Battle of the Bands

Think you have the sweetest musical talent? Let our judges decide. Winners will win cash prizes, studio time in Nashville, and open for country-music star Craig Morgan and special guests on stage at the Vidalia Onion Festival.  Sponsored by Vidalia Ford.

• Open to the public; $5 tickets sold at the door
• Friday, March 16th - 5:30 pm
• The Historic Pal Theatre in Downtown Vidalia
• Download Application
• Download Rules and Regulations

Tales From The Altamaha: Front Porches, Rocking Chairs, & Sweet Tea

The production 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. Tickets are $10-$20. Visit website for show times.

• April 12th-21st – 7 pm
• The Blue Marquee Theater in Historic Downtown Lyons
• Website

Youth Boys Invitational Baseball Tournament

Sponsored by the Vidalia Recreation Department. Divisions include: 12 & under boys live pitching, 10 & under boys pitching machine, and 8 & under boys pitching machine. Champion and runner-up t-shirts are awarded to first and second place teams. Team trophies to first, second, and third place teams. Entry fee is $200 per team.

• April 21st – 9 am
• Ed Smith Complex, between Highway 280 East and Highway 292 East in Vidalia
• Phone – 912-537-7913
• Download Application

Little Miss Vidalia Onion Pageant

Categories for ages 2-12. Admission is $5 per person. Sponsored by American Business Women’s Association.

• April 21st – 10 am
• Southeastern Technical College on Highway 280 in Vidalia
• Phone – 912-537-1055 (Leah Farrow)
• Download Application

Miss Vidalia Onion Pageant

Categories include Junior Miss Vidalia Onion (ages 13-16) and Miss Vidalia Onion (ages 16-22). Admission is $6 per person. Sponsored by American Business Women’s Association.

• April 21st – 7 pm
• Southeastern Technical College on Highway 280 in Vidalia
• Phone – 912-537-1055 (Leah Farrow)
• Download Application – Junior Miss Vidalia Onion
• Download Application - Miss Vidalia Onion

Golden Onion Chef Competition

The inaugural Golden Onion professional cooking competition showcases the Vidalia® Onion, Georgia’s most exclusive and internationally renowned agricultural treasure, and also offers a new platform for chefs across Georgia to display their skills and creativity. Hosted by Sonny Dixon, 2011 Emmy Award Winner for Best Anchor.  Admission is $5 in advance (Vidalia Onion Museum) or $10 at the door.

• April 22nd – 12:30 pm
• Vidalia Community Center, 107 Old Airport Rd. in Vidalia
• Phone – 912-538-8687
• Download Competition Press Release
• Download Chef Application
• Download Competition Manual

All events at the Vidalia Regional Airport are free admission; pay $5 to park on Thursday.

Carnival

Gold Medal Carnival with rides and attractions is a mobile family fun fair and theme park for all ages, proudly featuring a glittering galaxy of spectacular state fair amusement rides and attractions. Come with us and return to wholesome family entertainment and memories, enjoy absolute fun and super fantastic thrills again for the first time. Daily unlimited-ride wristbands available.

• Opens Thursday, April 26th – 4 pm
• April 26th-29th
• Vidalia Regional Airport
• Website

Civil War Reenactment

Take a trip back to the War of Northern Aggression and help commemorate the sesquicentennial.

• April 26th – Living Museum Exhibit – 4 pm
• School groups are welcome during the day; please contact 912-538-8687 for more information
• Vidalia Regional Airport

Children’s Parade

Our theme this year is “Children are Super in Downtown Vidalia”, and children are invited to dress up as their favorite superhero.  Register on the corner of Meadows St. and Jackson St. at 5 pm. Prizes awarded for first, second, and third place winners at the end of the parade in Meadows Street Park. Free t-shirts for the first 50 registrants.  Sponsored by McDonald’s, Bishop-Durden Insurance Group, and ViTech.

• April 26th
• 5 pm – registration
• 5:15 pm – line-up and judging
• 5:30 pm – parade
• Meadows St., Downtown Vidalia

Vidalia Onion Culinary Extravaganza

Georgia artist Mark Ballard will showcase his culinary expertise, wit, comedy and decorating styles with our “Sweet Vidalia Onions.”  There will be door prizes, goody bags for the first 125 participants, and vendors in the lobby one hour prior to the show.  Tickets are $10.00 in advance or at the door.  Reserved seating tickets are $15.00 and are for a designated area plus a “Meet and Greet” time with Mark Ballard at 5:15 pm.  Reserved seating tickets deadline for purchase is April 18, 2012.  Tickets will be available for purchase April 2, 2012 at Merle Norman in Vidalia or by calling Jan at 912-293-2407 or Lindi at 912-293-3630.

• April 26th – 6 pm
• Southeastern Technical College, Highway 280 in Vidalia
• Event Flyer

Movie Under the Stars

Bring your entire family and lounge chairs to enjoy the movie “Puss in Boots” on the large outdoor movie screen. Admission is free!  Sponsored by McDonald’s.

• April 26th – 7 pm
• Vidalia Comprehensive High School
• Website

All events at the Vidalia Regional Airport are free admission; pay $10 to park on Friday.

Downtown Activities

Visit our beautiful historic shopping district. Browse in unique specialty shops, many off of the beaten path. A diverse collection of onion memorabilia, dinnerware, jewelry, antiques, and gifts for all occasions. Individual merchants might feature unadvertised specials and entertainment! Enjoy a Taste of Downtown’s Sweet Onion Rings and more. Local growers will be set up for onion sales. A gospel fest will take place in Meadows Street Park; just bring your lawn chairs.

• April 27th – 10 am – 5 pm
• Historic Downtown Vidalia
• Phone – 912-537-8033

Carnival

Gold Medal Carnival with rides and attractions is a mobile family fun fair and theme park for all ages, proudly featuring a glittering galaxy of spectacular state fair amusement rides and attractions. Come with us and return to wholesome family entertainment and memories, enjoy absolute fun and super fantastic thrills again for the first time. Daily unlimited-ride wristbands available.

• April 27th – opens at 4 pm
• Vidalia Regional Airport
• Website

Civil War Reenactment

Take a trip back to the War of Northern Aggression and help commemorate the sesquicentennial.

• April 27th – Living Museum Exhibit - 4 pm
• School groups are welcome during the day; please contact 912-538-8687 for more information
• Cannon Fire at Opening Ceremonies
• Vidalia Regional Airport

Cornhole Tournament

• April 27th – starting at 4 pm
• Vidalia Regional Airport

Chainsaw Carvers

Live demonstration throughout the festival! Come watch these amazing artists carve one-of-a-kind pieces with big chainsaws.

• April 27th - starting 4 pm
• Vidalia Regional Airport

Strait Jacket Monster Truck

Come meet Kevin King and Southeastern Georgia’s only professional monster truck team.

• April 27th -  rides starting at 4 pm
• Vidalia Regional Airport
• Website

Street Dance and Opening Ceremonies

Join us for an event-packed evening to kick off this year’s festival. Events include recognition of the Vidalia Onion Queens and Writing Contest winners, local dancers, food, and fun activities for kids of all ages. Get ready to dance and sing to the music of Brantley Country, formerly known as Deepstep. 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.

• April 27th – 6 pm
• Vidalia Regional Airport

Vidalia Onion Festival Rodeo

The rodeo will consist of bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, barrel racing, pole-bending, goat tying, tie-down and breakaway calf roping, steer wrestling, team roping, and bull riding. Sponsored by the Rocky Creek Saddle Club. Admission is free for ages 5 and under, $5 for ages 6-12, $10 for ages 13 and older.

• April 27th-28th – 7 pm
• Rocky Creek Saddle Club Arena, US Highway 1 South, 4.5 miles south of Lyons
• Phone – 912-614-4335 (Britt) or 478-278-4767 (Lisa)

All events at the Vidalia Regional Airport are free admission; pay $10 to park on Saturday.

35th Annual Vidalia Onion Run

Events will include a 1-mile Fun Run/Walk beginning at 7:30 am, a 5K Run/Walk and a 10k Run/Walk both beginning at 8 am. All races begin and end on the corner of 2nd and Church streets. The 5K and 10K races are certified by USA Track & Field. $1,500 will be awarded to any runner who sets a new time record for the 10K, and awards are given to the top three finishers in the 5K and 10K in different age brackets. Check application for registration fees.

• April 28th – 7:30 am
• Corner of 2nd St. and Church St., Downtown Vidalia
• Email – tom@petersonfirm.net
• Website - Register online
• Download Application

Arts and Crafts Show

Enjoy the wide variety of artists, entertainment, crafts, and food. You will find items of glass, wood, fabric and paper crafts. All items are made by the individuals showing them. Entertainment includes music from Jerry and Terry Richardson at the pavilion. The famous onion-eating competition is at 4 pm on April 28th. Special appearances by Yumion and Miss Vidalia Onion. Sponsored by the Vidalia Women’s Club and Vidalia Lions Club. Admission is $3 for adults, $1 for children ages 6-12, and free for children under 6.

• April 28th – 9 am – 6 pm
• Airport Rd. off of Highway 280 in Vidalia
• Website
• Download Application

Downtown Activities

Visit our beautiful historic shopping district. Browse in unique specialty shops, many off of the beaten path. A diverse collection of onion memorabilia, dinnerware, jewelry, antiques, and gifts for all occasions. Individual merchants might feature unadvertised specials and entertainment!

Enjoy a Taste of Downtown’s Sweet Onion Rings and more. Local growers will be set up for onion sales.

A gospel fest will take place in Meadows Street Park; just bring your lawn chairs.

• April 28th – 10 am – 5 pm
• Historic Downtown Vidalia
• Phone – 912-537-8033

Sweet Onion Antique Fair

Visit our beautiful historic shopping district.

• April 28th – 10 am – 5 pm
• North Main St. in Historic Downtown Vidalia
• Phone – 912-537-6753 (Sandy)

Vidalia Onion Recipe Contest and Public Tasting

Enter your best Vidalia Onion dish, judged on use of onions, taste, and presentation. Categories include Main Dish, Side Dish, Appetizer, and Miscellaneous. Pre-registration is required by Friday, April 27th. Admission is $2 per person.

• April 28th – dishes turned in by 11 am
• Open to public tasting at 12:15 pm
• First Baptist Church Kid’s Bay, 105 E. Second St. in Vidalia
• Phone – 912-293-0159
• Download Application

Vidalia Onion Festival Car Show

• April 28th - starting at 10 am
• Vidalia Regional Airport

Vidalia Onion Festival Motorcycle Show

• April 28th – starting at 10 am
• Vidalia Regional Airport

Carnival

Gold Medal Carnival with rides and attractions is a mobile family fun fair and theme park for all ages, proudly featuring a glittering galaxy of spectacular state fair amusement rides and attractions. Come with us and return to wholesome family entertainment and memories, enjoy absolute fun and super fantastic thrills again for the first time. Daily unlimited-ride wristbands available.

• April 28th – opens at 10 am
• Vidalia Regional Airport
• Website

Chainsaw Carvers

Live demonstration! Come watch these amazing artists carve one-of-a-kind pieces with big chainsaws.

• April 28th – throughout the day, starting at 10 am
• Vidalia Regional Airport

Civil War Reenactment

Take a trip back to the War of Northern Aggression and help commemorate the sesquicentennial.

• April 28th – Living Museum Exhibit – 10 am
• Skirmish – shows at 11 am and 2 pm
• Vidalia Regional Airport

Cornhole Tournament

• April 28th – throughout the day, starting at 10 am
• Vidalia Regional Airport

Rick Hubbard and His All Kid Kazoo Band

Rick’s “Kazoo Band” shows get EVERY MEMBER of the audience involved. Each person receives a FREE KAZOO and performs with Rick in the grand finale.  While Rick performs on guitar, banjo, steel drum, or another exotic instrument, kids participate — dancing, singing, shaking maracas, or playing inflatable guitars (that Rick gives away). Every song is an opportunity for kids (and some grown-ups!) to participate.  It’s a fun and positive experience for the whole family — it’s KAZOOBIE!  Sponsored by Fender-Goggans Orthodontics.

• April 28th – 1 pm
• Concert area at the Vidalia Regional Airport
• Website

StarBoyz

Street bike stunts. Extreme entertainment!

• April 28th
• Vidalia Regional Airport
• Website

Strait Jacket Monster Truck

Come meet Kevin King and Southeastern Georgia’s only professional monster truck team.

• April 28th – rides starting at 10 am
• April 28th – car crush at 3 pm
• Vidalia Regional Airport
• Website

World Famous Onion Eating Contest

Located inside the Arts and Crafts festival. Age categories are 6-11, 12-16, and 17 & older. Prizes will be awarded in each category. Want to participate? Be there by 3:30 pm to register at the Pavilion.

• April 28th – 4 pm
• 3:30 pm for registration
• Airport Rd. in Vidalia, inside the Arts and Crafts festival

Vidalia Onion Festival Rodeo

The rodeo will consist of bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, barrel racing, pole-bending, goat tying, tie-down and breakaway calf roping, steer wrestling, team roping, and bull riding. Sponsored by the Rocky Creek Saddle Club. Admission is free for ages 5 and under, $5 for ages 6-12, $10 for ages 13 and older.

• April 27th-28th – 7 pm
• Rocky Creek Saddle Club Arena, US Highway 1 South, 4.5 miles south of Lyons
• Phone – 912-614-4335 (Britt) or 478-278-4767 (Lisa)

Craig Morgan and Guests in Concert!

Bring your lawn chairs, blankets, and the whole family to enjoy a night of country entertainment.

A member of the Grand Ole Opry, Craig Morgan is a mainstay on the charts with body of work that includes fourteen Top Ten hits — including fan-favorites “Redneck Yacht Club,” ”Almost Home,” “That’s What I Love About Sunday,” and “Tough”, and his latest hits “This Ole Boy” and “Bonfire”. Having made the initial choice to steer clear of a career in music, Morgan racked up a working-man’s resume taking on work as an EMT, a contractor, a sheriff’s deputy, and a Wal-Mart assistant dairy manager. Additionally, he is extremely proud of his nearly two decades of service to our U.S. military, including over ten years of active duty serving in the Army’s 101st and 82nd Airborne Divisions, followed by another nine years in the Reserves serving well into his music career.

Special guests include Ira Dean, Rebecca Lynn Howard, and Briana Tyson. Hatton Still, the winning act of the Battle of the Bands, will also play on the main stage.

• April 28th – live music starting at 2 pm
• Reserved seating tickets
• Craig Morgan will take the stage at 8 pm
• Vidalia Regional Airport

All events at the Vidalia Regional Airport are free admission; pay $5 to park on Sunday.

Downtown Activities

Visit our beautiful historic shopping district. Enjoy a Taste of Downtown’s Sweet Onion Rings and more. Local growers will be set up for onion sales.

• April 29th – 10 am – 3 pm
• Historic Downtown Vidalia
• Phone – 912-537-8033

Arts and Crafts Show

Enjoy the wide variety of artists, entertainment, crafts, and food. You will find items of glass, wood, fabric and paper crafts. All items are made by the individuals showing them. Entertainment includes music from Jerry and Terry Richardson at the pavilion. Special appearances by Yumion and Miss Vidalia Onion. Sponsored by the Vidalia Women’s Club and Vidalia Lions Club. Admission is $3 for adults, $1 for children ages 6-12, and free for children under 6.

• April 29th – 11:30 am – 4 pm
• Airport Rd. off of Highway 280 in Vidalia
• Website
• Download Application

Carnival

Gold Medal Carnival with rides and attractions is a mobile family fun fair and theme park for all ages, proudly featuring a glittering galaxy of spectacular state fair amusement rides and attractions. Come with us and return to wholesome family entertainment and memories, enjoy absolute fun and super fantastic thrills again for the first time. Daily unlimited-ride wristbands available.

• April 29th – opens at 10 am
• Vidalia Regional Airport
• Website

Chainsaw Carvers

Live demonstration! Come watch these amazing artists carve one-of-a-kind pieces with big chainsaws.

• April 29th – throughout the day, starting at 10 am
• Vidalia Regional Airport

Civil War Reenactment

Take a trip back to the War of Northern Aggression and help commemorate the sesquicentennial.

• April 29th – Living Museum Exhibit – 10 am
• Vidalia Regional Airport

Cornhole Tournament

• April 29th – throughout the day, starting at 10 am
• Vidalia Regional Airport

Strait Jacket Monster Truck

Come meet Kevin King and Southeastern Georgia’s only professional monster truck team.

• April 29th – rides starting at 10 am
• April 29th – car crush at 1 pm
• Vidalia Regional Airport
• Website

Concert with Battle of the Bands Participants

• April 29th – 1 pm
• Vidalia Regional Airport

The Seven Project

Mike Holt is the National Field Director for The Seven Project, a multi-media and speaker driven character education assembly that addresses the issues of today’s teenager.  He has spoken to thousands of students across the nation in school assemblies and is effective because of the personal challenges that he had to overcome as a young person.  Most recently Mike and area churches brought The Seven Project to Vidalia and it was a huge success. This is a great way for Vidalia teens to reunite and continue to build positive peer pressure in our local schools.  Mike is also a minister, and speaks across America in camps, conferences, and conventions, and will be bringing a Biblical message to teenagers attending this event.

• April 29th – 4 pm – 6 pm
• Vidalia Regional Airport
• Website

Ladson Genealogical Library

Our area’s treasure contains more than 30,000 books, pamphlets, manuscripts, periodicals, and microfilm. The library specializes in materials on Georgia, the South, and the Eastern Seaboard.

• April 26th – 10 am – 5 pm
• April 27th-28th – 10 am – 1 pm
• April 29th – 1 pm – 3 pm
• 125 Church St., Suite 104, Downtown Vidalia
• Phone – 912-537-9483

Altama Museum of Art and History

The museum is best known for its Libby Collection of Staffordshire porcelain, with over 260 pieces and 210 different patterns, and its group of 24 first-edition, nand-colored prints by John James Audubon. Admission is free, thanks to our donors.

• April 26th-27th – 11 am – 4 pm
• 611 Jackson St., Vidalia
• Phone – 912-537-1911

Paul Anderson Youth Home

PAYH 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 PAYH colonial house.

• April 27th – 1:30 pm
• 1603 McIntosh St., Vidalia
• Phone – 912-537-7237, ext. 800

Montgomery County Historic Village

Ever wish you lived in a more innocent, peaceful era?  Take a break from 21^st century stress and travel back to 19^th century rural Georgia at the fourth annual Spring Festival.  The free festival promises plenty of fun and hands-on activities for young and old.  Churn butter, beat biscuits, make cornhusk dolls, enjoy toe-tapping old-time music, and say “how-do” to friendly goats and mules. 

• April 28th – 1 pm – 5 pm
• Historic Village at Brewton-Parker College, Hwy 280 by Jones Lake in Mount Vernon
• Mary Waalkes, 912-583-3110 or Anice McArthur, 912-583-2517