Eagle Eye Digest
The Weekend Eye
Henry County’s Weekend Guide
This weekend comes loaded. A fishing tournament at sunrise, three gospel legends under Saturday night’s sky, a men’s conference that actually goes deep, and a line dance class that will leave you talking about it on Monday morning. This weekend also has something we don’t get to say very often: seventeen free or nearly free things to do. Step outside.
This Weekend
Events: June 12–14
Friday, June 12
Friday Spotlight
Vivid Affairs • Stockbridge
If you’ve been meaning to try line dancing but didn’t want to be the only one who doesn’t know the steps, this is your Friday. Instructor Ladeee J is bringing her pop-up Soul Line Dance class to Vivid Affairs in Stockbridge, and all levels are welcome. Truly. It’s one hour and fifteen minutes of good music, real movement, and the kind of energy you only get in a room full of people who decided to show up. Come alone, bring your crew, or text that one friend who always says she wants to do something fun.
📅 Friday, June 12
🕐 6:30–7:45 PM
📍 747 Davis Rd, Suite 400, Stockbridge
🎫 $15 advance / $20 at the door
All levels welcome
McDonough
Dr. Shaye Allen-Sullivan opens a new chapter for this energy healing and wellness space. Free community experience at noon before the official ribbon cutting at 3:30. A good excuse to show some local love on a Friday afternoon.
McDonough
Food, drinks, and good vibes all night on the Square. DJ Jada Byrd keeps the energy going. This one never misses as a Friday night warm-up.
Every George Strait hit performed live. Honky-tonk classics to heartfelt ballads, all the way through. A proper Friday night out on the Square for country fans.
Saturday, June 13
Saturday Spotlight
Henry County Parks & Recreation • Hampton
The lines go in at sunrise. Henry County Parks and Recreation hosts its annual fishing tournament at Nash Farm Lake in Hampton, open to every age group. Divisions run for kids 12 and under, teens 13 to 17, and adults 18 and up, with Georgia DNR co-hosting. No entry fee. Just early mornings, quiet water, and something worth waking up for. Register at hcprd.org before the week is out.
📅 Saturday, June 13
🕐 6–11 AM
📍 Nash Farm Lake, 4361 Jonesboro Rd, Hampton
🎫 FREE
All age divisions
Saturday Spotlight
VyStar Amphitheater • Stockbridge
Three of gospel music’s biggest voices, one Saturday night, right here in Stockbridge. Tye Tribbett brings the fire. Jekalyn Carr brings the grace. Zacardi Cortez brings something that’s hard to put into words until you hear it live. Gates open at 6, show starts at 8. Rain or shine. Tickets start at $59 on Ticketmaster. Father’s Day weekend doesn’t get a better Saturday night than this.
📅 Saturday, June 13
🕐 Gates 6 PM • Show 8 PM
📍 VyStar Amphitheater, 4650 N Henry Blvd, Stockbridge
🎫 From $59 via Ticketmaster
Rain or shine
Featured Event
McDonough
Organized by Henry County resident Maclin Williams, this first-time conference grew out of something he noticed while leading a local walking group: women were consistently showing up to prioritize their health, but many men were not.
Williams wanted to create something bigger than a traditional health fair. The day features a vendor expo, panel discussions on mentorship, business, health, and family relationships, plus fireside conversations designed to connect men with local resources and each other.
One of the featured panels will focus on marriage, family, and relationships, bringing together local leaders including Omorro Hogan of Independent Playground Studios, Lamont Scott of The Furthering Fathering Corporation, Delonso Barnes of Daddy Everyday, McDonough Mayor Pro Tem Jamal Burt, and Tracey Saxton of UGA Extension Henry County.
Locust Grove
Runs every second Saturday through October. Local vendors, fresh produce, and a laid-back Saturday morning. Shoppers are always welcome.
Locust Grove
Up-close time with the animals at Noah’s Ark. One of Locust Grove’s most beloved spots for families. A Saturday morning the kids won’t let you forget.
Stockbridge
Trail maintenance and park stewardship with Georgia DNR rangers. A solid morning outdoors for anyone who wants to give something back to one of Henry County’s best parks.
Stockbridge
All equipment provided. Two sessions available, so pick your time and bring the family. Ages 8 and up. Contact the park office to register in advance.
Atlanta Father’s Day Craft & Vendor Market
Locust Grove
Local makers, artisans, and vendors filling the outdoor spaces at Tanger Outlets this weekend. Great early gift shopping with Father’s Day coming next Sunday. Back again Sunday if you need a second pass.
Delta Sigma Theta Alumnae Chapter presents The Red Sample, Ebonee J, and DJ 100K. A free outdoor day party to close out Saturday evening. Good music, good people, right here in McDonough.
McDonough
Non-stop dance hits, club classics, and anthems to close out Saturday night on the Square. Five dollars. Twenty-one and up. That’s the whole pitch.
Sunday, June 14
Sunday Spotlight
Davidson-Arabia Mountain Nature Center • Stonecrest
This one isn’t for the casual walker. The 10-Mile Nature Trek at Davidson-Arabia Mountain is a full day on the trail, through forest, wetlands, and up the ancient exposed rock face of Arabia Mountain itself. Start at 7:30 AM, finish around 2:00 PM. Bring hiking boots, pack snacks, and load up on water before you go. It’s free, it’s genuinely beautiful, and it’s the kind of Sunday that makes you forget what was stressing you out last week. Meet at the Davidson-Arabia Nature Center, 3787 Klondike Road, Stonecrest. No registration required.
📅 Sunday, June 14
🕐 7:30 AM–2:00 PM
📍 3787 Klondike Rd, Stonecrest
🎫 FREE
Bring boots, snacks, and water
Atlanta Father’s Day Craft & Vendor Market (Day 2)
Locust Grove
The vendor market runs through Sunday. Last chance to shop local before Father’s Day next week. Bring them along if they’re game.
Not ready for 10 miles? The weekly guided nature hike is 2.5 hours, led by knowledgeable naturalists, and no registration required. A grounded, slower way to start Father’s Day morning.
Stockbridge
Bob Sargent is a retired Georgia DNR program manager and a serious birder. This about-a-mile walk moves at a relaxed pace and welcomes all experience levels. Bring binoculars if you have them, and bring water. A hidden gem of a Sunday morning activity.
Close to Home
Worth the Trip
Worth the Trip Spotlight
Conyers • ~20 min from McDonough
There’s a place about 20 minutes from Henry County that most people drive right past on Hwy 212. The Monastery of the Holy Spirit has stood in Conyers since 1944. A community of Trappist monks who live, work, and pray behind walls most of us will never pass through on our own. This Saturday, you can. Arabia Mountain Heritage Area’s Highlights and Insights Tour brings docents to guide you through the spiritual landscape inside, including the stunning Gothic abbey church and the grounds where the monks tend their land. The gift shop carries baked goods, biscotti, fudge, and hand-tended bonsai trees crafted by the monks themselves. One of the most beautiful, quietly remarkable places in Georgia. Twenty minutes from McDonough. Twenty dollars to get in. Registration required.
📅 Saturday, June 13
🕐 9:30 AM–12 PM
📍 2625 Hwy 212 SW, Conyers
🎫 $20
⌛ ~20 min from McDonough
Registration required
Lovejoy
City of Lovejoy hosts its annual fishing rodeo at Bobby Cartwright Park. All ages, free to participate. A 15-minute drive and a perfect early Saturday morning before the rest of the day gets going.
An outdoor tribute concert on Main Street in Conyers. Free, Saturday evening, twenty minutes away. If you don’t end up at Gospel Under the Stars, this is where your Saturday night can still go right.
Budget-Friendly
Free and Almost Free
Seventeen options this weekend. That’s not normal. Free or nearly free, all within reach.
Free
McDonough
Dr. Shaye Allen-Sullivan opens a new chapter for this energy healing and wellness space. Free community experience at noon, ribbon cutting at 3:30 PM.
Hampton
All age divisions, co-hosted with Georgia DNR. Lines in at sunrise. Register at hcprd.org.
Father’s Day Fishing at EMBARC (with Georgia DNR)
Henry County
A Father’s Day preview fishing event hosted with Georgia DNR. Family-friendly, no cost, all gear welcome.
Locust Grove
Local vendors, fresh produce, easy Saturday morning. Runs every second Saturday through October.
Stockbridge
Trail maintenance and stewardship with Georgia DNR rangers. A solid morning for anyone who wants to give something back.
Atlanta Father’s Day Craft & Vendor Market
Locust Grove
Local makers and artisans at Tanger Outlets for two days. Great early shopping with Father’s Day coming next week.
McDonough
Delta Sigma Theta Alumnae Chapter presents The Red Sample, Ebonee J, and DJ 100K. A free evening out in McDonough.
Lovejoy
City of Lovejoy’s annual rodeo at Bobby Cartwright Park. All ages, free to fish. A quick drive and a perfect early morning before the rest of Saturday kicks in.
Outdoor tribute concert on Main Street in Conyers. Free Saturday evening, twenty minutes away. A solid alternate plan if Gospel Under the Stars isn’t your night.
Stonecrest
Forest, wetlands, and the ancient exposed rock face. A full day on the trail for anyone who wants more than a Sunday stroll. Bring boots, snacks, and water.
A shorter, guided option led by naturalists. No registration needed. A grounded way to start a Sunday morning.
Stockbridge
Bob Sargent is a retired Georgia DNR expert and a serious birder. About a mile, relaxed pace, all levels welcome. Bring binoculars if you have them.
Almost Free
Stockbridge
All levels, all night, all fun. The best $15 you’ll spend this Friday.
McDonough
Every George Strait hit, live on the Square. Twenty dollars for a proper Friday night out.
Stockbridge
All equipment provided. Two sessions. A great Saturday activity for the family without spending much.
One of the most beautiful places in Georgia. Gothic abbey, Trappist monks, stunning grounds. Twenty dollars to get in, registration required.
McDonough
Non-stop dance hits and club classics to close out Saturday night. Five dollars. That’s it.
Eat Local
Where to Eat This Weekend
These features are not reviews. Information sourced from official restaurant websites and public listings. Always call ahead to confirm hours and availability.
Stockbridge
Texas-style BBQ done right, right here in Stockbridge. Disruption slow-smokes their brisket, ribs, and pulled pork the way it’s supposed to be done. The Sampler Plate is the move for a first visit, but the brisket is where the real story is. Come for the food. The communal tables and modern rustic space make it worth lingering. Henry County has no shortage of BBQ spots. Disruption is one of the best.
McDonough
Dominican and Italian fusion done right. Stewed oxtail, empanadas, fried plantains, natural juices alongside pasta and Italian plates. Casual dining, takeout available. Cozy, hip, and seriously underrated. One of McDonough’s most beloved spots.
McDonough
New York-style pies with the real fold, proper crust, and toppings that hold up. Big slices, cold beer, and a room worth sitting in. A Henry County staple with the hours to match your weekend.
McDonough
McDonough’s most talked-about dining room sits right on the historic square. Pandora blends Southern soul and Lowcountry heritage into something that feels elevated without losing its roots. The kind of spot that reminds you why eating local matters.
Stockbridge
Twenty-five years in Eagles Landing and still the top-rated restaurant in Stockbridge. Wood-fired pizza oven, pasta, fresh salads, and a casual family vibe that never gets old. The kind of local institution worth a standing Friday night reservation.
Stockbridge
Open since 1999, Serafino’s is a neighborhood staple in the Eagles Landing community. Authentic Italian pasta, salads, lunch specials, and wine. The kind of spot locals have been returning to for over two decades.
Hampton
Hampton’s top-rated restaurant for a reason. Bay Breeze does seafood right, with generous combo plates, fresh shrimp, and a casual atmosphere that earns its regulars. If you’re already heading out to the Fishing Tournament, you’ve got dinner covered too.
Locust Grove
Formerly known as Heaven Cafe, and the name change didn’t slow anything down. Southern Fusion blends soul food roots with unexpected combinations. The collard green egg rolls alone are worth the trip to Peeksville Road. Crab cakes, generous portions, warm service. Brunch and lunch hours only, so plan accordingly.
🦅
“A fishing tournament at sunrise. Gospel under the stars. Seventeen ways to do it for free. Good weekend, Henry County.”
The Eagle Eye Digest. Henry County’s weekend guide since day one.