Celebrate

COMPILED BY ANDREA GABLE

Whether it’s oldfashioned festivals, musical extravaganzas or star-spangled spectaculars, find your fun this summer in Georgia’s Lake Country

Few things bring people together more than good music, food, art and culture and summer festivals find a way to do just that.

As the days heat up and stretch longer into the night, communities around the lake have created unforgettable events to entertain guests of all ages and from all walks of life, reinforcing a sense of community and celebrating that connection.

Here is a roundup of some of the best festivities happening around the lake this summer – from old-fashioned fun, cultural celebrations and star-spangled spectaculars to some of the best live music around.

For 62 years, Putnam County has recognized local dairy farmers and their contributions to the community at the annual Putnam County Dairy Festival. Hosted by the Pilot Club of Eatonton on the first weekend of June and held around the historic courthouse downtown, the Dairy Festival has become an institution around the lake. The event features dairy exhibitions, children’s activities, live entertainment and arts, crafts, and food vendors lining the streets. The day gets started with the Dairy Festival 5K and is highlighted by the annual parade through the square, complete with the introduction of the new Dairy Festival Queen and court. To learn more, visit putnamcountydairyfestival.com

The Morgan County Branch NAACP and the Morgan County African American Museum have teamed up with the City of Madison to present a free family-oriented Juneteenth celebration at Town Park in downtown Madison. Juneteenth is the oldest nationally recognized commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. The Juneteenth parade will kick off the festivities which will include a variety of activities for everyone to enjoy. There will be face painting and a bounce house for kids, performances and storytelling in the park, and a host of vendors providing food and handmade arts and crafts. Organizers are encouraging people from across the region to come out and celebrate, educate and appreciate African American history and culture on this national holiday. To learn more, visit morgannaacp.org or mcaam.org.

For 62 years, Putnam County has recognized local dairy farmers and their contributions to the community at the annual Putnam County Dairy Festival. Hosted by the Pilot Club of Eatonton on the first weekend of June and held around the historic courthouse downtown, the Dairy Festival has become an institution around the lake. The event features dairy exhibitions, children’s ac- tivities, live entertainment and arts, crafts, and food vendors lining the streets. The day gets started with the Dairy Festival 5K and is highlighted by the annual parade through the square, complete with the introduction of the new Dairy Festival Queen and court. To learn more, visit putnamcountydairyfestival.com