Get Up and Go
Hardy Festival
The 16th Annual Oliver Hardy Festival will be Oct. 2. The day kicks off with a parade, followed by Laurel and Hardy skits, look-a-like contest and more. For information, call 556-0401.
Health festival
The second annual Health Festival and Blood Drive, sponsored by Medical Parameters, Evans-Martinez Medical Center, Augusta Allergy and Dermatology and the American Red Cross will be held from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday at 4485 Columbia Road, Martinez, (next to the Winn-Dixie Marketplace). The event includes a blood drive, yard sale, health screenings and children's games. For information, call 855-7405.
Oktoberfest
The Fort Gordon Oktoberfest will open at 5 p.m. Sept. 30 and continue through Oct. 3, with German music and food, carnival rides, a flea market, a car show and pony rides. Photo identification is required to enter Fort Gordon. For information, call 791-6779.
ACT registration
Oct. 1 is the late-registration deadline for students to sign up for the Oct. 23 ACT Assessment. College-bound high school seniors can get registration materials from their guidance counselors or register online at www.actstudent.org. For information, call 337-1028.
Fall bazaar
Clifford Presbyterian Church will hold a fall bazaar, white elephant and bake sale 8 a.m. Oct. 2 at 2525 Lumpkin Road in the church parking lot.
Community yard sale
A community yard sale will be held from 7 a.m. to noon Oct. 2 at the Riverwatch Community Church, 3701 Old Petersburg Road in Martinez. For a free table spot or information, call 267-7135.
ASU Day
The annual A Day for Augusta State University fund drive will be held Oct. 2-8. Various events will take place each day with a Jaguar Jaunt on Oct. 2. There will be a campus visitation Oct. 9 and concert gala Oct. 14. For information, call 737-1444.
Art classes
The Art Factory is holding a series of fine-art classes. For information, call 731-0008.
Just how heavy are the backpacks students carry? We take scales to the schools to find out.
As the excitement builds for the naming of Columbia County's Teacher of the Year, we provide a profile of all of this year's nominees and finalists./Pages 8, 9