Veterans Center Opens, Police Receive Traffic Safety Technology Grant, and A Hitchcock Classic Gets a Comedic Twist.
Griffin Grapevine
June 12, 2026
Good morning, Spalding County!
There are a few moments every year when summer stops warming up and just kicks the door open. This feels like one of them. The easy mornings are starting to disappear, the air has that wet-blanket feel again, and any outdoor plan this weekend now comes with a built-in strategy session. Where are we parking? Is there shade? Who remembered water?
At the same time, the World Cup is officially underway, and that gives the whole region a slightly different pulse. Atlanta hosts its first match Monday, which means the usual summer traffic and activity may have a little extra international flavor mixed in. Even if you are not a soccer person, it is hard not to notice when one of the biggest sporting events on Earth shows up less than an hour up the road.Around Griffin, the weekend has plenty going on too. Markets, music, downtown events, library programs, and a few good reasons to get out of the house before the heat wins.
- Chad
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More than 100 people gathered Saturday for the grand opening of the Spalding County Veterans Center at 732 W. Broad St., inside the former Hanleiter United Methodist Church. The county-owned facility will provide support for veterans experiencing homelessness, including training assistance, veteran services, and transitional housing for up to 18 months. The center includes 13 bedrooms and will be operated through a partnership involving the Griffin-Spalding Military Affairs Committee, Spalding County Collaborative, and Waypoint/DSIII. Spalding County renovated the building, while GSMAC will lease the facility and help cover utilities, maintenance, insurance, and other operating costs. Waypoint/DSIII will provide services and programming for veterans using the center.
The Griffin Police Department has received a nearly $40,000 grant from the Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety to purchase new technology for traffic enforcement and public safety work. The grant will fund rugged laptops, docking stations, printers, and related equipment for officers working in the field. Police officials said the new tools will help officers collect, access, and share information more efficiently during traffic enforcement and roadway safety operations. The funding will continue through fiscal year 2027 and is part of a broader state effort to reduce serious and fatal traffic crashes. Locally, the department says the equipment will support its traffic unit as officers respond to problem areas, address dangerous driving, and work to prevent crashes before they happen.
Main Street Players ends its 2025-26 season with “The 39 Steps,” a fast-moving comedy mystery based on John Buchan’s novel and Alfred Hitchcock’s 1935 thriller. The play follows Richard Hannay, an ordinary man pulled into a spy plot who must race across Britain while trying to clear his name. The Griffin production features just four actors playing more than 100 characters, with Chris Gansel, Heather Shepherd, Isaac Melton, and Brad Jester leading the cast. Directed by B.J. Hughes, the show will transform the Main Street Players stage into an English music hall-inspired setting with quick changes, shifting scenery, and a brisk pace. For more information, times, and tickets visit
Elise - Female - 2 years old
Spalding County Animal Care & Control
Monday & Thursday: Carver (610 Carver Rd) and Woodroof (4245 Old Atlanta Rd) 11am-7pm
Tuesday & Friday: Blalock (5756 Newnan Rd) and Cabin (3865 Jackson Rd)
11am-7pm
Saturday: All centers open 7am-1pm (plus Akin for bulky items only)
Sunday & Wednesday: Closed
Got big stuff? The Akin Collection Center (841 S McDonough Rd) is for bulky items only—no regular household garbage. Open Saturdays 7am-1pm.
All centers closed on county holidays.
Griffin Farmer’s Market 2026
When: Friday, June 12, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
What: The weekly Griffin Farmer’s Market returns at the Kiwanis Fairgrounds with local staples like produce, honey, and boiled peanuts. It is a simple Friday morning stop for readers who want to shop local, pick up seasonal food, and support area growers and vendors before the weekend gets busy.
Where: Kiwanis Fairgrounds, 1025 South Hill Street, Griffin, GA 30224
When: Friday, June 12, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
What: The Griffin-Spalding County Library has a Friday morning play program on the calendar for families with young children. It is a low-pressure library outing for caregivers looking for a cool indoor activity, a little social time, and an easy way to connect kids with the library during summer reading season.
Where: Griffin-Spalding County Library, 800 Memorial Drive, Griffin, GA 30223
When: Saturday, June 13, 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
What: This pop-up market and business expo brings together youth entrepreneurs and adult small-business vendors in one Saturday event. It is a good pick for readers who like vendor markets, want to support young people learning business skills, or are looking for a daytime shopping stop before downtown evening events begin.
Where: Extra Space Storage parking lot, 643 North Expressway, Griffin, GA 30223
Free Adult Literacy Classes
When: Saturday, June 13, 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
What: NALOspalding has free adult literacy classes listed for Saturday afternoon. This is a practical community resource for adults who want reading and literacy support, and a useful listing for readers who may know someone who could benefit from a welcoming local class.
Where: NALO, 222 Meriwether Street, Griffin, GA 30224
When: Saturday, June 13, 3:00 PM – 9:00 PM
What: Downtown Griffin’s June Jam turns Solomon Street into a summer beach party with sand, DJ music, food trucks, free beach games, and the Michael Stacey’s Margaritaville tribute show as the evening headline entertainment. This is one of the weekend’s biggest family-friendly local draws and a strong option for readers looking for an easy downtown outing with food, music, and a festival feel.
Where: Downtown Griffin / Imperial Theatre Park, 201 East Solomon Street, Griffin, GA 30223
When: Saturday, June 13, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
What: The city’s 2nd Saturday Concert Series continues with Michael Stacey’s Margaritaville, a Jimmy Buffett tribute, at Park at 6th. It is a free, family-friendly evening concert and a good fit for readers who want live music downtown without committing to the full June Jam schedule.
Where: Park at 6th, 204 Solomon Street, Griffin, GA 30224
When: Saturday, June 13, 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM
What: Eagle Sunrise brings an Eagles tribute set to Barnstormer’s, with doors listed for 6:30 p.m. and the show beginning at 8 p.m. The venue lists this as an indoor, all-ages concert with restaurant service nearby, making it a good nearby option for readers who want a seated evening music show after the downtown events.
Where: Barnstormer’s Grill & Event Center, 349 Jonathan’s Roost Road, Williamson, GA 30292
When: Sunday, June 14, 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
What: Peach State Cornhole’s summer league continues Sunday afternoon at Southern Social in downtown Griffin. The league features organized weekly play, divisions for different skill levels, league shirts, and tournament opportunities. Registration for the full league closed May 26, so this is mainly useful for readers already signed up or anyone who wants to stop by, grab food or drinks, and see what the local cornhole scene looks like.
Where: Southern Social by Fire Maker Brewing, 122 W Bank Street, Griffin, GA 30223
Nothing in this section is sponsored. They're just the things you need to know. I'll always let you know when something's sponsored.
93° 🌡️ 73° | ☀️ | 0% | W 5 mph
92° 🌡️ 72° | ⛈️ | 30% | NW 5 mph
89° 🌡️ 70° | ⛈️ | 60% | Light wind
That’s it for today’s Griffin Grapevine. One of the funny things about local life is how much can be happening right in front of us before anyone really knows the story. A fence goes up, a storefront changes hands, a road crew appears, a flyer gets taped to a window, and suddenly half the county is asking the same thing: “What’s going on over there?”
That’s the kind of stuff I’m trying to keep track of here. So if you see something around Spalding County that makes you curious, send it my way. A new business, a community event, a youth sports sign-up, a school update, a great local story, or even just a rumor worth checking out.
And if this issue helped you feel a little more in the loop, forward it to someone who lives nearby. Follow Griffin Grapevine on Instagram and Facebook below for more updates between issues.
Have a great weekend!
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