THOMASVILLE- Following a cancellation of the annual Shine On Recovery Spotlight event in September due to Hurricane Helene, organizers have rescheduled the awareness symposium for December 21 at the Ritz Amphitheater.

Hosted in partnership with the Georgia Council for Recovery, DBHDD, the Vashti Center, the Veterans Crisis Line, the Yellow Elephant, and DPH, Georgia Pines has created an event designed to celebrate recovery and promote resources available to those still struggling with addiction.

Made possible through the state’s Opioid Response Grant from DBHDD, Shine On, a music and arts festival, will be held next Saturday at the Ritz Amphitheater from 1-9 p.m.

Due to the changing of dates, the event has had to make minor changes.

“Previously, we had a list of larger artists, but now it is only going to be Derrick Dove & The Peacekeepers, but we will still have speakers as well,” Quan Grant, Director of Outreach and Community Training at Resilient Communities of Southwest Georgia, said.

The speakers will be sharing their individual stories of recovery, giving others in attendance hope that recovery is possible for them as well.

“Since we don’t have as many artists, it has given us the opportunity to fill that time with more speakers,” said Dan Bailey, Program Manager of Georgia Pines’ WeCovery Peer Support Center.

Sharing personal anecdotes at events like Shine On also shows that people suffering from substance use disorder are mothers, fathers, sons, and daughters. Addiction can happen to anyone.

Having to reschedule the event and find alternate ways to get individuals involved in the festival is reminiscent of recovery, Bailey explained.

“Just like with recovery, when you have a setback, you get up and dust yourself off, and keep going, so I think that’s what we’re doing,” he said. “I think it’s going to be lovely.”

Throughout the day, those in attendance can stay warm with Traveling Tom’s Coffee and snack on treats from additional food trucks on site.

The event will be family-friendly with resources for families as well as information for individuals seeking recovery.

Bailey hopes to see people of all ages and backgrounds on Saturday and encourages anyone with any questions to contact him at 229-236-7464.