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Monroe County Historical Society

Celebrates Golden Jubilee

Of course, everything has been leading up to a grand celebration banquet prepared by the queen chef herself, Chelsia Ogletree, at Her Majesty Kitchen this past Monday night! After special remarks and some local historic trivia from the MCHS team, guests enjoyed a true feast fit for the occasion. Visit Forsyth GA created special memorial wall canvases and secured proclamations from the City of Forsyth, Monroe County Commissioners, and the City of Culloden to be part of the permanent display at the museum. A commemorative program with a full timeline of highlights from the historical society's 50-year legacy plus Jubilee favors were gifted to every guest!

You can help continue the spirit of celebration by joining the MCHS for a festive Tour of Homes this Saturday, December 13 from 2 to 7 PM. Get your tickets now online or in person at the depot or Welcome Center!

Upright Family Christmas Lights

Meet Kristie Upright, a lifelong Monroe County resident and daughter of a local dairy farmer. Kristie and her husband CJ, an electrician by trade, are getting ready to welcome thousands of locals and visitors for their annual Christmas light display. This is their 23rd year since starting in 2000 (they took a break in 2012 and 2024 due to the ground being too dry and hard to stake the wire frames) and Kristie says this is a “labor of love” for her and her family. “We usually start installation around the third week of October and we’re working right up until the day we turn them on.” Kristie and CJ’s two younger kids, Kody and Trinity, also help with the display each year, even though the display itself is older than they are!

She estimates there are around 200,000 lights in the display, with the exact number going up every year as they add more figures. The Uprights pride themselves on their wire frame figures even if it means using incandescent lights instead of LED because, according to Kristie, “They just look better that way!” They have forty-five different arches that people can drive through and the fifteen in front of their house will even dance to the music this year, which is a first! As a mom, Kristie wants to be conscious of kids who may be sensitive to flashing lights and she said they are going to keep the dancing lights slow. When asked what each family member’s favorite figures are, Kristie said, “CJ loves the Sasquatch, Kody loves the Christmas tree farm, Trinity said she can’t choose and I love the blowups!”

When they first started back in 2000, the lights display was one that people could walk up to and explore but the county had to install a guardrail at the edge of their property because of multiple accidents where cars crashed into their yard. Because of the guardrail, people would park along the road, which was not ideal. In 2019, the Uprights created their first drive-thru display which continues to this day.

The Uprights don’t charge an admission fee, wanting to make sure that everyone has an opportunity to enjoy a Christmas lights display no matter what their financial situation is. They also provide candy canes during their weekend shows for everyone who comes through. Make sure you check out this amazing light display at 1489 Smith Road every evening until Christmas!

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Shrimp & Grits (A Local Recipe!)

This savory dish was submitted by Happy Wyatt, who is the marketing coordinator for Georgia Grown. She has made previous headlines with her adorable rooster named Elvis that she would take to local Monroe County schools for a fun way to educate students on the importance of agriculture. 

Ingredients

2 1/2 cups beef stock, preferably low-sodium, divided

2 cups whole milk

4 tablespoons butter, divided

3/4 cup stone-ground grits (I used Gayla’s Grits)

1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

4 strips bacon (or 2-3 thick-cut slices)

1 lb. shrimp peeled and deveined (I used wild-caught Georgia shrimp) 

Salt to taste

Black pepper to taste

Garlic powder to taste

Thinly sliced green onions for garnish (optional)

Instructions

1. Bring 2 cups of the chicken broth, the milk (2 cups), 3 tablespoons of the butter and a pinch of salt to a gentle boil in a medium-sized pot. 

2. Add the grits and whisk together. Simmer for 10-15 minutes or until grits are soft and creamy, whisking every few minutes.

3. Cover and set aside off heat – they will finish softening up while they sit.

4. Cook the 4 bacon strips until crispy in a nonstick or cast-iron skillet. Set aside on a paper towel-lined plate. Once cool, chop into small pieces.

5. Drain all but 2 tablespoons of the bacon grease from the skillet.

6. Rinse the shrimp with cold water and pat dry. Season with salt and pepper and any other spices you want to add (optional). Cook in the bacon grease until just cooked- about 2 minutes per side.

7. Add the remaining tablespoon of butter and 1/2 cup of chicken broth to the shrimp and stir until melted and the broth is heated. Taste and add salt if needed. 

8. Gently fold the shrimp into the grits.

9. Top with sharp cheddar cheese and onions. You can also add any extras like gravy or BBQ sauce if you like. (My family loves brown gravy added to theirs!)

Holiday Hours at Local Restaurants

As you start figuring out your holiday plans, make sure to take a look at our curated guide to Forsyth Restaurant Holiday Hours 2025! This helpful resource lists all of Forsyth’s restaurants, from fast food to locally-owned favorites and their hours starting from Christmas Eve and ending at New Year’s Day. Click the link to discover which foodie spot is calling your name during the holidays! 

First Day Hikes

Looking to get back to nature? Maybe walk off some of those holiday cookies? Or just get a good start to your new year? Then check out one of the area’s First Day Hikes on January 1st, 2026!

High Falls State Park will offer two different times for First Day Hikes, 10 AM and 2 PM. Each hike will begin on the 0.5 mile Historic Trail with the option to continue on the 2.5 mile Tranquility Trail if you’re feeling up to it! The Naturalist and Assistant Naturalist will be your guide and you’ll receive a sticker to celebrate your participation! Chick-Fil-A and Black Smoke Coffee will be on site to help you fuel up before and after your hike and there will be a K-9 demonstration from the DNR as well! 

Please call ahead to reserve your spot! Phone number: 478-993-3053

Indian Springs State Park also has two times for First Day Hikes, each taking a different trail. Join park staff at the Overland Nature Trail Head at 10 AM for their 'Easy Breezy Hike', 3/4 of a mile hike, or at 1 PM at the Multi-Use Trail Head for their 'Intermediate Hike' 3-mile hike to start the new year with a bang! 

*These programs require pre-registration, $5 registration fee, please call the park office to register.* Phone number: 770-504-2277

The rangers at Jarrell Plantation invite you for a First Day Hike down to the Ocmulgee River to help them recreate a historical photo taken there in 1920. Along the way, learn all about the history of the land and how the cotton fields turned back into forest due to the arrival of the boll weevil at that time - 2.6 miles total. Recommended for active adults and children over 8 years. Wear good hiking shoes or boots and bring a water bottle. Expect parts of the trail to cover rough or uneven terrain. 

This hike does require a reservation so make sure to call and reserve your spot before December 28th! Phone number: (478) 986-5172

Date Night in Downtown Forsyth

Don't neglect the romance in your life this holiday season—spend some time with just you and your honey on our ultimate date night experience in Forsyth! 

Start your evening with drinks and delicious appetizers from Grits Cafe, then head over to Her Majesty Kitchen by Chef Chelsia for dinner to get a taste of their out-of-this-world Cajun dishes! 

To end your night, check out The Den afterwards to enjoy some seasonal libations and live music.

From the Blog

Check out these recent features from the Visit Forsyth blog!

Clowning Around with Lee Andrews

Get ready to explore the fun and silly side of Forsyth! Lee Andrews is a local legend as he and his wife run a globally-acclaimed Academy of Clown Arts and Academy of Christmas Artists program. They also run ProKNOWS, a specialty shop that handcrafts clown noses that professionals have used for decades. And did we mention Lee also took up the local mantle of Santa Claus? Click the link to learn more! 

Holiday Fun in Forsyth

It's officially the most magical time of the year in Forsyth! In our new Holiday Fun in Forsyth Blog, we’ve curated the perfect guide to help you have the ultimate holiday experience in our charming community. From a Christmas Tour of Homes and exciting events to local plays and so much more, this feature dives into it all. Click the link to learn more.

Experience Gilmore Girls — Forsyth Style!

Have you ever wished you could experience the real Stars Hollow from Gilmore Girls? Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just a lover of all things Lorelai and Rory, we’ve got you covered with our Gilmore Girls Forsyth itinerary! While we may not be in Connecticut, you’ll find the same cozy small-town vibes in Forsyth, perfect for enjoying the upcoming winter weather.

Click the link to learn more.

Last-Minute Tips from Forsyth Antiques & More

We have a new guest blog live on our site in time for the holidays, featuring tips and traditions from Ashley Robinson of Forsyth Antiques & More! This festive feature contains helpful last-minute holiday tips to make your home feel cozy this season. From setting up a hot chocolate station to adding red plaid and knitted fabric to your couch and chairs, this holiday blog dives into it all. Click the link to learn more.

In Case You Missed It

Turkey Freedom Ride

These two Monroe County Turkeys took their freedom ride on November 21st! They headed up to Atlanta to be pardoned by the Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture, Tyler Harper. The "turkey pardon" is an annual tradition sparing the birds from the Thanksgiving table to live out their lives on a farm. These beauties, Tom and Jerry, will return to Adrienne and Ken Hodgkin's Farm in Monroe County to eat rocks, forage for food, gobbling along their way. 

#turkeypardon

#clemencyfortheturkeys

#turkeyfreedomride

Announcing Hometown Holidays Parade Best in Show Winner!

Congratulations to the Best in Show Winner from this year’s Hometown Holiday Parade, DPC Services! Their take on National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation stole the show and earned them that first-place trophy! To see the other winners, make sure to visit the Forsyth-Monroe County Chamber of Commerce’s Facebook page. And to the other 80+ floats, thanks for making this year’s parade one to remember!

Photo Credit: Diane Glidewell from the Monroe County Reporter

Did You Know?

Did you know some of the beautifully painted windows around town like the ones at Forsyth Dental Center were painted by one of our talented local artists? Arrin Freeman Burgand recently won first place at The 1823 Artisan Guild’s Plein Air Paint Off in Juliette (her first one ever!) with her fantastic rendition of The Whistle Stop Café. You can also see her vibrant holiday art on display at Wild + Rooted Hair or Ace Hardware.

What's New?

Thrifted

This past week, mother/daughter duo Sherri and Morgan Bonacci opened Thrifted, a collection of carefully curated vintage and gently used goods. Thrifted is located at 70B W. Main St. in downtown Forsyth, just off the square. “We love the small town feel of Forsyth and the sense of community that the town has. It’s why we knew it was the right location for this exciting new adventure,” said Sherri. Her daughter, Morgan, also lives in Forsyth, sharing her home with a cat named Otto and working as a server in Macon. Sherri works at a hotel in McDonough where she lives with her husband, Tony.

Sherri and Tony have three grown children, Courtney, Morgan, and Brendon. Morgan is the middle one of the three and Sherri is a middle child of five. “We’re two middle child women who wanted to start a business together and here we are!”

They chose the specific location based on its proximity to the square and the size, wanting to start small as neither of them have experience running a store like this. “It’s very new! But we’re so excited to share our love of thrifting with Forsyth.” Morgan said. Both women are fond of their landlord, local City Council member Mike Dodd, who suggested they visit us here at the CVB to learn more about the community and we’re so glad he did!

Morgan and Sherri both love thrifting. Morgan especially loves the stories and history behind the vintage pieces. After losing some family members, they decided that instead of just getting rid of things they wanted to make sure they went to people who would love and appreciate them.

Come by and enjoy the Thrifted experience and a good story or two!

70B W. Main St.

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Popeyes Reopens!

The Forsyth Popeyes Chicken restaurant is back open after almost a year of being closed! They are ready and waiting to serve up delicious fried chicken and their famous biscuits. It’s been a long road to reopening and the staff are excited to be serving Forsyth again!

Clark House Originals

Jennifer Clark of Clark House Originals is excited about opening a shop in downtown Forsyth. She and her husband, Randy, have enjoyed visiting Forsyth and when she saw the building at 42 E. Johnston St., something about it just felt right. “It was like it was meant to be, everything just kept falling perfectly into place and I knew this was the right location for my own store.” Her daughter Logan and Randy have been a huge part of getting the shop up and going, “I really couldn’t have done it without either of them helping out and cheering me on.” 

Clark House Originals will be open on Fridays and Saturdays through the end of the 2025. They will add Thursdays to the schedule as well after the New Year. Jennifer is also a full-time dental assistant at an office in Macon and she loves it, especially since one of her daughters works with her! She and Randy have eight kids, six grandkids, and eight dogs that keep them both on their toes but they wouldn’t have it any other way. Randy is Jennifer’s biggest supporter, “He’s my hype man!” all while he works full-time at Georgia Farm Bureau as an IT Specialist.

One of Jennifer’s favorite things to shop for is pretty dresses. “I don’t wear a lot of dresses since I spend most of my days in scrubs, but I love to find the brightest colors and patterns to sell in the shop!”

If you’re looking for that special holiday party dress, then let Jennifer at Clark House Originals help you find the perfect one!

42 E Johnston St.

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Bolingbrew Coffee Company

Three years ago, Michael and Laurie Bradshaw made the decision to purchase Hayslip’s Thrift Store in Bolingbroke with the idea of turning the space into an antique store and mercantile. The Bradshaws moved to the Bolingbroke area about eight years ago, looking for that small-town vibe as a change from Macon. Laurie teaches at ACE in Macon where their daughter Bella attends school while their son Max is a senior at Mary Persons High School here in Forsyth and Michael works full time at their shop, Bolingbroke Antiques & Mercantile. “It’s my passion. I quit selling real estate to focus on the store and it’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.”

Michael soon knew they would be adding a coffee shop, a place for their customers to slow down, have coffee and a snack, and relax. Then disaster hit, a fire sparked in the store in March of this year. They have had to spend several months cleaning and repairing the building. “That fire was a catalyst and we finally decided that it was time to open Bolingbrew Coffee Company.” Michael said. “I thought, why not now? We’re already doing major renovations to the building, may as well go ahead with this too.”

The space is eclectic and cozy, filled with antiques, cushy chairs, and Lego sets built by Max. There is an old-school Wurlitzer jukebox, and an original 1979 Harlem Globetrotters pinball machine there, too! The jukebox and the pinball machine were both purchased from an estate sale in Forsyth and the previous owner is delighted to hear that they both have a good home.

Next time you’re heading down Hwy 41, stop in to see The Bradshaws and enjoy a delicious cup of coffee. You just might find that special something for your home or collection!

6183 Dixie Hwy, Macon, GA 31210

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Driven Sports Interactive

When Driven owner Casey McCrea bought Suite #3 at 94 E. Adams St. a year ago, he was originally just looking for an investment property, something he could flip or rent out to another business. His diesel repair shop in McDonough, Detroit Rebuild Specialists, is thriving but Casey was looking for a new challenge. “I love what I do, but I really wanted a business where people are excited to see me when they come in,” he smiled, “And most over-the-road truckers aren’t exactly jumping with joy when they need to spend money at my shop on their trucks.”

Casey, his fiancée Jennifer, and his fifteen-year-old son Parker attend church at Momentum. There, he saw a need for somewhere that teenagers could hang out after their youth group on Wednesdays. His original idea was to open a teen club. When he took his family to Hilton Head Island for vacation, he and Parker went to a golf simulator experience. Casey knew immediately this was what he wanted to bring to Forsyth. “One of the biggest things we had to handle was leveling the floors for the simulator bays, that building is over 100 years old and the floor was uneven all over which isn’t ideal.”

Driven Interactive Sports Lounge is more than just golf. It’s an entertainment facility with simulators ranging from golf to soccer to racing and more! The wall-to-wall HD screens are perfect for big games, movie nights, or pay-per-view watch parties. They have a great menu too! Looking to host a work gathering or birthday party? Let the team at Driven handle the details so you can sit back, relax, and enjoy the experience!

94 East Adams St, Suite 3

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Merry Christmas!

The Welcome Center and Forsyth Convention & Visitors Bureau office will be closed to celebrate Christmas and New Year's with our family and friends on December 24th and 25th and January 1st. Wishing everyone a happy and safe holiday!

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Plan Your Trip

To make sure you have all the information you need to plan a memorable visit to Forsyth, we gladly provide plenty of resources, guides and tools to help you along the way.