AthFest, heat shelters, tacos downtown, grass volleyball tournament, monster jam, and more. 
Happy Friday, Athens. You know the drill – grab your coffee (or whatever you sip in the morning), kick back, and let Athens Brief serve up everything you need to know for the weekend ahead:
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Volleyball tourny 🏐
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AthFest festival 🎵
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Monster jam 🚚
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Things to do 📆
Let’s get to it.
📰 In the news
Athens shelters beat the heat: Local nonprofits and shelters already rolled out cool spaces, water handouts, showers, and relief programs for Athens’ unhoused this summer — check out the full details.
Resilient Georgia grants open: The Athens Area Community Foundation is now accepting applications for its Resilient Northeast Georgia fund from 501(c)(3) charities, schools, churches, and government entities across 12 counties through June 30, 2025 — learn more.
Tacos return to East Broad: Tres Amigos opened at 350 E. Broad St. on June 2, 2025, filling the six-year taco void downtown — check out the full story.
Highlights this week
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Ravens return to Georgia to nest
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Guard activates first EW company
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Attend authentic evolution phenomena workshop
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AthFest tickets available online tonight
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Join the volleyball tournament at Bishop Park
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Compare auto insurance rates for free
🫶 We got your back
Fresh fields, fresher flavors: Get ready to dig in—The National is where your fork meets the farm. From sun-kissed heirloom tomatoes to pasture-raised delights, every plate tells a story of nearby soil, sustainable practice, and that sweet “I-can’t-believe-this-is-good-for-you” sensation.
Tea gone wild: Figment is your kombucha brewery injecting sparkle and sass into every sip. Whether you’re team tart strawberry, riding the ginger fire, or chasing that elusive lavender-lime swirl, you’ll get probiotic perks and fizzy fun in every glass. Pop in for a flight (and maybe snag a growler), because your gut—and your taste buds—just RSVP’d “yes.”
Desk not required: Tired of your same old home-office setup? Runway Cowork hands you the Wi-Fi, the office plant (sort of), and that soft‐serve of creative energy you’ve been craving. Plug in, brainstorm, and bond over communal snacks—without the awkward water-cooler small talk.
Strike the right chord: Ready to riff? Musician’s Warehouse is your one-stop shop for everything from ukuleles that whisper to drum kits that roar. Whether you’re a fret-shy beginner or a pedal-tapping pro, they’ll have you making music—and maybe memories—before you can say “encore.”
Degrees without the squeeze: Want to help your kiddo or grandchild through college? Co-signing their student loan helps them unlock lower rates and increases their chances of getting approved. Some lenders release co-signers after enough on-time payments, so it doesn’t have to be forever. Avoid last-minute headaches by acting now!
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📆 Athens happenings
All events are subject to change without notice. Please check official event pages and social media for the most up to date information.
Today
🎬 Man Dog Lunchtime Movie @ Athens-Clarke County Library | Friday (6/20) at 12 pm – Pack your lunch and join us for a family-friendly PG flick over popcorn at the library. It’s the perfect midday escape—no ticket required, just bring your appetite and a cozy seat.
🎵 AthFest 2025 Music & Arts Festival @ Downtown Athens | Friday (6/20) at 5 pm – Kick off your weekend with a late-night mashup of live music, art showcases, and good vibes at the Georgia Theatre. Doors fling open at 10 pm for an 18+ crowd ready to dance, discover local talent, and soak up those festival feels until the sun comes up.
🌈 WERK: A Labor Rights Drag Night @ Athentic Brewing | Friday (6/20) at 8 pm – Get ready for a fabulous evening of labor-themed drag performances with the Athens Showgirl Cabaret. It’s a fun, educational night that combines entertainment with local labor rights advocacy.
This weekend
📚 Read & Shop Mini Craft Market @ Foxglove PlantBar | Saturday (6/21) at 10 am – Grab your book, sip on a beverage, and peruse a variety of handmade goods at the Read & Shop market! This cozy event is hosted by Silent Book Club Athens, offering a perfect blend of reading, shopping, and socializing with fellow book and craft lovers.
🌲 Forest Bathing Experience @ Sandy Creek Park | Saturday (6/21) at 1 pm – Take a peaceful break from the hustle and bustle at the Forest Bathing Experience. Reconnect with nature, slow down, and rejuvenate in the serene surroundings of Sandy Creek Park. A perfect way to refresh your spirit and body.
📚 Neighborhood Books Presents: Voices of Athens @ The Globe | Saturday (6/21) at 3 pm – Cozy up in Upstairs at The Globe for an intimate showcase of 15 local poets, authors, and storytellers curated by Athens Poet Laureate Mikhayla Robinson-Smith. Expect heartfelt readings, unexpected twists, and plenty of hometown pride. It’s the perfect literary pit stop during AthFest’s art-filled weekend.
🎸 Athfest Shadebeast Showcase @ Ciné | Saturday (6/21) at 9:30 pm – Get ready for a rock-filled night with Music Hates You, Guillotine A.D., ENOX, and Silent Euphony. If you’re into heavy, gritty tunes, this is the event for you. Be there to catch the hottest underground acts at one of Athens’ most iconic venues!
🏐 Bulldawg Battle Grass Volleyball Tournament- M/w 2’s + Coed 4’s @ Bishop Park | Sunday (6/22) at 8:30 am – Spike into summer with M/W 2’s in Open, AA, A, BB divisions and Coed 4’s in B, BB, and A, plus juniors doubles for 14U, 16U, and 18U. Early birds who register by June 4 snag free RPV koozies! Every dig and set supports Roadrunners Volleyball, so bring your best rally-ready moves and help fuel the future of the sport.
🚚 Monster Jam @ Akins Ford Arena | Sunday (6/22) at 6:30 pm – Get ready for As Big As It Gets™ action as 12,000-pound monsters stomp into Akins Ford Arena for the first time. Cheer, scream, and lose your voice watching insane stunts, epic races, and trucks flying on two wheels. This Stadium Championship Series East stop is not just a show—it’s a weekend of non-stop, jaw-dropping madness you won’t believe.
🎶 Live music & entertainment
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6/20 Bugs East Books and more @ AthFest Hull Street Stage – 5:25 pm
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6/20 WERK: A Labor Rights Drag Nights @ Athentic Brewing – 8 pm
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6/20 Well Kept and more @ 40 Watt – 10 pm
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6/21 Erik Olson Organ Trio and more @ AthFest Main Stage – 12 pm
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6/21 Quentin Love and more @ AthFest Hull Street Stage – 12:35 pm
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6/21 Shadebeast Showcase: Silent Euphony and more @ Ciné – 9:30 pm
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6/22 Symphonic Storytime @ Athens-Clarke County Library – 3 pm
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6/22 Little Gold and more @ The World Famous – 9:30 pm
🏠️ Price Is Right – Athens edition
How it works: We’re going to give you some facts about a home for sale, including a picture of the outside, the kitchen, and one additional room. Your job? Guess how much it’s listed for (preferably before you click to find out).
*This️ 👇️ could be your listing. Hit us up if you’ve got a home (or 12) to sell.
Ross Vaughn (Coldwell Banker Upchurch Realty) – 5 bedrooms | 3 bathrooms | Built in 1912 | 2618 sqft
Sears, Roebuck and Co. once shipped dreams in a box, and this early-20th-century charmer proves it—now with a kitchen that could make a chef weep and a laundry room that might actually make chores fun. The oiled pine floors gleam, the original millwork winks from every corner, and the front porch is basically a VIP box seat for Boulevard’s daily parade of dogs, bikes, and neighborly shenanigans.
Upstairs, the primary suite delivers sunshine and privacy, with a spa-worthy bathroom and enough closet space to make a fashion blogger blush. The third floor flexes its muscles as a playroom, office, or secret lair, while the basement is shockingly useful (and dry). Out back, a fenced yard, shipping container workshop, and mature trees await, just steps from Athens’ best eats, treats, and the University’s endless energy.
Make your guess, then (and only then)… see how much it costs →
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