1. What’s An Uga?
Obviously, UGA stands for, University of Georgia. But it really designates the university’s bulldog mascot. Only purebred, white English bulldogs make the cut to be titled a University of Georgia mascot, and Uga’s probably the only dog in Athens with a personalized, air-conditioned doghouse.
2. Athenians Will School You On Your UGA Tailgating
The University of Georgia belongs to Athens. So, if you plan on tailgating at a home game, do it right. Follow the rules and regs set forth by the university and pick up leftover tailgating trash. North Campus tailgating is allowed to begin five hours before kickoff. If you plan to tailgate on North Campus, leave your kegs, televisions, amplifiers, generators, grills, and cookers at home.
And for those who want to tailgate in style, Tailgate Station has live entertainment, catering, a kid’s room, color televisions, a large pavilion and shuttle service to the game.
3. And How To Bark Like A Dawg
Source: YouTube user Laura Graham
That’s, D-A-W-G of course - as in “how ‘bout them dawgs?” Anyone can “fake” bark. But, there is a right and a wrong way to bark like a true University of Georgia bulldog. Just about any fan can teach you the correct way. However, be warned, it takes practice.
4. Athenians Live In A Little Big Town
Athens is chock full of small town charm, quaint streets, and friendly people. But Athens is also one of the biggest small towns you’ll ever visit. The cultural backdrop is as impressive as large cities with music, art, theater and fine restaurants. So don’t be fooled.
5. ...Which Is Way Better Than Atlanta
Atlanta is great, but Athens is better. Small city charm, less traffic congestion, and obviously the University of Georgia. Your move, A-Town.
6. Boiled Peanuts Are Sacred To Athens Folks
Boiled peanuts have been called the “caviar of the South”. Athens residents are more than happy to instruct out-of-towners on the nuances of boiling peanuts and how to eat them. But there’s really no need to boil your own, since you can find them just about anywhere in town, including roadside stands.
7. People In Athens Know Vegetables Are Better Fried
Athenians already knew how tasty fried green tomatoes are long before the movie that made them famous. They’re found on many restaurants around town, as well as fried okra and fried zucchini. And it would be easier to explain where not to get fried green beans than where to get them. Sure, maybe frying defeats the purpose of vegetables actually being health, but you can’t deny they taste awesome.
8. Everyone Knows Where To Park On Game Day
Sanford Stadium seats 92,000 people. That’s a lot of cars. Try the spaces surround the Ramsey Center, just off College Station Road. Overflow parking areas will be opened up once all other spaces are filled. And remember—no savesies. Do not attempt to save parking spots. It is not nice, nor is it allowed.
9. Athens Folks Know True Grits And How To Eat Them
The mistake most outsiders make is eating grits as if it were hot cereal. This is wrong, on so many levels. Under no circumstances should you add milk and sugar to grits. It’s an abomination. Cheese, scrambled eggs, and bacon can be added after the grits have been cooked and are ready to eat. Seasoning grits with salt and pepper is also acceptable.
10. Athenians Are Proud Of Their Southern Speech
Southern comedian Jeff Foxworthy said when a Southerner opens his mouth to speak, non-Southerners deduct 100 points from their I.Q. The people in Athens want ya’ll to stop doing that. Southerners have accents-beautiful accents. Deal with it.
11. Everyone In Athens Can Hear Live Music For Free
Just take a walk downtown during the evening hours and you will hear music wafting into the street. Many area bars and clubs offer free performances, and have featured some bands that went on to be pretty big. And downtown clubs often host nationally known bands and artists too.
12. Athenians Celebrate The Heat
The general attitude in Athens is to, well, suck it up. Remember, warm weather is one of the great reasons for visiting or living in Athens. The climate is perfect during the fall and winter months, and everything else that’s great about the town is worth the summer heat.
13. Athenians Can Never Take Too Many Bulldog Pics
It’s all but mandatory to love bulldogs in Atlanta, which explains the countless number of postcards, mugs, T-shirts, bumper stickers, and other paraphernalia plastered with grimacing, smiling, and even angry bulldogs. It is a phenomenon.
14. Folks In Athens Know They’re The Hometown Of Rock And Roll Giants
The B-52s’ first love shack was in Athens, Georgia, where they got their big break in 1976. The B-52s were “heading down the highway” on the Atlanta highway. R.E.M. got their start right here too, even featuring Athens haunts in their videos, like “Can’t Get There From Here.” Athens elementary school kids were featured in “Shiny Happy People.”
15. Everyone In Athens Gets A Free Ride
Okay, well not really. Free rides are available on public transportation for Georgia University students and employees. But it still cuts down significantly on the number of commuters on the roadways and saves everyone else a major commuting headache. It’s a win-win for everybody.
16. Folks In Athens Respect The Tree That Owns Itself
It’s a sweet and quirky story. There’s an oak tree in the middle of town that actually owns itself, and the eight feet of land that surrounds it. The tree was deeded the land in the 1800s by Col. William H. Jackson, and made its own legal owner. The tree standing today is an offspring of the original tree which blew down in 1942—but the freedom was passed on.
17. Everyone In Athens Digs Dollar Beer
Believe it when I say it’s easier to find a dollar beer in Athens than a dollar store.
18. Athenians Have No Idea What You Mean By Recession
Athens has the state’s best economy. Business development is on the rise in Athens, with many new retail stores, and restaurants moving to the area. Once again, your move Atlanta.
19. The Best Place For A Stroll Is Antebellum Trail
The Antebellum Trail is 100 miles of historic communities that escaped Sherman’s march through Georgia. Athens is situated at the northern base of the trail, and there are 17 historic districts to explore in Athens, and four house museums. Take a self-guided tour, or book a guided one to learn more about Athens' Confederate past.
20. No One In Athens Can Resist The Lure Of The Hill
Step back in time with a visit to The Hill. The Hill lies just beyond the outskirts of Athens and is a neighborhood filled with Antebellum and early 20th century homes. Four historic properties are available for rent, preserved in their period setting. Sigh.
21. Folks In Athens Are Used To The Red Dirt
Like Atlanta, Athens is a part of the Piedmont geologic region, where the soil has a lot of clay minerals and oxide, giving it a distinct red color. It’s perfectly normal.
22. For Athenians Geocaching Has Nothing To Do With An ATM
Geocaching falls somewhere between a game of hide and seek and an Easter egg hunt. All you need is a hand-held GPS and the coordinates to treasures hidden within a 10-mile radius of Athens’ zip code. Happy hunting!
23. Folks In Athens Dive Sans Ocean
Even though the closest beach is about three hours away, sand and surf lovers still love Athens, because they can go diving anytime. The Dolphin Dive Center trains divers, offers equipment rentals, and even takes people on diving tours around the world.
24. No, It’s Not That Stonehenge
Cheating a little bit here, as these great monoliths, known as the Georgia Guidestones, are not technically in Athens, but close enough. The Stonehenge look—a—likes are only a “stone’s throw” away in Elberton. Altogether, the granite stones weigh a little less than 120 pounds and are a sight to behold.
25. The Music World Can Thank Athenians For Weaver D’s
The roadside restaurant that inspired REM’s “Automatic For The People” album cover almost closed down a couple of years ago, but luckily for the world it survived and the soul food restaurant rocks on. Thank goodness.
What have you had to explain to out-of-towners about Athens-Clarke County? Tell us in the comments below!
