Saturday, April 10
> 10:00 a.m.
• Little Miss Vidalia Onion Pageant
Southeastern Technical College, Hwy. 280. Admission: $5 per person. Categories for ages 1-12. For more information contact Leah Farrow at (912) 537-1055, Julie Cook at (912) 277-2293 or Penny Seabolt at (912) 277-2350. Sponsored by American Business Women’s Association.

> 7:00 p.m.
• Miss Vidalia Onion Pageant
Southeastern Technical College, Hwy. 280. Admission: $6 per person. Categories include Junior Miss Vidalia Onion, ages 12-16 and Miss Vidalia Onion, ages 16-22. See Little Miss contacts. Sponsored by American Business Women’s Association.
Click to download Pageant Application

Friday, April 16
> 7:00 p.m.
• 31st Annual Sweet Onion Invitational   
Softball Tournament
Ed Smith Complex, between Hwy. 280 East and Hwy. 292 East. Men’s entry fee and women’s entry fee $200 per team. Three homerun limit. Team awards to first three places. For more information, call Tommy Sasser at (912) 537-7913 or Jessie Dennison at (912) 287-1047. Sponsored by the Vidalia Recreation Department and The Edge.

Saturday, April 17
> 9:00 a.m.
• 31st Annual Sweet Onion
Invitational Softball Tournament
See Friday, April 16, 7 p.m.

> 10:00 a.m.*
• Montgomery County Historic Village
Behind the Brewton Parker College campus by the lake, Mount Vernon. Hours are 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; other hours by request. Admission is free. Families are encouraged to bring the children to experience hands-on old-time crafts and see goats and mules. Activities will include beating biscuits, making cornshuck dolls, roping a bed, and milking goats. We will have a small Civil War camp demonstration also. We love visitors! Come and see us! For more information, contact Mary Waalkes at (912) 583-3110.

Sunday, April 18  
> 1:00 p.m.--3:00 p.m.
• Altama Museum of Art and History
611 Jackson St., Vidalia.
Annual Student Art Exhibit

Monday, April 19
> Varied hours
• Ladson Genealogical Library
125 Church St., Ste. 104, Vidalia. Come see our area’s incredible treasure – a genealogy library containing more than 30,000 books, pamphlets, manuscripts, periodicals, and microfilm. The library specializes in materials on Georgia, the South, and the Eastern Seaboard. Research assistance is offered. Call (912) 537-9283 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

> Call for hours
• Altama Museum of Art and History
611 Jackson St.,Vidalia. Located in the historic 1911 Brazell House, the Altama houses a permanent collection of 18th and 19th century American European prints. Also on display are the Aldridge Vintage Clothing Collection, the Victorian parlor and bedroom, and two small collections of hand-carved wooden animals. Admission is free. Call (912) 537-1911.

Thursday, April 22
> Varied hours
• Ladson Genealogical Library
See Monday, April 19

> Call for hours
• Altama Museum of Art and History
See Monday, April 19

> 10:00 a.m.-5:00 pm.
• Sweet Onion Sidewalk Sale
Downtown Vidalia. Visit our beautiful historic shopping district…browse in unique specialty shops, many off the beaten path. A diverse collection of onion memorabilia, dinnerware, jewelry, antiques, and gifts for all occasions are available. Individual merchants may feature unadvertised specials and entertainment. For questions or directions, call Paula Toole at (912) 537-8033.

> 5:00 p.m.
• Children’s Parade
This year’s theme for our children-only parade is “Down on the Farm,” and children are invited to dress as anything found on a farm. Register on Meadows St. near Jackson St. at 5 p.m. Lineup and judging at 5:15 p.m., parade begins at 5:30 p.m. Prizes awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners at the end of the parade in Meadows Street Park. Free t-shirts for the first 50 registrants. Call (912) 538-0126 for more information. Sponsored by McDonald’s and Bishop-Durden Insurance Group.

> 6:00 p.m.
• Carnival
See Wednesday, April 21, 6 p.m.

> 7:00 p.m.
• Movie Under the Stars
Vidalia High School Football Stadium. Bring your whole family and lounge chairs to enjoy the movie “Alvin & The Chipmunks – The Squeakuel” on the 31-foot outdoor movie screen. Admission is free. Concessions will be available. Call (912) 537-8204. Sponsored by Zaxby’s.

> 7:00 p.m.
• Tales From The Altamaha: Livin' and Lovin' on the Atlamaha,
Blue Marquee Theatre, downtown Lyons. “Tales from the Altamaha” is a Georgia folk-life play drawn from the writings of a local attorney, Colonel T. Ross Sharpe, who was born and raised on the banks of the Altamaha River. His stories bring to life colorful characters from the past, the regional settlers of a five-county radius. Since 2005, “Tales from the Altamaha” has taken its audience on a journey through the magic of the dramatic arts to experience a story of lives, loves, losses, and just plain ol’ gossip. The Lyons Better Hometown Program selects a different set of stories each year and creates a brand new experience on the stage. Performances are scheduled from April 22-May 1, 2010. General admission is $15 each, group rates are available. Reserve your tickets by calling (912) 526-6445 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
www.talesfromthealtamaha.com

Friday, April 23
> 9 a.m.- 6 p.m.
• Buckhorn Creek Ranch
Come by and enjoy a wagon ride through Buckhorn Creek Ranch – home to a herd of domestic and exotic animals such as bison, camel, red deer, and many more. The ranch also features a delightful petting zoo of smaller animals that the kids are sure to love! Admission is $8 per person (children under 2 admitted free). Directions to Buckhorn Creek Ranch from downtown Vidalia: Travel west on Hwy. 280 to caution light at junction of Hwy. 280 and Hwy. 135. Turn left at McCord’s Gun and Bow Store. Travel 3.5 miles on Hwy. 135. Buckhorn Creek Ranch will be on the right side of the road. Be sure to visit our website www.buckhorncreekranch.net. For further information please call (912) 583-2737 or (912) 245-4042. Private tours available by appointment.

> Varied hours
• Ladson Genealogical Library
See Monday, April 19.

> Call for hours
• Altama Museum of Art and History
See Monday, April 19.

> 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
• Sweet Onion Happenings on Main Street

> 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
• Sweet Onion Sidewalk Sale
see Thursday, April 22.

> 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m
• A Taste of Downtown “Sweet
Onion Rings” and "Hot Dogs & Sausage Dogs"

> 10:00 a.m. - 5:00  p.m.
• Local grower onion sales

> 10:00 a.m. - 5:00  p.m.
• Visit shops in DOWNTOWN HISTORIC DISTRICT
located on Hwy. 280/Jackson Street to Visit Shops in Downtown Historic District for a taste of Vidalia Onion Recipes (visit the information tent at Hwy. 280/Jackson St. for a list of participating merchants)

> 1:30 p.m.
• Paul Anderson Youth Home Tour
1603 McIntosh St.,Vidalia. Paul Anderson Youth Home was established in 1961 to provide a Christian alternative to juvenile and adult correctional programs for young men ages 16-21. On the tour you will see Paul Anderson “The World’s Strongest Man” memorabilia. Meet behind the Paul Anderson Youth Home colonial house at 1:30 p.m. Contact Rebecca at (912) 537-7237, Ext. 800 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

> 6:00 p.m.
• Carnival
See Wednesday, April 21, 6:00 p.m.

> 6:00 p.m.
• Street Dance and Opening Ceremonies
Southeastern Technical College, Hwy. 280, Vidalia. Join us for an event-packed evening to kick off this year’s Vidalia Onion Festival. Events include recognition of the Vidalia Onion Festival Queens and Writing Contest winners, aerial demonstration by Silver Wings, local dancers, food, and fun activities for kids of all ages. Around 7 p.m., get ready to dance and sing to Craig Campbell, a country music star from Franklin, Tennessee. This year’s celebration will be capped off by the Southeast’s largest display of fireworks. Bring your lawn chairs and join us for this great family event. Contact Brad at (912) 538-3121 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . The Chamber parking lot will be reserved for handicapped parking only.

> 7:00 p.m.
• Vidalia Onion Festival Rodeo
Rocky Creek Saddle Club Arena, U.S. Hwy. 1 South, 4.5 miles south of Lyons. Admission: ages 5 and under free; ages 6-12 $5; 13 and older $10. This year Rocky Creek Saddle Club is sponsoring the Georgia High School Rodeo Association. This will include more events and feature more riders than before. The rodeo will consist of bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, barrel racing, pole-bending, and bull riding. A full concession will be available, and everyone is encouraged to arrive early. For more information, please contact Alicia Stanley at (912) 565-8563 or Keith Davis at (912) 526-4851. Sponsored by Rocky Creek Saddle Club and Dockside Steak & Seafood.

> 7:00 p.m.
• Tales From the Altamaha
See Thursday, April 22.

Saturday, April 24
> 7:30 a.m.
• 33rd Annual Vidalia Onion Run
*Events will include a 1 Mile Fun-Run/Walk, a 5K Run/Walk, and a 10K Onion Run/Walk. The 1 Mile Fun-Run/Walk begins at 7:30 a.m., and both the 5K Run/Walk and 10K Onion Run/Walk begin at 8 a.m. All races will begin and end on Church Street between the First Baptist Church and the First United Methodist Church.

*Early registration fees and deadline are as follows: a) 1 Mile Fun-Run/Walk - $7 for students/teachers and $15 for all other participants; and b) 5K Run/Walk and 10K Onion Run/Walk - $15 for all participants. PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL EARLY REGISTRATION ENDS ON MONDAY, APRIL 12, 2010, AT 5 PM, AND ALL REGISTRATION FOR EACH RUN/WALK, AFTER DEADLINE, WILL COST $25 – NO EXCEPTIONS. PLEASE ALSO NOTE THAT RACEDAY REGISTRATION IS ALLOWED ON APRIL 24, 2010, FROM 6:30 AM UNTIL 7:15 AM, FOR EACH RUN/WALK, BUT ANY PERSON WHO REGISTERS ON RACEDAY WILL NOT RECEIVE AWARDS, REGARDLESS OF FINISH TIME, AND WILL NOT BE ELIGIBLE FOR CASH PRIZES – NO EXCEPTIONS.

*$3,500 in prizes available for runners and walkers.

*$1,500 to any female or male runner who wins the 10K Onion Run and who sets a new female or male record in 10K Onion Run.

*5 drawings for $100 for runners and walkers.

*Awards for top 3 female and male runners in all age divisions in 5K Onion Run and 10K Onion Run and awards for top 3 female and male runners, overall, in 5K Onion Run and 10 K Onion Run.

*Awards for top 3 female and male runners, overall, in 1 Mile Fun-Run.

*Cash prizes will be awarded to top 3 schools with most participation.

* *All registered participants will receive a 100% cotton T-shirt. Fruit bar and fluids will be provided at finish line. Runners in 5K and 10K will receive computer chip and race bib assigned to each runner. Each runner MUST wear his/her chip and bib and MUST return chip at finish line to race staff to ensure proper place of finish.

*For questions, please e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
*Click here to Download Application*

Apply Online @ Active.com

> 8:30 a.m.
• Vidalia Onion Festival Car Show Southeastern Technical College, Hwy. 280 
Entry Fee - $25 per car; Trophy Presentations for Top 20, Best of Show, People’s Choice, and President’s  Award.  Registration is from 8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m., judging is from 10:00 a.m – 2:00 p.m., and awards will be presented at 3:00 p.m.  Concessions will be available.  For more information, call (912)526-9444

> 9:00 a.m-6:00 p.m.
• Buckhorn Creek Ranch
See Friday, April 23.

Saturday, April 24
> 9:00 a.m.
• Vidalia Onion Festival Airshow
Vidalia Regional Airport. Featuring the Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, BLUE ANGELS! The world famous Blue Angels will be our featured performer at this year’s Air Show. Other performers will be The United States Army “Silver Wings” Parachute Team, Tim Weber flying his X300, Bearfeat Aerobatics flying a Skybolt 300, Gary Ward flying an MX2, and, as a really phenomenal act, TEAM CHAOS with a 1,200-foot wall of fire with two planes and Flash Fire Jet Truck. The Air Force A-10s will be performing this year, also. There will be lots of static displays like Canadian Helicopters, the Coast Guard Helicopter, a B25, B17, F-18 Super Hornet, YAK, Kate Bomber to name a few. Military Fly-Bys, simulators, Kiddie rides, rock climbing and lots of food and novelty vendors. Rides will be available in a helicopter or a Huey, or ride in the Voodoo Monster Truck. Gates will open at 9 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. One show each day beginning at 12:30. Free parking at the airport and off site with shuttle to the airport. Shuttle loads behind Northland Cable, 320 Commerce Way. Advance tickets are $8, and tickets at the gate will be $10. Children 12 and under admitted free with an adult. Avoid the lines and get your tickets at  www.ticketweb.com, at the Vidalia City Hall or at the Toombs-Montgomery Chamber of Commerce. For more information call (912) 538-7000, (912) 537-3979, or (912) 293-2885. Absolutely no rain checks, coolers, pets, ATVs, skateboards, etc. Keep checking our website for more information. We look forward to seeing you for loads of action and family fun at the 2010 Air Show. 

 > 9:00 a.m.
• Virtual Army Experience
Vidalia Regional Airport. The Virtual Army Experience returns to the Vidalia Onion Festival with new vehicles and more action than ever before! Participants will lace up their boots and take part in a virtual mission as Soldiers in the United States Army. The high-tech, team-based mission challenges participants to employ teamwork, rules of engagement, leadership and state-of-the-art military technology to successfully complete their mission. The core of the experience is based on the America's Army video game and features two replica Humvees and a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter. The experience, where participants can also play the America's Army PC game against Real Sodiers, is open to all Vidalia Onion Festival attendees, 13 years and older.

> 9:00 a.m.  
• Arts and Crafts Festival
Airport Road off Hwy. 280 East. 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Admission $3 for adults, $1 for children 6-12, children under 6 free with parent. Take a leisurely stroll in the shade and enjoy the wide variety of artists, entertainment, crafts, and food. You’ll find items of glass, wood, fabric, and paper crafts. All items are made by the individuals showing them. There’s a wide variety of food (featuring the Vidalia Onion, of course!) and activities for the youngsters. Be sure to get your copy of the Vidalia Onion Prize Winning Recipes cookbook. Entertainment includes music from Jerry and Terry Richardson at the pavilion. Special appearances by Yumion and Miss Vidalia Onion 2010. Complimentary shuttle service to and from the Air Show between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or Elizabeth at Vidalia Area Convention and Visitors Bureau at (912) 538-8687 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information. Sponsored by the Vidalia Woman’s Club and Vidalia Lions Club.

> 10:00 a.m.  
• Sweet Onion “Happenings”
on Main Street
See Friday, April 23

> 10:00 a.m.  
• Sweet Onion Antique Fair
on North Main Street
10 a.m.-5 p.m. Call (912) 537-6753 for more information

 > 11:00 a.m.
• Vidalia Onion Recipe Contest & Public Tasting
Vidalia First Baptist Church Kids Bay 105 East Second Street (Corner of 3rd and Jackson)
Admission by Public - $2.00 Call (912) 293-0159 or (912) 245-8869 Categories Include: Main Dish, Side Dish, Miscellaneous, and Professional
Pre-registration required by 4/20 Entry Fee: $10 / dish;
Multiple Entries encouraged
Entrants must prepare 2 dishes and they will be judged on use of onions, taste, and presentation Prizes awared in all categories and a grand prize to overall winner -- also door prizes will be awarded.
Entries must arrive by 11 am for public tasting at 12 Noon
Download Recipe Contest Application

> 8:00 p.m.
• Concert featuring Miss Leesah
Southeastern Technical College, Highway 280
The Filipina pop sensation, Lisa Belinda Taylor p/k/a "Miss Leesah," will be in concert, featuring her hit songs Bad Boy Crush and Hula Hoop. Lisa's first album will be released in March of 2010. See myspace.com/stackthatlisa. Admission is $10 per person, 5 and under free.
Sponsored by Stack That Entertainment.
View Official Flyer

Sunday, April 25
> 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
• Buckhorn Creek Ranch
See Friday, April 23.

> 9:00 a.m.
• Arts & Crafts Festival
Airport Road off Hwy. 280 East, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Admission $3 for adults, $1 for children ages 6-12, children under 6 free with parent. See Saturday, April 24. Complimentary shuttle service to and from the Air Show between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Sunday entertainment at the pavilion features gospel music with Jerry and Terry and Forgiven, a local Christian trio.

> 9:00 a.m.
• Vidalia Onion Festival Air Show
See Saturday, April 24
 
> 9:00 a.m.
• Virtual Army Experience
See Saturday, April 24

 > 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
• Local Grower Onion Sales
See Friday, April 23.

> 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
• A Taste of Downtown
“Sweet Onion Rings!” See Friday, April 23.

> 12:00 noon
• Carnival
See Wednesday, April 21, 6 p.m.

> Varied Hours
• Ladson Genealogical Library
See Monday, April 19

> Call for Hours
• Altama Museum of Art and History
See Monday, April 19