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October 13, 2022

North Pole Express Tickets Available Nov. 1 at ABAC’s Georgia Museum of Agriculture

Children of all ages can ride the North Pole Express to see Santa Claus on Dec. 1-3 and Dec. 8-10 at the Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College Georgia Museum of Agriculture. North Pole Express tickets will be available beginning Nov. 1 at 9 a.m. online at https://northpoleexpress2022.eventbrite.com. Tickets are $17 per person and must be purchased in advance. Tickets will not be sold at the event.  Children one year of age and under are free.  Children two years of age and older must have a ticket. Guests will begin their journey in Santa’s Bakery where Santa’s elves will read the holiday classic, “The Polar Express.” Guests will then board the North Pole Express to visit Santa Claus and enjoy the movie version of “The Polar Express.” Photo opportunities abound throughout this festive candy-themed holiday event. The Museum’s 1917 Vulcan steam locomotive will depart for the North Pole every 20 minutes from 5 to 8:20 p.m. on the six nights of the event. Guests are encouraged to arrive a few minutes before their scheduled session for the best experience possible. The train cars are open air, and it is recommended that guests dress according to the weather. For more information, interested persons can contact the Museum at (229) 391-5205 or visit the website at www.gma.abac.edu.
October 3, 2022

Trick or Treat at ABAC’s Georgia Museum of Agriculture October 29

Pet a friendly farm animal or gather around for a spooky story at the annual Trick or Treat in the Village event on Oct. 29 at ABAC’s Georgia Museum of Agriculture. Children can participate in a costume contest, have their faces painted by Happy Sunrise Paintings, catch a hayride around the Village, or join the fun in yard games from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. The costume contest will take place at 1 p.m. in front of the Drug Store. Candy will be available throughout the Village while supplies last. Win a ribbon and bragging rights for creating the best carved, painted, or decorated pumpkin. Pumpkins must be dropped off at the Country Store by 6 p.m. on October 28 to be considered for judging which will take place at 12:30 p.m. on October 29. The celebration will include plenty of snacks to purchase and enjoy throughout the day. The Village Drug Store which features barbecue sandwiches, hot dogs, chili dogs, and hand-dipped ice cream. Cotton candy and popcorn will also be available at the Country Store. Cole’s Cakery and Wilma’s Place will have delicious treats as well. Admission for the day is $12 for adults, $10 for senior citizens, $6 for children 5 – 16 years of age, and free for children ages 4 and under. For more information, interested persons can contact the Country Store at (229) 391-5205.                                                    
August 17, 2022

Mystery, intrigue, and betrayal await during the Murder Mystery at ABAC’s Georgia Museum of Agriculture

Test your skills of deduction throughout the Murder Mystery at the Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College Georgia Museum of Agriculture (GMA) this fall. The Murder Mystery will be held Saturday, Oct. 1 with four sessions available from 4:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Tickets for Murder Mystery will be available beginning Thursday, Aug. 25 at 9:00 a.m. at https://abacgma.eventbrite.com. Tickets are $25 per person and must be purchased in advance. Tickets will not be sold at the event. Only 80 tickets are available for the event. The first group will begin at 4:30 p.m., with additional one-hour sessions starting at 5:30, 7:00, and 8:00. The Murder Mystery is designed for a maximum of 20 people per session. The event is recommended for ages 13 and over. All minors must be accompanied by an adult. Participants are brought in to act as “deputies-in-training” and are tasked to help investigate a high-profile murder. Murdered during a dinner party, the victim in question is Mr. H.B. Brooks, the owner of the local railroad branch. Guests will use their detective skills to search for clues and interview the dinner guests to find the culprit before time runs out. Murder Mystery is part of the 2022-2023 “History After Dark” program series which provides guests the opportunity to experience the Museum after hours. The series features evening programs throughout the year on a variety of topics and immersive activities. For more information, interested persons can contact Chloe Holbrook at cholbrook@abac.edu or (229) 391-5213.
June 21, 2022

Wiregrass Freedom Festival

Break out the red, white, and blue on July 2 when visitors can celebrate their patriotic pride at the Wiregrass Freedom Festival at the Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College Georgia Museum of Agriculture.  Ride the 1914 Vulcan Steam Train into the Historic Village and enjoy numerous entertaining games and contests representative of the Wiregrass region of Georgia during the early 20th century.  All ages can enjoy traditional baseball, watermelon samples, and challenge their historic vocabulary knowledge with trivia in the Wiregrass School House. Kids can enjoy cane pole fishing in the Grist Mill Pond. Victorian era paper firework crafts will add to the atmosphere which is sure to be enhanced by the pie-baking contest. Baking enthusiasts can also join the fun with a pie contest! Contest rules require pies to be made offsite and brought to the Museum for entry. Pies can be submitted beginning at 9:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. at the welcome desk inside the Main Museum. A copy of the recipe must be submitted with the pie, which includes a list of all ingredients. Winners will be announced at 1:00 p.m. on the Drug Store porch. The action-packed list of activities begins at 9 a.m. and continues until 4 p.m. at the Museum, located just off I-75 in Tifton. Museum Director Garrett Boone said “the event will highlight the history of America as we celebrate our great nation through fun, educational, and unique activities for the whole family. Celebrate the holiday with old fashioned fun in the Historic Village.” Cool off with slice of watermelon at the Cravey House or a hand-dipped ice cream from the Drug Store. Enjoy other sweet treats from Simply Sweet Celebrations and Wilma’s Place when you visit the Opry Shelter Lawn. Guests can break from fun in the sun at two comfort stations complete with shade, water, and misters. See the past in action at the antique tractor display on the Tift House Lawn. The antique tractors will parade through the Historic Village at noon.  The Wiregrass Farmers Market will also be open for visitors. Local growers and producers will be offering fresh picked produce from 9 a.m. until noon as well as hand-made goods for sale at the Market located under the pole barn behind the Country Store.     Admission for the day is $12 for adults, $10 for senior citizens, $6 for children 5–16 years of age, and free for children four and under. For more information, interested persons can contact the Museum’s Country Store at (229) 391-5205.
March 23, 2022

ABAC’s Georgia Museum of Agriculture Offers Camp Wiregrass For Kids This Summer

Exploring farms of the past and present, meeting wildlife and livestock, making birdhouses, and learning to garden are a few of the activities that children can enjoy during Camp Wiregrass sessions this summer at the Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College Georgia Museum of Agriculture.  Children from 4 to 9 years old can experience these and many more adventures when they explore Georgia agriculture, history, and natural resources. Registration for all sessions of Camp Wiregrass will begin on April 6 at 9 a.m. online at abacgma.eventbrite.com.  “Camp Wiregrass provides a fun, interactive environment for children to engage in hands-on activities, games, and crafts,” Museum Assistant Director Sara Hand said.  “Each camp offers unique activities and themes tailored to each age group.” For the Munchkin campers in the 4-6 years old age range, “Farm Life” and “Animal Antics” are the two sessions available.  Both camps run from 8 a.m. to noon each day with drop off from 7:30-8 a.m. and pick up from noon-12:30 p.m.  The cost of each camp is $65 and includes a snack, t-shirt, and all supplies. Campers will be going home before lunch. During the “Farm Life” session on May 30 to June 3, the Munchkin campers will learn about the wonderful things that agriculture provides for us in our everyday life. Experience some of the tasks that farmers undertake and experience hands-on activities with crops and animals. Campers will milk a robotic cow, shear a shaving cream sheep, work in the garden, build a miniature house, and enjoy other fun activities. “Animal Antics” is scheduled June 21-24 and offers Munchkin campers the chance to meet the Museum's animal residents while studying the needs of humans and animals. Each day includes animal interactions, games, story time, and crafts. The camp will feature activities such as fishing at the Grist Mill pond, searching for birds in their natural habitat, and learning to take care of their own pretend “pet critter.” Camps are also available for Explorer campers ages 7-9 years old.  Each of these camps runs from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., with drop off from 7:30-8 a.m. and pick up from 3-3:30 p.m. “Becoming Champions” and “Time Travelers” are the two sessions available for Explorers.  The cost of each camp is $115 and includes a snack, t-shirt, and supplies.  Campers must bring a sack lunch. “Becoming Champions” for Explorer campers is set for June 6-10 and offers children the chance to celebrate Georgia’s recent sports' wins while learning about agriculture’s impact on athletics. Campers will team up and create their team's name, mascot, and logo. The week is filled with field trips, games, crafts, and a competition to become Camp Champions. “Time Travelers” runs from June 13-17.  During this camp, inspired Explorers are invited to join us as we step back in time. We’ll journey to the past to explore life in the Wiregrass region during the late 19th century. Campers learn about careers, inventions, and engage in a variety of exciting hands-on experiences in the Historic Village. For more information on Camp Wiregrass, interested persons can contact Hand at (229) 391-5208 or at museum@abac.edu.
March 17, 2022

Georgia Museum of Agriculture Hosts Folklife Festival April 2

Visitors can enjoy a celebration of the rich, rural heritage of South Georgia during the annual Folklife Festival on April 2 at the ABAC’s Georgia Museum of Agriculture. Showcasing South Georgia’s history and culture, the event runs from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. with interactive activities for both children and adults.  The can’t miss moment of the day will be the ceremonial firing of the Turpentine Still at 11 a.m. for the Historic Village’s annual turpentine distillation.  Museum guests will see up close and personal this age-old process that is central to South Georgia’s cultural heritage.  The Folklife Festival is all about interactive activities including livestock and wildlife encounters, doll-making, hoecake cooking, sawmill demonstrations, sheep shearing, and mule plowing. Guests can also visit the antique and model tractors that will be on display on the Tift West Lawn. The antique tractors will parade through the Historic Village at 12 p.m. and 2 p.m.  In the way of exhibits, the GMA's curatorial staff will have several offerings for Folklife festival guests. In the Art Gallery, A Farm Story exhibit will spotlight the artworks of Steven Walker and Mary VanLandingham. In the Cordell Conference Center, the American Legacy Quilt show will wow guests with exceptional fiber work, and they will also have raffle basket tickets available for purchase. In the Spinks Exhibit Hall guests will be able to use an interactive code to watch a turpentine documentary, with the same code being made available outside by the turpentine still. To satisfy every hearty appetite, the Historic Village’s Drug Store will offer delicious BBQ sandwiches, hot dogs, along with chips and a drink. Hankering for tasty hand-dipped ice cream? Grab a cup or a cone in the Drug Store or Country Store. The Country Store will also be offering refreshing icees, popcorn, and cotton candy. Cole’s Cakery, a local favorite, will be selling cupcakes and their delicious chicken salad sandwiches. Wilma’s Place will have all the usual fair food offerings, including funnel cakes and fried pickles. The festival coincides with the seasonal opening of the Wiregrass Farmers Market. Local growers and producers will be offering fresh-picked produce from 9 a.m. until noon as well as hand-made goods for sale at the Market located under the pole barn behind the Country Store.   Admission to the Folklife Festival is $10 for adults, $8 for senior citizens, $5 for children 5 – 16 years of age, and free for children under five. For more information, interested persons can contact the Country Store at (229) 391-5205.