The Valdosta Daily Times
VALDOSTA —
It just wouldn’t be Labor Day weekend in South Georgia without Lakeland’s Flatlanders Fall Frolic. And this tradition of great crafts, tasty food, and good music continues this coming weekend.
The Frolic has been a tradition that has learned to adapt through the years, undergoing many changes, but keeping to the tenets of arts & crafts, food, music, and community pride.
In the early 1970s, the Fall Frolic started as a day-long event in Downtown Lakeland. Through the years, it transformed into a multiple-day festival and moved to Lanier County’s Camp Patten. It has also been held in Downtown Lakeland as it has returned to being a one-day event.
In honor of the 40th Frolic and Lakeland’s community spirit, this year’s arts & crafts show will be held on the grounds of the Jim & Mary Threatte Arts & Civic Center on this Lanier County town’s city limits.
The Frolic’s first arts & crafts show was held on this same property when the site was home to a livestock barn. The Threatte Center was built on the site a few years ago following an outpouring of community involvement.
While the arts & crafts show has come full circle, participants can expect plenty of other traditions to continue.
The Miss Fall Frolic Beauty Pageant will be held Friday evening in the center.
This Saturday, most Frolic favorites return. There’s the Dawg-Gone Good Race, which is a 5K road race and one-mile fun run. The arts & crafts show is a day-long affair. The Frolic concert features area band Sundance Jenkins Saturday night on the center’s outdoor stage.
The Flatlanders Fall Frolic is a forerunner of area festivals. The Lanier County Lions Club began the tradition in 1971. The club and the Lakeland-Lanier community are the reason the Frolic has become known as “South Georgia’s Premier Community Festival.”
Plan to enjoy it this Labor Day weekend.
