As Newton County residents begin to feel autumn's cool breezes, the county's fall calendar heats up with a bevy of events sure to keep the family busy during the season.
From trick or treating to a Mutt Show to festivals on the Covington square, check out the list below for what's happening in Newton County this fall.
Oct. 6 - Social Circle Friendship Festival: The town of Social Circle will celebration its 180th birthday during its annual Friendship Festival. The event will begin at 9 a.m. in Social Circle's downtown business district at the intersection of Hightower Trial and Cherokee Road and end at 4 p.m. A parade that invites pet owners to participate by dressing their pets in "happy birthday" costumes will begin at 10 a.m. followed by a welcome from Mayor Hal Dally at 11 a.m. Luke Pilgrim is expected to perform at 2 p.m. and the festival will also have children's activities, 100 booths and food. The city also plans to give away 12 helicopter rides and offer 10-minute rides for $35 per person or $100 per group. The festival is sponsored by Social Circle's Better Hometown Program. For more information, visit socialcirclegabht.com or call (770) 464-1866.
Oct. 6 - Mutt Show: Newton County pups will be strutting their stuff Oct.6 at the annual Mutt Show on the downtown Covington square. But don't let the name fool you. Just because it's called a Mutt Show doesn't mean purebred dogs aren't welcome as well. As long as they are friendly, leashed, at least 6 months old and have had their rabies vaccination, they are welcome to come. Registration for the event begins at 9 a.m. with the show beginning at 10 a.m. Although participation in the event is free, donations are encouraged and will be used to help with the spay and neuter program and other Humane Society education programs.
Oct. 7 - Classic Car Show: The Rotary Club of Covington will show off classic cars on the downtown Covington square and raise funds for their civic projects at its 20th annual "Cars of the Past Covington Car Show." One of the Rotary's biggest civic projects includes the "Empty Stocking at Christmas," which helps gives gifts to hundreds of needy children in the area. Last year's event featured 300 antique cars and more than 3,000 spectators. Registration for the event is between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. and the event is from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Registration cost before Oct. 7 is $20 and $25 at the show. For more information, call (404) 787-2852 or visit covingtoncarshow.com.
Oct. 7 - Bike Ride: The Covington-Conyers Cycling Club and Main Street Covington will host a community bike ride for people of all ages and abilities at 3 p.m. The 45-minute ride will depart from the square and riders will pedal through adjoining neighborhoods. For cyclists who wish for a longer ride, riders will meet after the 45-minute ride and depart to Oxford for an additional 60 minutes of riding. Helmets must be worn. For more information, contact Main Street Covington at (770) 385-2077.
Oct. 13 - Steeple Chase 5K & 1-Mile Fun Run/Walk: Covington First United Methodist Church will host its third annual Steeple Chase and 5K or 1 mile Fun Run in honor of "Change the World, Impact the Community Day." The event takes place between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m. at Covington First United Methodist Church, 1113 Conyers Street. The Fun Run/walk will begin at 8 a.m. and the 5K will start at 8:30 a.m. Proceeds will support local missions in Newton County and Relay for Life, and race entries will receive a race T-shirt. There will be awards for each age group along with awards for overall male and overall female. To register or for more information, visit covingtonfirst.org, classicracesservices.com or call (770) 786-7305.
Oct. 20 - Fun Walk: Rising Son Christian Church's fourth annual "Fun Walk" invites residents to come out and walk to promote exercise, fun and fellowship. The event starts at 8 a.m. at Trail Blazers Park on Clark Street between downtown Covington and Clark's Grove and lasts until 11 a.m. Light breakfast, snack food and water will be available. The cost to participate in the walk is $14 per person and pre-registration ends by Oct. 5. For more information about the event contact Nita Thompson by phone at (770) 298-1363.
Oct. 25 - Oxford's Fall Drama Production: Oxford College students will perform "The Real Inspector Hound," as their annual fall drama production at the Tarbutton Theater. In this play by British playwright Tom Stoppard, two drama critics who reviews a whodunit play become part of the action themselves. It is directed by Andy Irwin, with sets, lighting and sound by William Moore. Oxford College's Tarbutton Theater is located at 100 Hamill Street in Oxford. For more information, visit oxford.emory.edu.
Oct. 26 - Fall Fest on the Square: Downtown Covington will host its annual "Fall Fest on the Square" from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on the square. "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" will be showing along with a community painting hosted by the Southern Heartland Gallery and lots of fall treats. For more information visit downtowncovington.org.
Oct. 31 - Safe Halloween on the Square: Covington will host its annual "Safe Halloween on the Square" for families looking for a safe way to trick or treat. Children will be able trick or treat in downtown Covington from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. For more information, visit downtowncovington.org.
Nov. 11 - Abiding Grace Fall Festival: Abiding Grace Lutheran Church will host a fall festival starting at 10:30 a.m. at the church, 5500 Ga. Highway 212, Covington. The event will have worship followed by a free BBQ lunch, games, prizes, cakewalk, contests and a hayride. For more information, call (770) 385-7691 or visit agwels.com.
For regional fall events/activities, check out Friday's edition of The Covington News.
Know of an event we missed? Tell us and we'll add it to the online version of this story and to our community calendar. Email rgoff@covnews.com with the details.
