Towns often have a thing. Maybe its peanuts. Or it could be pecans. I think Americus’s thing should be glass.

Georgia Southwestern University has the only glass blowing program in the State of Georgia. Hot Glass Academy does demonstrations across the Country, and Mobile Glass Blowing Studios builds small furnaces that have allowed a wide range of people to enter the glass blowing profession.

The town has already leaned into it quite a bit with the Hot Glass and Craft Beer Festival which draws a number of folks. I’ve noticed glass blowing featured in a few spots, but I still think someone could visit downtown Americus without realizing the extent to which Americus has become a home for the craft.

One way would be for local restaurants to feature their work (though it’s very possible this has been done and I’ve missed it). Really, anything that would make it more visible in the downtown would be a drawn for tourists. With all the history, there’s a drawn to Americus for those seeking education. While we’re at it, we can keep them entertained too.