🦅👁️ Labor Day Weekend Is Here Henry County. Make It Count.

Good morning, Henry County. Happy Friday and happy Labor Day weekend.

This is it. The last official weekend of summer. FoodieLand is taking over EchoPark Speedway, events are happening across the county and beyond, and the Weekend Eye is now live with your guide to what’s happening in and around Henry County.

But first, have you caught the mahjong bug? The centuries old game is suddenly one of the hottest social pastimes in the country, and Henry County's Amber Villegas got so hooked that just months after learning to play, she's now teaching others and building a business around it. We’ve got her story today.

And one more thing we're excited about. Starting September 14, we're launching the Henry County Mayoral Profile Series, taking you beyond the title to meet the people leading Henry County's cities. Each profile will also come with Eagle Eye Rapid Fire, a new video series on Instagram and Facebook.

📸 Follow us on Instagram and Facebook @eagleeyedigest

Now let's get into it. 🦅👁️

HAMPTON — More than 250 food and shopping vendors, live performances, games, and family-friendly activities are taking over EchoPark Speedway this Labor Day weekend. Henry County residents don't have to drive to Atlanta for this one. It's coming to us!

Today Friday September 4 · 3 to 10 p.m.
Saturday September 5 and Sunday September 6 · 1 to 10 p.m.
📍 EchoPark Speedway · Hampton
🎫 Digital tickets only · Children 5 and under free Get tickets at FoodieLand Atlanta →

PUMP ALERT

HENRY COUNTY — AAA says this Labor Day is on track to set a record for the highest gas prices ever at the holiday. Georgia drivers are paying about $3.89 a gallon — nearly a dollar more than a year ago.

Why it matters: Filling a 15-gallon tank costs about $14.73 more than it did last Labor Day. Refresh before you fill up. Check current Georgia gas prices →
Read AAA's full Labor Day report →

LAST CHANCE

HENRY COUNTY — Labor Day Monday is the last day Kensley Grace Waterpark is open until next summer. If you've been meaning to go all summer, this is genuinely your last chance.

Why it matters: Once Monday passes, the slides go quiet until 2027. Check hours at swimhenry.com →

CITY HALL

STOCKBRIDGE — A judge has officially removed Councilwoman LaKeisha Gantt from the investigation into Mayor Jayden Williams after ruling she was too biased to participate. The city plans to release the full investigation results on September 12. Williams denies all wrongdoing.

Why it matters: September 12 is the next major date. The Eagle Eye Digest will be there. Full story at Spectrum News Georgia →

DATA CENTER DEBATE

HENRY COUNTY — The EPA is proposing to eliminate federal requirements that states provide public notice before issuing certain air pollution permits — a category that can include data center operations. States could still require public participation, but Washington would no longer mandate it. The EPA says the change streamlines permitting while leaving environmental standards intact. Critics say it could make it harder for communities to weigh in.

Why it matters: Henry County residents organized against data center proposals in Hampton this summer because they had a chance to speak up. This proposal raises the question of whether that opportunity would still exist. Read the AP report →

SCHOOLS

HENRY COUNTY — Henry County Schools wrapped up its first full year under the 2026-2031 Strategic Plan with real gains — Georgia Milestones scores up, graduation rates improved, 750 new staff hired, a new Transportation Facility West open in McDonough, and the $73 million STEM High School still on track for fall 2027.

Why it matters: Nearly 44,000 students across 53 schools. Knowing the district is moving in the right direction matters to every family in Henry County. Read the full strategic plan progress report →

ENTREPRENEUR SPOTLIGHT

MCDONOUGH - As Americans rediscover an ancient game in search of real world connection, Amber Villegas got hooked. Eight months later, she’s teaching Henry County how to play.

Mahjong is having a moment. The Chinese tile game that dates back to the 19th century has suddenly become one of the country’s hottest social pastimes, popping up at restaurants, clubs and organized game nights. U.S. mahjong events on Eventbrite jumped 179 percent from 2023 to 2024, part of a larger return to screen free activities that bring people together in real life.

Amber Villegas got swept up in the craze almost by accident. “My mom and my sister were playing this mahjong game on an app, and they kept saying, ‘Amber, you have to play.’ So I downloaded it. And I’m not even lying, I was terrible at it for like a week. Then I got good. And I remember thinking, ‘There’s no way this is real mahjong.’”

That curiosity became an obsession. The 32 year old Henry County mom started reading books, researching the game online, finding clubs and taking Mahjong 101 classes. A few months later, she joined a group while vacationing in Tampa and won two games. “That was it. I was hooked.”

But what kept Amber coming back wasn’t just the game. “I’m a full time working mom. I have two kids. I’m actually a homebody. I’m not a social butterfly, which people find hard to believe. But mahjong got me out of the house. After having my second child, I really needed to find myself again.”

That desire for connection mirrors what is happening around the country. A game that requires players to put down their phones, gather around a table and actually talk to one another is finding a new generation of devotees. Amber understands the appeal. “You always walk away knowing someone. You’ll walk away with a phone number. You’ll walk away with a story. You’ll have inside jokes. I’ve met complete strangers who have turned into friends.”

Then Amber took her obsession one step further. Just months after learning the game herself, she launched Coast & Cove Mahjong Social, teaching lessons and hosting guided and open play around Henry County. She had always dreamed of owning a business and had once considered teaching. “Why don’t I just teach mahjong?”

Now, as America rediscovers an old game as a new way to connect, Amber is making sure Henry County has a seat at the table8

📍 McDonough & Henry County
📱 Instagram: @ccmahjongsocial
🌐 Coast & Cove Mahjong Social website and calendar

COUNTY GOVERNMENT

HENRY COUNTY — Most residents know about curbside recycling but the county also has drop-off locations for hard-to-recycle items like electronics, tires, and appliances. Before you toss something this weekend, check if Henry County can take it. Find recycling options at Henry County →

THINGS TO DO

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4

Toddler Sensory Play · 📍 Cochran Public Library · 🕐 11am–12pm · FREE

Toddler Storytime · 📍 Fairview Public Library · 🕐 11–11:30am · FREE

Local Author Jeremiah Samba — Shadow of the Unconquered · 📍 Fairview Public Library · 🕐 4–5pm · FREE

The Duncan Brothers Band · 📍 Southern Roots Tavern & Eatery, McDonough · 🕐 8–11pm · $12–$91

Green Valley First Friday Under the Stars · 📍 Crystal Lake Golf Country Club, Hampton · 🕐 7–10pm

FoodieLand · 📍 EchoPark Speedway, Hampton · Sept 4–6

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5

King George · 📍 Stockbridge Amphitheater, 4650 N Henry Blvd, Stockbridge · 🕐 7pm

Georgia Creed Band — Southern Rock · 📍 Southern Roots Tavern & Eatery, McDonough · 🕐 9–11pm · $7–$66

A Dolly Parton Brunch · 📍 Switch Macon, 470 1st St, Macon · 🕐 1–3pm · 18+ Celebrate Dolly with an afternoon of drag performances, Dolly karaoke and a lookalike contest. Come dressed in your best Dolly inspired look for a chance to win a prize.

17th Annual Atlanta Hip Hop Day Festival · 📍 Historic Fourth Ward Park, Atlanta · 📅 Sept 5–6 · 🕐 11am–8pm · FREE

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 6

Guided Nature Hike With Arabia Mountain Naturalists · 📍 Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area · 🕐 8–10am · FREE

There’s a lot more where these come from, along with a breakdown of which events are free and almost free in The Weekend Eye

That's your Friday, Henry County. What a weekend to be alive in this community.

FoodieLand is at EchoPark all weekend. The waterpark closes Monday, so go Sunday if you haven't. Norwood Vineyard has a table with your name on it Sunday afternoon. And tonight, Crystal Lake is hosting the most elegant send-off to summer Henry County has seen all year.

Wherever this weekend takes you, enjoy every minute of it. Summer went fast. Fall is going to be even better.

The Weekend Eye is already in your inbox with everything else happening across Henry County this Labor Day weekend. Don't miss it.

Got a tip or a story we should know about? Send us a note at [email protected]. We read every one.

Stay sharp, stay local. The Eagle Eye Digest 🦅👁️