Augusta, GA
‘Absolutely surprised’: Downtown businesses thank recent celebrations
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Recent downtown celebrations are to thank for an unexpected business boom, according to Augusta business owners.
And it comes nearly three weeks after a gunman opened fire into a crowd on Broad Street.
Just a few weeks after downtown was shattered by the shooting, the garden city is rebounding with Juneteenth and Pride — all of which are having a positive impact on business.
And with temperatures shooting up, there’s been a concern business would wilt in the hot weather.
“Of course, the weather is not helping with it being so incredibly hot,” said Hope Trujillo, manager at Pineapple Ink.
But the events downtown these past two weekends have helped move things in the right direction.
“We were way busier than normal we had a lot of high numbers we had a lot of visitors from out of town stop in,” said Trujillo.
Pride and Juneteenth both created foot traffic in downtown Augusta.
“But that Saturday when it was complete Pride events downtown, the parade at the commons, we did 200 plus cover the whole day which is really phenomenal for a small place like ourselves,” said Trujillo.

Whether a business has been downtown for three weeks or two years, everyone saw the increase.
“We’ve been here three weeks. This Friday will be one month. I can say with the festival that happened I saw some new faces we were a little bit busier than usual,” said Anna Chavez, manager of El Paso.
Trujillo said: “We were absolutely surprised we were way busier than normal.”
Hitting just the right note at just the right time.
“Well, you do have that little slow time it’s the end of school families are going on vacation we have that little slump, so Pride and Juneteenth helped downtown get passed that little slump,” said Trujillo.
Businesses hope to see more people find their way downtown as summer goes on. They just hope the heat doesn’t keep people at home.
Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
Augusta, GA
Mother’s Day concert brings gospel music to Augusta
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Several artists came together for a Mother’s Day concert Bethel Community Church Family Life Center.
Lucresha Thomas with Psalm 100 Entertainment said the event honors mothers.
“I think that is very important to honor the mothers because there’s some people that don’t have mothers due, the mothers passing away and mothers not being local,” Thomas said. “So this helps bring them together and they’re able to fellowship with other mothers and just be positive, bringing some gospel to the community where they can fellowship together, be blessed and maybe receive a blessing.”
Host Tommy Ingram said groups from across the area participated in the concert.
“We got a live, a lot of groups coming from all over the area to make sure that all the mothers in the area have a good time today,” Ingram said.
Host Adrian Monet said the free concert gives back to the community.
“Well, okay, yeah, a lot of mothers enjoy some good gospel singing. They love gospel concerts,” Monet said. “And this one is a give back, you know, to the community because it’s completely free. And so it’s a chance for people to bring their mothers to enjoy the music that they love so much.”
Erica and Jessica Harris, co-owners of Sophisticated Soul Food, said they wanted to celebrate mothers.
“Okay, we’re out here today for this pre-Mother’s Day event, and we’re just, we just want to give back to the community and celebrate all mothers,” the co-owners said. “And so we’re so excited to be out here. And we have great soul food for everybody that wants to come out.”
Kenneth Medlock, Tyrell Gibson and Gary Durham of The Country Boys, a gospel group from Thomson, said they were honored to participate.
“So we’re just so grateful to be here and honored to be able to stand up and let the world know how good God is through our songs and our praise,” the group said.
Anthony Gallant and Lamont McDowell, members of a gospel group from the Carolinas, said celebrating mothers is important.
“Oh yeah, I think it’s extremely important because mothers work hard throughout the year. They’re very diligent,” Gallant and McDowell said. “And I think at least if you could celebrate them one time, just make them feel special and that the queens that they are, I think it’s important and they’ll feel that love.”
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
Augusta, GA
Historic Masters landmark purchased and renovated by local resident
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Augusta, GA
Georgia governor candidate Olu Brown campaigns in Augusta
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Democratic candidate for Georgia governor Olu Brown visited Augusta on Friday evening, stopping near the Sand Hills Community Center as early voting continues.
Brown is one of six candidates in the Democratic primary.
Campaign priorities
Brown said his vision as governor would focus on three main areas.
“One, it’s affordability around health care and making sure we expand Medicaid and expand Peach Care and make sure we continue to make our rural health care systems healthy and vital,” Brown said. “Number two, we’ve got to address education in all of Georgia, making sure every kid in Georgia gets an excellent education, and we’re paying our teachers more. And number 3, we’re protecting the rights of all women. Folks in the Gold Dome shouldn’t be making decisions about their bodies or the choices that they make.”
Brown is running against Amanda Duffy, Derrick Jackson, Geoff Duncan, Jason Esteves, Keisha Lance Bottoms and Mike Thurmond.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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