Google Presents Douglas County September Saturdays Festival

DOUGLAS COUNTY, GA — Google will be the presenting sponsor for the 16th annual September Saturdays Festival event at the Douglas County Courthouse, to be held on September 22 and 29. Non-food vendor and exhibitor registration is now open.

Douglas County Board of Commission Chair Dr. Romona Jackson Jones said, "We are extremely pleased and excited at Google's continued support in Douglas County. September Saturdays has been that one event that has brought all facets of our community together to celebrate the joys of Douglas County."

Over 100 vendors and exhibitors are anticipated for the largest annual festival in Douglas County scheduled on the last two consecutive Saturdays in September. The theme for Sept. 22 is Family Fun day and School Expo which will feature booths from schools of the Douglas County School System, booths from area businesses as well. On Sept. 29 the theme is Heroes Day and Touch-a-Truck Experience where we will feature our large trucks and vehicles from our law enforcement, public safety and military community for families to view, climb and learn about. On this same day, we will take a moment to honor our everyday heroes, Sheriff’s deputies, firefighters, EMT’s, paramedics, 911 operators, military, veterans, reservists and teachers.

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District 3 Commissioner Mike Mulcare said, "Google has a deserved reputation for being a good corporate citizen so it comes as no surprise that for 2018 they are joining Douglas County’s September Saturdays event. I believe we will see continuing contributions to our community from Google.”

District 1 Commissioner Henry Mitchell, III said, “Google has always been about community and the fact that Google is supporting Douglas County like they supported the Douglas County School system with technology is fantastic.”

Executive Director of the Douglas County Development Authority Chris Pumphrey believes this is no surprise. “Google has been a great member of this community for over ten years,” Pumphrey said. “Their continued support of our local programs is a true testament of the type of company we aim to recruit to Douglas County.”

The festival is open from 11:00 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Saturday 22 and 29. Admission and parking are free. Food vendors who have registered in advance will be on site as part of our food court. Both days will feature the Community Marketplace where individuals, churches, community organizations, and businesses can host booths. Non-Food Vendor/Exhibitor registration is available online through the event website, http://www.celebratedouglascounty.com/septembersaturdays/.

Registration forms can be downloaded for completion and mailing. Vendor information and registration packets may also be requested by calling 770-920-7303. Each space is $75 per week with proceeds benefitting Communities in Schools of Douglas County which provides after-school programs at every public school in Douglas County.

The Festival will feature a children's play area with free inflatable games and slides; a free train ride; a free carnival ride; free rock climbing wall; and a lot more. Free Concerts and programs are presented on the Courthouse steps throughout the festival. The Festival Food Court features 10 food vendors, all of which have different offerings. The Food Court is almost sold out.

Established in 2001, the Douglas County Communications and Community Relations Department organized the September Saturdays festival as a way to bring members of the community together after the devastating terrorist attack of Sept. 11, 2001. "This year we are looking to make things bigger and better, " said Rick Martin, director of communications and community relations for Douglas County.

“We believe in unity in the community, and all of this would not have been possible without our citizens and members of the business community who agreed to be our sponsors. We are extremely thankful for our Gold Sponsors, Greystone Power Corporation, Coca-Cola Bottling Company United, Georgia’s Own Credit Union, SunTrust Bank, and our Silver Sponsors, West Georgia Technical College, Troy University, Jones-Wynn Funeral Homes & Crematory, Resurgens Orthopaedics and our Media Sponsor Chapel Hill News & Views," said Martin.

Photo courtesy Douglas County