🍇 History Hiding

Good morning, Spalding County!

It is funny how often we say a place name without really hearing it anymore. Spalding County. Griffin. Experiment. Sunny Side. Orchard Hill. They become part of the background, showing up on road signs, school names, ball fields, meeting agendas and directions we give without stopping to ask where any of it came from.

Spalding County itself was created in 1851 from parts of Fayette, Henry and Pike counties. It was named for Thomas Spalding, a coastal Georgia figure whose life stretched across several different versions of the state’s early history. He was born on St. Simons Island in 1774, just before the American Revolution, and later became one of the best-known planters and agricultural voices in Georgia. His home and work were tied closely to Sapelo Island, where he became known as someone deeply involved in farming methods, coastal development, banking and public life.

Politically, Spalding served in the Georgia legislature, the state senate and the U.S. House of Representatives. He was also part of Georgia’s Constitutional Convention of 1798, which helped shape the state’s early government. So when Spalding County was named for him, it was not just borrowing the name of a man from the coast. It was attaching this inland county to one of Georgia’s more prominent early figures, someone whose influence reached from agriculture to politics to the broader direction of the state. That is a lot of history hiding in a county name most of us say without blinking.

- Chad

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Downtown Griffin filled with music and color Saturday morning as the annual Juneteenth parade continued its steady growth. Organized by the Urban Outreach Association, SLS Central Georgia, and Spalding County Parks and Leisure Services, the parade has expanded each year since its launch in 2023. This year’s lineup included Fairmont alum Willie C. Puckett, classic cars, floats, horses, clowns, local churches, Griffin High alumni groups, civic organizations, and public safety departments. After the parade, the celebration continued with a downtown scavenger hunt before moving to City Park for a festival. Organizers said the June 20 parade was one of the largest local Juneteenth parades since the event began, reflecting growing community participation around the holiday.

The Ronotohachi District Cub Scout Day Camp wrapped up another year of activities with 60 Cub Scouts taking part throughout the week. This year’s camp, themed “DinoTopia,” served Scouts from Spalding, Pike, Lamar, and Upson counties. The program was led by directors Brad Wilson and Sabrina Bandiean, with support from 14 adult volunteers and 14 youth volunteers. Held with support from the Kiwanis Club of Griffin, the camp included visits from local public safety partners, giving Scouts a chance to see a helicopter, meet a K-9, learn from EMS volunteers, and enjoy a water day with fire trucks. The week also featured the camp’s first trading post and a crossover ceremony for fifth-grade Scouts moving up to a troop. Families interested in joining a local pack or troop can visit beascout.org.

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 26, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
What: The weekly Griffin Farmer’s Market returns with local produce, honey, boiled peanuts, and other market goods. The market is hosted by UGA Extension Spalding County and runs on Fridays at the Kiwanis Fairgrounds.
Where: Kiwanis Fairgrounds, 1025 South Hill Street, Griffin, GA 30224
Source: Griffin-Spalding Chamber listing.

Ask A Lawyer
When: Friday, June 26, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
What: A legal-help session listed by the Griffin-Spalding County Library. Registration is required, and the listing directs attendees to call 770-412-4770.
Where: Griffin-Spalding County Library, 800 Memorial Drive, Griffin, GA 30223

Little Thinkers, Big Ideas
When: Friday, June 26, 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM
What: A children’s program at the Griffin-Spalding County Library. Registration is not required.
Where: Griffin-Spalding County Library, 800 Memorial Drive, Griffin, GA 30223

GSI June Summer Jam Skate Battle
When: Friday, June 26, 5:00 PM
What: Griffin Skate Inn is hosting its first GSI June Summer Jam Skate Battle. Skaters will battle for prizes from GSI merch, Trophies, Vanilla Merch, New Vanilla skates and more
Where: Griffin Skate Inn, 2489 N. Expressway, Griffin, GA

Alfred Hitchcock’s The 39 Steps
When: Friday, June 26, 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM; Saturday, June 27, 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM; Sunday, June 28, 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
What: Main Street Players is staging The 39 Steps, a fast-moving comedy thriller that blends Hitchcock-style suspense with stage comedy. Explore Georgia lists ticket prices at $30 for adults, $25 for seniors, and $15 for students.
Where: Main Street Players Theatre, 115 North Hill Street, Griffin, GA 30224

The Restless Natives at The Garden
When: Friday, June 26, 8:30 PM – 11:30 PM
What: Live music at The Garden Beer Garden & Venue featuring Andy Johnson with The Restless Natives.
Where: The Garden Beer Garden & Venue, Griffin, GA

Pancakes and Planes
When: Saturday, June 27, 8:30 AM – 10:30 AM
What: A morning aviation-themed breakfast event connected with the Ron Alexander Youth Aviation Program. $10 donation for pancakes, sausage, coffee, and orange juice.
Where: Peach State Aerodrome / Jim Hoak Hangar, 349 Jonathan’s Roost Road, Williamson, GA 30292

Little Ruth Co Launch Party
When: Saturday, June 27, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
What: Little Ruth Co is hosting its launch party in Griffin. Handmade resin jewelry inspired by faith and beauty in small things. Each piece is crafted with dried flowers, mustard seeds & natural elements into one-of-a-kind jewelry.
Where: The Mill Rooms / The Boiler Room, 324 E. Broad Street, Griffin, GA

The Pink Buffalo Grand Opening
When: Saturday, June 27, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
What: The Pink Buffalo is celebrating its grand opening in downtown Griffin. Shop clothing, home decor, and accessories. Guests will enjoy pink lemonade, sweet treats, giveaways, and a full-day open house style celebration.
Where: 103 S. Hill Street, Griffin, GA

Bad Medicine: Bon Jovi Tribute
When: Saturday, June 27, 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM
What: Bad Medicine brings a Bon Jovi tribute show to the Griffin Opera House, with a set built around the band’s biggest arena rock hits.
Where: Griffin Opera House, 102 North Hill Street, Griffin, GA 30223

Shotgun: Tribute to Willie Nelson
When: Saturday, June 27, 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM
What: A Willie Nelson tribute concert featuring familiar songs from Nelson’s catalog. The event is listed at Barnstormer’s Grill & Event Center at Peach State Aerodrome.
Where: Barnstormer’s Grill & Event Center, 349 Jonathan’s Roost Road, Williamson, GA 30292

Summer Cornhole League at Southern Social
When: Sunday, June 28, 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
What: Peach State Cornhole’s summer league continues at Southern Social by Fire Maker Brewing in downtown Griffin. The league includes weekly Sunday afternoon matches, with divisions for beginners through competitive players. Teams play in a friendly, organized setting with league shirts included and opportunities for city and state tournament play. Registration for this season has already closed, but it’s still a good local stop for anyone who wants to watch league play, hang out, and get a feel for future cornhole seasons.
Where: Southern Social by Fire Maker Brewing, 122 W. Bank Street, Griffin, GA

87° 🌡️ 71° | ⛈️ | 30% | SW 5 mph

90° 🌡️ 73° | 🌤️ | 10% | WSW 7 mph

90° 🌡️ 74° | 🌦️ | 30% | WNW 6 mph

That’s it for today’s Griffin Grapevine.

The longer you live in a place, the easier it is to let it become background. But every so often, something makes you look at it again with fresh eyes. Maybe it is a name you never thought much about or a story you had not heard before. Sometimes that is all it takes to remember this county is still being shaped every day by the people who call it home.

Thanks for reading and for being part of the Grapevine. Be sure to follow Griffin Grapevine on Instagram and Facebook so you can keep up with more local stories between issues. We’ll be back in your inbox soon.