Demolition Clears Way for New Griffin-Spalding Airport, Griffin's Summer Shuttle, and Activities for This Weekend.
Griffin Grapevine
June 19, 2026
Good morning, Spalding County!
When was the last time you went fishing? I’ll be honest. It has been a couple of years since I’ve been freshwater fishing around here. I have a group of buddies who do a yearly fishing trip off the coast, and that is always a great time, but there is something different about freshwater fishing. It is slower. Quieter. A little less planned. You are not trying to turn it into a whole production. You are just standing there by the water, waiting on a tug, and for once your phone is not the most interesting thing in front of you.
Maybe that changes this weekend. Between farm ponds, nearby reservoirs, and those little spots people do not like to tell anyone about, we are not exactly short on places to wet a line. The funny thing is, a lot of us live this close to quiet water and still go months, or years, without slowing down enough to enjoy it. So maybe today is a good excuse. Dig the tackle box out of the garage. Sometimes the best local outing is a folding chair, a gas station snack, and the hope that something bites.
- Chad
Intrepid Travel has just launched its new Premium Family range — eight new trips across Costa Rica, Sri Lanka, India, Borneo, Vietnam, Morocco, Thailand and Egypt. Small groups of three to five families. Intrepid's most experienced local guides. Immersive, kid-focused activities and elevated stays, with all the logistics handled for you. Watch baby orangutans learn to climb in Borneo. Stargaze at a desert camp in Morocco. Spot leopards on safari in India. These aren't holidays where you watch the world through a window — they're the kind of trips kids remember when they're grown up. Bookings for Intrepid's Family range grew 19% in 2025, and their new Premium tier is their fastest-growing travel style for good reason.
Getting around Griffin and Spalding County should be a little easier this summer. The new Griffin-Spalding County Summer Shuttle Service launched this week, offering residents a seasonal ride option from June 17 through August 14. The service is designed to help connect local neighborhoods with summer destinations and county facilities, including the Spalding County Senior Center and Spalding County Aquatic Center. That could make a real difference for teens heading to activities, seniors trying to reach programs, and families who need one more transportation option while school is out.
Work on the future Griffin-Spalding County Regional Airport has reached another visible milestone. All homes and structures along Banks Road have now been demolished, and the first phase of demolition on Sapelo Road is also complete. The cleared land helps move the project closer to major grading work for the new airport site, which sits across Highway 16 from The Lakes at Green Valley. The airport project has been years in the making, with land purchases beginning in 2015 and later support coming from state and federal funding. Crews are now wrapping up remaining site work, including filling wells, removing septic systems, and preparing for future road closures around the airport property. Utility relocations are also moving along, with new power lines already active and gas line work underway.
Griffin-Spalding County Schools has narrowed its 2026-27 District Teacher of the Year field to three educators: Jane Burke of Spalding High School, Kelly Clark of Crescent Elementary School, and Brittany Kitchens of Jordan Hill Elementary School. The finalists were chosen from 20 school-level honorees after an application review, classroom observations, and interviews. Each brings a different kind of classroom leadership. Burke teaches high school science and has helped build student science programs at Spalding High. Clark, a longtime GSCS educator, teaches fifth-grade language arts and serves as a mentor and grade-level leader. Kitchens teaches second grade and has helped shape early-grade social studies curriculum for the district. The districtwide winner will be announced July 23 during the GSCS Back-to-School Celebration.
Smoke - Male - 1 year old
Adoptable at 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 19, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
What: The weekly Griffin Farmer’s Market is back at the Kiwanis Fairgrounds with local produce, honey, boiled peanuts, and other seasonal finds. It is a simple Friday morning stop for anyone wanting to shop local, stock up for the weekend, or just get out before the afternoon heat settles in.
Where: Kiwanis Fairgrounds, 1025 South Hill Street, Griffin, GA 30224
When: Friday, June 19, 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM; Saturday, June 20, 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM; Sunday, June 21, 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
What: Main Street Players is closing its season with a fast-moving stage version of The 39 Steps, mixing Hitchcock-style suspense with comedy and quick-change theatrical chaos. Four actors take on dozens of characters, making this a good pick for locals who want a downtown Griffin night out with something a little clever and different.
Where: Main Street Players Theatre, 115 North Hill Street, Griffin, GA 30223
Georgia Adopt-A-Stream Visual Stream Monitoring Workshop
When: Saturday, June 20, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
What: The City of Griffin Stormwater team is hosting a free hands-on workshop about streams, creeks, habitat assessment, and how residents can tell whether a stream environment is healthy. It is especially useful for students, families with older kids, environmental volunteers, teachers, or anyone who likes learning what is actually happening in local waterways.
Where: City of Griffin Stormwater Office, 865 South 9th Street, Griffin, GA 30224
When: Saturday, June 20, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
What: Walk With A Doc is a free community walking program led by a local healthcare provider. Participants hear a short health talk, then walk at their own pace around City Park. It is low-pressure, all-abilities friendly, and a good way to get moving while meeting a few neighbors.
Where: Griffin City Park, 601 Camp Northern Road, Griffin, GA 30224
When: Saturday, June 20, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
What: Griffin’s Juneteenth celebration begins with a downtown parade at 10:00 AM and continues with a community celebration at Griffin City Park starting at noon. The event is free and family-friendly, with cultural celebration, food, activities, and a chance for residents to mark Juneteenth together in the heart of the city.
Where: Downtown Griffin parade route, East Broad Street, Griffin, GA 30223; celebration continues at Griffin City Park, 601 Camp Northern Road, Griffin, GA 30224
When: Saturday, June 20, 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
What: Spalding County Leisure Services is hosting the Griffin-Spalding Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at the Senior Center. This one is a good fit for longtime locals, sports families, and anyone who enjoys seeing community achievement recognized in a formal setting.
Where: Spalding County Senior Center, 885 Memorial Drive, Griffin, GA 30223
When: Saturday, June 20, 6:00 PM – 11:59 PM
What: Hibachi Joe’s is presenting an evening comedy show at the Kiwanis Fairgrounds. It is a ticketed entertainment option for adults looking for a Saturday night out without leaving Griffin.
Where: Kiwanis Fairgrounds, 1025 South Hill Street, Griffin, GA 30224
When: Saturday, June 20, 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM
What: Damascus Road Christian Church is hosting a free outdoor movie night featuring Pixar’s Soul, with food trucks and local vendors before the film. Bring blankets or lawn chairs, and note that registration is required even though the event is free.
Where: Damascus Road Christian Church, 291 South Pine Hill Road, Griffin, GA 30224
When: Saturday, June 20, 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM
What: Griffin Opera House is bringing in Brotherhood Band, an Atlanta-based Doobie Brothers tribute act, for a night of classic rock downtown. Expect familiar hits, harmonies, and a polished concert setting for fans of the band’s early rock sound and later smooth-groove era.
Where: Griffin Opera House, 102 North Hill Street, Griffin, GA 30223
When: Saturday, June 20, 8:30 PM – 11:30 PM
What: Nathan Morgan is scheduled for a Saturday night live music set at The Garden Beer Garden & Venue. This is a casual downtown option for readers who want an outdoor-venue feel, live music, and a later evening plan after the bigger Saturday community events wrap up.
Where: The Garden Beer Garden & Venue, 314 East Solomon Street, Griffin, GA 30223
When: Sunday, June 21, 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
What: Looking for a reason to get out of the house on a Sunday afternoon? Southern Social is hosting its Summer Cornhole League, an eight-week league designed for players of all skill levels. Whether you're a serious competitor or just looking to meet new people and enjoy a few hours of friendly competition, the league offers a relaxed way to spend part of your weekend. League shirts are included, divisions are organized by skill level, and players can compete for opportunities to advance to city and state tournaments.
Where: Southern Social by Fire Maker Brewing, 122 West 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.
84° 🌡️ 67° | ⛈️ | 30% | W 10 mph
85° 🌡️ 68° | ⛈️ | 30% | Calm
86° 🌡️ 70° | ⛈️ | 60% | SSW 6 mph
That’s it for today’s Griffin Grapevine.
I like weeks like this because they remind you how much of local life is not really one big headline. It is a shuttle route starting up for the summer. A few teachers getting recognized before the school year begins again. Dirt moving for a project that has been talked about for years. A downtown event that gives people a reason to linger a little longer than they planned.
That is the stuff that makes a place feel alive. Not always dramatic, but steady. You see it in the school parking lots, along the roads that suddenly look different, and in the small updates that make you say, “Oh, I was wondering what was happening there.”
If you see something around Griffin or Spalding County that makes you curious, send it my way. A new sign, a construction fence, a business opening, a community event, or just a question you keep hearing people ask. Some of the best Grapevine stories start with somebody noticing something ordinary.
Have a great weekend, stay cool, and maybe find a little time by the water.
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