Sweet Spots for Photo Ops | |
In the first installment of this series, Sweet Spots for Photo Ops: Part 1, we gave an overview of great portrait spots in downtown Forsyth. This time we are taking you to check out a couple fun locations around Monroe County. Looking for beautiful outdoor spaces? Give High Falls State Park and the town of Juliette a try!
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High Falls State Park
Located in north Monroe County, off Exit 198 on I-75, High Falls State Park is a cornucopia of portrait opportunities. You can strike a pose in front of the lake, along the Falls Trail, or even on the playground. On our recent portrait expedition, we decided to check out the ADA-accessible Historic Trail and the Tranquil Trail Loop to explore the shady forest side of the park. We found lots of fun portrait spots along these lush peaceful trails. Take advantage of the abundant natural backdrops and gentle lighting that these trails provide! The various overlooks and benches give creative posing possibilities that add visual interest to your compositions!
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Downtown Juliette
Juliette, off Exit 186 on I-75, is famous world-wide as the set of the movie Fried Green Tomatoes and home of the award-winning Whistle Stop Café. Grab some lunch and explore the eclectic shops, great food, and historic buildings that Juliette has to offer. From the front porch of The Whistle Stop Café to the various locations from the movie set, a leisurely stroll along McCrackin Street will present plenty of spots to strike a pose. During our visit, we enjoyed the posing potential of the multi-level bench under the covered front porch of the Sheriff's office and the rustic simplicity and filtered lighting we found as we meandered around the area by the BBQ Pit and Smokey’s Shack. Wherever you wander in downtown Juliette you will discover fun posing possibilities!
Photo Credit: Sharon Murdock, www.sharonmichele.com
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Welcome Back! Return of The Rose: 30 Years of Growth 🎭
2025 marks the 30th season for The Backlot Players, our local community theater group who got their start back in the 90s. For many years, they performed wherever they could find space for a stage.
In 1998, "Second Samuel" was put on in the historic schoolhouse in Culloden, GA, adding charm and a great atmosphere to the play.
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In 1999, the Backlot Players found a home when Dr. & Mrs. Bill and Ann Cummings donated the vacant building at 23 W. Johnston St. At the time, it was only four walls and a floor but by 2004, the Backlot Players had turned it into a thriving theater!
The show must go on! So, while the Rose was being renovated, the Backlot Players performed "Meet Me In St. Louis" at the Board of Education Auditorium, and the very popular "Nunsense" at Roberts Chapel on the Tift College campus.
Then the unthinkable happened in 2012. A fire broke out next door at the Grits Café. Smoke and water got into the theater and caused significant damage. The Backlot Players were undaunted, regrouped, and brought the theater back to life better than before!
The Rose reopened for children’s theater performances and school tours from all over middle Georgia and in 2017 laughter and applause once again filled the theater with a rousing performance of "Rumors" by Neil Simon.
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In November of 2024, again challenged by a fire, the theater suffered extensive smoke and water damage while the building next door was a total loss. Once again, the resilience of the Rose was on full display as the Backlot Players embraced the opportunity to bring some Art Deco style into the lobby with multiple upgrades throughout the theater.
Join the Backlot Players as they kick off their 30th season with "Rodger’s and Hammerstein’s Cinderella," opening on July 18th at 7:30.
| To learn more about the history and resilience of the Rose Theater, check out our blog at the link below: | | |
Celebrating 50 Years of the Monroe County Historical Society
The City of Forsyth Convention & Visitors Bureau hosts a regular radio show on Majic 100 FM featuring local stories on Monroe Today. Recently, we interviewed Nolen Howard and Ralph Bass, President and Vice President, respectively, of the Monroe County Historical Society to learn more about the history of their organization and upcoming celebrations for its "Golden Jubilee."
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In preparation for its celebrations, the Monroe County Historical Society has made a ton of new changes that are worth checking out! In addition to new displays, the team has been busy breathing new life into existing exhibits at the Historical Society's Museum and Genealogy Center in the historic Victorian depot downtown.
The museum does an incredible job of immersing visitors in what the daily life of a Forsyth resident looked like back in the day. There's even a special Sanborn map display. But that's not all! There are Native American artifacts, medical equipment, a kitchen from the 1920s, and so much more!
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They also have a dedicated railroad room to pay homage to just how important the industry was to Forsyth. Here, you can find a safe from the
old railroad, telegraph equipment, handwritten train schedules and even a scale that was used to weigh baggage. You can still get an up-close view of the passing trains.
The current exhibit in their rotating display focuses on Monroe County from WWII to show how it impacted the loved ones at home. The display showcases the ingenuity of Monroe County residents as they dealt with county-wide rationing during the war.
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Clarise Taylor Durden stands next to a photograph of Red Cross Volunteers, which includes her maternal grandmother, Clara Newton, as part of the WWII exhibit. Ms. Clarise volunteers at Monroe County History Museum on the 1st Saturday of the month from 10-4, to share Forsyth and Monroe County’s stories with visitors.
Ready to learn more? Check out the blog below!
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Visitor Highlight: Photo Shoot for the 2026 Shell Rotella Oil Calendar
Elizabeth Bryant, owner of the Whistle Stop Cafe, and Chelsea Bunn Kerr from the Forsyth Convention & Visitors Bureau dished up Southern hospitality and those award-winning fried green tomato sandwiches for some VIP visitors.
These visitors were the team behind the 2026 Shell Rotella Oil calendar photo shoot, and we made sure they got the full experience of a visit to Juliette. The team was lucky to be in Juliette on a Wednesday when the Whistle Stop is closed to the public, because Thursday through Monday there's often a two hour wait to enjoy their menu. The shoot brought people in from Iowa, Minnesota, Quebec Canada, and beyond.
This is the 43rd year of the calendar featuring 12 Super Rigs. Juliette, with its natural beauty, charming iconic buildings, and warm hospitable people, was chosen for two of the calendar spots. The Big Rig show, held this year at Atlanta Motor Speedway, is a "working truck beauty contest" and over a hundred participants compete for only twelve calendar slots. The trucks chosen are a closely guarded secret until the calendar is released in November. The CVB started its work with the location team led by Charlotte Arres last Fall. Stay tuned for the reveal coming this Fall!
👏🏻Huge shout out to Robert Williams, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, and the shops of Juliette for making this possible. 👏🏻
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Who Made That?!
Gator Holley, owner of Knucklehead Studios, is very proud to call Forsyth home. "The people are great, I love the small town vibe, and the local businesses are the heart of the community." Gator loves helping to give Forsyth it’s very own fresh vibe through his unique graphic designs. Take a walk down any of Forsyth’s downtown streets and you’re sure to run into a Knucklehead Studios design. From business signage to vehicle wraps to stickers, decals and wall art, Knucklehead Studios helps local businesses define their signature styles. His designs add aesthetic appeal and give a fun and quirky vibe to Forsyth’s character.
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Have You Seen This Tower?
Architectural details are all around us, and they tell the stories of what makes Forsyth so special. Let's test our observational skills with this well-known landmark.
Forsyth, founded in 1823, has an abundance of history and sweet southern charm.
Here’s a little back story on one of the oldest buildings in town:
A tower with a pyramidal roof is just one of the features for Forsyth’s first permanent city hall, constructed in 1897 and designed by the distinguished Macon architect, Alexander J. Blair.
The tower with its weathervane was not merely ornamental. Its utilitarian purpose was to house a bell that could be rung when there was a fire in town. The bell remains there, its rope
falling to the first floor, but no longer do volunteer townsmen respond to fires as did members of the Forsyth Fire Company in 1897.
In addition to offices for the city, Blair’s building provided for police and storage for fire equipment, probably the small two-cask chemical engine the city purchased a few years before.
Blair was particularly concerned with the security of the calaboose, which also occupied a small section of the building.
--- Ralph Bass, Local Historian
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Visitor Highlight: Fox Hunt Fun for Everyone!
The Special Needs High Hope Club from Macon enjoyed a day in Forsyth going on a Fox Hunt! A good time was had by all as they figured out from the clues where all the bronze fox were hiding around historic downtown Forsyth.
The Forsyth Fox Hunt is a beloved self-guided tour, fun for all ages. Bonus! If you are into counting steps, they took 2,004 steps or walked .76m from Bess the Fox Hunt Fox at Lee Street Park to Thomas the Fox Hunt Fox at the Monroe County History Museum on their adventure together.
There are plenty of places to pause for shopping and libations along the way! Choose healthy, enjoy the sunshine, and get your steps in today!
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🛍️Shop for a Cause
Forsyth’s downtown shops are hosting another Shop for a Cause on June 14th!
Select merchants will donate a portion of their proceeds to The Sunshine Foundation at Rob’s Place.
Rob’s Place is a local charity serving adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Shop Burty’s Boutique, Brick Brigade, A Girl & A Goat, Bulldog Nutrition, Miki Leigh Jewelry, Grits Café, CoTique Boutique, Scoops, and The Tattoo Shop to support your community on Saturday June 14th.
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🎉Bricker Builds Block Party Bonanza
Come meet some Lego masters at the Brick Brigade’s Bricker Builds Block Party Bonanza on July 12th! The block party will feature the winners of "Lego Masters" season 2, awesome pop culture characters built by Bricker Builds, and the Fabulous Farm built by local Lego Builder Paul Sloan. Brick Brigade sells Legos and COBI blocks and sets for the whole family – and collectors too! They have over 650 sets to choose from, loose bricks by the scoop, and build tables. Brick Brigade is a great place to host a party too!
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Forsyth Main Street Presents: Main Street Market & Lunchtime Live!
Every Friday beginning in May and lasting until October, purchase fresh fruits, vegetables, honey, dairy, artisan crafts, and natural and organic goods from local farmers at the Main Street Market. Stop by anytime 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 pm at Forsyth City Hall. Add a bit of music to your weekly Main Street Market visit with Lunchtime Live! This event happens on the 3rd Friday of the month from June – October. There will be live music and food vendors from 11AM – 2PM.
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🍄Game of Shrooms – High Falls & Forsyth🍄
Game of Shrooms is a once a year, worldwide art phenomenon featuring that famous fungus, the humble mushroom! The next Game of Shrooms happens on June 14th, 2025. On that day, artists from all over the world hide their original mushroom-themed art works in public places then they give hints (often on social media) for others to find AND KEEP! You can participate by searching around High Falls and downtown Forsyth for art!
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Telling Our Story Black History Museum Presents: Juneteenth 2025 Ride Along
Telling Our Story: Black History Museum is sponsoring a special Juneteenth celebration again this year!
On Saturday, June 21st, bring your tents, chairs and picnic basket for music on the lawn at the W. M. Hubbard Complex. Starting at 4pm, join us for an evening of great foods, soulful music and excitement for the whole family!
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Tea with Cinderella
You are cordially invited to Tea With Cinderella at The Rose Theater! To celebrate their first show of their 30th season, the Backlot Players are hosting Tea with Cinderella on Saturday, June 28, 2025. There will be tea, special crafts, and the opportunity to take a photo with Her Royal Highness, dressed in her finery! Tickets can be purchased at the Welcome Center/Forsyth Convention & Visitors Bureau for one of four time slots; 9AM, 10AM, 11AM, or 1PM.
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Culloden's Independence Day Celebration
Celebrate the start of Summer with the Culloden Independence Day Celebration and fireworks! BMuzick Band is a diverse, electrifying, high quality, innovative and fresh band that will keep your toes tapping all night! Bring the family and enjoy this free concert from 6PM – 11PM!
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Main Street Presents: Summer Concert Series Independence Day Celebration
Celebrate the 4th of July with a fireworks show and a concert from Not Your Average Party Band! Dance the night away on the square in Downtown Forsyth beginning at 7:30PM!
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Tift Girls Speak Presents Lettie Watford
Head to the Conley Building/Stone Depot on Saturday, July 12th to hear a presentation from Lettie Watford. Lettie is a Tift College graduate and will be speaking on Julia Coleman, a Georgia Woman of Achievement and a major inspiration for President Jimmy Carter. This event begins at 12PM.
| | | | | 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. | | | | |
