“Come Monday,” “Cheeseburger in Paradise,” or “Margaritaville”? What is your favorite Jimmy Buffett song? During this year’s River Town Days festival in Bainbridge, you will be able hear all of Buffett’s famous songs. While the world’s most famous beach bum will not be performing in Bainbridge, the next best option will be here on Friday night, May 11.

The A1A Band, based in Atlanta, is the only officially endorsed Jimmy Buffett tribute band and will headline the entertainment at this year’s event. Additionally, the band Evergreen, with Brian Rivers, the former Georgia Power area supervisor based in Bainbridge, will open for the A1A Band.

River Town Days is the annual event sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce for you, the members of our community. This is one of the few events that you can attend and not take one dollar out of your pocket and have a good time.

I am fortunate to have the opportunity to help with the planning of this year’s event. Lots of people have worked, and will work, very hard to make this an event that the whole community can be proud of.

Make sure you mark your calendar now to come out and enjoy some great music on that Friday night. And we have something new and different this year. The fun is not over after the concerts are complete; you will also be able to enjoy a great fireworks show.

After enjoying a great Friday evening, make plans to spend Saturday at the Earle May Boat Basin with more entertainment and kids’ events.

The wildly-popular pirate ship from last year returns this year, giving rides around the boat basin. All the great kids’ rides from last year, including the rock wall, the water-roller ride, and trout fishing pond will also return, but this year will also include a zip line.

With a purchase of a $10 ride armband, kids can have a blast from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. And, you will be able to purchase two armbands for $15 or three for $20.

One of the mainstays of this event, the Great River Rummage Sale, also returns. If you are looking to do a little spring cleaning around the house and make a few dollars, see the form in the classified section of today’s newspaper to reserve your spot at this year’s sale. Or, if you are always looking for a bargain, you’ll probably find many good bargains on Saturday.

In keeping with the Jimmy Buffett “beachy” theme, there will be a beach volleyball tournament this year, as well. The beach will be brought to the boat basin and we’ll see which four-person beach volleyball team is the best in Bainbridge. If you and your friends would like to enter the tournament, call William Hand at (229) 726-8697 for more information.

On Saturday, May 12, you will also be able to travel down Shotwell Street from the Boat Basin to the campus of Bainbridge College and enjoy another tremendous event. Kevin Dowdy, of Live 101.9, and the Tri-State Archaeological Society are presenting the Deep South Artifact Super Show and Exhibit at the Kirbo Center.

With vendors and exhibitors from five states, you will able to see the best of the best when it comes to Indian Artifacts.

The organizers of River Town Days are still working and other events not mentioned here will be added.  So make plans now to enjoy a great weekend, Mother’s Day weekend, in Bainbridge on May 11-12 at the Earle May Boat Basin.

Jeff Findley is the publisher of The Post-Searchlight. You can email him at jeff.findley@thepostsearchlight.com.