Uptown News & Events

Locals and visitors will experience the fun of Uptown Columbus as they enjoy exploring Sculpture Walk, dining in many fine eateries, shopping in unique and trendy boutiques and attending fun-filled events and concerts in a one-of-a-kind atmosphere that is inherent to the UPtown area.  This season and the rest of the year promise a full calendar of events to look forward to. 

UPtown Columbus, Inc. produces over 50 event days annually and that number keeps growing. Last year’s featured events attracted thousands of people to the area – that’s people supporting economic growth in UPtown through dollars spent in retail, entertainment and dining facilities.

Sculpture Walk
Public art enhances our city’s quality of life by making it more welcoming and beautiful. UCI partnered with artists from all over the U.S. to showcase unique and creative works of art in the annual Sculpture Walk. Columbus residents voted to select May Flower as the People’s Choice Award. This sculpture was purchased by Columbus Regional Healthcare System and dedicated to the children of Columbus and the professionals who care for them. May Flower is on permanent display at the corner of 10th Street and Broadway for the enjoyment of all.

The UPtown Friday Night Concerts return with a new theme for 2010, The Miracle Riders UPtown Concert Series is named in honor of Scott Ressmeyer's Ride for Miracles to benefit the Children's Miracle Network at The Medical Center. An eleven-man team effort, The Ride for Miracles is a motorcycle ride across the 48 contiguous United States. The April 30th concert will introduce the Miracle Riders, with the May 28th show welcoming their safe return. The concerts will take place every Friday night from April 30th to May 28th on the main stage of the 1100 Block of Broadway from 7:00pm to 10:00pm, with the exception of the May 21st show scheduled for the 1000 Block.

April 30th: Big Woody & The Splinters
May 7th: The Pine Beetles
May 14th: Theatrics
May 21st: Peggy Jenkins & the Bizness
May 28th: DNR- Do Not Resuscitate

The 2010 Aflac Outdoor Games is a three-day event that provides families and friends the opportunity to see some world class competition while enjoying the great outdoors. Events are scheduled for the weekend of May 21-23, 2010 at the UPtown Riverfront in Columbus, Georgia.

Hours:
Friday 12:00pm-11:00pm
Saturday 10:00am-11:00pm
Sunday 10:00am-6:00pm

Several changes are slated for this years third annual event. Along with a new date, the event is moving from South Commons to the UPtown Riverfront area at the beautiful CSU Riverfront Campus.

An exciting addition to the 2010 Aflac Outdoor Games is a Grand Prix bike race, several different races that will run through UPtown Columbus. The Lumberjacks are returning with three performances daily on Saturday and Sunday that will include log rolling, ax throwing, hot sawing, chainsaw carving, and speed pole climbing. In addition, regular nighttime activities in Uptown establishments will be combined fr the event, including bands performing throughout the weekend.

Fan favorites returning are the Char-Broil Pig Bowl (a professional Kansas City Barbeque Society and local BBQ cooking contest), Ultimate Air Dogs (Dog Dock Diving), Cable TV of East Alabama Agility Dogs, the Archery Challenge, the Knology Family Zone, and many more outdoor activities.

The decision to move the annual event from South Commons to the UPtown Riverfront area is in preparation for the upcoming breaking of the dams, which will allow future events like Whitewater Rafting and Kayaking part of the Aflac Outdoor Games.

The new venue also incorporates a nightlife aspect into the Aflac Outdoor Games this year. A concert will headline the evening activities on Friday and Saturday nights. In addition, six different Grand Prix bike races are scheduled to run through the UPtown area from 5:30am–11pm on Saturday night.

A new web site for this year’s Outdoor Games is up and running with brand-new features! You can follow all the action during the event on Twitter and event blogs, so you’ll always know what’s going on. There’s also a Facebook page that includes pictures and information about the event, plus, you can sign up to be a fan!  The Aflac Outdoor Games offers participation from local competitors for Ultimate Air Dogs, the Char-Broil Pig Bowl, the Archery Challenge, and the Grand Prix bike race.

Visit AflacOutdoorGames.com for more information about these events and to register to compete.

Advance Daily Ticket Prices:
Adults: $10
Children (5–12): $5 (kids 5 and under free)
Military: $5 (Military ID must be presented at purchase.)

At-the-Gate Daily Ticket Prices:
Adults: $15
Children (5–12): $10 (kids 5 and under free)
Military: $10 (Military ID must be presented at purchase.)

Opportunities for sponsorship and vendors are still available. Visit AflacOutdoorGames.com or call the Aflac Outdoor Games office at 706-221-1900 for more information.

Market Days on Broadway, in its fourth year is more popular than ever as a favorite Saturday morning excursion.  Featuring locally grown farm fresh produce, delicious baked goods, fragrant flowers, art, and handcrafted items, Market Days takes place every Saturday on the east side of the 1000 block of Broadway, from 9:00am -12:00pm from May 15th through November 5th.

Arts on the River October 16th
The annual art show hosts artists from throughout the region. The show is in the 1100 Block of Broadway from 9am until 5pm. The annual Arts on the River is a fine art show and sale which showcases painting, photography, hand-thrown pottery, and sculpture, with some artists performing live demonstrations. Experience exhibits from Columbus Cultural Arts Alliance members.  Artists compete for cash awards including Best of Show.  Entertainment is scheduled throughout the day, including children’s activities. The event is free to the public and handicapped accessible and is held every October along Broadway.

Boots on Broadway Military Heritage Celebration. Boots on Broadway occurs in October in the 900 and 1000 blocks of Broadway. Columbus has a historic partnership with the men and women who serve in our nation’s armed forces and the families who support them.  From Civil War Sailors to Fort Benning Graduates, Boots on Broadway is a special day designed to express gratitude and respect to those soldiers, both past and present, throughout the Chattahoochee Valley and around the world. Show your military ID and register to win vacation getaways and great prizes! Bring the family for a day of live musical performances, tasty treats, and loads of activities. Admission is free and all are welcome as we gather on Broadway in UPtown Columbus to say “thank you” to the soldiers of the United States Military.

11th Annual Spooktacular Halloween Festival October in the 1000 and 1100 blocks of Broadway. “Spooktacular” provides a safe environment for the children of Columbus to enjoy the holiday. So wear your best costume and come on up for a haunting night of ghosts and goblins, spooky activities, candy and lots of fun!!!

Broadway Holiday returns in December. Join us for the ceremonial lighting of Columbus’ 40-foot tree in the 1100 block of Broadway. From the main stage, choirs will herald the season alongside a visit from Santa and his reindeer. Will they bring a snow flurry from the North Pole? Come and see as we celebrate a night of Holiday cheer at Broadway Holiday! 

Each year Country’s Barbecue hosts the Annual Reindeer Run in December. This popular event has grown over the years, and offers a fun day of racing/ walking and entertainment for pre-K through 8th grade students. The event benefits the Children’s Miracle Network at the Medical Center.

Links of interest:

Entertainment

You’ll find plenty of choices for entertainment in UPtown Columbus, including live music, night clubs, comedy, performing arts center and live theater.

RiverCenter for the Performing Arts, one of the finest performing arts venues in the Southeast offers an eclectic mix: touring Broadway shows, concerts by top artists, and performances by the Columbus Symphony Orchestra.