Following two days of school field trip visits on Thursday and Friday, the annual Azalea International Folk Fair will be geared up to receive the public at a Community Festival on Saturday, March 6, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
What began as a small attempt to bring a taste of the world to Valdosta has blossomed into an event that brings together people of all cultures to enjoy music, dancing, culture and food from around the world.
Powered by the determined Serena Huang, the festival is a feast for the senses and a wonderful way to learn about the world outside our own.
On Saturday, the cultural exhibits will be open and guests will be treated to the Fifth Annual World Culture Folk Dance Competition. Or you can match wits with seventh graders in “World Geography: Are You Smarter than Seventh Graders?” plus a robot technology and invention competition.
Students from the Philippines and Taiwan will be traveling to Valdosta to compete in the youth invention competition.
For more information about the festival, see www.gainternationalfolkfair.org.
Business Roundup
The Hibachi Grill and Buffet on Baytree Road is opening tomorrow, March 1, and I understand the inside has been extensively remodeled, getting it ready for the new restaurant.
Beijing Cafe in the plaza by Harveys and Books-a-Million is holding a grand opening and ribbon cutting Wednesday for its expansion. The owners will now have a large banquet room available to customers.
Shoe Carnival is running ads saying they will be open in their new location by mid-March, between BAM and Best Buy, but I haven’t seen much activity in the building yet.
Speaking of shoe stores, it looks like Nine West will be reopening its shoe store in the Lake Park outlet mall in the next month.
There is a new Laws Furniture store on Bemiss Road by Cuz’s and the Asian market, and new owners have bought the former Electric Sun by Mambo restaurant farther down Bemiss, making it California Sun after some renovations.
And if you missed it, there’s a new Daylight Donuts open in the strip mall on Bemiss by Submarina.
The Krystals on Bemiss at Castle Park closed last week, very suddenly, and no one I’ve asked seems to know why. The best guess is that their lease was up, but if anyone knows the real story out there, call me.
No word yet on the Hibachi Express on North Ashley Street. Lots of signs up, but no activity inside.
If you haven’t heard yet, the Park Avenue Bank has sold five branches to Heritage Bank, including the branch in Adel, so you might want to plan accordingly depending on where you bank in the area. None of the branches in Valdosta were affected.
On a final note, Wild Adventures is getting ready to reopen with a number of big concerts and events planned this year, so check it out.
That’s all I have this week that’s new, but if there’s something I missed, please let me know!
Business
Related Photos
-
Valdosta Middle School drama students perform a hula dance at the James H. Rainwater Conference Center last year during the Azalea International Folk Fair.
Business This Week: Celebrate Azalea International Folk Fair this weekend
- Business
-
-
Business Wish List Results
The results are in from my very un-scientific poll on the businesses that people want to see come to Valdosta. After my comment last week that there seemed to be more requests for retail than restaurants, I was bombarded this week with restaurant suggestions, so I’m guessing even with an OG, readers aren’t quite satisfied yet.
-
The Brass Quill Gallery
VALDOSTA — The only way to describe The Brass Quill Gallery to someone who hasn’t witnessed the majesty of its interior is this: If Alice in Wonderland could be interpreted into a modern-day building decorated by the Mad Hatter — that’s The Brass Quill Gallery. It is arguably the most creative decorating scheme in Valdosta. It is because of the business’ unique style, that The Brass Quill Gallery is a metaphorical nest of creativity for those wanting to get inked. -
VIDEO: Social media command center helps Super Bowl visitors
Indianapolis is the first Super Bowl host city to utilize the power of Twitter and other social media to help football fans get the most out of football's biggest event.
-
BlackBerry’s Future?
BlackBerry used to be the “it” phone. Notice I said used to be. Just as video killed the radio star, iPhone killed the BlackBerry.
Blackberry has become the new “flip phone.” It’s ancient. It’s out of date and it can’t compete in the iPhone revolution of the smart(er) phone. -
Business This Week: Wishing and hoping for some new businesses
About another 50 or more readers emailed this week to lend some thoughts on the type of businesses they’d like to see come to Valdosta, and places where there are things to do for kids, especially teens, and adults are high on the list so far.
-
Don’t let your taxes outsmart you this year!
With tax season rearing its ugly head out of your already busy life, there’s no need for you to feel like you’re alone.
-
Business Wish List: the 2012 version
I received an interesting response last week to my query about what people want now that the OG is finally here.
-
Downtown Hahira
HAHIRA — The Voice from “Field of Dreams” once famously intoned, “If you build it, they will come.” Stacey Dershimer hasn’t been Hahira’s downtown developmental coordinator for long — one month — but she’s been here long enough to know, if you build upon what you have, more people and more businesses will come.
- What’s next for Valdosta?
-
5 tips to help you land a new job in 2012
Job-hunting websites expect hiring to improve in 2012. So whether you’ve been out of work for a while or are simply looking for a change, here are some tips to ensure a successful job search.
- More Business Headlines
-
Business Wish List Results
