Enjoy What Is Left Of This Summer

In partnership with

Good morning, Spalding County!

Have you been enjoying your summer? I hope so, because this part of the calendar always feels a little strange. The Fourth of July is barely behind us. There are probably still a few firework wrappers hiding in your yard, and it feels like we should have a whole wide-open summer left in front of us. Pools, popsicles, late sunsets, cookouts, kids running around barefoot, all of it.

Then you look at the calendar and realize August is standing right there with a backpack on.

Back to school is already starting to creep into the conversation so before packed schedules take over again, enjoy what is left of this summer while you can. Sit outside a little longer. Let the kids stay up a little later. Get one more ice cream cone. August will get here soon enough.

- Chad

Over 17,000 backyards transformed. Yours could be next.

17,000+ units sold. The choice of 1200+ top US contractors. Rated 4.8 stars by thousands of homeowners across America.

Behind every Hansø pergola sits 40+ years of precision expertise - and an unwavering obsession with raising the standard. Scandinavian design meets American craftsmanship in premium pergola kits built for all four seasons: engineered to handle scorching summers, snow-loaded winters, and everything Mother Nature delivers in between.

This is outdoor living without compromise. And 17,000 homeowners have already discovered that. Yours could be next.

Find Your Louvered Pergola

THE DIGEST

GSCS Shares Back-to-School Resources for New School Year

Griffin-Spalding County Schools is helping families get a head start on the 2026-27 school year with a new back-to-school resource page. The district posted information with links to open house details, school supply lists, the academic calendar, central registration, and other reminders for parents as the first day gets closer. It is the kind of page worth bookmarking now, especially for families juggling multiple schools or trying to get paperwork handled before the rush hits. Summer still has a little room left on the calendar, but the back-to-school season is officially starting to creep in. Parents can find the resources through the Griffin-Spalding County Schools website.

Griffin Elite Claims AAU World Championship

Griffin Elite’s 16U AAU basketball team brought a national title back home after winning the 2026 AAU World Championship Division II tournament in Orlando, Florida. The team went undefeated over four days, finishing 7-0 against a 40-team field. The championship is a major milestone for a program that has only been around for two years. Griffin Elite put together a complete run, relying on teamwork, preparation, and steady play through a demanding tournament schedule. The perfect finish also gives one of the area’s young basketball programs a national spotlight and shows how quickly it has grown. For the players and coaches, the title caps months of work and marks a memorable moment for Griffin youth basketball.

DUMP SCHEDULE

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.

WHAT’S HAPPENIN’

FRIDAY

Griffin Farmer’s Market
When: Friday, July 10, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
What: UGA Extension Spalding County hosts the weekly Griffin Farmer’s Market with local produce, honey, boiled peanuts, and other goods from area vendors.
Where: Kiwanis Fairgrounds, 1025 South Hill Street, Griffin, GA 30224

Ribbon Cutting for The Garden Beer Garden + Venue
When: Friday, July 10, 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
What: The Griffin-Spalding Chamber is hosting a ribbon cutting for The Garden Beer Garden + Venue as the downtown gathering spot approaches its one-year anniversary. Guests can meet the team, grab a drink, and help celebrate the local venue behind The Cotton Mill Mercantile.
Where: The Garden Beer Garden + Venue, 314 East Solomon Street, Griffin, GA 30223

Beat the Heat
When: Friday, July 10, 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM
What: Spalding County is hosting a free family event to help residents cool off and connect with local first responders. Families can expect water activities, games, food, fire trucks, and the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office helicopter.
Where: Carver Road Fire Station, 600 Carver Road, Griffin, GA 30223

250th Celebration Patriotic Skate
When: Friday, July 10, 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM
What: Griffin Skate Inn is hosting a patriotic skate night in honor of America’s 250th anniversary and Spalding County’s 175th anniversary. The event includes skating, games, and a “Most Patriotic Outfit” contest, with a free T-shirt for the winner. Admission is $15.
Where: Griffin Skate Inn, 2489 North Expressway, Griffin, GA 30223

SATURDAY

2nd Saturday All-American Summer Block Party & Drone Show
When: Saturday, July 11, All day
What: Downtown Griffin wraps up the America 250 and Spalding County 175 celebration week with a full day of patriotic activities. The day begins with the All-American Summer Car Show from 9:00 AM to noon, followed by downtown shopping and dining specials, community activities, food trucks, family fun, the 2nd Saturday Concert Series featuring Lisa Perkins & The E-Lusion Band at 7:00 PM, and a drone show at 9:30 PM.
Where: Downtown Griffin, 100 South Hill Street, Griffin, GA 30224

SAFE RIDERS Bike Safety Event
When: Saturday, July 11, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
What: Families are invited to a free bike safety event where children can receive free helmets and bike lights while supplies last. The event also includes helmet fittings, helmet decorating, bike safety tips, a bike course, a chance to win a children’s bike, and free ice cream from City Church.
Where: City Church, 220 East Solomon Street, Griffin, GA 30223

Head Games – A Tribute to Foreigner
When: Saturday, July 11, 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM
What: Griffin Opera House is hosting Head Games, an Atlanta-based Foreigner tribute act that recreates the band’s classic 70s and 80s rock sound.
Where: Griffin Opera House, 102 North Hill Street, Griffin, GA 30223

Free Adult Literacy Classes
When: Saturday, July 11, 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
What: NALOspalding is hosting free adult literacy classes. A stress-free 6-week cohort designed for adults who want support with literacy, GED preparation, career development, or simply brushing up on essential skills. Registration is available through the event listing.
Where: NALOspalding, 222 Meriwether Street, Griffin, GA 30224

UPCOMING

Earth, Blooms, and Buzz Nature Series: Soil, Grass, and Water
When: Tuesday, July 14, 9:00 AM – 1:30 PM
What: UGA Griffin is hosting the first session of its Earth, Blooms, and Buzz Nature Series with a hands-on look at soil, grass, and water. Participants will learn about soil health, soil testing, turfgrass, grass diseases, weed management, and water quality with UGA experts and guests from the City of Griffin and UGA Extension. The session includes lunch and time outdoors touring campus locations to see environmental science in action. Cost is $10, space is limited to 15 participants, and registration closes July 12. Closed-toe shoes and pants or a long skirt are required.
Where: Redding Building, 325 Woodroof Drive, UGA Griffin Campus, Griffin, GA

WEATHER

FRIDAY

92° 🌡️ 73° | 🌤️ | 10% | W 5–10 mph

SATURDAY

91° 🌡️ 72° | ⛈️ | 50% | W 5–10 mph

SUNDAY

88° 🌡️ 70° | ⛈️ | 70% | Light/variable

THANKS!

Thanks for reading today’s Griffin Grapevine.

The whole reason this exists is to make Griffin and Spalding County a little easier to keep up with, especially when the calendar is full, the school year is already sneaking up on us, and nobody has time to check five different websites just to figure out what is going on around town.

If you know someone who would enjoy the Grapevine, send this issue their way. The more local readers we have, the better this works.

And if you have an event, news tip, local story, or something happening around Spalding County that I should know about, just reply to this email. I read every message. Local businesses interested in reaching Grapevine readers can reply here as well or email me at griffin@welldiem.com.

Enjoy the rest of your summer while it is still here.