Tailgates & Trailheads - A Public Lands Celebration - Athens, GA

Event Start Date: 9/26/2026 12:00 PM

Event End Date: 9/26/2026 6:00 PM

Timezone: EDT

Celebrate National Public Lands Day with live music, outdoor stories, college football and local beer at Terrapin Beer Company. Everyone is welcome!

Event at a Glance

• Date: September 26
• Time: Noon–6 p.m.
• Location: Terrapin Beer Company, Athens, Georgia
• Admission: $10 per adult
• Kids: Ages 15 and younger attend free; no ticket necessary
• Dogs: Welcome on leash
• Food: Super Taquito food truck will be onsite noon - 6 p.m.
• Beer: Public Lands Pale Ale will be available
• Football: The Georgia–Oklahoma State game will be playing inside the brewery

Live Music

• Grassland: High-energy Americana from Athens.
• Catt McCreary: An Athens-raised independent artist blending Georgia grit, Appalachian heart and modern country.

Storytellers

Between sets, grab a beer and hear personal stories about hunting, fishing and life outdoors from:

• Marc Thompson: Georgia outdoorsman whose adventures have taken him across the country.
• Durrell Smith: Co-founder of Minority Outdoor Alliance and passionate upland hunter, artist and storyteller.
• Baylee Taylor: Georgia Wildlife Federation’s Sporting Recruitment Manager and avid turkey hunter.
• Alisha Beck: Founder of Girls with Bows and passionate archery mentor.

Schedule

• 12:15–1:15 p.m.: Welcome address and storytellers
• 1:15–2:45 p.m.: Grassland
• 2:45–4 p.m.: Grab a brew and enjoy a few words from BHA North American Board Member Chris Jenkins, storytellers and door prizes
• 4–5:30 p.m.: Catt McCreary, with raffle drawings at 4:45 

Event Highlights

• More than $6,000 in raffle and door prizes from Benchmade, Stone Glacier, Simms, Sitka, Orvis, Walton’s, Danner Boots, XOP Gear and more—including fishing trips
• Vendor booths including; Sitka Atlanta, GA Wildlife Federation, Girls with Bows, Unicoi Outfitters, GA Outdoor News, Papaws Ridge Bourbon 
• BHA Public Landowner Merchandise! 

Tickets

• Basic Entrance – $10 per adult: Kids ages 15 and younger attend free; no ticket is necessary.
• Conservation Ticket – $50 per adult: Includes Basic Entrance and chance to Win: Irsh Setter Boots, Knives, Stormy Kromer Product, Hats, Velvet Buck Wine, and more! 

Get your tickets below or at the gate!

Sponsors and Vendors

Interested in supporting Tailgates & Trailheads as a sponsor or hosting a vendor table? Email Jameson Hibbs at Hibbs@backcountryhunters.org for more information.