Photos: Bravo! Festival Latino 2012

The educational and entertaining festival highlighting Latino culture attracted hundreds to Watkinsville, Ga. Sunday.

In celebration of Hispanic Heritage month, the Athens Latino Center for Education and Services held Bravo! Festival Latino 2012 Sunday at Ashford Manor. Performances featured salsa, tango, and other traditional dances.  Attendees sampled cuisine from various countries and had the opportunity to learn more about each one.  Kids enjoyed a fun zone complete with bouncy houses, face painting, soccer and clay sculpting, the latter courtesy of Good Dirt. Check out our photo gallery and, if you attended, add your own pictures!

• Photos (62)

Ashford Manor to Host Bravo! Festival Latino 2012

The event, Sunday from 2-5 p.m., is in celebration of Hispanic heritage month.

Organizers are expecting 500 people to attend the Bravo! Festival Latino 2012 on Sunday, Oct. 28., which, for the first time is being hosted by Ashford Manor. The Festival, presented by Athens Latino Center for Education and Services (ALCES), caters to not only the Hispanic/Latin community but welcomes the entire Athens, Watkinsville, and surrounding communities in general, according to a news release. From 2-5 p.m., festival-goers can enjoy music and dance presentations, a DJ playing Latin music, traditional Latin food, and a special area for children with various attractions and games. The goal of the Festival is to provide a better understanding of the Latino culture through distinctive exhibitions and activities in an entertaining and …

• Photos (1)

Threat of Inclement Weather on Labor Day Cancels Ashford Manor's Final 'Concert on the Lawn'

The last concert, which was to feature The Sensational Sounds of Motown, will not be rescheduled.

The following is a news release from Ashford Manor: The farewell performance… To all our loyal supporters, those planning to help celebrate our last “Concert on the Lawn”, and those coming for the first time to experience what everyone has been talking about for the last 12 years, we thank you all and regret to say that we have cancelled tonight’s final Ashford Concert, featuring The Sensational Sounds of Motown. We planned to go out with a bang. We had not planned for the bang to be a clap of thunder. The U.S. weather service tells us to expect, many claps of thunder, lightning and a projected inch of rain. Thunder, and especially rain and lighting, do not mix well with thousands of amps of electricity needed to put on the show. And not …

• Photos (1)

Ashford Manor's 'Concerts on the Lawn' Series Ending After 12th Season

Owners cite economic reasons as well as dwindling attendance for bringing the series to an end.

The following is a news release from Ashford Manor announcing the end of its "Concerts on the Lawn" series. After 12 years, Ashford Manor Bed and Breakfast in Watkinsville is ending its popular "Concerts on the Lawn" series on Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 3. The final concert will feature The Sensational Sounds of Motown, with gates opening at 5 p.m. Sept. 3, and the concert running from 6 to 9 p.m. Ashford Manor proprietors Mario Castro and David Shearon said they were saddened to end the series, which drew monthly crowds of around 500 to1,000 people to the four-acre estate -- the second largest concert venue in the Athens area. They cited economic reasons as well as dwindling attendance for bringing the series to an end. “It’s been a …

•  3 Comments
• Photos (2)
• Videos (1)

Andrea Williams

4:29 pm on Monday, August 13, 2012

The kids and I love the concert on the lawn series but we've also attended "Spirits in Stone", Ghost Tours and the performance of "Steele Magnolias"...Ashford Manor is a part of our lives in more ways than one...   more ›

Job Seeking in Oconee

Ashford Manor Hiring Events Coordinator/Manager

If you like planning events and are well organized this could be your dream job.

Employer: Ashford Manor Enterprises, LLC. Job description: The events coordinator/manager will be responsible for answering phones, scheduling appointments with clients, conducting one on one consultations with clients, layout design and coordinating with vendors.   The Events Coordinator is responsible for all events booked at Ashford Manor Bed and Breakfast and Ashford On Main Event Facility. This person will work closely with the owners and office staff to assure a smooth and successful event. This position does require significant interaction with clients, meeting planners and event organizers. All planners and organizers should have consistent communication skills as well as excellent organization and service skills. Applicants must …

• Photos (2)

Greatest Person

Oconee Will be Well Represented in "Dancing with the Athens Stars"

Dave Shearon with Ashford Manor dons his tuxedo to benefit Project Safe.

Dave Shearon already has a full life. As one of the owner/operators of Ashford Manor in Watkinsville, his days include the 24/7 operation of a beautiful historic home that has been turned into a bed and breakfast. Recently purchasing the Thornton property next to Ashford Manor, the decision to expand was made and the resulting renovations, upgrades, furniture shopping added to the day-to-day requirements defined a pretty busy day. Yet when asked to be one of the “stars” for the benefit for Project Safe, Dave immediately said “Yes!” Though he has no training in dance, doesn’t live in Athens, and doesn’t consider himself a “star,” he was pleased to be able to participate in such a big way for the cause of helping victims of domestic abuse. “…

•  1 Comment
• Photos (2)
• Videos (1)