As summer temperatures climb in Georgia, gardening and getting a much-needed walk must be done in the morning. Afternoons are set aside for writing, editing, and housekeeping, inside with air-conditioning. Saturday afternoon, though, I requested a slot during AthFest to sign copies of Spancil Hill between noon and two. What am I thinking? I grew up in the South, I know how hot noon is in June. The only way I figured, I could get through this is for lots of folks to come by the Neighborhood Books tent in the Artists’ Market and say “Hey.” Keep me busy.

I enjoy AthFest. They offer three stages where bands play for twenty minutes. Then at night, the known bands play at various venues around town. This is a great way to be introduced to the variety of music Athens offers. Forty-five bands are scheduled outside from Friday afternoon through Sunday. Last year 60,000 people visited AthFest. The Artists’ Market features fine arts and crafts for sale. Exhibited work may include visual arts (painting, drawing, mixed media, photography, and digital art), fabric, clothing and accessories, jewelry, and handcrafted items (sculpture, ceramics, glass, woodworking, and furniture). The event raised $100,000 in 2023 for AthFest Educates, a non-profit that awards grants to support music and arts education for K-12 students in Athens.

So come and visit. I will be wearing a hat and sitting in front of a fan.