World-Class Festivals & Events

Vidalia Onion Festival - Events in Toombs County

The Real Squeal: Lyons Barbeque and Music Festival

The second weekend in October, professional barbeque teams travel to Lyons to compete in a Kansas City Barbeque Society sanctioned contest for $15,000 in prize money. Amateur teams compete in downtown Lyons on Friday, where the public is invited to enjoy a street dance along with great barbeque, a classic car cruise-in and fireworks. On Saturday, enter the RazorBack Mud Run, an adventure race thru the woods, swamp and mud and a series of natural and man-made obstacles. Come to Partin Park and watch the professionals compete in 4 competition categories: pork shoulder, pork ribs, beef brisket and chicken. Many teams sell their barbeque to the public and participate in our People’s Choice event so come hungry! Other activities include a classic car show, chainsaw carving competition, kid’s creative play area, arts and crafts, live music and an Indian artifacts show with an archeologist on site to date your treasures.

For more information, call 912-526-6445 or visit www.therealsqueal.com

Southeast Georgia Soapbox Derby

Every May, after the chill of winter subsides, spectators watch as 50-75 competitors race down Derby Hill in Partin Park, 168 Miot Street, Lyons, for a chance to win a trip to Akron, Ohio, to compete in the world championship finals.  

For more information, visitwww.soapboxderby.org/southeast-georgia or call 912.526.6445.

Tales from the Altamaha

This Georgia folk-life play draws from the writings of Colonel T. Ross Sharpe who wrote more than 300 essays depicting the history of the area in a column for the Lyons newspaper from 1955 to 1965.  His stories bring to life colorful characters from the past, the regional settlers of a five-county radius.

Each April, the Lyons Main Street selects a different set of stories and creates a brand new experience on the state at The Blue Marquee Theater, 121 North State Street, Lyons.

Visit www.talesfromthealtamaha.com or call 912.526.6445 for additional information.

Vidalia Onion® Festival

Each spring, Vidalia anticipates the harvest of Georgia's Official State Vegetable, the internationally known Vidalia® Sweet Onion.  Since 1978, we have celebrated this special occasion with an array of fun-filled events.

Pre-festival events include the Culinary Extravaganza and Vidalia® Onion Pageants.  Carnival starts on Wednesday.  Thursday, enjoy the Children's Parade, performances by local dance and gymnastics groups, and Movie Under the Stars.  Friday brings the Vidalia® Onion Festival Opening Ceremonies, Street Dance, and Fireworks where you can enjoy time with friends and neighbors.  On Saturday, enjoy the Recipe Cook-Off and Public Tasting, the Kiwanis Onion Run, the Saturday Night Concert, and Arts & Crafts that also continues on Sunday.

Visit www.vidaliaonionfestival.com or call 912.538.8687 for additional information.