm
- Downtown concert featuring Bluewater Bay & Logan Winkles
- Beer Truck opens at the concert
- Axe throwing, come take your best shot for free!
- Shops open in downtown Thomaston, especially for BRAG
PLACES TO GO + THINGS TO DO
Flint River Float Trip with the Flint River Outdoor Center!
Kayak or Canoe 5 Miles down the calm Flint River for 2.5 to 3 hours.
1:30 Pick-up for 2:00 pm Float trip
reservations call Margie McDaniel 706.647.2633 myriver_bridge@hotmail.com
Take a dip in the Thomaston Pool!
Located just across the street, there is a refreshing swimming pool to cool you off after the long day's ride.
$3 open from 12:00pm - 5:00pm.
Ritz Theatre - Visit this iconic and historic Theater that was built in 1927. The Theater offers the latest in movie entertainment.
You can call the movie hotline at any time of day at 706-647-7022 to hear what will be showing on Sunday, June 5.
Carnival @ Matthews Field in walking distance of Civic Center and Middle School - open until 10
Skydive Atlanta is a highly rated skydiving experience in Georgia. Just a short drive from Atlanta, Columbus, Macon, and Auburn, AL. Being a safe skydiving center is our #1 priority. We have highly experienced instructors to ensure you a 5-star skydiving experience. Skydiving Gift Certificates are the most unique and perfect way to share an experience your loved one will never forget.
Sprewell Bluff Park is a gem located on the Flint River, which is a perfect for overnight stays or simply relaxing in the park. Our park visitors can relax and cool off in the river, skip rocks across the water, picnic along the river’s edge, or go hiking on our miles of trails along the river bank.
FUN FACT: Sprewell Bluff Park claims fame to be a location site for some filming of The Walking Dead.
The Auchumpkee Creek Covered Bridge was completed in October, 1892 by the firm of Herring and Alford for the sum of $1,194.98. The bridge had a span of 96 feet between the stone piers and a total length of 120 feet 9 inches. It was designed by Dr. J. W. Herring (1823-1911).
The original bridge was the fourth bridge that stood at this site. The bridges here have also had several names including the Hootenville Bridge, Wilmont Bridge, and Respess Bridge because they took their name from the owners of the nearby mill.
In July 1994 tropical storm Alberto dumped 15 inches of rain onto the area in a single day and turned placid Auchumpkee Creek into a raging river. Washing a huge tree limb along like a battering ram, it knocked the Auchumpkee Creek Bridge from its stacked stone moorings and smashed it against the overpass on Allen Road, 30 yards downstream.
With more than $200,000 in federal disaster relief money, the Upson County Commission and Historic Preservation Commission were able to hire one of the few abiding covered-bridge craftsmen in America, Arnold M. Graton of Ashland, N.H. to re-create the bridge. In 1997, the Auchumpkee Creek Covered Bridge, now 96 feet in length, was completed. The dedication for this bridge took place during the City of Thomaston’s Covered Bridge Arts Festival, October 9-11, 1998.
The Thomaston-Upson Archives houses historic records as early as 1821, is a model for the state on joint cooperation and has earned many awards. Over 3,000 visitors and researchers travel from across the United States and from other countries to use its facilities. A full time archivist, professional staff, and volunteers are available to assist patrons.
Onsite Food Trucks 12:00pm - 7:00pm
Lou Lou’s Catering Noon-3:30 pm – Chicken-pasta-Caprese Orzo Salad & More
Cool B’s Mobile Grill 12 – 7 pm – Ribs, BBQ, Hamburgers, Hotdogs, & More
Kona Ice – 12 – until - Tropical Shaved Ice
Downtown Food Trucks 4 pm to 8 pm
Lou Lou’s Catering Company 12 pm to 3:30 pm – Chicken Salad, Pimento Cheese, Pasta Salad, Caprese Orzo Salad & More
Piggie Park Drive-In, located in Thomaston, Ga., has been a hometown favorite since 1950. Highlights of the menu are BBQ, hamburgers, cheeseburgers, hotdogs, slaw and brunswick stew.
In Town Eats & Drinks
The Riverbend Restaurant is a seafood restaurant located just above the Flint River.
Fresh hand-tossed dough made in-house, daily. The secret of the dough is on display, daily, at Slices Pizzeria and we take pride in perfecting the process. Our fresh ingredients and attention to detail make Slices the #1 pizzeria in the surrounding areas!
The Gathering Grounds Bakery & Coffee Shoppe is a family owned business that wants to provide a place for people to gather and build relationships, while enjoying quality made goods and coffee.
You really can’t experience our community in just one overnight stay. In Upson County we have some really cool and unique events that draw a lot of visitors during different times of the year.
Thomaston hosts a community Art & Soul Festival in April to bring awareness to our community and to showcase our local artist. We are one of the only communities in the US that still has an Emancipation Proclamation Celebration each year in May. We host a Flint River Poker Float in June highlighting the free-flowing Flint River, and there are concerts held in our downtown in front of the majestic Upson County Courthouse. Not to mention, every 4th of July an annual celebration is held at the Greatest Generation Park.
Our Upson County Historical Society and Thomaston Upson Archives have been amazing at preserving our past and present and have very interesting presentations once a month. The Thomaston-Upson Arts Council presents multiple concerts a year at our local Performing Arts Center, along with youth summer camps for our future artist. We are a Small Town, With BIG Opportunities.