Fantastic Fall Events in Thomson-McDuffie County, Georgia

Celebrate the season at these four fun events.

Colorful leaves and comfortable weather are natural invitations to visit Thomson-McDuffie County, Georgia, during the fall season, but four genuinely fun rain-or-shine festivals add more compelling reasons to get a visit on your calendar.

From bucking broncos to rolling fields, live musical entertainment to traditional ceremony, come experience the season in Thomson-McDuffie, which is located just outside of Augusta and a little more than an hour’s drive from Atlanta and Athens on the west side of Clarks Hill Lake. Come join the communal fun, enjoy the great outdoors and create memories that will always spark a smile.

Will Smith Memorial Pro Rodeo – October 7 & 8, 2022

Watch professional cowboys compete in heart-racing events like calf roping, steer wrestling, team roping, breakaway roping, barrel racing, saddle bronc riding, bareback riding, and bull riding. “This is an International Professional Rodeo Association event, not just a little local event,” says Chris Smith, who runs the event named in honor of his son. “Contestants travel here from all over (including from Texas, Oklahoma, Michigan, Virginia) because they want to win money and because they want to win points to qualify for the final in Oklahoma.” Rodeo events sound dangerous and have inherent risk, but Smith says that obviously the competitors train and their animals are also highly trained and well cared for—in fact, the animals are a factor in each contestants’ total score. The rodeo is just one component of this fall festival that also offers inflatables, a mechanical bull, pony rides, a kids’ tent with activities, an escape house, climbing wall, hay rides, pumpkin painting, vendors and more. All proceeds benefit The Jabez Therapeutic Horse Riding Facility, which helps veterans and children with special needs.

When: Friday & Saturday October 7 & 8; gates open at 5 p.m., rodeo starts at 7:30 p.m.

Where: The Old Frontier, 1965 Old Milledgeville Rd.

Tickets: Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the gate for ages 13 and up; $8 in advance and $15 at the gate for ages 6-12; free admission for ages 5 and younger. Order online here.

Camellia City Festival - October 22, 2022

Held in the fall for the second year, this fun event celebrates the community. Thomson has an abundance of camellias—earning its nickname ‘Camellia City’—and several of these beautiful plants dot Main Street. This event, which is hosted in Thomson’s historic downtown, showcases over 100 vendors including artists, crafters, jewelers, local merchants, and businesses. You’ll also find health and wellness services, book signings, face-painting, and other surprises. Demonstrations range from wreath making by a local artist to fire safety by the local fire department to wildlife encounters by the Georgia department of natural resources. There will also be bounce houses for youngsters, an inflatable archery set, a car show, and a variety of live musical entertainment. To kick-off the event, the Thomson Family YMCA will host a 5k race starting at 9 a.m. Alcoholic beverages will be sold at the downtown restaurants and festival attendees are permitted to walk around the downtown dining district where the festival is held with open containers.

When: Saturday, October 22; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Where: Historic Downtown Thomson

Tickets: Free admission

Belle Meade Hunt Tally Ho - November 5, 2022

Join what’s billed as ‘the world’s largest rolling tailgate party’ for what is likely the largest opening day meet of any fox hunt in the world. Following hunters and hounds on a simulated fox hunt, you’ll ride in tally ho wagons (think hayride) through the beautiful countryside of McDuffie County on storied lands past historic sites and natural wonders. Saturday afternoon’s main event is anticipated to include 25 tally ho wagons. “It’s a wonderfully unique way to experience the beautiful countryside of our part of Georgia,” says Epp Wilson, Master of Foxhounds. “We are lucky to be able to ride where our ancestors rode and hunt—before the Revolution, before the Declaration of Independence, this was a British Colony. Fox hunting is a fun tradition and experience that brings history to life and is a way to get in tune with nature’s harmony.” The ceremonial hunt begins with a blessing of the hounds. This year’s 57th annual opening meet is accompanied by a Friday night social, Saturday hunt breakfast, and Saturday evening social, all ticketed individually.

When: Saturday, November 5, 12-6 p.m.

Where: Opening Meet site at 4018 Wrightsboro Rd.

Tickets: Tally Ho tickets are limited in number and priced at $50 per adult, $25 for riders under age 18. Order online here.

Augusta Boucherie - Due to circumstances beyond control, this event has been cancelled for 2022.

Gather around firepits, watch chefs at work, taste fresh preparations, and learn from food industry experts at the 2nd Augusta Boucherie, hosted by Amy and Patrick Sutter at their White Hills Farm in Dearing. “The boucherie is an old tradition that started in South Louisiana,” says Amy. “The community gathers to help harvest and prepare the bounty of the season.” This event puts ‘farm-to-table’ in clear perspective. Teams of farmers and chefs demonstrate and share knowledge as animals are prepared snout to tail, fin to fork. Local farmers and food artisans lead compelling talks with lively Q&A sessions covering a broad range of topics such as beekeeping and making cheese curds. Outdoor cooking across a wide range of styles including Southern heritage, Cajun, and Indigenous is a constant at the event. Friday’s focus will be on animal harvesting—including sessions to help local homesteaders learn how to process rabbits and chickens—and Savannah River Keepers will host an afternoon oyster roast. Saturday will be filled with learning and tasting opportunities including preparations of Alaskan halibut. Leading the chef participants is Mohawk Chef Dave Smoke McCluskey, owner of Local Pop Catering, ring leader of #cornmafia, and Indigenous Foods Educator.

Where: White Hills Farm in Dearing

Visit AugustaBoucherie.com for details.