Lyons, Georgia is the seat of Toombs County, situated in the heart of Southeast Georgia, and is within 100 miles of Augusta, Macon and Savannah.
The award-winning community was chosen in 1998 as one of only 10 cities in the state of Georgia to be selected for the Better Hometown program, a Georgia Main Street program for cities with a population under 5000. Main Street™ is a community-based development initiative utilizing the nationally recognized 4-Point Approach™ for downtown revitalization. In 2014, Lyons Better Hometown changed their name to Lyons Main Street to better reflect the National Main Street program brand.
Read more on the Lyons Main Street Program here.
Location and Travel
Lyons is just 15 miles from Interstate 16, which connects with both I-75 and I-95, allowing travel to and from Atlanta, Macon, Savannah and Jacksonville easily. Lyons is also minutes from the Vidalia Regional Airport, which boasts a 6,000-foot lighted runway, a 5,000-foot secondary runway and a full instrument landing system.
Events and Recreation
As a Georgia Main Street city, Lyons has the will and the means to bring the best to its attractions. While you’re here, head over to Broad Street where you can browse the unique shops downtown. There’s a pleasing array of antiques, gifts, floral arrangements, decorative items, books, glassware, jewelry, stained glass, wind chimes, children’s clothing, Mexican pottery, furniture — well, let’s just say that if you can’t find that perfect souvenir on Broad Street, you’re just not looking. See the revolving art exhibit at Elements Bistro & Grill – local artists display their work monthly in this renovated downtown building that was once the site of the Windsor Hotel.
Fresh organic produce is a seasonal treat in Lyons; visit Berry Farms’ Saturday Market in the Historic Elberta Hotel. Lyons is a lively and colorful affair that’s fun to visit even if you just want to look around — but you’ll want to buy, and don’t forget your onions or those sweet Georgia peaches!
Annual activities and festivals in Toombs County begin in April with Tales from the Altamaha, an award winning Georgia folk-life play written and produced by local artists and accompanied by a local bluegrass band. Visit the Vidalia Onion Festival, usually held during the 4th weekend in April. Bring the family for a day of living history…rediscover the world of traditional farming – mules, draft horses, and antique equipment as they plow “the hill” at Doodle Hill Farm south of Lyons. Attractions include primitive cooking, historic demonstrations, antique cars and farm equipment, buggy rides, and music.
In May, 40-60 regional entrants along with family and friends gather for the Soap Box Derby in Lyons on Derby Hill to compete in 2 divisions of derby races, Stock and Super Stock, for trophies, medallions, T-shirts and the grand prize, a trip to Akron, Ohio, for the national finals.
Come back in October for The Real Squeal: Lyons Barbeque & Music Festival, a 2-day Kansas City Barbeque Society sanctioned event where amateur and professional teams compete for over $16,500 in prizes. Winter WonderLyons is our annual Christmas event that includes our merchants’ Christmas Open House, children’s activities, a free outdoor showing of a Christmas movie, lighting of the downtown Christmas tree and our lighted Christmas parade on the first Friday and Saturday in December.
