About 50 seniors arrived dressed in their best, ready for a night out. They enjoyed a beautifully catered meal, live music from a saxophone player, and plenty of dancing thanks to a DJ who kept the energy high throughout the evening. Laughter, conversations, and music filled the room as seniors soaked in an experience designed just for them.

“It was incredible to see my vision come to life,” said Senior Center Supervisor Lashanta Riggins. “Watching our seniors smile, dance, and enjoy an experience many do not often get to have made every bit of planning worth it.”

The evening served as a reminder that joy, connection, and celebration have no age limit.

Click here to see more pictures.

Frank Johnson Recreation Center (2227 Mercer University Drive) and South Bibb Recreation Center (7035 Houston Road) will keep pools open to the public Tuesday through Friday from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. The pools will stay open until Saturday, August 30.

“We are excited to keep a couple of our pools open, as long as we have lifeguards available,” says Recreation Director Robert Walker. “We had a successful summer with our community and want to keep providing a way to cool off on hot summer days.”

Pool entry is still $1 per person, and all children must be accompanied by an adult.

“This is such a community favorite, and we are so excited to host this fun opportunity,” says Recreation Director Robert Walker. “Our Picnic in the Park Food Truck festivals are a great way to support local vendors, foster community engagement, and facilitate cultural exchange.”

There are 9 food trucks and vendors with a variety of different foods, including a wine truck from Jail Creek Farms Winery. People can enjoy music and a kids’ zone with inflatable bounce houses. People are encouraged to bring tents, blankets, and lawn chairs.

Food trucks include Streetz Eatz, BurgerIM, Macon Water Ice, ABC Catering, LLC, The Peanut Hut, Guitarras Mexican Grill, Soul 2 Soul, and PeeWee Bakery Sweets.

We’re starting the campaign by highlighting the Athletic Maintenance Team with the Macon-Bibb Recreation Department. This dedicated crew takes care of our parks, gets athletic fields ready for games, and makes sure recreational areas around the county are clean, safe, and ready for everyone to enjoy, and so much more!

Their work goes beyond daily maintenance. They help set up fencing for the Cherry Blossom Festival, assist with groundbreaking ceremonies, and handle tents, chairs, and equipment for events. After storms, they remove fallen trees, and they’re always ready to help wherever they’re needed. At the SOAR mural unveiling, they even brought a divider to help a student smoothly reveal the artwork. This is just one example of how they support our community behind the scenes.

“It gives kids a place they can go to… it gives them something to do,” said Reggie Harris, one of the crew members. He and Thomas Brown both shared how proud they are of the work they do. That simple message shows just how important their job is: making and keeping spaces that serve the people of Macon-Bibb.

Without this team, our parks would be messier, and our events would be much harder to pull off. Even though some crew members didn’t want the spotlight, their teamwork and dedication have a big impact.

“We often only see the finished product: festivals enjoyed, ribbons cut. None of it would be possible without the people who put in the work before the crowds ever show up,” said Emily Hopkins, who interviewed the team. “That’s why we launched Bibb’s Backbone to honor those who make everything run, even when no one’s watching.”

The Bibb’s Backbone campaign will continue throughout the month, spotlighting more of the hardworking individuals who are the foundation of our local government. Follow along on our social media and website to meet more of the people who keep Macon-Bibb County moving.

Our very own Tennis and Pickleball Manager Bobby Walker was named the Tennis Director of the Year! Walker has been the Manager for four years, but his career began 40 years ago. 

“The Tennis Director of the Year award is totally a team effort.  I am in the later stages of my career, so I am dependent on facilitating and empowering others to be productive.  A leader can only do that if they are blessed with talented staff and supporters,” said Walker. “Robert Walker, our Recreation Department Director, is one of the best bosses I have ever had.  The two senior managers who work for me, Sarah Witherspoon and Robin Bateman, are dynamic and competent.  I am truly blessed with a great team.  I am thankful for them.  We move the ball down the field!” 

“I’m honored to have Bobby Walker as our Macon Bibb County Tennis and Pickleball Manager,” said Robert Walker, Director of Recreation. “Bobby Walker’s leadership and experience has made Macon Bibb County one of the top destinations for tennis and pickleball.” 

The Macon Area Tennis Association (MATA) also took home three awards: NJTL Chapter of the Year, Special Tennis Event of the Year, and Dr Robert Bunnen Community Tennis Association of the Year.  

“MATA has turned the corner in being a cog for community programs.  Mary Cay Morgan and her staff work closely with our staff,” said Walker. “We put aside the idea of credit and work toward the greater good of the citizens of Macon.  The other awards signify just that.  Both organizations have the goal of bringing outside dollars into Macon to create economic impact and to create local tennis programming so the citizens of Macon can be healthier.” 

Congratulations! 

Jerry Baskin Scholar Athlete of the Year 

Alex Hamlin 

NJTL Chapter of the Year 

Macon Area Tennis Association 

Special Tennis Event of the Year 

Back to Tennis Bash 

Macon Area Tennis Association 

Adaptive Tennis Award (Blind and Low Vision Program) 

Macon Bibb County Tennis Division 

Signature Tennis Courts Award for Tennis Director of the Year 

Bobby Walker 

Dr. Robert Bunnen Community Tennis Association of the Year 

Macon Area Tennis Association 

James Kinkaid Family of the Year 

The Angela and Robbie Bedgood Family 

“We wanted to give the team doing the installation a safe environment in which to finish setting up, and to create a safer path for all the people and families visiting Downtown during this time,” says Macon-Bibb County Traffic Engineer Nigel Floyd.

The Macon Christmas Light Extravaganza kicks off on Friday, November 29, at 6:00 p.m. with a performance by the Macon Pops. The Extravaganza features more than 1,00,000 lights moving in time to music arranged and performed by Macon Pops in historic downtown Macon.

Hourly nightly shows happen every night beginning Friday from 6. Lights stay on (without motion or music) from 10-11pm each night. This event is FREE & open to the public!

The Christmas Lights will be located along Poplar Street between First Street & MLK Jr. Boulevard and Third Street between Plum Street & Cherry Street.

“This is a chance for people to test their skills against players from around the state…and maybe even be named state champion by the end of the weekend!” says Bobby Walker, Macon-Bibb County’s Tennis & Pickleball Manager.

“We are truly the center of the pickleball world here in Macon-Bibb, and that’s evident by the tournaments we’re hosting and the number of players traveling here from around the state and country to play,” says Mayor Lester Miller.

“We’re very excited to again be hosting this state tournament and to showcase our wonderful pickleball community and facilities to players from around Georgia,” says Robert Walker, Recreation Department Director. “Our goal in the Recreation Department is to provide our entire community ways to live healthier lives and be more active, so to host a state championship tournament where anyone can compete is a great opportunity for everyone.”

The competition is open to any resident of Georgia, and they do not have to qualify in a previous tournament. Singles will play on the 13th, gender doubles on the 14th, and mixed doubles on the 15th. The entry deadline is Wednesday, September 4, and people can sign up at www.pickleballbrackets.com. Lunch will be provided for players on Saturday.

“Our investment in our facilities is part of a broader effort to strengthen and grow sports tourism here, which brings more people to enjoy all our wonderful community has to offer,” adds Mayor Miller. “From tennis to pickleball to basketball to cheerleading to wrestling to baseball and more, this is the place people in Georgia want to compete.”

“We have such great facilities for pickleball here in Macon that we continue to draw more and bigger tournaments. To be the host for the state championships is quite the honor, and that speaks well of our facilities and our welcoming community,” adds Walker.

Seating and concessions will open at 7:30 p.m., and the show will begin at 8:30 p.m. This month, families can come out and enjoy The Little Mermaid. 

 “Our Movie Night is a great way for families to come together and enjoy a movie while creating lasting memories,” says Recreation Programmer Natalie Allen. “This event provides a safe space for families to socialize and connect, and for kids to have fun without having to worry about the cost of entertainment.”  

Families can bring their own blankets, chairs, tents, snacks, and non-alcoholic beverages., and there will be complimentary popcorn. People are not allowed to drive their vehicles onto the lawn.  

The next Movie Night will be August 16.  

Lake Tobesofkee will host its 28th Annual Sparks Over the Park Independence Day Celebration on Thursday July 4, 2024. Gates at all Lake Tobesofkee parks (Claystone, Sandy Beach, and Arrowhead) will open at8:00 a.m. and will close at 10:00 p.m.

During the day, there will be normal activities such as swimming, boating, picnics, disk golf, and more. Live music with The Rescue Dogs is from 6:30-9:30 p.m. at Sandy Beach Park, and the fireworks show will start at9:15 p.m. The park with the best view of the fireworks is Sandy Beach. To see the fireworks from Claystone, you must go to the west end of the beach.

Admission to the parks is $3.00 per person, and children ages six and under are free. No Alcohol or glass containers are allowed in the parks.

 SAFETY TIPS & RULES

Anyone interested in boating laws can pick up a boating safety handbook at any DNR office. People can also go online to www.goboatgeorgia.com for more information.

“I hope everyone follows all safety rules and tips by Rangers and the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office. Rangers, the Department of Natural Resources, and other emergency personnel will be on the water and in the parks to assist with any problems that may arise,” says Lake Tobesofkee Director Donald Bracewell.

As of July 1, 2014, anyone born on or after January 1, 1998, must take a boating safety class approved by DNR to operate a personal watercraft or boat, as well as other restrictions.

All persons on boat must have a PFD that is Coast Guard approved, in good condition, fits the person that intends to wear it, and is always accessible.

Any person 16 or over who operates a boat on Georgia waters must have picture ID on board.

All boats must be registered and have registration on board. Operators must obey the rules of the road and be familiar with all boating laws.

The 11th Street Convenience Center (which is normally open seven days a week), and the Convenience Center on Fulton Mill Road (open normally Thursday through Saturday) will be closed Thursday, 7/4. The third Convenience Center on Ninadel Drive will not be affected. Click here to see normal hours of operation.

Ryland Environmental will also be closed, so trash and recycling/bulk waste pickup with be delayed by a day starting Thursday 7/4. So if your trash day is Thursday, it will be picked up Friday, if it’s Friday, it will be picked up Saturday.