Colorful scarecrows have descended on Thomson's Main Street – whimsical displays created by local businesses and other chamber members. The event, now in its third year expects to have the biggest turnout of scarecrows yet.

The scarecrow event, sponsored by the Thomson McDuffie County Chamber of Commerce, runs through Oct. 31 and sets the stage for other fall events. The winner will be announced at the Jack o' Lanterns on Journal festival that will take place on October 27th in downtown Thomson. The annual Thomson Treasure Hunt is also incorporating the Fall Crows into their October 15th event; including a geocaching scarecrow on the events t-shirt.

"The scarecrows always increase the foot traffic down Main Street," said Elizabeth Vance, Director of Tourism for the Thomson-McDuffie County CVB. " It’s a real traffic stopper, too! Drivers move thru downtown slower in October, so they can check out all the different scarecrows.”

This year, anyone can vote on their favorite scarecrow. Stop by the Thomson-McDuffie County Chamber of Commerce between now and October 21^st; first place winner will receive $100 in chamber bucks, second place will receive $50 in chamber bucks and the third place winner will receive $25 in chamber bucks.  

To find out about other fall events in McDuffie County, visit the calendar of events page on  www.exploremcduffiecounty.com.

The attached photo is the scarecrow for Thomson-McDuffie Middle School, Future Business Leaders of America.

Elizabeth Vance
Thomson-McDuffie CVB
149 Main Street
Thomson, Ga 30824
706-597-1000

706-595-2143 fax
www.exploremcduffiecounty.com

Even though I was born and raised in The South, I wasn’t always a big fan of southern talk. As a matter of fact, during my college years I took pride in the fact that most people didn’t think I was from the south because (they said) I didn’t have the southern accent. But every now and then, some other tell-tell saying would give me away and it would usually be “y’all”, “fixin’ to” or “used to”. Every conversation going on in the south is peppered with these types of expressions. They may not be proper, but they are certainly charming. You can even take the edge off of something mean by following it up with ‘Bless her heart’. “She couldn’t carry a tune in a bucket. Bless her heart.”

Below are some of my favorite southern sayings. What are yours?

·         Hush your mouth!

·         Bless your heart!

·         Meaner than a sack full of rattlesnakes.

·         Like  a bull in a china shop.

·         Faster than greased lightning.

·         Dumber than a box of rocks.

·         Champaign taste with a beer budget.

·         On me like white on rice.

·         Running around like a chicken with your head cut off.

·         Like a snowball’s chance in hell.

·         Rode hard and put up wet.

·         Don't just sit there like a bump on a log.

·         Bit off more than they can chew.

·         Barking up the wrong tree.

·         Two peas in a pod.

·         Hold your horses.

·         Don’t go off half cocked!

·         Dead as a doornail.

·         Dumb as a post.

·         Once in a blue moon.

The photo is of Hickory Hill, the 1865 estate of U.S. Senator Thomas E. Watson. This house museum, located in Thomson, GA,  has been richly restored to its 1920s appearance and showcases Watson heirlooms. The 270-acre gardens and arboretum, originally designed by Watson, may also be explored. Tours by appointment; self-guided garden tour available. More Info and other places to visit in Thomson.

Elizabeth Vance
Thomson-McDuffie CVB
149 Main Street
Thomson, Ga 30824
706-597-1000

706-595-2143 fax
www.exploremcduffiecounty.com

The 23rd annual Raysville Fireworks Show begins at dark Friday. So, grab your lawn chairs or head out on your boat to the Raysville area for some great family fun!

The show should last approximately 30 minutes, and WTHO radio will play patriotic music to accompany the fireworks. The fireworks can be seen from Amity Recreation Park, Raysville Marina, Raysville and Thomson boat clubs, bridges in the area and from lake by boat.

The tradition began when several members of the Raysville Boat Club started shooting firecrackers. The first show cost approximately $75, but the cost has grown to almost $10,000.

Sponsors for the 2011 fireworks show are: Queensborough National Bank & Trust, Raysville Marina, Augusta Coca-Cola, R.W. Allen, Thomson Boat Club. Raysville Boat Club, Thomson Construction, Interstate Equipment, Textile Machines, White Columns Inn Best Western, Keith Wall, Sonny and Ann Poss, Georgia Data Shred, Dr. Tommy Neal, Wilson Company, James and Sharon McKee, Dr. Jamie Lemley, Dr. Jacqueline Fincher, BCE Outdoor Inc, Georgia Farm Bureau, Beggs Funeral Home, Crazy Craig Fireworks, Luckey Printing, McDuffie Progress, WJBF Augusta.

Directions to the marina.

Elizabeth Vance
Explore McDuffie County
149 Main Street
Thomson, Ga 30824
706-597-1000

706-595-2143 fax
www.exploremcduffiecounty.com

Drifting will take center stage in Thomson, GA on June 18^th as StreetWiseDrift blows into town for its first sanctioned event in the area.

It’s called drifting and by forcing a car to slide sideways through a turn, the professional drifter can accomplish a true driving contradiction: They can control what happens when their tires no longer grip the road.

The event will include approximately 60 drifting racers from the sport's elite. Event organizers say the Thomson airport will be changed over to a sports arena for the day, not only for drifting, but drag racing, race courses, a car show, and more. Organizers say it will be a good time for everyone.

Clear to Drift begins at 8 a.m. Admission is $10. Participation is $75 for drifting; $30 for gymkhana and $15 to be in the car show. Parking is free at Augusta Tech Thomson Campus and concessions will be available.

For more information, go to www.streetwisedrift.com or Thomson Drift Events.

Elizabeth Vance
Thomson-McDuffie CVB
149 Main Street
Thomson, Ga 30824
706-597-1000

706-595-2143 fax
www.exploremcduffiecounty.com

McCorkle Nurseries will be having their big, semi-annual sale June 16, 17, and 18 at their Dearing Georgia location.

McCorkle Nurseries opened in 1942 as a family-owned business. Still family-owned, it produces millions of plants each year. It has developed many ornamentals, including the much sote after, Lady in Red hydrangea. The sale site on Luckey's Bridge Road is packed with hard-to-find plants and thousands of staples such as trees, shrubs, junipers, camellias, roses, azaleas, rhododendrons, daylilies, hydrangeas, hostas and more.

The prices at the sale are the reason smart shoppers bring wagons for loading the plants and don't forget some water and a hat; the sale is held in a open field and you can sometimes tell who’s been there the longest by their sunburn! Folks often come back several days in a row to see what new things have been brought out.

In addition to providing fabulous plants at great prices, the sale is like a big party for plant geeks. It's a wonderful blend of all types of folks who like to play in the dirt!

McCorkle Nurseries is located at 4904 Luckey's Bridge Road SE, Dearing, Georgia 30808. Toll free phone number is 800-533-3050.

Download the flyer with map and directions.

Elizabeth Vance
Thomson-McDuffie CVB
149 Main Street
Thomson, Ga 30824
706-597-1000

706-595-2143 fax
www.exploremcduffiecounty.com

Yesterday, I was visited by Dennis Rabun, a member of the local McDuffie Arts Council. He will be at the Blind Willie McTell Blues Festival selling Willie Wood items and Blind Willie McTell postcards. He left me this great “Willie Wood” business card holder – which I love! And he sells some other Willie Wood items at MAC on Main. What? You’ve never heard of “Willie Wood”? Well, here’s the story…

Willie Wood:

The wood used in these pieces is from an old house in southern McDuffie County that once hosted Saturday night parties where Willie McTell came to play and sing. The structure located on Sandhill Road is not far from Jones Creek Baptist Church where Willie McTell attended services and is buried.

According to Mrs. Ola Harris-Ivey, Willie McTell’s cousin and Gold Harris’ daughter, neighbors and friends would gather for barbeques, fish fries or cookouts where Willie McTell would perform. The host, who was a single mother of three children, sold a little liquor to make ends meet.

The fact that Willie McTell walked on and touched this very wood allows you to own a piece of American musical history and at the same time a useful piece of art.

So plan on coming out to the Blind Willie McTell Blues Festival in May 21^st, listen to some great music and buy some Willie Wood!

Elizabeth Vance
Executive Director, Thomson-McDuffie County CVB
149 Main Street
Thomson, Ga 30824
706-597-1000

706-595-2143 fax
www.exploremcduffiecounty.com

Every year, Thomson, Georgia relives its musical roots with a big bash - the Blind Willie McTell Blues Festival. The festival honors the genius of hometown son, Blind Willie McTell, recognized as one the top country-blues guitar players ever. 

This year's roster features an impressive line-up; Grammy nominated - Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue kick off the festivities. And, the sweet ballads of Marcia Ball, the driving guitar of Sonny Landreth and the homespun harmonies of Thomson's very own Crosstie Walkers are among the talent that will keep you swingin’ in the Georgia sunshine!

Southern food and beverages - ribs, chicken, fish, Cajun - great dishes that go hand in hand with the music will all be on tap that day. Carry in food and drink are not be allowed. Children 12 and under are admitted free. Advance tickets are $25 and are on sale now! 

Elizabeth Vance
Thomson-McDuffie County CVB
149 Main Street
Thomson, Ga 30824
706-597-1000

706-595-2143 fax
www.exploremcduffiecounty.com