This weekend will be jam-packed with classic Athens festivals and events, though that can also mean road closures and traffic.
Downtown visitors can expect some road closures this weekend due to the Athens Orthopedic Clinic Twilight. Thomas Street, Clayton Street, Lumpkin Street, Washington Street, College Avenue, Jackson Street, and Wall Street will be closed both Friday and Saturday, according to the Athens-Clarke County Government.
The Twilight, which first started in 1980, hosts a number of bike-riding events for pros, amateurs, and children alike. It caps off with the Men’s and Women’s Pro Twilight Criteriums on Saturday evening.
Athens Twilight recommends taking the fare-free ACC Transit to reach downtown, since parking may be challenging. Each bus can carry up to three bikes.
Twilight is now also partnered with the International Street Festival, presented by the University of Georgia’s Center for Global and Cultural Student Engagement. This festival showcases performances, activities and food from around the world and will take place Saturday in downtown Athens as well.
Another annual event happening on Saturday is G-Day, the spring UGA football scrimmage game. Kickoff is at 1 p.m., though the campus will open at 7 a.m. for tailgating.
Parking lots on the south side of campus are open to the public for free, while many of the lots and decks on north campus require a fee. Shuttle service from the East Campus Parking Deck will start at 10:30 a.m.
Saturday in Athens will finish off with the 37th Annual Boybutante Ball, “Inferno Rising from the Lashes” at the 40 Watt Club at 8:30 p.m. The drag event will feature many performers, including Phoenix and Nicole Paige Brooks from RuPaul’s Drag Race. The Boybutante AIDS Foundation, Inc. fundraises for HIV/AIDS support services in Northeast Georgia.
