Located between Atlanta and Macon, Barnesville is known as the "Buggy Capital of the Southeast", a holiday it celebrates each year. On the eve of the celebration, just a few hours before the first festivities, five devices were located in a four-square block area in downtown. Members of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation were called and the entire downtown area was closed and evacuated.

Although none packed any explosive, the 9" by 4" canisters were rigged up to appear real, with wire, timing devices and C-size batteries. The bombs were detonated, but did not appear to contain explosives. High school students were being questioned about the prank.