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IT'S FIESTA TIME! S.GA.'s LARGEST HISPANIC FESTIVAL RETURNS SATURDAY IN PARK

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

Tifton's 27th annual Fiesta del Pueblo, a celebration of Hispanic culture, will fill Fulwood Park on Saturday with lively music, dancing, authentic Latin cuisine, craft vendors, and entertainment for all ages.

South Georgia’s largest Hispanic festival begins at 10 a.m. and concludes with a street dance from 7-10 p.m.

From its humble beginnings with a Girl Scout troop in Omega in 1998, La Fiesta del Pueblo has grown to an event that attracts visitors from throughout Georgia and several other states. Attendance last year reached 15,000, said festival co-founder Dina Willis.

During Saturday's opening ceremonies, the festival committee will present scholarships to two students of Hispanic descent who are attending Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College.

Entertainment throughout the day will be simultaneous on two stages – the festival will be the first to use the newly rebuilt main stage, complete except for some finishing touches, and will also use a "Coca-Cola Stage" to be set up centrally in Fulwood Park.

Performers will include La Candela Flamenco dancers from Spain, Platanito the Clown, the ABAC Jazz Band, Danza Senor del Mezquitito, Cultura Latina Dancers, a Mariachi band “Los Arrieros,” Vida Praise Band, Marca Distinta Group, Los De La MB, and the Moss Music Group.

A karaoke contest starts at 6 p.m. The band Los Compas de Nuevo Leon will perform for the street dance.

Photos by Frank Sayles Jr.

A Tifton home is damaged by Hurricane Helene (above). Fulwood Park and a Tifton street (photos below) also show the aftermath of the storm.

HURRICANE HELENE: ONE YEAR LATER

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

One year ago, at about 11:10 p.m. on the evening of Sept. 26, Hurricane Helene, a dangerous Category 4 storm, made landfall in the Big Bend of Florida with maximum winds of 140 mph.

It was the strongest hurricane on record to make landfall in the Big Bend.

After striking Florida, Hurricane Helene then roared northward to wallop Georgia with a devastating punch. When the storm had cleared, a wide path of destruction was left in Georgia. Agricultural losses totaled $5.5 billion. The state lost up to 35% of its cotton crop and up to 30% of peanut crops. More than 200 poultry houses were seriously damaged or destroyed in Georgia, and up to 50,000 acres of pecan orchards were damaged or destroyed.

Property damages in Georgia exceeded more than $2.5 billion. Georgia Power had repaired or replaced more than 8,300 power poles, removed more than 3,200 trees from power lines, fixed or replaced more than 4,500 transformers, and repaired more than 1,000 miles of wires.

And in Georgia, Hurricane Helene claimed 37 lives.

Tift County was spared the brunt of the storm, but surrounding areas were not as fortunate. Berrien and Coffee counties, for example, were hard hit, as was the Waycross area in Ware County. A University of Georgia weather station in Coffee County recorded winds up to 90 mph. In Lowndes County, winds around Valdosta measured 96 mph, and that area experienced major damage.

Tifton had trees and power lines down, and some structures were damaged. More than 30 trees fell in Fulwood Park alone. While Tifton was relatively unscathed compared to other cities and counties, farms in the area were not so lucky.

Although Georgia farmers have received some help, many are awaiting federal disaster aid through block grants to the state. Billions in agricultural aid are still being processed as the U.S. Department of Agriculture works to sign agreements with states and administer the funds.

State officials say they expect to receive the block grants soon.

Today, a year later, Helene has left a mark on South Georgia. Not only are farmers still recovering, but there are other individuals still getting past the storm's effects. When driving through the region, one can still spot downed trees and damaged structures. Some homes still have blue tarps; others, struck by trees, appear to have been abandoned – the occupants having simply walked away.

However, Georgia is bouncing back. There are still repairs and improvements to be made, but Georgians continue to look ahead to tomorrow and not dwell upon yesterday. The storm has passed, and dark clouds have dispersed, revealing a brighter, sunny day.

JOBLESS RATES IMPROVE IN TIFTAREA

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

Most area counties' unemployment rates improved during August, according to data released Thursday by the Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL).

Tift County's jobless rate improved slightly to 3.4% from the previous month's 3.5%, the GDOL said.

Berrien County's rate leveled out at 3.4% – where it was in June – after spiking to 6.2% in July. However, that was expected and occurs every year, explained Lisa Smart, executive director of the Berrien County Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Authority.

She told the Tifton Grapevine that each July, Berrien's largest employer, Chaparral Boats, shuts down for a least a week and sometimes two, depending on production needs.

"Some employees are left working due to inventory and billing and such; however, others are 'temporarily laid off due to shut down.' Those employees are put on unemployment benefits during that shutdown," she said.

"This happens annually and employees return after the shutdown, so August rates should reflect that," Smart said last month, and that is what happened.

The only area county showing an increase in unemployment last month was Worth County, which edged up slightly to 3.6% after recording 3.5% the month before.

August's unemployment rates in other area counties versus the previous month's rates were: Turner, 4.0% vs. 4.2%; Irwin, 3.4% vs. 3.8%; Cook, 3.1% vs. 4.1%; and Ben Hill, 4.2% vs. 4.6%.

Georgia's August unemployment rate held steady 3.4%. The U.S. unemployment rate for the month rose sightly to 4.3% from the previous month's rate of 4.2%, according to the GDOL.

In Tift County, its labor force – the number of people who are employed or are unemployed and seeking employment – was 19,391 during August, which was four more than July but a drop of 574 from a year ago, according to GDOL data.

FOR 12th TIME, GEORGIA RANKED NO. 1 FOR BUSINESS

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

For the 12th consecutive year, Georgia has been named the No. 1 state for business by Area Development magazine.

“For 12 straight years, site selectors who decide where companies invest have voted Georgia as the ‘Top State for Business’ in this annual poll from the leading publication for these decision makers,” said Gov. Brian P. Kemp.

“While we've earned this ranking for over a decade, it's by no means guaranteed. It is a reflection of the sustained commitment we have to excellence and a team approach to economic development," the governor said.

The 2025 Top States for Doing Business rankings are determined by scores in 15 categories based on input from approximately 50 leading site consultants nationwide.

"This announcement is a reflection of the partnership between Governor Kemp's office, the Legislature, state agencies, and the local leaders and economic developers across our great state whose efforts and initiatives made this achievement possible," said Lt. Gov. Burt Jones.

Georgia ranked in the top five in 10 categories in claiming the overall No. 1 ranking. Building on this recognition, Georgia continues investing in future opportunities through the Rural Site Development Initiative, which helps local communities prepare development-ready industrial sites.

Members of Tift County's homecoming court gather Thursday for a photo.

TCHS CELEBRATES HOMECOMING

By BONNIE SAYLES

Tifton Grapevine

It's Homecoming Week at Tift County High School. Thursday's Homecoming Parade was rain-delayed by just 30 minutes and showcased Blue Devil pride to the community.

Today, students will be wearing school colors from head to toe with facepaint and hair accessories allowed and encouraged.

“The bolder the better,” proclaims the Tift County High School Instagram page. “Today’s all about celebrating who we are as a school family, so come ready to cheer, smile, and show off your pride.”

The homecoming queen will be crowned at halftime tonight on Brodie Field, and the homecoming king will be announced at the homecoming dance.

The girls and boys in the Homecoming Court are:

Freshmen – girls: Cayleigh Clark and Jaleeyah Flagg; boys: Chase Daniel and Evelio Almaraz.

Sophomores – girls: Ma’Kailyn Blackshear, Vy’Ja’nylah Hurley, Cherish King, and Caroline Womack; boys: Phillip Bowen, Arman Carter, Haven McMiller, Zamari Paulk, and Benjamin Walker.

Juniors – girls: Laurie Barbee, Ella Brooke Cargle, Jazlin Martinez, Jaiden Troutman, Riley Williams, and Jayla Woods; boys: Christian Dennis, Tanner Fechner, Kaden Harris, Dai’Jon Hayes, Dezmond McWhorter, and Garrett Wade.

Seniors – girls: Madison Bowyer, Kaitlyn Graves, Graci Green, Kassie Hill, Aalayziah Lee, Addilyn Pate, Lola Reynolds, and Perrin Turner; boys: Osario Brewton, Rocky Faw, Benjamin Hill, Nyhum Johnson, James Morris, Samuel Pritchard, Royal Scott, and Cedric Snead.

TIFT INVITATIONAL TO HOST MORE THAN 1,200 RUNNERS

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

Tift County Cross Country is hosting its Tift Invitational this Saturday morning at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, which will be the largest cross-country event that Tift County Schools has ever hosted.

More than 1,200 runners from 50 schools across Georgia and Florida will be participating.

The event begins with the recognition of the senior runners from Tift County High School at 7:05 a.m., .and the competition begins at 8 a.m. with the high school boys, followed by the high school girls at 8:30 a.m.

At 9:15 a.m., the combined junior varsity runners will compete, followed by middle school boys at 10 a.m., and middle school girls at 10:30.

High school and middle school awards will be presented to runners beginning at 11 a.m. Saturday.

Last weekend, the Tift County varsity boys placed first in the Division B race at the Wingfoot Cross Country Classic in Cartersville, hosted by the Atlanta Track Club. Tift County's Russ Benton earned a medal for finishing fourth overall with a time of 16:55.

Meanwhile, at a Tiftarea Academy competition, the junior varsity girls’ team earned third place, and the JV boys ran a strong race, finishing in fifth place.

The Tift County High boys cross country team capture first place in the Division B race Saturday at the Wingfoot Cross Country Classic in Cartersville, hosted by the Atlanta Track Club.

TIFTON ALZHEIMER'S WALK

TO BE AFTERNOON EVENT

By BONNIE SAYLES

Tifton Grapevine

Once again, Tifton’s annual Walk to End Alzheimer's will be in Downtown Tifton, but this year it is beginning at 4 p.m. Oct. 11 – an afternoon event for the first time.

The walk also has a new location: First Street in front of City Hall. The walk will wind around the streets downtown and end with a celebration at Tifton Gardens. Participants will be encouraged to join Downtown Tifton’s Second Saturday activities. 

The Tifton walk has 26 teams with 74 people registered to date. It has already raised 85% of its $30,000 goal, said Walk Chairman Evangela Hampton, community relations manager with Abide Home Care.

Tifton’s Alzheimer’s Association office on Tift Avenue serves 35 counties in Southwest Georgia.

Held annually in more than 600 communities nationwide, the Alzheimer's Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the world’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research. 

To register for the walk, Click Here.

COLONY BANK OPENS NOMINATIONS FOR LEADERSHIP ACADEMY

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

Colony Bank is now accepting nominations for the 2026 Colony Leadership Academy, a year-long leadership development program created to equip the next generation of leaders. Nominations will remain open through Oct. 3.

The program is open to current high school juniors enrolled in the 2025–2026 school year. It offers students an opportunity for professional leadership training, to explore Georgia’s industries, and to build relationships.

Through three weekend sessions held in different regions of the state, students engage directly with local leaders, businesses, and organizations, giving them a first-hand look at the economic, cultural, and professional opportunities available in Georgia. A key feature of the program is the partnership with the University of Georgia’s J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development, whose expertise provides professional-level training typically reserved for adult leadership programs.

Since its launch in 2021, the Academy has graduated more than 200 students, awarding more than $100,000 in scholarships. Each participant who completes the program is eligible for a scholarship of up to $1,000 to the college or university of their choice.

To qualify, students must:

●      Be a current high school junior during the 2025–2026 school year;

●      Maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 or equivalent;

●      Be nominated by a member of the community;

●      Receive parental approval, school administrator consent, and two personal references.

Applications will be sent to nominated students after the close of the nomination period, with final selections for the 2026 class announced in late November. The program runs next year from February-November.

For information or to nominate a student, visit here.

TIFTON MAN GETS HONORABLE MENTION AS ONE OF 'MOST INFLUENTIAL LATINOS'

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

Jim Mejia of Ruth's Cottage & the Patticake House based in Tifton was recently named an honorable mention in the 50 Most Influential Latinos in Georgia.

The designation comes from the Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce at an event supported by Truist Bank and the Atlanta Braves.

Mejia is legal advocacy and Latino outreach programs manager at Ruth's Cottage, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to end domestic and sexual violence, and child abuse.

Just last month for his work with the local nonprofit, Mejia received the 2025 Moving the Work Forward Award from the Georgia Commission on Family Violence.

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YOUR GUIDE

TO ACTIVITIES

THIS WEEKEND

IN THE GREATER TIFTAREA

Today, Friday, Sept. 26 is "National Pancake Day." Whether you call them pancakes, hotcakes, or flapjacks, they are a breakfast staple. According to one survey, only 7% of Americans say they don't care for pancakes. The survey also found that buttermilk pancakes are the favorite, followed by blueberry, and chocolate chip. Favorite pancake topping? Maple syrup by a wide margin, although at least 4% of folks like to spread peanut butter atop their flapjacks.

Born on Sept. 26: Johnny Appleseed, American gardener, 1774-1845; T.S. Eliot, English poet,1888-1965; Pope Paul VI, 1897-1978; George Gershwin, composer, 1898-1937; George Raft, actor, 1901-1980; Jack LaLanne, fitness trainer, 1914-2011; Marty Robbins, singer-songwriter, 1925-1982; Winnie Mandela, First Lady of South Africa,1936-2018; Olivia Newton-John, singer & actress, 1948-2022; Linda Hamilton, actress, b.1956; Serena Williams, tennis player, b.1981.

FRIDAY, SEPT. 26

• Homeschool Hangout, 11 a.m., Tifton-Tift County Public Library, Tifton

• Recycled Paper Painting, 4:30 p.m., Tifton-Tift County Public Library, Tifton

• Barrel Race for Alzheimer’s Cure, hosted by Alpha Gamma Rho - Gamma Delta Chapter at ABAC, 5:30 p.m., ABAC Rodeo Arena, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, Tifton

• Georgia Recovers Bus Tour, hosted by Oasis Recovery Community Organization; a celebration of hope, healing, and community connection; 6-8 p.m., Tift County Recreation Department, 401 Victory Drive, Tifton

• Kids In America: Total '80s Tribute, live in concert, 7 p.m., Tift Theatre for the Performing Arts, Downtown Tifton

• Tift County High Blue Devils football vs. Richmond Hill High Wildcats, homecoming, 7:30 p.m., Brodie Field, Tifton

• Turner County High Titans football vs. Brooks County High Trojans, 7:30 p.m., Ashburn

• Irwin County High Indians football @ Clinch County High Panthers, 7:30 p.m., Homerville

• Fitzgerald High Purple Hurricane football vs. Appling County High Pirates, 7:30 pm., Fitzgerald

• Worth County High Rams football @ Brantley County High Herons, 7:30 p.m., Nahunta

SATURDAY, SEPT. 27

• Tift County Cross Country Invitational, more than 1,200 runners from 50 schools, 8 a.m., Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, Tifton

• 33rd Goin’ Hog Wild Car, Truck, & Bike Show, 8 a.m.-3 p.m., Tifton Veterans Memorial Park plaza, Tifton

• Fitzgerald Fall Festival, antique tractor show, live music, festival food, artisans market, arts & crafts, kids zone, fly-In, and & more; 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Paulk Park, Fitzgerald

• La Fiesta del Pueblo, South Georgia's biggest Hispanic festival; live music & entertainment on two stages; authentic foods; karaoke contest; arts & crafts; kids activities; street dance; 10 a.m.-10 p.m., Fulwood Park, Tifton

• Downtown Night Market, live music by Ben & Ethan, wine tasting, local vendors, 6-9 p.m., Donatello's Myon Courtyard, Tifton

• William Lee Martin: The Funny Life Tour, national comedian tour as seen on Amazon Prime TV, 7:30 p.m., Tift Theatre for the Performing Arts, Downtown Tifton

SUNDAY, SEPT. 28

• The Harvest Exhibit, opening reception, 2-4 p.m., Syd Blackmarr Arts Center, Tifton

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Meet "Lauren" – this sweet girl is about 3 years old and under 50 pounds. She came into the shelter pregnant, but now that she is puppy free, she’s ready to finally just be someone’s baby. Lauren is one of the sweetest, most playful pups you’ll ever meet. She’s full of love, joy, and personality. If you’re looking for a loyal, fun, and affectionate companion, Lauren is your girl. Visit her and see other pets available for adoption at the Tift County Animal Shelter on Highway 125 South, open between 1-6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. For additional information, call 229-382-PETS (7387).

Tifton Grapevine

e-published every Tuesday and Friday

Frank Sayles Jr.

Editor & Publisher

Bonnie Sayles

Managing Editor

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