If you didn’t have a chance to visit the Azalea Festival yet, there’s still time. The event is going on again all day today in Drexel Park near the university, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Conceived as a way to celebrate Valdosta’s Azalea City nickname, the beautiful blossoms cooperated this year, thanks to the warm weather we’ve been having, and are in full bloom all over town.

In its sixth year, the festival includes vendors, arts and crafts, special events, kids zone, local entertainment, demonstrations, and even circus performances, so if you’re interested in wholesome family fun that includes good food and good music, don’t miss your chance.



• Business Roundup

New on the block this week is Steamhouse Seafood and Beachside Bar, which opens on Tuesday.

The new restaurant is located on James Road near the Sleep Inn, and will feature a very relaxed atmosphere with fresh seafood, a beach setting, an outdoor bar and shorts, flip flops and tank tops are just fine to wear.

Open for dinner Tuesday through Saturday, this is a home-grown business, not a franchise. It sounds like it’s going to be similar to a Joe’s Crab Shack, so check it out.

I understand I missed two banks last week in my roundup, a new branch of First State being built in Lake Park and the Bank of Valdosta, which has a temporary home on Woodrow Wilson until its main branch is built.

The Goodwill store is officially open at its new home on St. Augustine Road next to Hobby Lobby, which means that strip center is full again.

Someone has purchased its old location downtown for mixed use retail on the bottom and potentially apartments on the second floor, but I don’t have a timeline on it.

I received a nice note this week from a reader who wants to see a Sweet Tomatoes restaurant here, as she loves the one in Atlanta, so those of you whose job it is to get new business to town, here’s a great suggestion for you.

Niki Knox, the city’s Main Street director, gave the City Council an overview this week of current projects downtown, which are numerous.

We should see the old Sportsman’s grill re-opened soon, along with a health and fitness club, more apartments, and new retail shops.

Lot’s happening, with more to come.

And if I missed something this week, please let me know.