Sun Day is a global day of action on September 21, 2025, honoring the unstoppable rise of clean energy and the movement to leave fossil fuels behind. Timed with the fall equinox—a moment of transition—Sun Day showcases the power of the sun and wind, the energy sources that can power our world without pollution or profiteering.

Third Act Georgia welcomes the public to a free celebration of Sun Day from 2:30-5:30 PM on Sunday, September 21 at the solar-powered Marigold Auditorium at 373 N Church St., Winterville, GA 30683.

Speakers will include Bruce Johnson, a Winterville city council member responsible for the solarization of city buildings; Carol Myers, the Athens-Clarke County Commissioner spearheading local sustainability efforts; Laura Iyer of the Southern Sustainability Institute; and Patty Durand of Cool Planet Solutions. There will also be a panel on e-vehicles and an Electric Joy Ride on the Firefly Trail with Electric Bike Group Athens.

The Sun Day Choir will showcase songs about the sun. There will be demonstrations of solar products, tables with information on renewable energy, free children’s books, and free sundaes.

A juried youth photo contest (details below) with cash prizes will feature images of trees. The deadline for submissions is September 7. Entries will be displayed in the adjacent Winterville Cultural Center from Tuesday, September 16 until the 21st. Winners will be announced on Sun Day.

Please register above at the "Register Here" button and keep up to date on any changes.

For more information, contact Sun.Day.GA2025@gmail.com.

SUN DAY PHOTO CONTEST

Deadline for photo submission: Sunday, September 7, at midnight

Photos should depict a tree or trees. Cash prizes ($50 for first prize and $25 for second) will be awarded for each age group (6-10, 11-14, and 15-18).  

To submit:  One photo per child should be sent via text to (706) 372-5406 with 1) the young person’s name, 2) age, and 3) the general location (such as Green Acres, Sandy Creek Park, or Nellie B. A title is optional. AI-generated images are not allowed.

The Winterville Cultural Center at 371 N. Church Street will display the top two dozen photos from September 16 through September 21. The Center’s hours are 10:00-4:00, Monday through Thursday, and 10:00-2:00 on Friday and Saturday. The Center will be open during the Sun Day event, when winners will be announced.  

Organizers of Sun Day hope kids will take a closer look at the beauty, majesty, and vibrant ecosystem of the trees around them.

Distinguished judges include wildlife photographer and instructor Chuck Murphy; macro photography expert and frequent national workshop leader Heather Lickliter Larkin; and photographer Kidd Fielteau, mentor for the Teen Media Arts group at the Lyndon House.

The contest is part of the Athens-area Sun Day celebration from 2:30 - 5:30 that will include music by the Sun Day Choir, demonstrations, and speakers.

Meanwhile, young people are encouraged to get out in nature and figure out which tree or trees to celebrate in a photo!

Sun Day Sunday is free and open to the public. For more information about the event, contact Sun.Day.GA2025@gmail.com. For more information about the photo contest, contact patricia.priest@yahoo.com.