Visitors and residents in Augusta, Georgia, will have plenty to do during the 2016 Labor Day holiday weekend, as Garden City Jazz has partnered with several downtown businesses and event producers to present a full complement of activities between September 1-4, 2016. From trolley and craft brewery tours to music events, gallery crawls to fashion demos, a block party and a rooftop soiree, for all ages and preferences.

Garden City Jazz has hosted an annual holiday weekend jazz event for six years running, but this year marks the first all-inclusive weekend. “Our team has been bouncing around the idea of incorporating additional components for some time now. The timing seemed right this year, with 2016 being designated as the Year of Georgia Music by the state tourism division. Because of our relationship with the local tourism office, we just felt it was okay to stretch out a little, “ Karen Gordon said.

To say this is a stretch is putting things mildly. Whereas, for six years, Gordon and her team have produced a single day music festival on the Sunday before Labor Day; this year, they are also presenting major touring artists at the Bell Auditorium and providing promotional support to several downtown events.

“It’s important that we attract (and provide activities for) family reunions and casual visitors to the downtown area. There are so many attractions and beautiful spaces here, and if we provide a great experience, then they’ll return… and bring friends. We’ve got to let people know that we’re here,” said Gordon.

Garden City Jazz presents several programs annually in the Greater Augusta Area, providing performance opportunities for area jazz musicians and music students, while promoting awareness of the historical and cultural significance of jazz music. A portion of proceeds will be donated to the James Brown Academy of Musik Pupils and the Wycliffe Gordon Scholarship at Augusta University.