Named by its Irish founders in 1812, Dublin (pop. 16,312) continues to celebrate its Irish heritage with shamrocks painted on the center dividers, and an all-out St. Patrick’s Day festival that lasts most of two weeks. The historic district is centered along Bellevue Avenue, where you can note the prominent Confederate Memorial, glimpse the town’s many graceful old homes, and look inside the local historical museum (Tues.–Fri. 1–4:30 pm; free) at Bellevue and Academy Streets. Eat at Ma Hawkins Cafe (478/272-0941), at 124 W. Jackson Street, which has grits and greens and other Southern specialties.
The Dublin area hosts an increasingly popular, very-tongue-in-cheek annual celebration of rural America: the Redneck Games. Started by local radio DJ Mac Davis as a joking response to Atlanta’s preparations for the 1996 Olympics, the Redneck Games competitions include such questionable “country-style” events as a hubcap discus throw, a mud-pit belly-flop contest, bug-zapping, and an armpit serenade in which contestants play TV theme songs by cupping hands under their arms. The games take place in July; admission is around $5 per carload.
East of Dublin, around 15 miles south of I-16, Vidalia (pop. 11,078) is known to food-lovers around the world as the home of the delectable Vidalia onion, so sweet it can be eaten raw, like an apple. To the locals, this single crop represents a $30 million industry. In late April and early May, follow the scent to the Vidalia Onion Festival (912/538-8687) for taste treats.
