The cities of Bryan County are gearing up for this year’s Georgia Cities Week, April 18-24, with almost daily events planned that are meant to inspire and give back to their communities.
“Georgia Cities Week is put on by the Georgia Municipal Association annually to celebrate the city and the community working together,” Jan Bass, Richmond Hill community development director, said.
Georgia Cities Week gives cities an opportunity to share with their citizens information about the valuable services cities provide to residents, from community brunches and yard sales to appreciation luncheons and essay contests.
This year’s theme is Georgia’s Cities: Energy to Transform,” and next week marks 10 years cities across the state have been showcasing their services and the quality of life they provide.
And while Georgia Cities Week officially begins Sunday, Richmond Hill is getting an early start with a reception at 6 to 8:30 p.m. today at city center to kick off the Arts on the Coast spring show, which will be on display throughout the week.
“Over 25 artists are being represented, with two to three pieces each,” Carol Hartley with Arts on the Coast said.
Artwork will include paintings, ceramics, photography and more, she said.
Richmond Hill will also host a community brunch from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday at city center – a first for the city, Bass said. The brunch is $16 for adults and $6 for children, but kids under age 3 eat for free.
Other events include a city center open house from 4-7 p.m. Friday, April 23, and day-long festivities Saturday, April 24, at J.F. Gregory Park, starting with a community yard sale at 7 a.m. in the pavilion. Bass said there were 10 booths available for the yard sale, as of Tuesday.
“We are very proud of our city and the services we provide that make it attractive to residents and visitors,” Richmond Hill Mayor Harold Fowler said. “Too often, people are unaware of how cities enhance their quality of life, and we would like to invite them to come out for these events and learn more about the government that works for them.”
Tonya Raulerson, Pembroke’s Better Hometown manager, said city government is truly of, by and for the people.
“During this week, we want to recognize the role city government plays in our lives – from historic preservation to trash collection to public safety and promoting the area’s culture and recreation,” Raulerson said.
“We are very proud of our city and the services we provide that makes it attractive to residents and visitors. Our city is more than bricks and buildings, it’s people and history and quality of life.”
Events in Pembroke include a Senior Appreciation Day on Monday, where city officials will deliver goody bags to senior residents, emergency service demonstrations for Head Start and pre-kindergarten students and a pizza party for “If I were Mayor” statewide essay contest participants.
For more information on events in Pembroke, contact Tonya Raulerson at 653-4413. For more information on events in Richmond Hill, contact Jan Bass at 756-6459.