Each year, the Georgia Municipal Association encourages member cities to highlight the services they offer and engage with their residents.
Three of the cities in this area that participate are Commerce, Jefferson, and Mt. Airy, though each does so a little differently.
In Commerce, the city hosts a Touch a Truck on the grounds around city hall. That brings together public safety, the library, Commerce Power, Commerce Public Works, and the City of Commerce Gas Department, There is free popcorn and water, Kona Ice, and more for the nearly 300 children attending with their families.
"Every year, we look forward to participating in Georgia Cities Week," said Commerce City Clerk Sandra Haggard.
Haggard said in addition to the Touch a Truck event, Mayor Clark Hill speaks to the junior class at Commerce High School.
In Jefferson, several events mark the week, including A Walk in the Park, tours of the Crawford W. Long Museum, a meet and greet with the city council, and a Touch A Truck attended by more than 300 children with their families.
"Today, we've had this Touch a Truck event," said Jefferson Community Relations Director Michele Head. "This is the first one the city has had, but we've had a great turnout."
In Mt. Airy, the town holds Georgia Cities Day as a way to bring residents and others onto the grounds of town hall for the Mt. Airy Nationals car show, vendors, museum tours, and music by Mayor Rockin' Ray the DJ.
Shelley Tullis of the Mt. Airy Civic Association assists town employees and elected officials with planning the event.
Like in other areas, Tullis said the past couple of years have been hard on Mt. Airy and its civic association, but she hopes Saturday's crowds are an indication that people are ready to get back involved in community life.
"This is our chance to revitalize our civic association after the last few years," Tullis said. "We are hoping more citizens within the town will join the civic association so we can add more events to our schedule. The civic association also raises money to fund items such as playground equipment, train restoration, and projects around town we feel the community would like or need."
Saturday's event in Mt. Airy drew 72 cars in the show, 22 vendors, and a steady stream of visitors throughout the day.
