Festivals, jet skis, beer, and food fairs: Here’s what to do this weekend in Macon

Jenni Camhi
·4 min read

Looking for something to do in Macon this weekend? The Tubman Museum, American Jet Ski Association, Just Tap’d, and Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church have you covered with festivals, water sports, live music, beer, and Greek food.

Here’s what to know about Macon’s biggest events of this weekend.

The Tubman Museum’s Pan-African Festival

Music, dance, food, art, storytelling and food trucks are just some of the things to do at the Pan African Festival, happening this weekend.
Music, dance, food, art, storytelling and food trucks are just some of the things to do at the Pan African Festival, happening this weekend.

To kick off their all-weekend festival, the Tubman Museum will host an Afrocentric Sneaker Ball from 7-10 p.m. Friday at 310 Cherry Street.

The ball will feature food, music, and entertainment, and the dress code is African or cultural attire. Tickets for the ball are $35 per person.

The museum’s annual Pan-African Festival of Georgia will begin the next morning (Saturday), starting at 11 a.m. in the Macon Coliseum parking lot.

Dating back to 1996, the Pan-African Festival is one of the museum’s signature events celebrating the diverse cultures of the African diaspora. It will run until 9 p.m. Saturday and from 2-7 p.m. Sunday.

According to the museum’s website, this year’s festival will be “bigger and better than ever” and will feature the return of the Children’s Village, music, dance, film, storytelling, spoken word, and art. There will be food trucks serving Caribbean and soul food and booths with local vendors, artists, and artisans offering their work for purchase.

Both days of the festival will also feature live music performances. The City Band and Con Funk Shun will perform Saturday night, and Canton Spirituals and John P Kee & The New Life Community Choir will perform on Sunday.

The festival is family-friendly and open to everyone. Admission is $10 per person per day and attendees 6 years and under can go for free. Tickets can be purchased at the museum, on the phone at (478) 743-8544, or on the museum website.

Jet Ski Competition on Lake Tobesofkee

Macon-Bibb County Mayor Lester Miller rides a jet ski near Sandy Beach Park at Lake Tobesofkee Wednesday morning. Miller helped announce that the American Jet Sport Association will host a competition at the lake this weekend..
Macon-Bibb County Mayor Lester Miller rides a jet ski near Sandy Beach Park at Lake Tobesofkee Wednesday morning. Miller helped announce that the American Jet Sport Association will host a competition at the lake this weekend..

For the first time in 20 years, the American Jet Sports Association (AJSA) will be hosting a professional jet ski competition at Sandy Beach Park on Lake Tobesofkee in Macon.

This three-day competition will be the first in AJSA’s 2023 Summer Series in Macon and is happening Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

Starting at 9 a.m. Friday, the general public can come participate and ride jet skis on the lake during the Corporate Challenge race. Proceeds from this day will go towards the local Special Olympics.

The professional competition will take place Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Up to 150 professional racers are expected to compete throughout the weekend.

Day passes for the event are $10 each and children 6 years and younger can attend for free. Tickets can be purchased on site at Sandy Beach during any day of the event, which is open to the public.

Food trucks will be available all weekend for attendees. Alcoholic beverages and swimming in the lake will not be permitted.

Just Tap’d Craft Beer Festival

Maconites pack downtown for the Just Tap’d Craft Beer Festival in this Telegraph file photo.
Maconites pack downtown for the Just Tap’d Craft Beer Festival in this Telegraph file photo.

The seventh annual Just Tap’d Craft Beer Festival is happening Saturday from 1-5 p.m. downtown Macon at 488 First Street.

Attendees at Saturday’s event can sample craft beers from breweries across the nation, including brews available exclusively for this day. Breweries will also be answering questions about the brewing process.

In addition to beer, the festival will feature live music, food from local vendors, and yard games. Giant cornhole, giant Jenga, Kan Jam, Connect Four, and more will be available for guest entertainment.

General admission is free and open for guests of all ages. Guests 21 years of age and older can purchase tickets for beer tastings for $45 - $65.

A $45 “Beer Lover” tasting ticket includes unlimited access to all beers being poured at the event and a limited edition 5 oz beer tasting glass.

A $65 “Beer Connoisseur (VIP)” ticket includes all the same things as a “Beer Lover” ticket plus access to tastings starting at 12 pm (one hour before the festival begins) and access to a VIP lounge with a private bathroom. VIP ticket holders will also have exclusive access to specialty beers and a deal for a $5 festival t-shirt, which retails for $14.99.

This event is rain or shine and beer tasting tickets are not refundable.

Spring Fling at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church

From 11 a.m. - 8 p.m. Saturday, Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church of Macon (859 First Street) will be hosting its Greek Spring Fling food fair.

This year’s menu includes gyros, greek fries, tiropitas, and loukoumades. There will also be pastitsio and baklava, but quantities are limited and available only while supplies last.

Food can be eaten at the on-site seating provided or taken to-go. Tea and water will also be available for guests.

Spring Fling is open to the public and will be located in the church’s back courtyard. Though there are no church tours scheduled for Saturday, the doors to the church will be open during the event for guests to explore at their leisure.