Today we celebrate the most iconic symbol of our American freedom, Old Glory, the Stars & Stripes, our American Flag. The beautiful red and white stripes, the white stars on a field of blue, blowing in the breeze over government buildings, patriotic homes, schools, businesses and even on the moon. It has seen battle, times of peace and lowered in respect for the fallen. It has been rescued from the fires of or adversaries and hoisted in victory. It is immortalized in our National Anthem. It's not just a piece of fabric; it's so much more. It's a symbol of freedom whether on a tiny stamp or the soon to be unveiled America250. Whereever you see it, appreciate what it stands for yesterday, today and forever!

Well, that's a wrap on Ramshackle 2026! It was a great day to be in Clayton! Everyone, the vendors, restaurants, stores, musicians, kids area, they all showed up and showed out! Huge thank you to everyone that made the trip here for the event and we hope you will all come back to visit soon. An event like this doesn't just happen. There is a lot of planning, thinking, overthinking, praying, meeting, reaching out, hoping, begging, laughing and maybe even some crying that all happens long before the big day arrives. Our heartfelt thanks goes out to all the sponsors for believing in the event and all the volunteers who were there early Saturday morning as the sun was coming up. The City Public Works & Parks crew had everything clean, beautiful and ready to go. They were there the entire day doing whatever was needed. Truly they are the ones who make it all come together. The Police Department were the perfect ambassadors for the day and the kids were all happy to become "Junior" officers! The five business owners/managers who make up the committee give so much and enough can not be said about their dedication. Everything they do is over and above their regular jobs. They have poured their heart and soul into this project and maybe even a little blood, sweat and tears. Kudos to them and to all for making Clayton such a special place and for celebrating all that makes Clayton Ramshackle no more!

Happy Ramshackle Eve! Everyone is so excited and the weather looks perfect! Parking is always a question so please follow the parking signs or arrows or refer to the map for all the public parking areas. Please be courteous, don't block anyone in, don't park on the street, the sidewalk, next to a no parking sign or any other place that isn't meant for parking. Use your head for more than just a hat holder. Most importantly, have fun!!

Hi, Clayton here, I wanted to tell you how excited I am to see everyone downtown on Saturday. It is my day to shine! I have really got to get everything together and thankfully I have a lot of help. But first, let me tell you a little about myself and why this day is so special. I started out as simply a crossroads, a dividing of trails and was first known by the moniker "The Dividings". That's a mouth full and I personally think Clayton rolls off the tongue a lot easier. I was described as a 'Ramshackle' little town. See where this is going? Well, maybe it was not liking that description or maybe it was the fortitude of the people who helped shape me, but from my humble beginnings, I have evolved into a vibrant, quaint, beautiful, welcoming, unique and authentic city. People like the Senior Reeves family members who invested in me when I was closer to ramshackle than robust helped make me what I am today. We have weathered the seasons together and are both still here, better than ever. People began to find me thanks to all the lakes, creeks, waterfalls, mountains and other natural attractions. Many even moved here and now call me home. All the business owners who have decided to take a chance on me, who have placed their hope and trust in me and trust their venture will be rewarded are why I am so special. They have opened restaurants, stores, law offices, spas, health care services, and so much more and most importantly, they have staked their livelihood on me. I am honored they have so much faith in me. Personally, I get a lot of support from all the people who take care of me on a daily basis. I have an absolute top-notch bunch of guys who make sure my streets are clean, grass cut, trash picked up, flowers planted and so many things people never see. There is another group who makes sure everyone who calls me home or visits is safe. Thanks to them, I remain a top destination. Now, I know there are those who think I have gotten too big for my britches and forgot where I came from but hold your horses, that isn't true. I am still the same small town with a big heart that cares about my people. Some really awesome folks are working to build a trail system through the city. They are also planning to add a splash pad, a skate park, a dog park and upgrade my playground. All of this is part of my newly named "Recess Park" where my school used to be. The trail will connect with the Stekoa Creek trail through downtown. I have grown and changed a lot but I will always stay true to my roots. Please don't attack me today or say ugly things about me. Instead, why don't you come see me Saturday with an open mind and discover why I am Ramshackle no more.

It's that time again! No, not summer, not Ramshackle, something much more fun, It's budget season! The City will be hosting its first budget hearing on Tuesday, June 2nd at 4:00pm in the Courtroom. The second hearing will be on Tuesday, June 9th at 4:30pm, Between the work session at 4:00pm and the regular council meeting at 5:00pm.
Here it is in a simple list:

Tuesday, June 2nd
1st Budget Hearing - 4:00pm
Tuesday, June 9th
Work Session - 4:00pm
2nd Budget Hearing - 4:30pm
Council Meeting - 5:00pm

This Memorial Day we honor and remember all those who made the ultimate sacrifice to ensure our freedoms. Above all, we remember that freedom is not free.

Traffic change notice! The City crews will be continuing the culvert replacement on Tuesday on Warwoman Rd at Boles. The road will be closed and traffic will be diverted to Rickman Street. Please be careful and avoid the area if possible. This is a minor inconvenience and necessary before the road is paved. Thank you in advance for being the person your Grandma would be proud of.

You won the State Championship and now you have the key to the City!! Mayor Quilliams and Council presented a Key to the City of Clayton to the Rabun County Boys Basketball State Champions and their Coaches. What an outstanding group of young men! Best of luck to the returning players for another great season and to the seniors, we wish you the best as you head out to start your futures,

Happening today!!!

City of Clayton Police Department is proud to host a community blood drive on Monday, May 11th, from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM. This event is a vital part of our commitment to supporting and enhancing the health and well-being of our community.
As a token of our appreciation for your time and support, each donor will receive a $30 eGift card from TBC and a Challenge Coin. It's our way of saying thank you for joining us in this crucial mission to save lives. We could not do it without you!
📍 Location: City of Clayton Police Department | 837 Hwy 76 West Clayton, GA 30525
This is more than just a blood drive—it’s a community effort to provide essential help to those in need right here in our area. Every pint of blood collected can save up to three lives, making a profound impact. See how your donation goes on to impact a life in your community here!
👉https://donate.thebloodconnection.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/306662
Click this link to sign up and reserve your spot to donate. Your participation is crucial, and together, we can achieve something remarkable. Thank you for considering joining us in this life-saving initiative. Your support not only contributes to the health of our community but also strengthens the bonds that make our community great.
City of Clayton Police Department Sponsor Code: 12258
We look forward to seeing you there!
Best regards,
John Grist
Asst. Chief of Police
Clayton Police Department

Mark Fuller
Account Manager, Donor Resources

Traffic Alert!! City crews will be working in the area near McDonald's and CVS on Thursday morning. Traffic flow may be impacted. Please use caution or avoid the area if possible. Be alert, don't get hurt. Use your noggin, don't get a floggin.... And hey, let's be careful out there.

A big welcome to new Clayton Police Chief Mike Turner. The Mayor, members of Council and Lt. Matt Thomas were in attendance as the oath of office was administered by Probate Judge Savannah Dixon. Chief Turner officially started his duties with the City on May 1st and is settling in and meeting with staff. He is looking forward to meeting community members and working with them in the future. Please help us all welcome Chief Turner. We are glad he has joined our team!

Happy Easter! Wishing everyone a blessed and safe day!

What could be more fun than the first ever Soapbox Derby in Downtown Clayton on a beautiful Saturday afternoon? Nothing, absolutely nothing! It was a perfect day and tons of fun was had by kids of all ages! There were some amazing cars and even better drivers. Some drivers, well, just one, may have been promoted to pit crew. Challenges have been issued and the stage is set for the next Derby. Congratulations to Cooper Wood, youth winner, and Derrick Reynolds, our adult winner. Huge thank you to all who participated and now it's back to the drawing board to make adjustments for the race. Stay tuned for details.

A huge well-deserved congratulations to the State Champion Rabun County Boys Basketball team from everyone at the City of Clayton. In the immortal words of the Great John Wooden, "Make each day your masterpiece". What a masterpiece you made. Thank you for bringing honor to your hometown. Job well done!!

Get your motor runnin', head out on the highway, looking for adventure, in whatever comes your way... If you were born to be wild then the 1st Annual Auggie Soapbox Derby is where you need to be this Saturday. This is your chance to "legally" race on the streets of Clayton. The Derby is hosted by the Clayton Police and they encourage everyone to join in on the fun. Registration starts at 11:00am at the old City Hall building on Hiawassee Street. All ages and skill levels welcome. Don't be a burnout and get your chassis in gear!!!

The BEST day in Clayton as voted by readers of the Clayton Tribune. Buckle up, it's gonna be a long day!!
Start with biscuits and grits for breakfast at the Rusty Bike and make sure Lisa Sota is your waitress. Pop over to Josh Parker at Thrivent to see if you can afford the house you are buying from Jim Blalock at Poss Realty. Run over to Rabun County Bank and apply for the loan and say hi to Lisa Bonnette. Next, stop in at Stockton & Stockton to close the loan. Give Ed Grizzle a call to make sure your insurance is good for the house you just purchased and then zip over to Bethel & Co to report it on your taxes. Pop in and see Matt Holland for a quick personal trainer session and then treat yourself to a mani-pedi at Nails One and a new do at Studio B13. Feeling really good about yourself with all you have accomplished but hold on, things are about to get interesting. Can't decide what's for lunch so you start with the best lunch of wings at Friends Clayton Grill and grab something from Gabby Mangala at the bar to keep you going, cross the street for some tots from Universal Joint and roll on down to Rabun Social for a sandwich and Sunday Diner for a side of mac & cheese. Wow! That's a lot! The new home needs some work so now you have to visit Reeves Hardware and Reeves Building Supply for all your construction and painting needs, swing by Rabun Flooring for the all the latest options and then scoot over to Clayton Paint for the on-trend colors. Don't forget the outside so Home Depot Garden Center is next on the list. Dang, forgot to get the gas hooked up so Blossman Gas is a must stop. Need sustenance to make it through the day so a quick trip through Chik-Fil-A on the way to United Community Bank for funds before heading to Keller's Furniture Store. Oh, and need to run by Clayton Welding for the new wrought iron railings. Whew, time for a coffee pick me up from White Birch Provisions! Have to get it to go because next stop is Happy Jack's to have open house invitations printed. Now to get ready for the party, that means stocking up at Boles Meat Market, Ingles Bakery & Market and Smitty's Spirits. Got to call the fine folks at Eagle Cleaning before the party or, better yet, after the party! Maybe Rotary of Clayton could help with parking?? All this running around has the car making a funny noise so better make a stop at NAPA Auto Parts to be safe. Also, better slow down or you will meet Sgt Andy Beck and not in a good way! And safety first or all this will end at Beck's Funeral Home. Quick dash into Madison's on Main and the Faith Thrift Store for that special outfit to wear to the party. Wow, this has taken a toll so need to check in with Alana Dickerson and Shannon Robinson at Medlink and hit the drive through at Walgreen's for the meds. Almost time for dinner so a quick stop at Manriques's for a shrimp cocktail, head south for a refreshing beverage at Moonrise Distillery, circle back to town to pick up pizza at Bella's for the kiddos and then Stekoa Creek for a nice steak. Nice ending for the evening with a sweet treat or milk shake at Main Street Chocolates. Good thing Holloway Family Dentistry is here to fix this toothache and Christy Anderson can massage away the damage this day has done. Oh, and by the way, this whole day has been right in the middle of Ramshackle!! Too much fun has been had, now time to grab a room at Bridge Creek Inn before the body collapses! Now that's how you spend the BEST day in Clayton. Congratulations to all the winners!!!

Just look at this guy! Look at him! He was named the "Best First Responder" thanks to readers of the Clayton Tribune. Congratulations Sgt. Andy Beck. Now everyone knows what we already knew. Andy is a local treasure and to know him is to love him. He is a native of Rabun County, sometimes an amateur meteorologist, sometimes a story teller, always a farmer and always the guy going that extra mile. Thanks, Andy, for doing what you do! Well deserved honor!!

Look at these two cuties!! Everyone knows Sonya and for the maybe 1/100th of a percent of those who don't, stop by Reeves and introduce yourself. She is 4th generation Reeves and President of the Clayton Merchants and Business Association. She is a wealth of knowledge and just a bright spot in our fair city. The other cutie is Auggie, named for Clayton's namesake, Augustin S. Clayton and will be hiding in various businesses downtown. Auggie is a groundhog so sometimes he may be hard to find. He is our ambassador extraordinaire and will be making appearances at events, businesses and maybe even predicting the weather as long as it's a good report! Check out Visit Clayton on instagram and Facebook for more information about Auggie and all things Clayton.

What is more fun than the first Block Party of the season?? How about the 1st EVER Soapbox Derby!!!! The Police Department is hosting the 1st Annual Auggies Soapbox Derby on March 14th from 11:00am to 3:00pm. Then stay for all the fun of the Block Party.
Click the link below for details and applications.
https://aptg.co/HLD003

Seahawks?? Patriots?? It's Walmart for the win for our Police Department!! Thanks so much to our local Walmart staff for bringing all the game day snacks ahead of the little football game on Sunday!