Downtown Greensboro drew a record crowd during the third annual Pickin’ on the Greene this past Friday, June 27.

Approximately 2,000 people gathered together on North Main Street last Friday evening for Greensboro’s main summer music event, Pickin’ on the Greene. This family-friendly event featured live entertainment, children’s activities and of course, shopping and dining.

The evening began with live music from local favorites, Pullin’ Strings and Athens natives, The Darnell Boys. With their original southern roots and a bluegrass and rock style, these bands sure got the crowd tapping their feet and dancing along. The courthouse lawn and most of North Main Street were filled with people who came out for the evening of entertainment.

Pullin’ Strings opened the event with live music that can best be described as a bluegrass style while incorporating different genres, such as folk, rock, country and gospel to create their one-of-a-kind sound. Their set-list included some of their own originals as well as adding their own flare to American favorites. The group is made up of Marvin Payne, Sibley Bryan, Brian Doty and Robert Lewis, who all live, work and play in Greene County.

Recent performers at Athens’ annual Athfest and winners of the 2014 Flagpole Athens Music Awards, with the Best Live Band Award and Americana Music Award, The Darnell Boys took the stage and entertained the crowd with their rock/blues/country sound of high-energy songs. The Darnell Boys performed songs from their self-titled album and concluded the night’s festivities with their hit single, You Got the Devil.

In addition to toe-tapping music, Pickin’ on the Greene highlighted area community and nonprofit groups with children’s activities and vendor booths. Participating groups offered a bounce house for children, goodies such as barbecue, snow cones, ice cream, cupcakes and other summer favorites, as well as The Circle of Friends and Morgan County Humane Societies who brought dogs for adoption.

Downtown Greensboro merchants also offered extended hours throughout the event. Numerous shops and restaurants kept their doors open for the best in Lake Oconee’s Hometown shopping and dining.

Greensboro Main Street program and the downtown merchants would like to thank DOCK 103.9 for supporting the third annual Pickin’ on the Greene.

Up next for downtown Greensboro is the seventh annual Back to School Bash on Saturday, August 2.

The Georgia Department of Transportation recently awarded more than  $1,346,000 for the 2014 GATEway Grants to 43 local government entities around the state.  Funds from the grants are used to reimburse local government when purchasing and installing plant material for landscape projects on state routes.

“This is a wonderful chance to partner with our local governments as they improve the landscape throughout Georgia,” Georgia DOT Commissioner Keith Golden said.  “We want to seize every opportunity available to us to show our local governments just how committed we are to them and to this great state.”

Greensboro’s GATEway grant will fund landscaping on the state right-of-way at the Highway 278 and Highway 15 split on the eastern edge of the city.  The project will include the removal of asphalt at the large traffic triangle. The asphalt will be replaced with landscaping including grass, flowering shrubs and trees.

“Greensboro is actively working to improve the appearance of our city’s entryways,” explains Greensboro’s Community Development Director Cail Hammons.  “This project is a great way to make our city more attractive for tourists and residents.”

Eighty-three applications were submitted. Project proposals ranged from interstate interchange panoramas to landscape embellishment of city entrance signs.  Forty-three submissions were funded in the first round of awards after review by the Roadside Enhancement and Beautification Council.

The Council is comprised of twelve members, appointed by the Governor.  Members include the chairperson of the Senate Transportation Committee, the chairperson of the House Transportation Committee, the GDOT Deputy Commissioner, a member of the Georgia Conservancy, a member from the Garden Clubs of Georgia, Inc,. a member of the faculty of the School of Environmental Design at the University of Georgia,  member from the Sierra Club, a member from the Georgia Wildlife Federation, and four members of the Outdoor Advertising Association of Georgia, Inc.

The GATEway Grant program uses revenue collected from permit fees for vegetation removal in front of outdoor advertising signs.

Any organization, local government, or state agency can apply for a grant up to $50,000.00 contingent upon authorization by a local government and an agreement to perpetually maintain the project.  A primary goal of the GATEway Grant program is to fund enduring enhancements to roadsides utilized by the traveling public.

 Gather your family, friends and neighbors for a toe-tapping good time in historic downtown Greensboro for the annual summer music event, Pickin’ on the Greene, this Friday, June 27.

Music will sweep down North Main Street during the third annual Pickin’ on the Greene with live performances from neighboring Georgia bands this Friday, June 27, from 7-10 p.m. The Greensboro Main Street Program in partnership with the Greensboro Business Association presents Pickin’ on the Greene as the summer’s main event. This family-friendly event will feature live entertainment, children’s activities and of course, shopping and dining.

The evening will begin with live entertainment from Greene County natives, Pullin’Strings and follow with headliners, The Darnell Boys from Athens, Georgia. With their original southern roots and a bluegrass and rock style, these bands are sure to get you tapping your foot and dancing along.

Pullin’ Strings, a local group that is no stranger to Greene County and has been a part of Pickin’ on the Greene since its inception, will open the event with live music that can best be described as a bluegrass style with an eclectic fashion of incorporating different types of genres to create their one-of-a-kind sound. With their original southern roots and musical talent, they will feature a set-list of their own originals as well as adding their own flare to American favorites.

Following the opening act, The Darnell Boys will headline with their rock/blues/country sound of high-energy songs. Formed in late 2010, The Darnell Boys originally consisted of three brothers, Austin, Caleb and Gus Darnell, where they later expanded to include Elijah Neesmith on the upright bass and Patrick Weise on junkyard percussion. Centered upon the brother’s unique vocals and song writing, the band creates an exceptionally soulful sound through an authentic blend of blues, country, gospel, soul and rock traditions.

Combining together the Darnell siblings and a smoking rhythm section, their debut album is an intoxicating blend of blues, old country and R&B. Under Orange Twin Records, The Darnell Boys released their self-titled album on June 7, 2013, which includes their hit singles, You Got the Devil and Hard Times. Hard Times was featured on last year’s Athfest compilation CD and the self-titled album was chosen as one of Flagpole Magazine’s Top 10 Albums of 2013.

In addition to toe-tapping music, Pickin’ on the Greene has something to offer the whole family. The event will feature activities and vendor booths presented by local community organizations. Groups participating in the event will offer goodies such as fresh lemonade, shaved ice, baked goods and other summer favorites.

Children’s activities will include a bounce house by Greene County Family Connections and the ever popular hay ride around town.

Downtown Greensboro merchants will also offer extended hours throughout the event. Numerous shops and restaurants will keep their doors open, offering the best in Lake Oconee’s Hometown shopping and dining.

North Main Street will close prior to the evening’s festivities at 5 p.m., so make note for an alternate route.

"Pickin' on the Greene is a wonderful summer family event," states Kendrick Ward. "We love to see friends and neighbors that come out to enjoy an evening of free music and support the local community."

So, gather your family, friends and neighbors for a toe-tapping good time in historic downtown Greensboro. All are welcome and encouraged to bring a lawn chair and enjoy this free, family-friendly event. There will be plenty of activities for children and adults alike. Downtown shops and restaurants will stay open for continued shopping and dining.

About Pickin’ on the Greene

Pickin’ on the Greene is a summer music event that takes place in the heart of historic downtown Greensboro. Pickin’ on the Greene is produced by the Greensboro Better Hometown Program and the Greensboro Downtown Development Authority with support from the City of Greensboro. Since its beginning in 2012, this annual summer event has been downtown Greensboro’s main summer community event, attracting musical artists and visitors from across the state. The event’s goal is to attract people to the town with the hope that they will return to the community and future events.  

Greensboro’s Community Housing Team will host a Housing Resource Fair from 10 am until 12 noon on Saturday, April 2, 2014 at Festival Hall in downtown Greensboro.  The event is free and open to the public.

“The Greensboro Housing Fair will help connect Greensboro residents with resources to improve housing,” explains Greensboro’s Community Development Director Cail Hammons.  “We plan to have information for homeowners, tenants and those who may be relocating to our city.”

The housing fair will offer information from programs and agencies including: ATLAS Ministry, BankSouth Mortgage, the City of Greensboro, the Community Home Investment Program, the Greene County Chamber of Commerce, Greene County Habitat for Humanity, the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, Georgia Department of Labor, Georgia Dream, Georgia Housing Search, Fairway Management, HomeSafe Georgia.

“Community groups or agencies that provide information for home owners and city residents are invited to participate in the housing fair as an exhibitor,” says Hammons.  Organizations may register to be a housing fair exhibitor online at www.greensborocommunityhousing.com.

The Greensboro Housing Resource Fair is presented by the Greensboro Community Housing Team.  The Housing Team is working to revitalize Greensboro’s neighborhoods through participation in the Georgia Initiative for Community Housing. 

Greensboro’s increased focus on the improvement of its residential areas was born out of redevelopment efforts that began on Main Street with the city’s Better Hometown Program more than 15 years ago.  As these efforts matured, city leaders looked to encourage revitalization in the neighborhoods that surround downtown.

“Cities with healthy downtowns have thriving neighborhoods surrounding the core commercial district,” explains Hammons.  “Housing is typically an important part of successful downtown development strategies.”

Greensboro was accepted into the state’s Georgia Initiative for Community Housing (GICH) program in 2013 and formed a local Community Housing Team to establish

goals and provide citizen input for the city’s neighborhood revitalization efforts.  The Community Housing Team identified hosting a Housing Resource Fair as a way to connect Greensboro’s citizens with available housing resources.

For more information about Greensboro’s housing efforts or the Housing Resource Fair, visit www.greensborocommunityhousing.com or contact Cail Hammons at (706) 453-7674.

The Darnell Boys will take the stage at the third annual Pickin’ on the Greene music event in downtown Greensboro on Friday, June 27.

Music will sweep down North Main Street during the third annual Pickin’ on the Greene with live performances from local Georgia bands on Friday, June 27, from 7-10 p.m. The Darnell Boys, whom call Athens their home, are set to headline downtown Greensboro’s summer music event.

The event will feature live music from Greensboro natives, Pullin’ Strings and headliners, The Darnell Boys. With their original southern roots and a bluegrass and rock style, these bands are sure to get you tapping your foot and dancing along.

“I always look forward to sharing our music with new people,” states Darnell Boys band member, Austin Darnell. “We love the fact that people of all ages respond to our music.”

Formed in late 2010, The Darnell Boys originally consisted of three brothers, Austin, Caleb and Gus Darnell, where they later expanded to include Elijah Neesmith on the upright bass and Patrick Weise on junkyard percussion. Centered upon the brother’s unique vocals and song writing, the band creates an exceptionally soulful sound through an authentic blend of blues, country, gospel, soul and rock traditions. Combining together the Darnell siblings and a smoking rhythm section, their debut album is an intoxicating blend of blues, old country and R&B.  

With a musically-gifted family, the Darnell brothers grew up singing and playing music at family gatherings. Now the band wows audiences with their rock/blues/country sound of high-energy songs. Under Orange Twin Records, The Darnell Boys released their self-titled album on June 7, 2013, which includes their hit singles, You Got the Devil andHard Times. Hard Times was featured on last year’s Athfest compilation CD and the self-titled album was chosen as one of Flagpole Magazine’s Top 10 Albums of 2013.

“The Darnell Boys are sure to put on an entertaining show,” says Main Street coordinator Kendrick Ward. “This group gives bluegrass a new twist with country influence and a fresh burst of energy with electric guitars, and we are excited to welcome this band to Downtown Greensboro.”

So, gather your family, friends and neighbors for a toe-tapping good time in historic downtown Greensboro. All are welcome and encouraged to bring a lawn chair and enjoy this free, family-friendly event. There will be plenty of activities for children and adults alike. Downtown shops and restaurants will stay open into the evening, offering the very best in Lake Country shopping and dining.

All Greene County community organizations are invited to be a part of Downtown Greensboro’s summer event, “Pickin’ on the Greene”.

Greensboro’s third annual “Pickin’ on the Greene” will take place from 7-10 pm on Friday, June 27 with headliner The Darnell Boys  and special guest Pullin’ Strings.  The free event will showcase historic downtown Greensboro as Americana and Bluegrass tunes fill Main Street.

The Main Street program would like to extend the opportunity for community organizations to be involved in the event.  Vendors are encouraged to sell food items or offer children’s activities.

“We have outstanding charities and community groups that help make Greensboro a vibrant city,” adds Main Street Coordinator, Kendrick Ward. “One goal for the event is to showcase local non-profit organizations as vendors. “

Several groups are already slated to participate.  Family Connections will have a bounce house and snow cones for the little ones. Taco Loco will be on hand selling delicious food. In addition, Festival Hall will provide a cash bar for the evening on its outdoor plaza.

The Pickin’ on the Greene planning committee still needs organizations to sell hamburgers and hotdogs, sell ice cream or other festival food like fresh lemonade or baked goods, and offer family-friendly event activities. Local groups can register to participate in the event by contacting the Greensboro Main Street Office.  There are no fees for vendor spaces only a charge for electricity.

            “Our hope is that local groups and non-profits can benefit from this downtown event,” explains Ward.  “This is a wonderful opportunity for community organizations to raise funds.”

For more information about “Pickin’ on the Greene” or to register an organization to participate please contact the Greensboro Main Street Office at (706) 453-7674 or email at kharris@greensboroga.gov.