Battle of Byron carries on, come rain or shine

BYRON, Ga. – Despite the on-and-off rain, the Battle of Byron persisted. This previous Saturday, Byron’s Downtown area was bustling with activity with various vendors lined down Main Street, food trucks near the train tracks, a car show in the parking lot of the Byron United Methodist Church, and live music at the gazebo in Jail House Park.

This marks the Battle’s second year since its return in 2023, with the last Battle of Byron to take place in 2017. Last year, Byron Mayor Michael Chidester presented a proclamation to Battle of Byron CEO & Chairman, Austin Simar, stating that the first Saturday in May of every year would be the Battle of Byron Festival Day in the City of Byron.

There were a plethora of competitions for children, teenagers, and adults to partake in. These competitions included mud volleyball, limbo, hula-hoop, sack races, high-heel races, jump rope contests, bubble gum blowing contests, arm wrestling, trike races, hippity-hop races, a pie eating contest, tug-o-war, and prettiest leg competitions. 

The festival’s music consisted of multiple musicians; Zach Butler from 10 a.m. to 11:15 p.m., Atticus Roness from 11:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., The Harmony Grove Band from 1:30 p.m. to 2:45 p.m., West Ridge Circle from 3:15 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., Shy Company from 5 p.m. to 6:15 p.m and Tiger County Regulators from 6:45 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Simar was happy with this year’s turnout, having been concerned that attendance might dwindle due to the weather.

“I feel really good, even though it did rain a little bit. Attendance is good and we’re looking forward to growing every year.”

Simar acknowledged that there had been a few problems getting the event ready, namely the weather. 

“We hit a couple bumps in the road, but it’s nothing that my staff and I could not overcome. Our biggest thing would be the rain, because that is the one thing that no matter how many things we do right, no matter how much we prepare, we’re always at the mercy of mother nature,” Simar stated. “So, that has been our biggest fear, but we conquered it. It rained this morning, it rained through set-up, it rained through breakfast, but when people started pouring in, it was dry as a bone.”

Simar stated the main difference between the 2023 and 2024 Battles was a bigger focus on the games.

“Everything else pretty much stayed the same, we did have a little bit more focus on the games than we did last year. Last year, I will admit, we weren’t as prepared for the games even though that is the focus of the event. But this year we have a very large focus on the games and challenges,” Simar said.

Simar said the most rewarding part of the Battle of Byron was seeing the reactions of those in attendance.

“Walking down the street and seeing all the smiling faces, that’s what honestly makes this job so rewarding,” Simar said. “No matter how hard we work, no matter what we do, we lookout and we get to see everybody having fun and enjoying themselves. That is the best part and I don’t think anything could ever top that.”

Simar wanted to acknowledge that the Battle of Byron is a group effort and thank his staff for their time and hard work.

“I couldn’t have done any of this without my staff that stuck beside me the entire time. The credit doesn’t go to me, but all of us and I want people to know that it was a group effort and without the countless hours of service that each and every single one of my staff members put in, that event would not have been possible,” Simar said. “I want to personally thank them for all their hard work!”

Simar stated that the Battle received more sponsors this year and that he looks forward to partnering with those, and new ones, come next year.

For more information on the Battle of Byron and next year’s upcoming Battle, check the Battle of Byron’s website.