Augusta, GA
Martin Luther King Jr. Day is Monday. Here is some Augusta-area fun for the long weekend
MLK Jr.’s daughter remembers his ‘I have a dream’ speech
60 years after the March on Washington, Martin Luther King Jr.’s daughter Rev. Dr. Bernice A. King reflects on his iconic ‘I have a dream’ speech.
Jasper Colt and Anthony Fox, USA TODAY
Martin Luther King Jr. Day is on Monday. It will mark what would have been Dr. King’s 95th birthday.
The occasion will not go unnoticed as prose and parades, keynotes and opportunities to help those in need have been scheduled throughout the weekend. For many, this will also serve as a three-day weekend, a chance for relaxation and reflection.
There’s plenty to do, including the last chance to get some ice skating in, a night full of stars, and a couple of chances to see local athletes go head-to-head.
Here’s a look at these and other fun events scheduled this weekend across the Augusta area:
Remembering MLK: Retired Augusta priest, 95, recalls marching with his friend, Martin Luther King Jr.
Martin Luther King Jr. festivities, give-back opportunities
The 2024 Tri-College Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration is noon Friday at Augusta Technical College off Bobby Jones Expressway. This is a collaborative celebration between Augusta Tech, Augusta University and Paine College. The keynote speaker is Otis Samuel Johnson, chairman of the Racial Equity and Leadership Task Force in Savannah.
Augusta Mini Theatre’s “Telling Our Stories Through Poetry” is 8-10 p.m. Friday, 3-5 p.m. Saturday-Monday at the theatre in Augusta at 2548 Deans Bridge Rd. In tribute to Martin Luther King Jr., young performers will combine poetry, movement, songs and other skills to illustrate Black history and culture. General admission is about $10 to $15 and tickets are available at augustaminitheatre.org.
Augusta NAACP’s 50th annual Freedom Fund Banquet is 6 p.m. Friday at Good Shepherd Baptist Church Family Life Center at 1714 Olive Rd. The keynote speaker is Augusta’s Chief Judge Kellie McIntyre, the first Black female chief justice of Richmond County. Tickets start at about $75 and are available at naacpaugustaga.org.
Augusta’s 2024 Martin Luther King Jr. Parade is Saturday starting at 1 p.m. at Dyess Park Community Center on at 902 James Brown Blvd. Participants will walk south on James Brown Boulevard, then west onto Wrightsboro Road, north onto Augusta Avenue, east onto Laney Walker Boulevard, and then north onto 11th Street to Johnson Motors.
Augusta Mayor Garnett Johnson is organizing a Day of Service, but it has reached volunteer capacity, according to the mayor’s spokesperson Brennan Meagher.
Augusta’s Community Fair and 10th annual Homeless Winter Clothing Drive is 2-4 p.m. Saturday in the James Brown Arena parking lot at 601 7th St. There will be community resources, food, a bounce house and other entertainment. This is to recognize World AIDS Day.
Outdoor activities
Phinizy Swamp Nature Park’s “Eco Explorer” Day is 2-4 p.m. Friday in Augusta at 1858 Lock and Dam Rd. Guests will get to become scientists, jumping into the water, examine bugs and get a behind-the-scenes look at the research lab. The day is restricted to adults and is twice per month. Those interested can register for about $26 per person at phinizycenter.org/eco-explorers.
Hephzibah’s Food Truck Friday returns 5-9 p.m. Friday at the Hephzibah Agricultural Center at 4245 Peach Orchard Rd. There will be plenty of food to choose from plus music, shopping and face painting.
Border Bowl XI is Saturday at Burke County High School in Waynesboro at 1057 Burke Veterans Pkwy. The best high school football seniors from Georgia and South Carolina will face off with gates opening at 11 a.m. and kick off at 1 p.m. Parking will be $5 cash. Tickets are sold on-site for $15 cash and $10 pre-sale for a limited time at eventbrite.com. Programs are available for $10 cash.
Evans on Ice is open for just a few more days at Evans Towne Center Park off Washington Road. It’s open 5-10 p.m. Friday, noon to 10 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, and noon to 9 p.m. Monday. Ice skate the night away, and when you need to warm up, there is also a fire pit. Tickets are $13 on weekdays and $17 on weekends. For more information, go to evansonice.com.
Ringing in the holiday spirit: Salvation Army of Augusta kettles raise more than $230,000
Indoor entertainment
The Imperial Theatre in Augusta has two shows this weekend: Southern Soul and Song Series’ “Appalachian Roadshow and The Cleverlys” at 7:30 p.m. Friday and the State Ballet Theatre of Ukraine’s “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” at 3 p.m. Monday. For tickets, call (706) 722-8341 or go to imperialtheatre.com.
Augusta University’s men’s basketball team faces USC Aiken’s at 3:30 p.m. Saturday at Christenberry Fieldhouse in Augusta at 3109 Wrightsboro Rd. Tickets are $10 for adults, free for AU members as well as ages 6 and younger, and $5 for everyone else.
DuPont Planetarium’s “Ancient Sky Lore” is 7-8 p.m. Saturday at the Ruth Patrick Science Center in Aiken at 471 University Pkwy. Stars and constellations will be used to tell legends and stories from ancient cultures. Admission is $6.50 for adults, $5.50 for senior citizens, $4.50 for grades 4K-12, and $2 for USC Aiken members.
Aiken Bridal Show 2024 is 1-5 p.m. Sunday at the Anne and Cot Campbell Center in Aiken at 1310 East Pine Log Rd. There will be a bridal fashion show, wedding vendors, dance lessons, food trucks and door prizes. Tickets are $15 at the door and $12 in advance at eventbrite.com.
Augusta, GA
Trump to sign emergency order to pay TSA agents as Augusta airport preps for golf week
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – President Donald Trump said he will sign an emergency declaration to pay TSA agents, as nearly 500 have quit since the shutdown began.
More than 40 percent of Atlanta’s TSA agents did not show up on Wednesday, leading to long lines at Atlanta’s airport and across the country. It is unclear when President Trump will sign the emergency order. TSA workers will miss their second paycheck Friday.
In a statement on Truth Social, President Trump said, “I am going to sign an Order instructing the Secretary of Homeland Security, Markwayne Mullin, to immediately pay our TSA Agents in order to address this Emergency Situation.”
The president thanked TSA agents. The Department of Homeland Security as a whole will not be funded at this time. The Coast Guard and FEMA are among the agencies still impacted.
If senators do not reach a deal to fund the department on Friday, they are set for a two-week recess.
Augusta airport prepares for tournament week
TSA workers are a concern as tournament week approaches in Augusta. Security and safety are also concerns after a plane collided with a fire truck at LaGuardia Airport.
Augusta Regional Airport and its fire department are working to keep visitors safe as they fly in for tournament week.
William Kovalchuk, a sergeant with the Augusta Airport Fire Department, operates an airport-specific fire truck.
“There’s a ton of traffic and a ton of congestion. This whole ramp area where I showed you guys a little bit ago, it’ll be completely filled with aircraft,” Kovalchuk said.

Tournament week sees the regional airport become a global hub, with flights in from 13 extra cities and more than 200 private planes parked on the tarmac.
Lauren Smith, deputy director of Augusta Regional Airport, said the airport works closely with the FAA during tournament week.
“During that time, we actually work very closely with the FAA to bring in additional controllers,” Smith said.
Extra controllers keep the airspace and runway safe. Enhanced safety measures are in place inside the terminal as well.
“Overall, everyone brings in more staff. The tenants, the rental car agencies, the airlines, the airport itself,” Smith said.
The fire department stages a second station across the airport to cover every flight.
“The manning will be stepped up quite a bit,” Kovalchuk said. “We don’t want to see anything happen, but we’re prepared for it.”
The airport said the average wait time is still less than an hour to get through security during tournament week.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
Augusta, GA
Jefferson County library director named Georgia Library Director of the Year
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Georgia Library Director of the Year was honored at a ceremony in Jefferson County.
Christina Shepherd received the award and a county proclamation. Jefferson County officials also honored the library board during the ceremony.
“I’m very thankful. I think it’s great for Jefferson County to have this award brought here and bringing light to us,” Shepherd said. “I don’t think I do anything extraordinary that any librarian wouldn’t do, but I just keep doing it. I appreciate it. I’m thankful.”
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
Augusta, GA
CSRA Habitat for Humanity gets $1.85M to build affordable housing in Augusta
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Augusta/CSRA Habitat for Humanity has been awarded $1.85 million to build new affordable homes in Augusta’s historic Turpin Hill neighborhood.
The federal funding was secured with the support of Georgia’s U.S. Senators Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock.
The funding will expand housing opportunities for working families and revitalize one of Augusta’s oldest communities.
“Turpin Hill is one of Augusta’s oldest and most storied neighborhoods, a community built by generations of hardworking families whose roots run deep in this city,” said Bernadette Kelliher, President and CEO of Augusta/CSRA Habitat for Humanity.
“These new homes will reflect the strength of the neighborhood’s past while creating a foundation for families to build their futures. This is about restoration, dignity, and ensuring that the next generation can write their own chapter in this historic community.”
This federal investment strengthens ongoing efforts to expand affordable housing opportunities across Augusta.
“Georgia families urgently need more affordable housing. That’s why Senator Reverend Warnock and I brought Republicans and Democrats together to strengthen the Augusta/CSRA Habitat for Humanity’s efforts to build new housing units for families across Augusta and the CSRA,” said Ossoff.
Senator Raphael Warnock added, “This investment demonstrates what is possible when Congress works together to support communities and families in need. We are in a housing crisis. America is not building enough housing and costs are continuing to soar.”
Since its founding in 1986, Augusta/CSRA Habitat for Humanity has partnered with families, volunteers and community supporters to build and preserve homes throughout the Central Savannah River Area.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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