Augusta, Ga (WJBF) –  The city of Augusta and the Augusta-Richmond County Branch of the NAACP continued an annual tradition. Augusta’s annual Martin Luther King Junior Parade was held Saturday on Laney-Walker Blvd. A large crowd of people gathered to watch the parade and celebrate the beginning of Black History Month.

Sibea Lewis, a Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. told WJBF, “It’s great to see so many people out here celebrating history, celebrating the past that we can go forward with and knowing about where we come from helps us know where we need to go.”

 City organizations, social groups, and local high school bands were just some of the spirited guests in this year’s parade. “It’s wonderful,” said Cashus Williams, a life-long Augusta resident told WJBF, “What makes it so good is I’m glad, I’m 67 years old to live to see this. I remember when I was a little girl, and now look.”

There’s extra significance to the parade coming down Laney-Walker Blvd, which is one of most prominent pillars of the Augusta Black Community. “Very Historical from Lucy Laney School,  AR Johnson, I mean it’s very historical period.” said Thompkins. Lewis said, “A lot of the history of this city, the strength of this city comes from this block the people come from this block. So the perfection of combining these two things together is A1.”

Apostle Auturus Dizzley of Connection to Christ Ministries told WJBF, “This parade brings the unification. We want to make sure that we’re reaching across aisles and reaching across denominational  lines to serve the community because that’s what we’re here to serve.”

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The 20th annual Home and Garden Show is underway at the Augusta Convention Center.

Admission to the show is free all weekend long, so there’s no need to buy a ticket.

Event organizers say you’ll find the latest in products and services for everything from builders, contractors, materials, decks, kitchens, baths, storage, plants, landscaping, kitchenware, and much more.

The art, gift and gourmet food marketplace has products from local vendors that you can shop from as well.

The show will also have its fair share of giveaways like free plants.

Kids are welcome for some family entertainment with take-home crafts, flower pot decorating and face painting.

The show will be open on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Plus, the first 100 people in the show each day get a free Home Depot Bucket.

The event is held at the Augusta Convention Center at the Marriott, located at 2 10th Street.

Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Richmond and Aiken counties are seeing an increase in homelessness as their “point in time” counts wrap up.

Because of this, Augusta and Aiken leaders are working on bringing tiny homes to help provide resources to those struggling.

The transitional tiny home projects will be the first of its kind for both communities.

Organizers with Bridge Builder Communities in Augusta are a little over a month away from breaking ground on 25 tiny homes for young adults aging out of foster care.

The Aiken County Homeless Housing Coalition says they’re making steady progress with the city to get its 45-home project approved.

Homelessness continues to be a big issue but community advocates are getting that much closer to bridging the gaps.

Jackson Drumgoole with Bridge Builder Communities says helping to bring solutions is more than just a project.

“I have family members that were in orphanages and in foster care right here in Augusta. So, I saw the impact of the homelessness piece, I saw the personal impact of the foster care piece,” said Drumgoole.

Drumgoole says Hurricane Helene and increased site work expenses are a challenge but not too much to stop the mission of bringing security to the region’s at-risk youth.

“It’s preventive. I mean, once you have housing, safe, stable housing, you can function and focus on other things, like education, like your health,” he said.

In Aiken, city leaders are on the second reading of potentially changing a city ordinance to allow transitional tiny homes.

It’s a step leaders say may play a role in addressing Aiken’s growing homeless population.

George Clare plans to bring 45 of the miniature concepts to full size near vital resources, like the Aiken Center for Alcohol and Drug Services and Emergency Medical Services.

“The Aiken community is very much behind this project. I’ve been contacted by lawyers and bankers and engineers and businessmen saying. We need this,” said Clare.

Drumgoole says seeing efforts on both sides of the river is inspiring but it will take every aspect of the community to see the most change.

“You have to tie into everyone in the community to solve the problem, because if one part of our community has a broken leg, then the other limps,” said Drumgoole.

Bridge Builder Communities in Augusta expects to start breaking ground in March with more announcements coming shortly after.

The second reading to allow tiny homes in Aiken will be February 10.

Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.