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13th Colony Distillery Tours & Tastings
Starts: 12/23/2025 - Ends: 11/30/2026
Our mash bills are carefully crafted. Our barrels are aged to taste, not just to time. And our whiskies are masterfully blended. We're driven by a promise to make quality spirits as palatable to your wallet as they are to your taste. The fact that we built our distillery in South Georgia where the perfect climate adds a little natural magic to the aging process? Well, that was just the best kind of pure dumb luck.
Tour our distillery and learn what makes producing spirits in South Georgia unique. We start every tour with a few cocktails to highlight our clear spirits and learn about our company's history. Then, embark on a guided walkthrough of our distillery and the processes behind distilling and aging in our unique climate. After the tour, enjoy a guided tasting of our flagship aged spirits, including our Southern Bourbon and Southern Rye Whiskey, and specialty products when available.
Multiple kinds of tours are available with different price points. Distillery Tours & Tasting, Barrel Thief Tour & Tasting, “Bottle Your Own” Tour & Tasting, Guided Tasting.
Tours are available Tuesday - Saturday. Check website for reservations and availability.
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First Fridays In Americus
Starts: 02/06/2026 - Ends: 12/04/2026
Enjoy First Fridays of each month in downtown Americus, Georgia, featuring a variety of enjoyable activities for all ages and groups. Events include the Chili Crawl, Burger Bash, Disney Theme, Oldies, Tailgating, and plenty more. Take pleasure in the shops and restaurants that stay open late as Americus celebrates First Friday in 2026. Don't forget to take advantage of the free trolley rides around town. For additional information check out the Americus Local Events website.
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Peanut Festival Train
Starts: 09/26/2026 - Ends: 09/26/2026
Saturday, September 26, 2026
Travel aboard the SAM Shortline to Plains, Georgia for the Annual Peanut Festival. During a four hour layover, enjoy the festival starting with the 11:00 AM Peanut Parade.
Book a train ticket and see the schedule at the SAM Shortline Website.
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Plains, Trains, & Fireworks
Starts: 06/27/2026 - Ends: 06/27/2026
Saturday, June 27th 2026
Travel aboard the SAM Shortline from Georgia Veterans State Park to President Jimmy Carter's hometown of Plains, Georgia. Enjoy a southern style 4th of July celebration. Kid's activities, retail shops, local food vendors, and a beautiful fireworks show at dusk.
Georgia Veterans State Park, 2459 US Hwy 280W, Cordele, GA 31015 Times: Boarding Begins: 5:30 pm. Depart from Georgia Veterans State Park: 6:00 pm. Return to Georgia Veterans State Park: 11:30 pm. See website for cost of train ride.
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Halloween Express
Starts: 10/31/2026 - Ends: 10/31/2026
Saturday, October 31, 2026 - Train will depart from Georgia Veterans State Park and travel to Plains. Enjoy an hour and a half layover for "Trunk-or-Treat" on main street, shopping, and walking around town.
We encourage everyone to dress up in their favorite Halloween costumes. All passengers will receive a candy treat on board the train.
Depart from Georgia Veterans State Park at 3:45 PM
Flag Stop Americus, GA: 5:00 PM?
Arrive Plains, GA at 5:30 PM (1 1/2 Layover)
Depart Plains, GA at 7:00 PM?
Flag Stop Americus, GA: 7:30 PM
Return to Georgia Veterans State Park at 8:45 PM
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Plains Christmas Lighting
Starts: 11/28/2026 - Ends: 11/28/2026
Saturday, November 28, 2026 - Depart from Georgia Veterans State Park and enjoy a beautiful ride to Plains. Santa will be on board the train! After arrival in Plains, enjoy a two-hour layover to explore the historic town and the Christmas activities. Departs from Georgia Veterans State Park!
Times: Boarding at the State Park: 3:30 PM, Depart Georgia Veterans State Park Station: 4:00 PM, Flag Stop Americus, GA: 5:15 PM, Arrive Plains, GA: 5:45 PM (2 Hour Layover), Depart Plains, GA: 7:45 PM, Flag Stop Americus, GA: 8:15 PM, Arrive Georgia Veterans State Park Station: 9:30 PM
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Wine & Cheese Train
Starts: 05/02/2026 - Ends: 10/03/2026
Saturday, May 2, 2026 & Saturday, October 3rd 2026
Enjoy a hour-and-a-half long round trip train ride aboard historic air-conditioned railroad cars for a wine tasting adventure with Paulk Vineyards. Trips will depart from Georgia Veterans State Park in Cordele, GA.
Wine and cheese tray will be served onboard the train as you relax and enjoy the scenery.Trains departs at the following times: 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM.
Package Includes: Hour-and-half round trip train ride, souvenir wine glass, 4 different wine samplings from Paulk Vineyards, & charcuterie board with a variety of cheeses, meats, and crackers.
Check Sam Shortline for pricing, tickets and additional details. All cars and seats will be assigned! Trip is for adults ONLY. Ages 21 and older. ID's will be checked at Will Call!
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Plains Peanut Festival
Starts: 09/26/2026 - Ends: 09/26/2026
One of the most famous events in the region, the 2026 festival is scheduled for September 26, 2026, in Downtown Plains. It celebrates the local peanut industry and the legacy of President Jimmy Carter.
- Location: Downtown Plains, Georgia (Main Street and surrounding areas).
- Address reference: 106 W Main St, Plains, GA 31780.
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Candy Cane Express
Starts: 12/04/2026 - Ends: 12/05/2026
Friday, December 4, 2026 & Saturday, December 5, 2026 Depart from Georgia Veterans State Park and enjoy a beautiful ride to Plains. Santa will be on board the train! After arrival in Plains, enjoy a two-hour layover to explore the historic town.
See website for more details and pricing.
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Friday Happy Hour
Starts: 10/02/2026 - Ends: 04/02/2027
Socialize with fellow campers and Americus KOA team members around the community fire pit located at the "Man Cave" between the General Store / Golf Shop and the Bathhouse.
Join us every Friday (weather dependent) between 5 PM - 6 PM or later from October to April.
Bring your own beverage and an appetizer / snack to share.
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Murder Mystery Dinner Train
Starts: 04/25/2026 - Ends: 11/07/2026
April 25, 2026 & September 5, 2026 & November 7, 2026
Depart from the Americus train station for a two and half hour round trip train ride to Plains. Ride aboard historic air-conditioned railroad cars for an exciting, interactive Murder Mystery Dinner Train and try to solve the murder. Check Sam Shortline Website for official departure points, additional details, pricing, dates & tickets.
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Presidential Flyer Train Ride
Starts: 04/04/2026 - Ends: 09/19/2026
Some Saturdays between April 4th and September 19th 2026 - Experience a nostalgic journey aboard air-conditioned, 1949 vintage train cars, departing from Georgia Veterans State Park in Cordele, GA. Traverse serene Lake Blackshear and make your way to Plains, GA—President Jimmy Carter's hometown—and the historic site of his boyhood farm in Archery. Along the way, enjoy quaint shops and delightful peanut butter treats! You can also explore the grounds where the Carters are laid to rest. Coach, Deluxe, and Premium are available on all trains, with Chairman's Class available on dates with (*). Check the Sam Shortline website for dates and pricing.
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Downtown Americus Beach Party
Starts: 06/13/2026 - Ends: 06/13/2026
Downtown Americus is transforming into a beach for the day! Join us for the Downtown Beach Party, complete with real sand and summertime fun. While visiting, stop into our downtown merchants to fill your beach bag with swimsuits, sunglasses, footwear, towels, and more. Everything you need for a beach day can be found right here in downtown.
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Taste of Summer
Starts: 09/24/2026 - Ends: 09/24/2026
The annual “Taste of Sumter” is a countywide event focused on locally-owned Sumter County-based restaurants, catering companies and other establishments that produce food/consumable items. Maintaining the “Shop Local” theme, there will be no national chain food vendors at the event. This event is intended for families and friends to come out and enjoy the culinary aspect of Sumter County. Sponsorships can be given for the musical performances, beverages, or the general event.
