Amusement

TRULY AN "INTERNATIONAL CITY"
The title "International City" wasn’t given to Warner Robins simply because of its proximity to Robins Air Force Base. The name was earned from the cultural diversity of its people and by the many choices in cuisine, entertainment, and shopping. Hungry? Not for long. Restaurants range from authentic Mexican to Japanese, great Steakhouses to Continental favorites, even lip-smacking, original barbecue...and everything in between. No matter what you’re in the mood for, you won’t have to look far to find a great dining experience. The area’s entertainment choices are just as diverse as the dining. Whether you enjoy jazz, pop, rock or country, Warner Robins has something to fit your personal tastes. Did someone say "shopping?!" The mill-outlet bargain centers, trendy boutiques, enclosed malls, and convenient neighborhood shopping centers are just a few of the more popular shopping possibilities. There’s really no need to travel to Macon or Atlanta—but if you wish, both are just a short trip away. With more than 25 shopping centers and two enclosed malls, The Galleria and the Houston Mall, to serve the community, it becomes easy to see why Warner Robins is a favored shopping stop for people throughout the region. More than 2,000 retail businesses operate within city limits. And it doesn’t stop there. More convenient shopping areas are being built every day!

ARTS FOR EVERYONE
The allure of the great outdoors in Warner Robins is subtly balanced by sophisticated culture found throughout the city. The broad variety of available activities in the area range from concerts in the win-some, 1402-seat Civic Center on Watson Boulevard, to art exhibits featuring local and guest artists displaying their newest works. Another favorite among locals is the quarterly performance by the Warner Robins Little Theatre.

WARNER ROBINS LITTLE THEATRE
Entertaining the city of Warner Robins for over 25 years, the Little Theatre is one of the biggest attractions in Houston County. The theatre group produces four stage shows and a summer musical each year. Residents are encouraged to try out for roles in the scheduled plays and to become involved as general members or patrons. Stop by the theatre’s home at 502 South Pleasant Hill Road and pick up tickets or audition schedules for the next production.

THE CHILDREN’S THEATRE
The city of Warner Robins actively encourages the cultural growth of children The Children’s Theatre was created as a talent outlet for interested youth and presents three children’s plays each year, including a summer production geared specifically for the entertainment of children at local day-care centers and similar child-oriented groups.

THE WARNER ROBINS ART ASSOCIATION
The Warner Robins Art Association (WRAA) is both an outlet for creative souls and a source from which to purchase the work of local artists. The organization began in 1969 with only 12 members and has since grown to be one of the largest in the area. A small membership fee allows members to attend monthly workshops and meetings, and to exhibit and sell their goods in the Warner Robins Art Gallery in the Galleria. The gallery is open to the public free of charge. Artists pay a small commission to the Association on sales. Profits and membership fees fund a $1,000 scholarship given annually to an area student.
The Warner Robins Art Association sponsors one major show a year at the Galleria Mall. The WRAA also donates books to the library, and voluntarily works with children and the elderly. New residents are welcome to become active Association members at anytime. For more information, visit the Galleria Mall or call 478-328-6898.

ACTIVITIES ABOUND
The area’s local schools and the more than 140 clubs in the community are constant community sources of entertainment and cultural expression in its many forms from country to classic, and from rousing to refined. The strong backing of the schools’ fine arts programs produces fascinating works in plays and talent programs...and helps build appreciation for the arts. The programs have benefited thousands of students and attendees, and some have even pursued careers after their experiences in local shows. Ms. Bobbie Eakes, international star of The Bold and The Beautiful daytime series, and singer with a double platinum album in Europe, Australia and South Africa, began her career as a student actor in The Follies at Warner Robins High School. The Mossy Creek Barnyard Arts and Crafts Festival, held in April and again in October, attracts thousands.
Along with the various booths of arts and crafts, local clogging groups and gospel singers grace the stage throughout the day. Every year’s grand finale is the fun-filled Santa Claus parade sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce on the first Saturday in December. Church events and local parties are neighborly get-togethers that add much to the holiday season. Between major annual events, are a full spectrum of activities to enjoy almost daily. Classes in ceramics, art, dancing, and other creative forms of expression, are taught regularly at the local Department of Recreation and are open to the public. A schedule of classes and programs is available at the recreation center at 800 Watson Boulevard. Shows of every kind happen through-out the year. Dog shows, horse shows, antique shows, boat shows, coin shows, car shows, and flower shows, among others, cater to the enthusiast and the curious. There is always something going on in Warner Robins. And, you’re welcome to any–or all–of it!

THE MUSEUM OF AVIATION
The Museum of Aviation Flight and Technology Center at Robins Air Force Base is an education-based Aviation Museum and a major Heritage, Exhibit and Education Center. Situated on a beautiful 51-acre site adjacent to the south gate of Robins Air Force Base in Warner Robins, Georgia, the Museum hosts a premier collection of 93 aircraft and missiles. The collection dates from an early 1896 glider to modern era aircraft such as the SR-71 Blackbird, U-2 Dragon Lady and F-15 Eagle. Informative and interesting exhibits tell the story of aviation events from World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam conflict, Desert Storm and the major role of Robins Air Force Base, the largest industrial employer in Georgia.

· Since opening to the public in November 1984, almost 7.2 million people from all over the world have visited this world class Flight and Technology Center. Serving as a window to the past and vision to the future, the Museum is also home to the Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame. Education partnerships include the Middle Georgia Youth Science and Technology Center, STARBASE Robins Education Program, Mission Quest Flight Simulation Center and ACE Field Trips. Admission is free. The Museum is open seven days a week, from 9 AM-5 PM (Excluding Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day).

· Over 550,000 children have participated in education programs since FY85. Several interns, vocational training and mentoring programs are also operated in partnership with technical institutions, area colleges, universities and school systems. Each spring, a Young Astronauts Day at the Museum of Aviation hosts approximately 400 students, education volunteers and families.

· The original museum building renamed the Heritage Building, features an exhibit on 10,000 years of Native American Indian culture. The exhibit includes archeological artifacts discovered on Robins Air Force Base and dioramas on the culture and experiences of the Muskogee (Creek) Indians up until 1837 AD. The Windows to a Distant Past exhibit has been described as “one of the most unique Native American exhibits in the State of Georgia.”

· Hangar One houses approximately 20 aircraft, several engines, and a 5,000 square foot exhibit on the contributions of Black Americans in aviation. America’s Black Eagles—the Tuskegee Pioneers... and Beyond is the largest Tuskegee Airmen exhibit in the United States.

· The 62,000 square foot Eagle Building opened on July 3, 1992. The three-story, $2.5 million facility includes the Vista Scope Theater, an aviation research and archives center, and art gallery. The Eagle Building also houses exhibits such as the P-40, the 14th Air Force Flying Tigers, the Hump Pilots of the China-Burma-India Theater, the Korean War, 483rd Bomb Group, 50th Anniversary of World War II, the contributions of Robins Air Force Base and much more.

· The 66,000 square foot Century of Flight Hangar opened in October 1996. Inside are several historic aircraft including the SR-71, B-29, B-25 and U-2. The free-admission “We The People” Theater and Exhibit Hall, located inside the hangar provides a lesson on the U. S. Constitution and its role in the defense of our nation. “We The People” also includes memorabilia from Senator Sam Nunn and six other distinguished national and congressional leaders from Georgia.

· During the Base Realignment and Closure Committee visits in 1993 and 1995, the Museum served as a community welcome and rallying point. Despite bad weather in 1995, more than 3,000 citizens turned out to show their support for Robins Air Force Base and the United States Air Force. The Museum played a strong role in conveying the sense of a committed and energetic base-community partnership. The outcome was rewarding to all; Robins AFB was not selected for closure—and later that year, received the Commanders Installation Excellence Award as the Best Air Force Base in the world.

· The Museum of Aviation is the designated official home of the Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame, created by the Georgia Legislature in April 1989. Artifacts and photos recount the achievements of more than 66 visionary men and women who have made outstanding and lasting contributions to aviation in Georgia.

· More than 90 volunteers help staff and manage Museum of Aviation programs. Since 1983, they have contributed more than 756,913 hours as tour guides, gift shop workers, docents and archivists—labor valued conservatively at more than $5 million.

· The Century of Flight Hangar houses the Peggy B. Young Education Center for four education programs: Mission Quest, which offers two Flight Schools and gives students the opportunity to experience an interactive flight in state-of-the-art simulators; STARBASE ROBINS, a 25-hour curriculum in aerospace science and goal-setting; Middle Georgia Youth Science and Technology Center, which provides classes for students and teachers in seven Middle Georgia school districts and ACE Field Trips, providing unique hands-on field trips, guided field trips, a one-hour guided tour including the C-130, and self-guided field trips.

· The Museum of Aviation features a P-40 Warhawk aircraft like the one flown by Brigadier General Robert L. Scott, Jr. in China during World War II. The P-40 is displayed in America’s premier exhibit on General Claire Chennault, the Flying Tigers and the 14th Air Force. General Scott is an “ace” fighter pilot with 13 aerial victories and an amazing career record of 33,000 flying hours. At 72, he walked the Great Wall of China, over 2,000 miles. At 76, General Scott flew an F-16; at ages 80, 81, 82 and 85, he flew an F-15 fighter; and in 1997 flew a B-lB bomber. At 95, General Scott serves as the National Chairman of the Museum of Aviation Foundation and is active in speaking on behalf of the Museum.

· Museum awards include the Georgia Governor’s Award in the Humanities, the Regional/National Civil Air Patrol Frank Brewer Award for Aerospace Education, the web-site 2003 Gold Muse Award in the category of Promotion of an Institution and a national Air Force Association Special Citation for excellence in education programs.

· The Museum of Aviation Foundation, Inc., chartered under the State of Georgia as a nonprofit organization in 1981, has contributed over $25 million from individuals, businesses, civic organizations and other sources to help build and operate the Museum of Aviation and its programs. The Museum Foundation operates the Museum of Aviation Gift Shop and Victory Cafe, which are open seven days a week. The Museum Foundation sponsors the Georgia Invitational Golf Tournament with former Senator Sam Nunn as the Honorary Chairman. The tournaments have generated more than $3 million to help Museum of Aviation development and education programs. Other annual fund raisers for the Museum include the Museum of Aviation Foundation Auction/Raffle, Membership Drive, Wings and Wheels Car Show and a Marathon-Half Marathon-5K Walk Run; which is presented by the Robins Pacers Running Club.