Romance and Michael Bolton This Weekend in Peachtree City

By Nancy Price, Executive Director Peachtree City CVB

Why not make this a romantic weekend in Peachtree City? Stay at one of our fine hotels, rent a golf cart for a pleasant tour around town, shop, and dine. Top if off with a concert under the stars with Michael Bolton at The Fred, one of the premier outdoor concert venues in the Metro Atlanta area.

Singer, songwriter Bolton, who has won two Grammy awards for Best Pop Male Vocal Performance, performs Saturday, July 26. Bolton has sold between 50 and 60 million records. He earned a Grammy nomination for his soulful rendition of “Georgia on my Mind,” which he sang at Ray Charles’ induction into the Jazz Hall of Fame—and which we hope to her at The Fred! Numerous artists have sang Michael Bolton songs, and he has penned music with a diverse group of performers, ranging from Lady Gaga to Bob Dylan.

Michael Bolton performs at The Fred, July 26

Bolton’s opening act is acoustic artist Lauren Matthews, who will perform at 8pm. Bolton takes the stage at 9pm—just as the sun goes down and the candles start to glow at The Fred. 

Visit our website to make your plans or call us at the Visitors Center at 678-216-0282. We will be happy to give you suggestions that will make your weekend perfect. Tickets for the concert can be purchased at The Fred Box Office at 770-631-0630 or online at amphitheater.org. 

Bike Across Peachtree City!

By Nancy Price, Executive Director Peachtree City CVB

According to new research shared by PHIT America—an organization that advocates increasing physical activity and fitness to improve the health of America—bicycling is among the most popular fitness activities in the United States. In fact, bicycling ranks #6 in the survey and boasts 41 million participants in 2013.

With over 90 miles of multi-use recreational and golf cart paths, Peachtree City is the perfect place to ride your bike! Our paths are a means of accessing almost any destination in Peachtree City. You can bike to parks, neighborhoods, and all recreational areas. You can hop on your bike from any hotel in town. Ride to restaurants or to shopping at any of our shopping villages.

Or just take a pleasant, relaxing ride. Bike from one end of town to another. Travel through wooded areas, wetlands, around lakes and golf courses, over bridges, and through tunnels. Explore our city from the seat of your bike and you will understand why we love our paths in Peachtree City—and our bikes. 

Visit our website for more about information about multi-use paths, biking, and other recreational activities in Peachtree City. 

Good Vibrations at The Fred!

By Nancy Price, Executive Director Peachtree City CVB

This is one weekend of rock and roll hits that you won’t want to miss in Peachtree City! The Fred will be cranking out hits from two mega groups from the past on Friday, July 11, with Hotel California and on Saturday, July 12, with the Beach Boys. To add even more excitement, actor and ex-teen idol John Stamos will join the Beach Boys on stage!

John Stamos performs with The Beach Boys.

Hotel California, the original tribute band of the Eagles, takes the stage on Friday. This is the second year the group has played The Fred. They will perform all of the Eagles big hits with their iconic harmonies. They have been enjoyed by audiences at festivals and concerts around the world, and have shared the stage with the Doobie Brothers, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Styx, REO Speedwagon and many others.

Hotel California performs Fri., July 11.

Reserved tickets are a reasonable $30 per seat and Picnic Tables ($210)  and Gold Tables ($240) are also still available for purchase. The opening act for Hotel California is singer/songwriter Winston Slade. He will take the stage at 8 pm, with Hotel California performing at 9 pm.

On Saturday night, The Beach Boys along with special guest John Stamos will hit the stage at 8 pm. There is no opening act so make sure you make plans to arrive early!

What better way to spend a hot summer night than grooving to all of the beach tunes you know so well? The Beach Boys first rode the waves of success in 1961 with their regional debut hit ‘Surfin.” By 1966, they had emerged as one of America’s top pop groups by releasing eleven top-10 singles in 5 years, including “Fun, Fun, Fun,”  “I Get Around,” “Help me Rhonda,” “California Girls,” and “Good Vibrations.”

The Beach Boys perform all their hits Sat., July 12.

The Beach Boys didn’t stop there. They released 29 full-length albums between 1962 and 1977, a dozen compilations and boxed sets, and numerous singles into the 90’s. The band’s biggest selling hit didn’t come until 1988 with “Kokomo.” The period between its release and the band’s first major album release “Good Vibrations” in 1966 is the longest span of time between number one records of any artist in history.

The Beach Boys were honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2001 Grammy Awards and by VH-1 which named 1966’s “Pet Sounds” as the #3 album in the Top 100 Albums in Rock n’ Roll History.

Tickets for this concert are extremely limited and range from $55-$75. All tables are sold out.

For ticket information for both concerts, call the Fred Box Office, 770-631-0630 or online at www.amphitheater.org. The Box Office is open M-F from 9 a.m – 5 pm, and day of show beginning at 3 pm.

Plan to spend the weekend! Visit the Peachtree City CVB website for detailed information on accommodations and dining options.

Bruce Hornsby and the Noisemakers at The Fred

By Nancy Price, Executive Director Peachtree City CVB

Since the release of his first album in April 1886, Bruce Hornsby has created a musical life that has expanded far and wide to include a broad stylistic range of activity.

Bruce Hornsby and the Noisemakers at The Fred June 21

Hornsby, a thirteen-time Grammy nominee, has won three Grammys — beginning in 1987 for “Best New Artist” for his debut album The Way It Is; in 1989 for “Best Bluegrass Recording” for his version of his hit “The Valley Road” which appeared on the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band’s “Will the Circle be Unbroken, Volume II; and with Branford Marsalis in 1993 for “Best Pop Instrumental Performance” for their song for the Barcelona Olympics, “Barcelona Mona.”

Hornsby’s thirteen albums have sold over 11 million copies worldwide. The title cut from “the Way It Is” was the most played song on American radio in 1987, winning the ASCAP “Song of the Year” award. In 1989, he co-wrote the classic “The End of the Innocence” with Don Henley, a Top 10 record for Henley.

Over the years, Hornsby has played on over a hundred records, including albums by Bob Dylan, Don Henley, the Grateful Dead, Bob Seger, Crosby stills and Nass, Stevie Nicks, Cowboy Junkies, Squeeze, Chaka Khan, Liquid Jesus, Bonnie Raitt, Shawn Colvin, Bela Fleck, Cling Black, Ricky Skaggs, Randy Scruggs, and Willie Nelson.

We are pleased to have Hornsby and his band, the Noisemakers, as part of our Summer Concert Series at The Frederick Brown, Jr. Amphitheater on Saturday evening, June 21. We think you will enjoy the diversity of Hornsby’s music as well as the beautiful setting The Fred provides. 

Reserved seats are available and may be purchased online at amphitheater.org, or by calling the box office at 770-631-0630. You also can stop by to purchase them at 201 McIntosh Trial.

Gates open at 7pm, opening act Chessboxer goes on at 8pm, and Bruce Hornsby and the Noisemakers will take the stage at 9pm. Patrons are allowed to bring in their own coolers and food as well as have the opportunity to purchase food from The Fred concessionaire, Georgia Shrimp Company.

For a complete listing of all shows appearing this season at The Fred, visit www.amphitheater.org. 

June's 1st Weekend Offers Events for PTC Visitors

By Nancy Price, Executive Director Peachtree City CVB

The first full weekend in June delivers lots of reasons for visiting Peachtree City! 

Friday Night, June 6 — The up and coming new group Beyond 5 is in concert at the Frederick Brown Jr. Amphitheater. When I first heard Beyond 5 perform at a music conference in Nashville, I knew we had to bring them to Peachtree City. They are extremely talented and could possibly reach “one Direction” popularity. This family night concert includes performances by local singer songwriter Paige McCauley and the McIntosh High School Chorus. Gates open at 6:30pm. You can purchase tickets at the box office at 770-631-0630. 

Beyond 5 performs at The Fred June 6

Saturday Morning, June 7 — The Peachtree City Running Club and Tri-PTC will host a marathon relay competition at Drake Field. Teams of four runners will combine to run the marathon. Each participant runs a 10k. Even if you're not running, come out to join the fun cheering on the runners. The race begins at 7am. Go to the Peachtree City Running Club’s website for more information. 

Saturday Night, June 7 — B98.5FM’s “B" at the Movies program presents “Frozen” on a big screen under the stars at Drake Field between Lake Peachtree and the Peachtree City Library. Movie goers can bring picnic baskets, coolers, lawn chairs, and blankets. Concessions also are available until halfway through the movie. The movie is free and begins at dusk. 

Frozen shown at Drake Field June 7

Saturday Night, June 7 — Night Fever, the world’s number one production of the early 70s and disco era music of the Bee Gees, performs at The Fred. The Bee Gees span over 50 years of hit songs and have been inducted into the Hall of Fame. Night Fever plays it all and sounds note for note like the Bee Gees —How Can You Mend a Broken Heart, More Than a Woman, Jive Talking, How Deep is Your Love, You Should Be Dancing, Stayin’ Alive, and more! Gates open at 6:30pm. You can purchase tickets at the box office at 770-631-0630. 

Night Fever performs at The Fred June 7

Sat and Sun, June 7-8 — The 6th annual Southern Alliance Girls LaCrosse Tournament will be held at the PTC Baseball/Soccer Complex and at Meade Fields. This tournament is for southern travel teams to come together and play in front of southern college coaches. Come out and enjoy some great lacrosse action. For more information, go to the SAT LaCrosse website. 

As always in Peachtree City, you will find wonderful, diverse restaurants; accommodations to fit every budget; upscale shopping; and miles of multi-use path for biking and golf carting! For more information, call the Peachtree City Visitors Center at 678-216-0282 or visit the Visit Peachtree City website!

Gladys Knight Opens Summer Concert Series at The Fred

By Nancy Price, Executive Director Peachtree City CVB

Gladys Knight has been belting out her own brand of Pop, R&B, and Adult Contemporary hits since the 1960s. This Saturday night, May 17, the Georgia native and seven-time Grammy winner brings her iconic performance to the Frederick Brown, Jr. Amphitheater. 

Concert goers will be treated to such hits as “Midnight Train to Georgia,” “You’re the Best that Ever Happened to Me,” and “Neither One of Us.”

Gladys Knight

Ms. Knight’s performance is particularly special because it officially opens The Fred’s 20 Year Anniversary Season of the summer concert series under the stars. 

Well-known local jazz musician, Toni Byrd, will open for Ms. Knight. Ms. Byrd can be seen performing at The Georgia Shrimp Company in Peachtree City on a regular basis.

A limited number of reserved seats are available and may be purchased online at The Fred's website or by calling the box office at 770-631-0630. You also can stop by to purchase them at 201 McIntosh Trial.

Gates open at 7pm, Ms. Byrd goes on at 8pm, and Ms. Knight will take the stage at 9pm. Patrons are allowed to bring in their own coolers and food as well as have the opportunity to purchase food from The Fred concessionaire, Georgia Shrimp Company. 

For a complete listing of all shows appearing this season at The Fred, visit amphitheater.org. 

Lisa Kelly Makes Her Solo Debut at The Fred

By Nancy Price, Executive Director Peachtree City CVB

As a performer with the Irish music phenomenon Celtic Women, Dublin-born Lisa Kelly has been called the Voice of Ireland. Here in Peachtree City, however, we proudly refer to her as a hometown girl. Lisa, who settled in Peachtree City two years ago after retiring from Celtic Women, heads up the Lisa Kelly Voice Academy.  

Lisa Kelly

This Saturday, Lisa will make her solo debut at The Frederick Brown, Jr. Amphitheater (The Fred) here in Peachtree City. She will perform with her special guests, Chloe Agnew and Paul Byrom, before a hometown crowd that will include friends and fans from around the world. 

Lisa’s show is designed to showcase not only her vocal talents but Irish culture as well. The show includes classical and pop music and modern and traditional dancing. As a former member of Riverdance, Lisa’s husband, Scott Porter, producer and director of the show, will perform a Celtic dance solo. 

Former Celtic Woman member Chloe Agnew also will perform as will Paul Byrom, a former member of the Irish singing group Celtic Thunder. Three of Lisa’s children will sing or dance on stage, and students of her voice academy will participate in several songs. 

This is a musical event for the entire family. Tickets may be purchased at either the Fred Box Office or online at ticketalternative.com. The Fred gates open at 6:30 for this performance with opening act James Casto performing at 7 pm and the Irish Ceili Band performing at 7:35. For more information about the show, call The Fred Box Office at 770-631-0630 or visit www.amphitheater.org. 

The Fred's Summer Concert Series Celebrates Its 20th Anniversary

By Nancy Price, Executive Director Peachtree City CVB

If you haven’t made a trip to Peachtree City to attend a concert at the Frederick Brown, Jr. Amphitheater, you need to make it a priority this summer as we celebrate the 20th Anniversary of our Summer Concert Series. 

As a long time resident of Peachtree City, I remember that first summer concert on June 17, 1994. The 70’s rock group Three Dog Night played to a sold-out audience. Since then, there have been many memorable concerts under the stars. The Doobie Brothers, Hall and Oates, The B52s, Blake Shelton, and Kenny G are just a few of the national acts that have played here. 

This year’s summer concert lineup is one you won’t want to miss:

May 17 — Gladys Knight

June 21 — Bruce Hornsby and the Noisemakers

July 12 — The Beach Boys

July 26 — Michael Bolton

Aug. 2 — Arrival-The Music of Abba

Sept. 27 — Styx

The Fred celebrates 20 years of summer concerts

Concerts are on Saturday nights so why not come for the weekend? Spend the night in one of our hotels and conference centers. You might like to rent a golf cart and drive it to the concert as many of our residents do.

Celebrate with us as we celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the Summer Concert Series. The Fred, as it is known by its many loyal friends, is one of the best outdoor entertainment venues in Metro Atlanta. You will not be disappointed.

For tickets, call The Fred Box Office or visit The Fred website. 

For information on accommodations and what to do in Peachtree City, visit the CVB website or call the Peachtree City Visitors Center at 678-216-0282.

11th Annual WWII Heritage Days Honors The Women of the Greatest Generation

By Nancy Price, Executive Director Peachtree City CVB

This year’s WWII Heritage Days, April 26-27, includes all the happenings that visitors have come to expect at this terrific annual event in Peachtree City. Hosted by the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) Dixie Wing and located in the Historical Airport Facility at Atlanta Regional Airport-Falcon Field, the event will delight visitors with its historic aircraft, antique cars, and vintage military vehicles. There will be guest speakers, educational displays, and the always popular battle demonstrations by re-enactors portraying Allied and Axis troops. There are plenty of activities for school age kids as well as a 1940’s big band hangar dance for adults. 

Women Air Force Service Pilots and B-17 Flying Fortress

As is traditional, the opening ceremony will recognize local WWII veterans. This year, however, special tribute is being paid to the Women of the Greatest Generation. From defense industry factory workers, known as Rosie the Riveters, to the nearly 400,000 women who served in or with the armed forces, American women did not hesitate to jump into the fray and made significant contributions to the total war effort. 

When the United States entered WWII in 1941, 12 million women were working outside the home. Four years later when the war ended, the number was up to 18 million (one third of the workforce), including 3 million women who worked in war plants.

Numerous women served as secretaries and clerks to generals in the field. About 74,000 women served in the American Army and Navy Nurse Corps, many as nurses in battle zones. More than 1,000 women served as pilots associated with the US Air Force in the WASP (Women Air Force Service Pilots). They were considered civil service workers and were not recognized for their military service until the 1970s. 

Key note speaker for the Saturday, 9:30am, opening program is Lt. Col. Nancy Dakin, pilot and Commander of the 116th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, 116th Air Control Wing, Robins Air Force Base. Saturday at noon, visitors can meet Betty Bishop, who helped assemble Bell P-63 King Cobras, and Gisela Titman and Myrtle Faye Edwards, who both volunteered in the Women’s Army Corps. 

For numerous reasons, this two-day event in Peachtree City is well worth the suggested donation of $5. Active duty military in uniform and Children 5 and under are free. “WWII Heritage Days” will be held rain or shine. No pets please. Advance tickets for the Saturday night hangar dance, “Keep ‘em Flying,” are $50, $60 at the door. Reserved tables and group discounts are available. All ticket sales are final. For tickets, call 678-654-2464.  

For more information about the weekend, please visit www.wwiidays.org or call 678-364-1110. You can find a map to the event on the Peachtree City CVB’s website.

Peachtree City: A Great Place to Live, A Great Place to Visit

Nancy Price

By Nancy Price, Executive Director Peachtree City CVB

1981 was a very cold winter in New Fairfield, Connecticut. Our young family was having a  difficult time adjusting to the cold temperatures and high cost of living. After back-to-back Navy tours in Florida, California, and Texas, the brisk northeastern air seemed to be especially bitter. After enduring one whole winter, we decided to pack our bags and head south. We were Atlanta bound, and everyone told us that the north side of Atlanta was where we needed to be. Later we learned that the best kept secret for housing and community was actually located on the south side. Wow! It was perfect, and the airport was such a convenient commute. Why didn’t the rest of the world know about Peachtree City? It was this amazing, safe, beautiful city with an active lifestyle and excellent schools.   

Thirty-three years later, Peachtree City is still all of that and more. I still live here, and better yet, I have grandchildren growing up here, too! Peachtree City has grown from a master planned town of about 5,000 to around 35,000. Now, there are more than 90 miles of multi-use path, prestigious recreational facilities, and some of the best public schools in the nation. In the last few years, Peachtree City has received numerous accolades: Georgia's Best Place to Raise Kids 2013, BusinessWeek, 2012; Top 100 Best Places to Live in the U. S., CNN/Money Magazine, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011; Top 10 Cities for Families, Family Circle Magazine, 2011; and Most Airport Friendly Atlanta City, KNOW Atlanta Magazine, 2010. 

My hometown has evolved into a wonderful shopping and dining destination with six hotels and two hotel/conference centers to accommodate visitors. It hosts numerous national and regional sporting events each year and is recognized as a desirable location for all types of family and social reunions. Incredibly, Peachtree City and Fayette County are emerging into a major center for film and television production with the completion of Pinewood Studios just a few miles away. 

In my roles as Executive Director of the Peachtree City Convention and Visitors Bureau and Director of the Frederick Brown Jr. Amphitheater, I have had the gratifying opportunity to be a part of Peachtree City’s growth. “The Fred” is celebrating its 20th year as a premier entertainment venue that draws thousands of visitors for its summer concert series. The CVB has a newly renovated Visitors Center with videos, displays, and all types of information for our guests. We have recently established the Peachtree Fayette Sports Alliance (PFSA) to solicit, promote, and facilitate regional and national sporting events locating to Peachtree City. Our Southern Hollywood Film Tour is drawing more and more excited visitors everyday who want to see where some of the most popular movies and TV shows are shot in our area. 

Our new Visit Peachtree City website and our presence on FaceBook, Twitter, and Pinterest lets the world know that Peachtree City has much to offer as a travel destination. I hope to see you in Peachtree City soon. I know you will love visiting Peachtree City just as much as I love living here. 

Local Peachtree City Businesses participate at Atlanta Dogwood Festival

The PCTA has worked to gather items from local businesses that will showcase Peachtree City in a series of giveaways geared to drive visitors to the Peachtree City booth, located inside the International Village of the Dogwood Festival. Giveaways range in value and include airplane rides, tickets to a concert at “The Fred,” overnight hotel stays, tickets to The Great Georgia Air Show, complete weekend packages, and gift bags and coupons from local businesses. These giveaways will be promoted, throughout the Dogwood Festival, on the PCTA social media sites, including Facebook and Twitter, and on Dogwood radio, a radio station dedicated strictly to the Dogwood Festival that will stream info about the Dogwood Festival all weekend long.
Peachtree City will be the only municipality represented at the 74th Annual Atlanta Dogwood Festival and the Peachtree City booth will offer an interactive way for guests to view Peachtree City. Guests can choose to shoot for a hole-in-one on a 10-foot putting green, watch a streaming video that offers a birds eye view of the 90 miles of golf cart paths, or sign up, on site, for the PCTA social media sites, including Facebook and Twitter. Guests will also be able to vote for their favorite decorated golf cart, the Dogwood Festival’s Mobile Art program, at the Peachtree City booth. In addition, two thousand Peachtree City promotional items and over seven thousand pieces of Peachtree City marketing materials will be distributed among the 200,000 guests in attendance.

“Providing an interactive booth for guests to enjoy was only half the battle, the other half is driving guests to the booth” said Kai Wolter, Vice Chairman of the Board, The Peachtree City Tourism Association. “We had to be creative and immediately thought about getting local business involved to donate items that could be included in a series of giveaways.”
The PCTA would like to recognize and thank the businesses that have contributed to the giveaways, Dolce Atlanta Peachtree, Falcon Field, Hilton Garden Inn, Holiday Inn Hotel and Suites, Wyndham Peachtree Conference Center, Sleep Inn, Sugarfoot Yarns, The Avenue’s, The Frederick Brown, Jr. Amphitheater, The Great Georgia Air Show, The Guide, Air Spruce, Bulldog Supply, Canongate Golf Clubs, Carrabbas, Commemorative Air Force, Georgia Shrimp Company, Partners Pizza, Pascal's Bistro, Peachtree City Golf Cars, Peachtree City Tennis Center, and Yknots.

Peachtree City Mayor will present award at Dogwood Festival

Guests of the 74th Annual Atlanta Dogwood Festival will vote for their favorite decorated golf cart, and Peachtree City’s Mayor Don Haddix has been invited to present an award to the winner.

Golf Carts will again be decorated by local consulates and organizations, and during the festival hours, will be parked throughout the park. Guests will be encouraged to vote for their favorite decorated golf cart at the Peachtree City booth, located inside the International Village. The golf cart receiving the most votes will be honored, and receive an award presented by Peachtree City’s Honorable Mayor Don Haddix, at a ceremony on Sunday April 18, 2010.

“When Brian Hill, Executive Director of the Dogwood Festival, reached out to us to participate, we knew that it would be a perfect match,” said Don Haddix, Mayor of Peachtree City. “Peachtree City is well known across the country for our path system and golf cart use, that and we couldn’t miss this opportunity to be involved in the mobile art program.”

Peachtree City participates in the 74th Annual Atlanta Dogwood Festival

The City of Peachtree City will partner with the Peachtree City Tourism Association (PCTA) and the Development Authority of Peachtree City (DAPC) to showcase Peachtree City during the  74th Annual Atlanta Dogwood Festival beginning April 16, 2010. The Dogwood Festival is a three-day event that April visitors to Atlanta have enjoyed for the past 74 years. The PCTA and the DAPC are both dedicated to spreading awareness and encouraging conventions, groups, and leisure visitors alike to visit Peachtree City.

The 74th Annual Atlanta Dogwood Festival is the third oldest arts festival in the country and will take place on April 16, 17, and 18, 2010 in Atlanta’s Piedmont Park. The three-day event is free to the public and is filled with art, live entertainment ranging from music to comedy, a variety of food offerings and the fantastic Atlanta spring weather. The festival is the only fine arts festival in Georgia to be recognized as being in the top 100 in the nation and is expected to draw close to 200,000 visitors.

Last year, the Atlanta Dogwood Festival celebrated the diversity of the Atlanta community by adding an International stage to its offerings and bringing the city’s international organizations and consulates on board to create mobile art in the form of decorated golf carts. The program was so successful and well received by attendees that this spring the stage will expand into an International Village.

The mobile art will also be repeated this year and guests will be encouraged to vote for their favorite decorated golf cart at the Peachtree City booth, located in the International Village. The golf cart receiving the most votes will be honored and presented an award, by Peachtree City’s Honorable Mayor Don Haddix, at a ceremony to be held Sunday April 18, 2010.

Hi, hi, black birds?

February 3, 2010

I wish the annual Audubon Bird Count was going on in Peachtree City yesterday. The trees around City Hall were aflutter with a veritable cacophony of little black birds migrating somewhere. I tried to get some pics by trailing their chorus through Picnic Park, but they hopped trees, en masse, so quickly that I couldn’t get close enough for an ID or snapshot.

Oh well. Since I was beside Lake Peachtree, a gaggle of coots came to see if I had food to share – the year-round resident Canada geese and mallards were trailing right behind them. The coots posed for my camera, but a lone bluebird streaked by too quickly for the auto focus to catch.

I confess, I’m actually not an avid bird watcher (or I would probably have been able to identify the little black birds by their call). I have a bird feeder, stocked with a variety of tasty treats from our local wild bird store, and I have a small book that helps me identify most of the standard suburban visitors. With that said, Peachtree City is a real birder’s paradise. The entire city is a designated bird sanctuary, and with 30% of our 24 square miles left as some type of natural green or open space, there are a huge variety of birds to be seen on our winding paths and in our nature areas.

I can now recognize with ease the regular red-tailed hawks and great blue herons fishing in our lakes and streams, but had the devil of a time identifying a juvenile green heron a couple of years ago. We’ve even had reports of several bald eagles spending time near the Lake Peachtree dam, but I wasn’t able to spot one.

So, with wet socks – it was a chilly, rainy day -- I waved goodbye to the flock of unidentified little black birds as they passed through our town. They brought a cheery note to what was otherwise a pretty gray Groundhog Day.

Contributed by Betsy Tyler, Public Information Officer/City Clerk

Treasure Hunting with a GPS

It seems everyday that I am learning about the great new things that technology has to offer and I have a long list of things that I want to learn or investigate. I admit I was obsessed with the “Google phone” for a long time and read every bit of news that came out. Though I had heard about it, until recently Geocaching was not one of the things that had been on my list of things to investigate. But when the staff at the Tourism Association began discussing Geocaching, there was an excitement about participating in such a fun activity and we all knew that this was the perfect activity with our recreational paths and environment to do in Peachtree City.


If you haven’t heard about it, Geocaching is the same scavenger or treasure hunt that has fascinated young and old throughout the years but with done with a GPS device. People all over the world have hidden containers outside with everything from notes to prizes that can be discovered by anyone equipped with a GPS device. This has become not only a great activity for people who seek a little adventure but also families who want to spend time together in a fun, out of the ordinary activity.

The Peachtree City staff has also been excited  about getting involved in Geocaching and reached out last month with an informational request to the community “Do you Geocache and would you like an event here in Peachtree City?” They received a great response back, but as we plan a future Geocache event in Peachtree City we would still like more input on what kind of Geocaching activities and events should be held as well as suggestions of new hidden locations. We welcome any comments you may have or e-mail us at info@peachtree-city.org or info@visitpeachtreecity.com.

For hidden locations currently in Peachtree City, GA as well as a lot of other great information, visit http://www.geocaching.com/.

Post by Mary Camburn

Gobble till you wobble..

Turkey day staycation or vacation…that is the question. This is the time of year that begins to get a bit crazy with soirée after soiree, family get togethers and if you’re like me- STRESS! People are pinching pennies more then ever and that is definitely reflected in travel plans….including my own. Thankfully the majority of my family lives in Orlando…semi driving distance (6 hours)…BUT STILL…it would be much easier to board the three (yes three) dogs, take a week or so off work, hire someone to clean the house and do the laundry while we are gone and purchase a plane ticket with the perk of being there in an hour and a half. Ahhhh wouldn’t that be dreamy! I don’t know about you but my thanksgiving isn’t complete without my mom’s turkey and dressing, staying in “comfy clothes,” stuffing myself and some good sleep. It was interesting to see that AAA just reported more Americans, and Georgians, will travel for the Thanksgiving holiday. AAA projects 38.4 million Americans will travel a distance of 50 miles or more away from home throughout Thanksgiving weekend. Hmmmmm….will the trend continue through the holidays? Well…I will be one of those who travels more then 50 miles to get my fill of turkey…

I mean….who could pass this up!

Contributed by Lauren Yawn, Executive Director

Peachtree City Tourism Board Member Recognition

The Peachtree City Tourism Association (PCTA) would like to congratulate Dave Ring, PCTA Board Member, for receiving the distinguished award of “State Volunteer of the Year” by the Georgia Recreation & Park Association (GRPA). This award is given to individuals for their outstanding volunteer efforts throughout the year.

Dave has been a long time volunteer in Peachtree City (PTC) and member of the Peachtree City Recreation Commission. Also, he has served on the PCTA Board of Directors since it’s inception in 2004.

Dave is a tremendous resource to the PCTA Board of Directors and staff. He has contributed not only time and leadership but has helped build bridges in other tourism areas of interest, such as recreation. Dave is always contributing in the promotion of PTC and Tourism. Through his travels, Dave has been known to wear his PTC baseball cap and deliver the message to many, Peachtree City- “Plan to Stay.” We are proud to have Dave Ring as a member of our organization.

A Fall Day in Peachtree City

One of highlights of the fall season has always been taking walks, bike rides and just being outside enjoying the fall colors and cooler weather. In Peachtree City, we have two nature areas that are perfect for enjoying these fall days. If you are planning a day trip to Peachtree City, the day should definitely include visiting these two nature areas.

Line Creek Nature Area
Located on the Coweta/Fayette County line, this 70 acre preserve on Line Creek has a picnic area and fishing pond with gazebo and pier, perfect for an afternoon picnic getaway for the family. The nature area also features two trails offering picturesque views for both the casual walker enjoying the scenery and the adventurous hiker.

Flat Creek Nature Area

This 513 Acre wetland includes a mulch trail, 1200 foot boardwalk and two viewing platforms with benches. The Southern Conservation Trust who manages these two nature areas offers a description of “a walk on the boardwalk in the Flat Creek Nature Area that reveals trees and plants typical of a Piedmont forested wetland, including red maples, chestnut oak, American hornbeam and other native plants like turtlehead ferns and cardinal flower.”

For residents and visitors alike, both of these nature areas offer a great option for a sunny cool day to enjoy nature and the fall colors. For more information on Peachtree City, go to http://www.visitpeachtreecity.com/ and the nature areas, go to http://www.sctlandtrust.org./

Creative businesses and products in Georgia

     The Peachtree City Tourism Association, Inc. is encouraging local artisans, entertainers, festival planners and theaters to join and participate in the website www.GaMadeGaGrownProducts.org from the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) and the Georgia Tourism Foundation to assist them in gaining exposure and forming useful partnerships.

     The association also encourages Peachtree City businesses, residents and visitors to check out the www.GaMadeGaGrownProducts.org website, a detailed creative industries database, as the best way to search for Georgia’s arts-centric businesses: from handmade jewelry to local festivals, pick-your-own farms to performers. This growing directory connects buyers and sellers, corporations and corporate suppliers, locals and visitors to Georgia's cultural assets and creative small businesses.

     Listings on the website are free, so artists, producers and retailers selling authentic Georgia Made Georgia Grown products and productions are eligible to be part of this marketing tool. It is never too late to sign up; simply visit www.GaMadeGaGrownProducts.org to register.
     The Peachtree City Tourism Association also welcomes those businesses who participate in the GaMadeGaGrownProducts.org to display their information on a short term rotating basis at the Visitors Center. Please contact the staff at info@visitpeachtreecity.com or at the Visitors Center located at 10 Planterra Way, Peachtree City, GA 678-216-0282 for more information.

Tourism Staff attends the Sunbelt Ag Expo

The Peachtree City Staff again attended the Sunbelt Ag Expo last week with another great experience promoting Peachtree City.

“The Expo allows Peachtree City Tourism to target vacationers and inform people on what, where and why Peachtree City is a great place to visit and live. There are not many trade shows that you can reach almost 100 thousand attendees at one time and sell your product.”


The expo showcases a diverse array of labor-saving products, cutting edge technology and interactive educational exhibits for visitors who attend the 32nd anniversary Sunbelt Ag Expo, October 20-22, 2009, in Moultrie, Georgia. As North America's Premier Farm Show™, the Expo attracts more than 1,200 exhibitors and 100,000 attendees.

From farm to market, garden to field, classroom to home, the Expo truly has something for everyone. The Expo’s permanent home is Spence Field, a former airbase on 1,680 acres. The Expo is located four miles southeast of U.S. Hwy. 319 on Georgia Hwy. 133.