Time for a New Year!

Hi all! I'm back! I've taken a hiatus during the holidays as I'm sure you've noticed. I wasn't really inspired to write about all the standard yearly holiday events that are well known and advertised. And frankly, I couldn't find much of anything non-holiday related to write about. But now we are entering the new year and putting the holidays behind us. So stand by for new events and activities to enjoy in the New Year!

Some non-holiday events this weekend

Hi there! It's been a couple of weeks since I blogged about any events. I've had a devil of a time trying to find non-holiday events going on throughout the state! But thanks to some great folks who emailed me, I've got a few things to tell you about. Sorry for the delay as these events are starting today!

Mint Gallery in Atlanta is their 2nd Vintage Trunk Show and it sounds like a lot of fun. According to their website they have vintage (and some not vintage) clothes, shoes, hats, jewelry and what not for sale. There will also be refreshments and live entertainment. The trunk show is this Saturday and Sunday, 12/5-12/6 from 12pm to 6pm. For more information, visit Mint Gallery's website at mintgallery.org

Alcove Arts Gallery in the Oakhurst area of Decatur is having "Spacemas". As described on the website as "retro furniture, fixture and function" by a bevy of artists. There will be a number of musical acts performing as well. The event runs from 3pm to midnight today, Saturday, 12/5. For more information visit Alcove's website at alcovearts.com

Historic Madison is hosting their annual winter Holiday Tour of Homes this weekend through Sunday, 12/6. There are six distinctive homes available for tour during the day or by candlelight. For more information on the tours, visit the city of Madison's Visitor website at www.madisonga.org

The 23rd Annual Marietta Pilgrimage is also happening this weekend, 12/5-12/6. Day and candlelight tours of Marietta historic homes are available with historic public building tours available during the day only. For more information, visit the Pilgrimage's website at www.mariettapilgrimage.com

Need Your Help on Ideas

There are plenty plenty of holiday oriented events coming up. But I want to make sure I'm posting some non-holiday events and activities too - especially since not everyone is thrilled about starting to celebrate Christmas pretty much after Halloween (and Thanksgiving seems to be just a feasting formality). Know of some non-holiday events and activities in Georgia? Please let me know either by commenting to this post or emailing at eclecticgeorgia@gmail.com.

Thanks guys!

Dinosaurs!

If you haven't yet visited the Center for Puppetry Arts in Atlanta you should! The folks there are amazing and amazingly talented! One of their many popular shows, Dinosaurs, is coming to close. This is the last week to see the wondrous creations. We're not talking about little hand puppets or marionettes - although they have great shows featuring smaller puppets too! No, these dinosaurs are big and alive! Their creativity boggles the mind. And the show is just plain fun for kids of all ages. Shows run daily Tuesday through Sunday through November 29th (with the exception of Thanksgiving Day). And if you don't already know, they offer workshops and all kinds of fun activities in addition to performances. For more information on this and other shows and to purchase tickets, visit the center's website at www.puppet.org.

PBR! That's Professional Bull Riders, not the beer!

The Professional Bull Riders (PBR) 2009 Challenger Tour Championships is this weekend at the Gwinnett Center in Duluth. Bull riding action will get underway on Friday, November 20 at 8pm, Saturday, November 21 at 7:50 pm, and on Sunday, November 22 at 2pm. $500,000 will be up for grabs as top PBR superstars from around the world will compete against the toughest bovine athletes that the PBR has to offer. 55 riders will ride in the first two rounds of competition which will take place on Friday and Saturday night. The top 40 riders on two bulls will move onto Sunday’s third round of competition and then the top 15 riders on three bulls will immediately come back to compete in the Built Ford Tough Championship Round. Tickets start at $10 and up. For more information ad to purchase tickets, visit the Gwinnett Center's website at www.gwinnettcenter.com

The Great Train Expo

If you're into model trains, well, then you probably already know about this. But if not, The Great Train Expo is this Saturday and Sunday, November 21st and 22nd at the North Atlanta Trade Center in Norcross. Apparently there are trains for kids to ride, trains for kids and adult kids to operate, workshops, door prizes and over 350 tables with model train stuff for you enthusiasts. $7 admission for adults and children are free. Should be pretty fun! www.trainexpoinc.com

Primal Atlanta

Guys, do I have an event for you!! Primal is a celebration of the culinary arts' appreciation for wood fired cooking methods, butchers and whole animal utilization. On Saturday, November 21st, Sweetwater Brewery will host 14 of the area’s best and brightest stars of the new butchery movement appear at Primal, a celebration of early cooking's revival. Butchers will give a side-by-side demonstration on how to break down a complete pig, cow, goat and lamb into cuts of meat. Afterward, chefs will create and cook meaty creations over a hickory, applewood or almond wood flame. Ten family owned wineries make up the Oregon Wine Experience. The Primal VIP experience includes 35 pounds of Allan Benton’s Bacon, wood-fired oysters, whole wheels of artisan cheese grilled over hardwood, fire-toasted breads, reserve wines and special beers. $55 general admission (inclusive of wines, butcher demo, brew, meat tasting) $100 VIP Experience at 5:30PM (reserve wines, Benton’s Bacon Bar, cheese, oysters and special brews). For more information, please visit the following websites: www.facebook.com/event. and www.artofthebutcher.com.

Make Your Own Gingerbread House

Hooray! I love Gingerbread Houses! Or at least making them. And gingerbread houses make for wonderful, whimsical holiday decor. Historic Bulloch Hall in Roswell is hosting a "Make Your Own Gingerbread House" event this Saturday, November 21st from 10am to noon. The reservation fee is $35 per house (which is limited to 2 people per house) and includes all the materials. For more information and to make reservations, visit Bulloch Hall's website at www.bullochhall.org.

I'm going to have to see if I can find a gingerbread house competition now...

Atlantic Station Gets Ready for the Holidays

Atlantic Station in Atlanta has a number of holiday events starting this Saturday, November 21st. I know it's not Thanksgiving yet, but hey, maybe some of you enjoy your holiday events early or need a boost to get you in the spirit. First, they are celebrating "The Lighting of Atlantic Station". The celebrations begin at 2pm with musical performances, Radio Disney from 2pm-4pm, children’s activities from 2pm-6pm, Holiday Fashion Show at 4pm, the Steel Mill Express Children's train, horse and carriage rides, “The Holiday Shops” and Santa. At 8pm, Atlantic Station will turn on the 250,000 plus holidays lights throughout the property and on the 50 foot Christmas tree. Afterward, they are offering a free screening of “How The Grinch Stole Christmas”. And there will be snow! Well, ideally, but there is no snow if there is rain. Many of these activities are ongoing through the holiday season, including the nightly snow! For more information, visit Atlantic Station's website at www.atlanticstation.com.

7th Annual Wild Game, Mushroom and Red Wine Festival

Wolf Mountain Vineyards offers brunch every Saturday and Sunday but on Sundays during the month of November, they are celebrating their 7th Annual Wild Game, Mushroom and Red Wine Festival. Seatings are at 12:30pm and 2:30pm. For $30 per person (not including wine, tax and gratuity) you can sample their wild game chili, grilled quail, chicken coupage, venison sausage and exotic mushroom strudel, created to compliment our uniquely blended red wines, available by the glass or bottle. The last two dates for this event are November 22nd and November 29th. Reservations are required. Wolf Mountain Vineyards is located on a beautiful property in Dahlonega with fantastic vistas. For more information on this and other events at Wolf Mountain Vineyards, visit their website at www.wolfmountainvineyards.com.

Take a Hike! At Night!

The Chattahoochee Nature Center in Atlanta regularly offers guided hikes but this Saturday, November 21st, they are offering a guided hike at night. You'll have the opportunity to experience all the activity of the woods at night! And after, you gt to relax around a campfire! Ahhhh! A nice way to enjoy a chilly fall night before the hectic activities of the holidays! Ages 5 and up. $10 for non-members. For more information, visit their website at chattnaturecenter.org.

Indie Craft Experience this weekend!

The Indie Craft Experience is back this Saturday, November 21st from 11am - 6pm. It is being held at Ambient Plus Studio in Atlanta. The Indie Craft Experience is not your run of the mill craft fair. This is an event where you will find more unusual and artistic works - no tissue box covers here! Not only does this event offer goods from over 100 vendors, but it also has workshops and entertainment. This is a great opportunity to pick up some unique and eclectic presents! For more information on the event as well as links to the vendors attending, visit the Indie Craft Experience's website at www.ice-atlanta.com.

Callanwolde Annual Holiday Pottery Sale

Here's your chance to pick up some unique and one of a kind pottery for yourself or for gifts! Callanwolde is holding its annual Holiday Pottery Sale this Friday through Sunday, November 20th - 22nd. All pottery available for purchase at this event is crafted by the pottery teachers and assistants at Callanwolde Fine Arts Center. If you miss this event, you can always check out the Student Pottery Sale on December 5th and 6th. For more information on these and other events at Callanwolde, check out their website at www.callanwolde.org.

Oakland Cemetery Walking Tours

This is the last month this year to take in the beauty and history of Oakland Cemetery via a guided walking tour. Oakland Cemetery tour guides will take you through this incredible historic Atlanta landmark explaining architecture, customs of the day, art, history and period gardens. If you have not yet visited Oakland, this is a great way to explore it and learn more about Atlanta history. And if you're a photography buff, don't forget to bring your camera. This cemetery has amazing photo ops! Guided tours run through November 29th and return in March. For more information, dates, times and to purchase tickets, visit Oakland's website at www.oaklandcemetery.com.

Me and Mommy Tickets at Georgia Aquarium

This is a pretty awesome deal from the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta. For only $25, the Me & Mommy (or Daddy) ticket includes aquarium admission for one adult, free admission for children age 5 and under (maximum four children per paid adult) and free parking ($10 value). This offer is valid Monday-Friday, now through November 19, 2009, and can only be purchased online. You also have to bring the little ones along to take advantage of this great offer. Tickets purchased online (before the offer expires Nov. 19) can be used through Dec. 13, 2009. Black-outs dates apply: November 23 – 26, 2009. Great deal! Check out the Georgia Aquarium's website for details and to purchase tickets. www.georgiaaquarium.org

Tour Turner Field FREE this Saturday

Hey Braves fans! This Saturday, November 14th, you can tour Turner Field and the Braves Museum and Hall of Fame for FREE! Tours are conducted from 10am - 2pm. If you can't make it this Saturday, don't fret. Tours of the field are conducted Mondays through Saturdays from 10am - 2pm for $12 for adults and $7 for children. For more information, visit the Braves' website at atlanta.braves.mlb.com/atl/ballpark/tour.jsp

70 Years of Gone With the Wind

The Marietta Gone With the Wind Museum is hosting a big 70 year celebration "Re-Premiere" event this weekend. The event starts on Friday, November 13th, with Gone With the Wind authors and cast members Q&A at The Strand Theater on the Marietta Square. Later in the day there will be the "world's largest Virgina Reel" performed by 70 costumed couples at Glover Park on the Marietta Square. Friday events conclude with a "Belles and Beaus" costume ball. Saturday, November 18th, events include autograph signings, a vintage car parade, a special appearance by TCM's Robert Osborne, and the "re-premiere" of the film Gone With the Wind, and other events. Sounds like a big celebration! So you GWTW fans, check out the Marietta Gone With the Wind Museum's website to purchase tickets and view the itinerary for this weekend event! www.mariettaga.gov/gwtw/events

Enjoy Fall from Horseback

There are several places in Georgia that offer guided horseback riding for beginners and seasoned riders. It's a great way to get out to and explore some beautiful areas of Georgia in a way you may not have seen before. And it's a great time to do so with the cooler temperatures and the changing of the leaves. This weekend is supposed to be sunny and warm so get out there and enjoy a fall afternoon from horseback!

Southern Cross Guest Ranch in Madison offers riding and riding and meal packages to non-guests. Prices vary depending on package, length of ride and season. A 1 hour guided trail ride is $40 per person. Visit their website for more information, hours and to make reservations. www.southcross.com

Lake Lanier Islands Resort in Lake Lanier offers 45 minute guided trail rides as well as pony rides for younger riders. The adult trail ride is $35 per person and the 30 minute pony ride is $15 per child. For more information, hours and to make reservations, visit their website at www.lakelanierislands.com

Georgia Frontiers in Canton offers a variety of rides. The one hour trail ride is $30 per person. They also offer a moonlight ride with dinner for $65 per person. For more information on Georgia Frontiers, visit their website at www.georgiahorsebackriding.org.

Adventure Trail Rides in Blue Ridge offer three different ride levels based on what they call the "bum level". Haha! A 1 hour ride is $25 per person. They also offer private and sunset rides. For more information visit their website at www.adventuretrailrides.com

Fort Mountain Stables in Chatsworth offer 1 hour rides for $30 per person and many other packages including sunset rides, 4 hour rides for you seasoned riders, overnight camping rides, birthday parties and "sweetheart rides". To learn more about their packages and to make reservations, visit their website at www.fortmountainstables.net.

Revision to Martinis and IMAX

I was mistaken about the last date to enjoy Martinis and IMAX at Fernbank. Please note Martinis and IMAX will continue to run through November 27th then "take a break" during December and will return on January 8th. So you have plenty of opportunities to experience it! www.fernbankmuseum.org

Family Thanksgiving Cooking Class

Piedmont Park in Atlanta is offering a family cooking class this Saturday, November 14th, from 12pm-1pm at the Piedmont Park Community Center. This class will feature the sweet potato. Participants will create a pan of sweet potato biscuits and will learn how to make butter too. $12 per family. For more information and to make reservations for the class, visit Piedmont Park's website at www.piedmontpark.org.

Guided Nature Hikes

Now that the weather has gotten cooler and some of the pesky bugs are gone, it's a great time to take a guided nature hike at the Chattahoochee Nature Center. Every Saturday and Sunday at 1pm and 3pm you can enjoy in a guided tour of the woodland and wetland trails at the nature center and learn about the area. Free with admission to the nature center. chattnaturecenter.org.

Martinis and IMAX at Fernbank

From what I can tell, this Friday, November 13th, is the last day this year to partake of Fernbank Museum's "Martinis and IMAX" event. This Martinis and IMAX event is celebrating beer, blues and BBQ. Enjoy sweet tea martinis and a special selection of Sweetwater beers. The Fernbank Café will feature a special entrée of Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ rib tips served with potato salad and baked beans for $12. The Breeze Kings will be performing live from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Admission to Martinis & IMAX Beer, Blues & BBQ is included with cover charge tickets ($7 per person) or with the purchase of an IMAX ticket ($12 for adults, $11 for seniors and $7 for members). Space is limited and advance ticket purchase is recommended. For more information, visit Fernbank's website at www.fernbankmuseum.org.

Junktique

"Junktique" is this Sunday, November 15th from 12pm to 5pm at The Solarium in Decatur (Oakhurst Neighborhood). I don't have a lot of information on this event but my friend, The Frugal Hostess, told me about it and will be selling some of her collectibles and vintage finds there. Apparently there will be all kinds of antiques, collectibles, vintage items and what not for sale by independent vendors and individuals. Seems like it could make for an interesting afternoon as there will be food and entertainment as well. Here's the flyer for the event. www.wix.com/imajin1/Junktique

Artists for Pasaquan

This Saturday, November 7th, artists from all over the Southeast converge on Pasaquan to celebrate the works of artist Eddie Owen Martin, or St. EOM. If you have not yet made the trip to Buena Vista to stroll the grounds at Pasaquan, this is an incredible time to do so and your last chance for the year. For one day out of every year, a variety of visual artists will be displaying their works while an array of performing artists will be, well, performing! All in support of the preservation of Martin's childhood home that he turned into a sprawling environment art masterpiece. The Artists for Pasaquan event will run from 10am to 4pm on Saturday, November 7th which is also the last day Pasaquan is open for the year. (It reopens for tours in April.) Admission is $5 per person. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. As some of you know, I've posted about Pasaquan before and am completely enamoured with this place. It's very special and I guarantee you have not seen anything else like it. Bring your camera! For more information on Pasaquan and directions, please visit their website at www.pasaquan.com.

Changing the Rules

Well, actually I'm changing the blog parameters. I have said that I would not do restaurant reviews and I am sticking to that. But there are a few restaurants and shops that are just too funky and fun not to bring to your attention. Soon I'll be posting about these places, as I truly enjoy them and what they have to offer and I think you will too. Don't consider these posts a review so much as a recommendation. And I'm kinda picky. It takes a lot to amuse me. So if I post on a shop or restaurant, consider it fitting the "quirky, funky, fun, eclectic" category. Standby...I've got one that I'm dying to write about!

Spend an Afternoon at Chateau Elan

Looking for something casual yet romantic to do on a beautiful fall afternoon? How about a tour of Chateau Elan's winery? The beautiful resort located less than an hour north of Atlanta offers tours of their winery seven days a week with multiple tours available on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. The week day tours are $5 per person and the weekend tours are $10 per person. All guided tours include five samples of wine. They also offer cooking demonstrations by Chateau Elan Chefs on Saturday afternoons at 3pm at the Culinary Studio inside the winery. The demonstration is $20 per person and $38 per couple. No advance reservations are required for either of these events. For more information on all this resort has to offer as well as the wine tours and cooking demonstrations, visit Chateau Elan's website at www.chateauelan.com.

Chomp and Stomp

Looking for something fun in Atlanta to do this weekend? Missed out on the October festivals and chili cook-offs? Well then head on down to the Chomp and Stomp in Cabbagetown this Saturday, November 7th. This community festival features a chili cook-off, artist market, bluegrass bands and, as noted from their flyer "tasty beer". Oh, and a 5K run for you active folks. The festival starts at 10am and goes to 6pm. Rumor has it that chili is available at noon so you might want to get there early if you're looking to sample some. This festival draws a crowd so contestants will run out of chili and probably fast! Check out the official Chomp and Stomp website for all the info: www.chompandstomp.com

Year Round Ghost Tours

If you didn't get around to taking in a ghost tour before Halloween, don't fret! Many of the ghost tour companies in the metro Atlanta area offer the opportunity to tour local haunts year round! One of these companies is Ghost of Marietta who offer several different tours including a "Spirits and Spirits" tour which includes ghost stories with a glass of wine at the Marietta Wine Market followed by a walking tour. Also check out Decatur Ghost Tour and Roswell Ghost Tour . They offer year round tours as well. Check their websites for a schedule of available tours and to make reservations.

Get Lost in a Corn Maze

Get lost in one of the many corn mazes in Georgia! It's a fun way to spend a beautiful fall afternoon. Most of the locations offer much more than corn mazes. You can spend the day enjoying hayrides, food, cider, petting zoos, pumpkin picking and more! If you think you've got the skills to tackle a corn maze at night, remember to bring a flashlight! Here's a list of some of the corn mazes in Georgia for you to check out.

Uncle Shuck's Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch is a well known North Georgia favorite located in Dawsonville. They offer a a variety of activities including a corn cannon and a haunted maze. They also stay open until 10pm on Fridays and Saturdays through November 22nd.

Kackleberry Farm offers a 7 acre corn maze each year that runs through November 8th. This farm also offers a number of additional activities. Kackleberry Farm is located in Louisville about an hour southwest of Augusta.

Buck's Corn Maze is another well known maze located in Dawsonville. The maze is 12 acres and is open through November 15th.

Connell Farms in Hollonville has a 7 acre maze for you to explore until 10pm on Fridays and Saturdays through November 21st. Hollonville is about 40 minutes southeast of Peachtree City.

Colonel Cobs Corn Maze is a 7 acre maze located on Mitcham Farm in Oxford. The maze is open through November 15th. Oxford is about 40 minutes east of Atlanta.

The Carlton Farm corn maze is a 5 acre maze offering a haunted maze at night. The maze is open through November 7th and is located in Rockmart which is a little over an hour northeast of Atlanta.

Cagle's Corn Maize offer you two different mazes to get lost in. They have a 10 acre maze in Hickory Flat and a 30 acre maze (wow!) in Resaca. 10 acres of the 30 acre maze is a haunted maze. The Resaca maze is open through November 7th and the 10 acre maze is open through November 15th.

Ghosts, Ghosts and More Ghosts!

If you've not yet taken a ghost tour, and even if you have, this is the perfect time of year to do so! It's a great way to celebrate Halloween! There are many ghost tours in the Atlanta area to choose from. Here's a list of the ones I know of and I'm sure there are more.

Darkside Tours / Ghost Tours of Atlanta
Ghost Tours Atlanta
Roswell Ghost Tour
Ghosts of Marietta
Norcross Ghost Tour
Lawrenceville Ghost Tours
Spirit Stroll, Newnan
City Segway Tours "Legends and Lore Tour", Atlanta
Decatur Ghost Tour

Many, if not all, of the tour companies listed above require reservations to attend a tour. Most of the tours above are walking tours but a few conduct the tours from a trolley and if you're really adventurous, you could try taking the tour via a Segway! Check out each of the tour companies' websites listed above for details about the tours they offer as well as dates and times.

Goblins in the Garden

Another great Halloween event for children and families is the Atlanta Botanical Garden's "Goblins in the Garden" from 1pm to 4pm this Sunday, October, 25th. Dress the kiddies in their Halloween costumes and head out to the Garden for fall fun. There will be a costume parade, pony rides, trick or treating, story time and more! While there, explore the Scarecrows in the Garden. There are more than 100 wacky and creative scarecrows throughout the children's garden and the Southern Season's garden. Goblins in the Garden is free with the cost of general admission which is $15 for adults; $12 for children 3 to 17 and free to children under 3. For more information, visit the Atlanta Botanical Garden's website at www.atlantabotanicalgarden.org.

Chili Cook-Off on the Square

The McDonough Fall Festival and Chili Cook-Off on the Square is this Saturday, October 24th. The McDonough Square is one of those cute, old, downtown squares found in many small Georgia towns with fun shops, antique shops, cute little restaurants and some great grand old homes. The annual fall fair starts at 12pm and ends at 8pm with the chili sampling taking place from 1pm to 3pm. There's not a lot of information out there about the event, but I imagine there will be arts and crafts vendors and live entertainment and is probably free. www.mcdonoughga.org

Boo at the Zoo

Boo at the Zoo is this Saturday, October 24th and Sunday, October 25th and Saturday, October 31st at Zoo Atlanta. This is a great Halloween festival for children and families. There will be treats, costumed characters, a costume contest, the "Monster Mash Disco" and arts and crafts in additional to all the normal fun of Zoo Atlanta. Boo at the Zoo activities take place from 10am to 3pm and are free with general admission and to Zoo Atlanta members. If your children are 6 and older, you might want to consider attending Zoo Atlanta's "Boo at the Zoo NightCrawlers" which includes trick or treating, pumpkin carving and storytelling. The NightCrawlers activities are on Saturday, October 24th and Saturday, October 31st starting at 6pm. For more information on the events and to purchase tickets online, visit Zoo Atlanta's website at www.zooatlanta.org

Sorry for the delay

Hi all! I've basically been without internet access since last Friday which is why I've not posted the weekend info yet. We're working on getting the issue resolved and I hope to start posting like mad real soon!

Run Like Hell

I don't usually write on fund-raising events but I'm going to make an exception for the 2nd Annual Run Like Hell 5K benefiting Oakland Cemetery in Atlanta. The 5K is Saturday, October 31st at 9am at Oakland Cemetery. I met the organizers at the Sunday in the Park event at Oakland earlier this month and learned the story on this fundraiser. This lovely, fun couple wanted to help Oakland Cemetery raise money to help restore this historic property after it sustained serious damage from the tornado that roared through downtown Atlanta. So they created Run Like Hell which was extremely well received. The 5K takes place Oakland and in the adjacent historic Grant Park neighborhood. They are encouraging costumes and will be holding a costume contest after the race. And I love this: the awards being given out for the race will be "cemetery themed". Fun and quite unique! If you don't feel up for the 5K, you can opt to participate in the 1K. For more information and to register, visit Oakland Cemetery's website at http://www.oaklandcemetery.com/run.html

Atlanta Airline Collectible Show and Sale

Got a thing for airplanes? You might want to check out the 23rd Annual Atlanta Airline Collectible Show and Sale this Saturday, October 17th from 9am to 4pm at the Delta Air Heritage Museum in Atlanta. There will be lots of vendors selling aviation related merchandise and this is the only Saturday out of the year that you can tour the museum without an appointment. Admission is $5 for adults and children under 12 get in free. For more information about the event, visit the museum's website at deltamuseum.org

Chastain Park Arts Festival

I don't have a whole lot of information on this festival. It seems to be new. However, it's an art festival and it's at Chastain Park in Atlanta this Saturday, October 17th and Sunday, October 18th. And it's free! There's supposed to be over 100 artists in different mediums showing at this festival as well as live entertainment. For more information, visit the festival's website at www.chastainparkartsfestival.com

Rock N' Rib Festival

The 2nd Annual Rock N' Rib Festival is this Saturday, October 17th on the square in downtown Lawrenceville from 1pm - 9pm. The Rock N' Rib festival features barbeque from local area restaurants, caterers and cooking teams as well as live entertainment. There will also be a children's area, arts and crafts and a beergarten. You can also catch some college football in one of the tents and if you're game, enter a rib eating contest. Admission is free. For more information, visit the festival's website at www.rocknribsfest.com

Spooky Storytelling

Callanwolde Fine Arts Center in Atlanta is hosting "Family Storytelling: Spooky Stories" this Friday, October 16th at 7pm. Callanwolde will be showcasing some of Atlanta's best stories, storytellers and storytelling traditions by a diverse group of professional and student storytellers. Children are welcome to wear costumes for a costume parade and contest, and festive snacks will be served. Tickets will be sold at the door and are $3 for adults and $1 for children. For more information on the event, visit Callanwolde's website at www.callanwolde.org/events

Little 5 Points Annual Halloween Festival and Parade

I love Halloween celebrations and one of my favorites is the annual Little 5 Points Halloween Festival and Parade in Atlanta. Little 5 Points is already known for being an eclectic neighborhood and entertainment district and this festival confirms that! The festival starts Friday evening, October 16th, with live performances and movie screenings. On Saturday, October 17th, Finley Plaza in the middle of Little 5 becomes an entertainment hub with children's activities, tarot readings, bands and all sorts of eclectic entertainment. The highlight of the day is the Halloween Parade which begins at 4pm. There will be beverage vendors set up in parking lots throughout the area. There is no admission fee but expect to pay for parking. There are several lots in the area and they all charge for parking for the event. Street parking may be available but very limited and some streets will be closed. I wish I had a picture to share from last year's parade but to see some great photos and learn more about the event, visit the Festival's website at www.l5phalloween.com

End of Harvest Celebration at Wolf Mountain Vineyards

The 7th Annual End of Harvest Celebration and Bluegrass Brunch is happening every Saturday during the month of October at Wolf Mountain Vineyards in Dahlonega. What a great way to experience a fall Saturday in the north Georgia mountains and sample the fruits of a regional vineyard! Wolf Mountain Vineyards offers their Harvest brunch buffet and live bluegrass music for $30 per person. Wine is purchased separately by the glass. For more information, visit their website at www.wolfmountainvineyards.com

Oktoberfest in the North Georgia Mountains

For many years now Helen, GA has been the place in North Georgia to enjoy a German style Oktoberfest complete with beer, bratwurst, bands and more! The annual Oktoberfest in Helen starts in September but enjoys its largest crowds in October. The festival occurs daily through November 1st. If you haven't yet visited Helen, Oktoberfest is a great time to get a feel for this little mock German Alpine town on the Chattahoochee River in the North Georgia mountains. Be prepared for a bit of traffic though! Admission on Saturdays is $9 per person but FREE on Sundays! helenchamber.com

Candler Park Fall Festival

So sad that so many of the events I'm writing about for this weekend can be affected by the potential rainy weather! But the Candler Park Fall Festival is a good one if you live in Atlanta and want to stay in town this weekend. The festival is this Saturday, October 10th and Sunday, October 11th at Candler Park in Atlanta. There's usually a good number of vendors offering a variety of goods including folk art and photography. There will be plenty of food choices available, live entertainment, fun for the kids and the Candler Park Tour of Homes which is a great opportunity to see some of the fabulous old homes in the area. Expect some great local musical artists including the ever eclectic and entertaining Kingsized. Admission if free. Parking is tricky though as the park is in a residential neighborhood so you might want to consider taking MARTA. www.candlerparkfallfest.org

A Few More Fairs and Festivals for this weekend

Here are a few more fairs and festivals happening this weekend. Thankfully most of them are continuing past this weekend in case you want to hold out for better weather.

Georgia Mountain Fall Festival. October 9th through October 17th at the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds in Hiawassee. Quite the lineup of well know country artists performing at this festival. Arts and crafts and such. $9 admission and $2 for parking. georgiamountainfairgrounds.com/fallfestival

Coweta County Fair. October 8th through October 17th at the Coweta County Fairgrounds in Newnan. Arts, crafts, midway rides, food, live entertainment, beauty pageant and such. Hours of operation vary. $5 admission; free for children under 6. www.cowetacountyfair.org

Cumming Country Fair and Festival. October 8th through October 18th at the Cumming Fairgrounds in Cumming. Midway rides, petting zoo, mini circus, arts, crafts, food, live entertainment and so on. Charlie Daniels Band is performing and I'd bet you'll get a little "Devil Went Down to Georgia". Admission is $7 for adults; $3 for children age 5 to 18; free for children under 3. $3 parking. www.cummingfair.net

5th Annual Rice Festival. October 10th from 11am - 5pm at the Peachtree Hill Shopping Center in Duluth. Asian traditional dance, music, performers, food and vendors. Free admission. aarc-atlanta.org

Disc Dog World Finals

The Disc Dog World Finals is this weekend, October 10th and 11th at Dellinger Park in Cartersville. If you like dogs, have dogs, especially dogs who can catch and compete, you'll like this event. There will be players from 16 different qualifiers from around the world. There will also be events that you and your dog can participate in such as agility, toss and fetch and herding. Admission is free. For more information visit the USDDN's website at www.usddn.com.

Fest-of-Ale Thursdays

The Atlanta Botanical Garden hosts the Fest-of-Ale event every Thursday from 5pm-10pm in October. It's a wonderful opportunity to enjoy some seasonal brews and live music in the gardens as well as a "beer school". Bring a flashlight to explore the Scarecrows in the Garden and Moore in America exhibitions at night. Admission to the gardens is $15 per person. www.atlantabotanicalgarden.org

Taste of Atlanta

The 8th Annual Taste of Atlanta Festival is this weekend, October 10th and 11th from 11am - 6pm in Midtown Atlanta at 5th and Spring Street. Sample food from more than 80 Atlanta restaurants, beer and wine tastings and cooking demonstrations from national and local celebrity chefs. There will also be a Farm to Festival Village showcasing the local sustainable movement with live cooking demonstrations and a farmers market filled with locally grown products. And as with most festivals there will be live entertainment. This is an outdoor event and we are looking at a rainy forecast for this weekend so you may want to plan accordingly. Tickets to the festival are $25 in advance and $30 at the gate. There is also a $65 per person VIP package. For more information, visit the Taste of Atlanta website at tasteofatlanta.net.

Tybee Island Pirate Fest

The 5th Annual Tybee Island Pirate Fest is this weekend, October 8th through October 10th on Tybee Island, of course! There will be a lot of pirates, a Buccaneer Ball, a parade, fireworks, costume contests, live entertainment, children's activities and a "thieves market". This festival sounds like a whole lot of fun. And it's on one of the barrier islands! Great idea for a weekend getaway! For more information on the fest, visit their website at tybeeisland.com/tybeepiratefest.

Georgia National Fair

The Georgia National Fair starts this Thursday, October 8th and runs through October 18th. This huge fair is being held at the Georgia National Fairgrounds in Perry. There will be a variety of performing acts from national acts such as Montgomery Gentry to puppeteers. There's a midway full of rides, a circus, a shopping area, a petting zoo, pony rides, fireworks and much, much more! Admission to the fair is $8 and children under 10 are free. For more information on the fair, visit their website at www.georgianationalfair.com.

Sunday in the Park

Sunday in the Park is a Victorian Street Festival at historic Oakland Cemetery in Atlanta and is happening this Sunday, October 4th from 12pm - 6pm. There will be live entertainment, storytellers, living history demonstrations, an artist market, a scavenger hunt and in the children's area, the Teddy Bear Tea. Guest are encouraged to participate in the Victorian costume contest and the photography contest. Food will be available from an array of local restaurants including The Varsity and Six Feet Under. There will also offering free walking tours of the cemetery as well as carriage tours and the opportunity to enter some of the mausoleums. The suggested donation is $3 per person and parking is free. It's a fantastic opportunity to spend an entertaining afternoon at historic Oakland Cemetery. www.oaklandcemetery.com/sundayPark

More Events Worth Mentioning

Here is a list of a several more events going on this weekend that I think are worth mentioning. Have fun!

The Big Red Apple Festival in downtown historic Cornelia is this Saturday, October 3rd from 10am - 5pm. There is not a lot of information on this festival on the internet but one can assume that there will be the usual festival activities with food, music, arts and craft vendors, activities for children and...apples. Cornelia is about an hour and a half drive north of Atlanta. It's a probably a good excuse to head up to the mountains this weekend!

Another event happening in the mountains this weekend is the Indian Summer Festival in Suches, Saturday, October 3rd and Sunday, October 4th from 9am - 5pm. Suches is about a 2 hour drive north of Atlanta and is between Dahlonega and Blue Ridge. Clogging, mountain music, festival food and arts and crafts. This festival also boasts having lots of pies as well as an archery demonstration and a country square dance Saturday night. $4 admission and parking is free. suches.com/festival

The Andersonville Historic Fair is also this weekend, Saturday, October 3rd and Sunday, October 4th in Andersonville. In addition to mock civil war battles, this festival boasts old world craftsmen at work, "extensive" activities for children, a parade, arts, crafts, antiques and live entertainment. www.andersonvillegeorgia.com

It's the last weekend for the Rockdale County Fair which ends on Sunday, October 4th. The fair is being held at the Georgia International Horse Park in Conyers. www.rockdalecountyfair.com

It's also the last weekend for the North Georgia State Fair ending on Sunday, October 4th. The fair is being held at Jim R. Miller park in Marietta. www.northgeorgiastatefair.com

Wine and Food in Midtown Atlanta

The 6th Annual Harvest Midtown Festival is this Sunday, October 4th from 1pm - 5pm at the newly renovated historic Georgian Hotel . Sample food from some of the most celebrated Atlanta chefs paired with wines from around the world. For your entertainment, there will be live jazz, art displays, dance performances and a fashion show. Sounds divine. General admission tickets are $45 in advance and $55 at the door. For details, address and more information visit the Harvest Midtown Festival website at www.harvestmidtown.com.

Hotoberfest

The 2nd Annual Hotoberfest is this Saturday, October 3rd at Glenwood Park in Atlanta. Hotoberfest is described as “an environmental fundraiser with craft beers and celebration of live music, featuring Beer Tasting in our OctoberFest-style Beer Garten.” There will be well over 100 beers available for tasting, live music, a children’s area and artist market. Admission fees vary. For details on the event visit the Hotoberfest website at www.hotoberfest.net.

Oh So Many Events!

There are so many festivals and events this weekend in Georgia as is common for the beginning of Fall. In the interest of giving as much notice as possible, I’m listing several events in this post.

The Cotton Pickin’ Fair in Gay is this Saturday, October 3rd – Sunday, October 4th. Art, antiques, crafts, demonstrations and live entertainment. $5 admission for adults and $3 for children ages 4 – 12. www.cpfair.org

The American Indian Festival is this Saturday, October 3rd – Sunday, October 4th at the Gwinnett County Fairgrounds in Lawrenceville. Gates open at 10am each day. Admission is $7 for ages 13 and up; $4 for children 5 – 12; children 4 and under are free.
vitwind.com

The Atlanta Greek Festival is this Friday, October 2nd – Sunday, October 4th at the Greek Orthodox Cathedral on Clairmont Road in Atlanta. Lots of food and lots of fun. The event starts at 11am on Friday and Saturday and 12pm on Sunday. $3 admission for adults and $1 for children under 12 but does not include food. Opa! www.atlantagreekfestival.org

The Coweta up in Smoke BBQ Cook-Off is this Saturday, October 3rd in Newnan at 10am. I haven't been able to find a lot of information on this event on the internet but there seem to be a lot of competitors. Here are two websites with some info.
www.coweta.ga.us/Index.aspx?page=380&recordid=6696
www.cowetabbq.com

The Georgia Marble Festival is this Saturday, October 3rd – Sunday, October 4th in Jasper. Arts, crafts, food, car show, parade, entertainment, children’s area, street dancing and more. Whew! $5 admission for adults; $3 for children 6 and up; free for children under 5 years. www.pickenschamber.com/Marble-Festival

Field of Greens Festival

The Fourth Annual Field of Greens Festival is this Sunday, October 4th from 11am – 6pm at Whippoorwill Hollow Organic Farm in Walnut Grove. Tickets are $15 for adults and children 12 and under get in free. The admission includes small plate tastings of locally grown food prepared by 15 talented Georgia chefs. 5 Seasons Brewing, Restaurant Eugene, Rosebud, Woodfire Grill and Leon’s Full Service of Decatur are just a few of the restaurants participating. New this year is the Three Not-So-Little Pigs Cook-off, where three chefs prepare three pigs raised by three different farmers. This three-by-three BBQ cook-off, also included in the admission price, will be served up at 3pm. I had problems opening the actual event website (www.fieldofgreensfestival.com) but you can visit the Whippoorwill Hollow Farm website for their address and directions.

Oliver Hardy Festival

The 21st Annual Oliver Hardy Festival is this Saturday, October 3rd in Harlem. Harlem, GA is the birthplace of comedian Oliver Hardy of the legendary comedy Laurel and Hardy. The event boasts thousands of visitors each year. There are parades, a “look-a-like” contest, arts and craft vendors, children’s rides and entertainment, live entertainment, BBQ and Laurel and Hardy movies. Admission and parking are free. For more information and directions, visit Harlem’s website at www.harlemga.org.

Downtown Historic Madison Chili Cook-Off and Fall Festival

The 5th Annual Downtown Chili Cook-Off and Fall Festival in Madison is this Saturday, October 3rd from 10am – 4pm. There is not a lot of information available on the web about this event but I imagine there will be vendors and live entertainment in addition to the chili cook-off. If you have not been to Madison yet, this might be a good time for you to visit. It’s a beautiful historic town with some great little shops and is only 45 minutes away from Atlanta. For more information on the festival and Madison, visit their website at www.madisonga.org.

Free Admission Saturday at the High Museum

Fulton County residents can visit the High Museum for free the first Saturday of each month. Show proof of residency in Fulton County and view the special exhibitions as well as the permanent collection for free! The offer is available for walk up ticket purchases only from 10am – 5pm.

The Strut

The East Atlanta Strut is my favorite parade in Atlanta and my favorite event in East Atlanta. If you have not yet experienced a Strut, I highly recommend it! The 12th Annual East Atlanta Strut is this Saturday, September 19th in the East Atlanta Village. The festival starts at 10am with a 5k run, kids village and artists market. The parade begins at 2pm. Admission is free. For more information check out their website at eastatlantastrut.com

Atlanta Arts Festival

The Atlanta Arts Festival is this weekend, September 12-September 13, in Piedmont Park. The festival starts each day at 10am and admission is free. In addition to viewing the works of 200 artist from across the country there will be artist demonstrations as well as festival food, entertainment and merchandise. For more information visit the festival's website at www.atlantaartsfestival.com

Atlanta BBQ Festival!

Atlanta now has it's first official Barbeque Festival! The festival is this Saturday, September 12th, from 10am-6pm in the Green Lot at Turner Field. Admission is free. In addition to barbeque and a BBQ competition, there will be performing acts, vendors, a kid's area and a baseball clinic! You also have the chance to meet Otis Nixon and get his autograph! For more information on the Atlanta Bar-B-Q Festival, check out their website at www.atlantabbqfestival.com

Dragon Boat Festival

The 14th Annual Dragon Boat Festival is this Saturday, September 12th, at the Lake Lanier Olympic venue at 9am. Over 50 rowing teams from all over the country participate in the event with thousands of people attending. There will be a variety of vendors specializing in Chinese food and arts as well as performers. For more information and directions, visit one of these websites:

www.lckc.org

www.lakelanier.com/events/dragon-boat-festival/

www.dragonboatatlanta.com/

Tai Chi in the Garden

The Atlanta Botanical Garden is offering "Tai Chi in the Garden" classes on Saturdays at 9:30am from September 19th through November 21st. I can't think of a more perfect place to learn this ancient art. Registration deadline is this Sunday, September 13th. The fee is $130 for non-members of the garden and $120 for members. For more information and to register for the class visit the Atlanta Botanical Gardens website at www.atlantabotanicalgarden.org.

Gardening Workshop at the Chattahoochee Nature Center

This Saturday, September 12th, the Chattahoochee Nature Center is hosting a "starting plants from seeds" workshop. This workshop is the first of four Organic Gardening and Sustainable Living Workshops with Duane Marcus, Co-Owner of The Urban Gardener and farmer at the Funny Farm. I know Duane and he is extremely knowledgeable so this should be a fantastic workshop. The workshop is from 1pm to 3pm and is $30 for non-members of the center and $25 for members. Ages 16 and up. For more information and to register for the workshop visit the Chattahoochee Nature Center's website at chattnaturecenter.org.

Smyrna Annual Beer Festival

This Saturday, September 5th, is the 6th Annual Smyrna Beer Festival held at the Smyrna Market Village. The beer festival includes tastings of over 100 beers and a limited selection of wines. There will be a DJ or you can take in a college ball game. Food will be available. Dog friendly! The entry fee is $25 per person in advance and $35 per person at the gate. The event starts at 1pm and ends at 6pm. Entry is limited to the first 3000 participants and is 21 and over event. For more information, a list of beers offered last year and the address of the event, visit the Smyrna Market Village's website at www.smyrnamarketvillageevents.com.

Art in the Park

Each Labor Day weekend the Marietta Square host the "Art in the Park" festival. The 23 year old celebration begins this Saturday, September 5th and goes through Monday, September 7th. It is a huge art festival with over 130 artist in painting, photography, sculpture, pottery, jewelry and more. There is also an interactive Art Alley where young and old can create take home art for free! Free admission. For more information visit their website at mariettaartinthepark.com.

Hot Air Balloon Festival and More!

This weekend is the 11th Annual Sky High Hot Air Balloon Festival at Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain, GA. The festivities begin this Friday, September 4th at 5pm and go through Sunday, September, 6th. There will be live performances, demonstrations, rides, a classic car show and all kinds of activities available! Check out the schedule of events, directions and admission information on the Callaway Garden website at www.callawaygardens.com/callaway/info/calendar/calendar.sky_high.event.aspx.

Pasaquan

Pasaquan is a very special place in Georgia. It was the home of artist Eddie Owens Martin. Mr. Martin, or St. EOM as he called himself, created sculptures and paintings over the vast majority of this property which is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places. Inside the house are various items of art he created including furniture, costumes, paintings, sculptures and more. St. EOM was a very interesting character with amazing talent and his art has been displayed in the High Museum, the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Smithsonian Museum of American Art in D.C. If you have not been to visit Pasaquan I highly recommend it. If you like taking photos you'll fall in love with this place. So plan to spend quite a bit of time there exploring the property. Pasaquan is only open the first Saturday of the month from April through November. The property is open this Saturday, September 5th from 10am-4pm. Admission is a $5 donation per person and all monies are used to preserve the site. Pasaquan is located in Buena Vista, GA just southeast of Columbus and is about a 2.5 hour drive south of Atlanta. For more information about St. EOM and Pasaquan, visit their website at www.pasaquan.com.

Lots To Do This Labor Day Weekend

As I'm sure you already know, there are all kinds of events and activities during the Labor Day weekend. For the sake of time as the weekend is rapidly approaching, I'm going to highlight a few upcoming activities in this post.

The Atlanta Journal/Constitution Decatur Book Festival is this Friday, September 4th - Sunday, September 6th. This is not your average book festival. For starters, the author of the popular Sookie Stackhouse novels will be there! For more information on the festival including directions and a schedule of events and authors visit the festival website at www.decaturbookfestival.com.

The Starlight Six Drive-In Theater is hosting a "Drive Invasion" on Sunday, September 6th. It's an all day affair at the drive-in with several movies, two stages and lots of bands. The gates open at 11am and tickets are $28 per person, $5 for kiddos nine and under. For details and directions visit the Starlight Drive-In Theater's website at www.starlightdrivein.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=main.events

The last of the "Concert by the Springs" series in Sandy Springs is this Sunday, September 6th from 7pm-8:30pm. The concert is free and held at the Heritage Green property in Sandy Springs which is a historic home with a lovely sprawling lawn. Pack a picnic, bring a cooler and a blanket and enjoy the summer evening. This Sunday the band is The Return, Beatles Tribute Band. For details and directions to the concert visit the Heritage Sandy Springs website at www.heritagesandysprings.org.

Last but certainly not least is Dragon-con. Dragon-con is back in Atlanta this weekend, September 4-7. If you're not sure what Dragon-con is or if you want to know the schedule of events during the convention, visit their website at www.dragoncon.org.

Gardening Class at the Atlanta Botanical Garden

The Atlanta Botanical Garden is offering a "Basics of Edible Gardening" class on September 9th. Class discussion will include how to set up your garden, using organic sprays, crop rotation, lay-out, soil preparation and more. The class is from 6:30pm-8:30pm on September 9th but the registration deadline is September 3rd. The fee is $25 for non-members. For more information and to register go to www.atlantabotanicalgarden.org/events/ListClasses.do

Toddler Art

Spend an inspirational afternoon with your child creating art at the High Museum. The High Museum offers a "Toddler Thursdays" art program every Thursday from 11am-3pm. This Thursday, September 3rd, they are offering the opportunity for you and your child to create Calder inspired mobiles with geometric shapes. The program is designed for children ages 2 to 5 and is free with admission to the museum which is $18 for adults. The art projects offered change weekly. For more information, visit The High Museum website at www.high.org/main.taf?p=5,3

Soapbox racing in Atlanta

This Saturday, August 29th, Red Bull is hosting the first of two of their soapbox races in the U.S. this year. At 11am the pits open on 10th Street at Piedmont Park for over forty racing teams. This is sure to be a fun and unique events as teams are not only judged on racing speed but also creativity. So expect to see some funky and fun things! The event is free but be aware that parking in the area will be limited so plan ahead. For more information on the event go to www.redbullsoapboxusa.com/Atlanta-2009/default.aspx.

Do The Time Warp

The Earl Smith Strand Theatre on the Marietta Square is hosting a midnight showing of the cult classic Rocky Horror Picture Show tonight, Saturday, August 22. The event features a costume contest and prizes. Outside props are not allowed, but prop bags will be available for $2. Doors open at 11pm and the costume contest begins at 11:30pm. Full bar service will be available. Tickets are $6 for students/seniors and $7 for adults. Free parking is available at the Cobb County parking garage (next door to The Strand, between Cherokee and Waddell Streets).

You can add even more excitement to your night by taking in a ghost tour before the movie! Ghosts of Marietta is offering a combination movie ticket and ghost tour for $12. The tour starts at 10pm and lasts one hour. For more information about the combo ticket, call Ghosts of Marietta at (678) 290-9193.

Atlanta Rollergirls Championship

If you haven’t made it to a Rollergirls Derby yet, here’s your last chance for the season. The 2009 Atlanta Roller Derby Championship is this Saturday, August 22nd, at 5pm at the Yaarab Shrine Center Auditorium in Atlanta. Bout 1 starts at 5pm and bout 2 is at 7:30pm. Food and beverages will be available at the event or you can BYOB if you like. But, please keep in mind that glass is not allowed in the auditorium. Tickets are $12 per bout in advance and $15 at the door. Tickets for both bouts are $20 in advance and $30 at the door. Parking is free. For more information visit the Atlanta Rollergirls website at www.atlantarollergirls.com.

Thursday Night Entertainment

If you're looking to go out tomorrow night to enjoy the late summer weather and do some exploring, try the Alive After 5 festival in Roswell. This Thursday, August 20th, the stores and restaurants in downtown historic Roswell stay open until 9pm with many places offering specials. It's a good opportunity to stroll through the area, look the shops and try a new restaurant. There are also three bands scheduled to play over the course of the evening. The event is from 5pm-9pm and admission is free. Alive After 5 occurs the third Thursday of the month through October. For more information on the event and parking, visit their website at www.aliveafterfiveroswell.com.

Girls Night at the Movies

Here's a great idea for a girlfriend get-together! This Friday, August 21st at 7pm, the newly renovated historic Earl Smith Strand Theater on the Historic Marietta Square is offering "Flicks, Chicks and Chocolate"! For $15 you get to see the movie "Fried Green Tomatoes" followed by a dessert reception with a cocktail of your choice on the rooftop terrace overlooking the square! For more information on the event and to purchase tickets, visit the theater's website at www.earlsmithstrand.org.

Scavenger Hunt

What could be more fun than having a few drinks, some food and doing a scavenger hunt with a few friends on a summer afternoon! This Saturday, August 22nd, there is a walking scavenger hunt in the East Atlanta Village. The hunt starts at the Midway Pub at 552 Flat Shoals Ave. at 1pm with registration at noon. There are different stages to the hunt including trivia, riddles, objects to find and photos to take. The hunt ends at 5pm with scoring and prizes being handed out after. Teams consist of four people with a $25 entry fee. The proceeds benefit the East Atlanta Strut. For details and to register in advance, email eavscavengerhunt@comcast.net.

A Wonderful Weekend!

Here's hoping that you had as wonderful a weekend as I did! Saturday afternoon was spent in Piedmont Park with thousands of people for the Paul McCartney concert! What an amazing show! I was so impressed with how incredible McCartney and his band sounded! I could go on and on about it but here's hoping you got to experience it!

On Sunday afternoon, I spent some quality time with my best friend. Wonderful weekend!

Standby for many postings on things to do for this weekend!

Artists in Action

The Great Chattahoochee River Paint Out is an opportunity to watch over 70 artists at work painting nature! From August 12th through the 14th, artists will be set up at the Chattahoochee Recreational Area at Island Ford and on selected sites on the Chattahoochee River in Roswell. Judging will begin in the afternoon on Saturday, August 15th, with the public reception and awards presentation beginning at 7:30pm at Island Ford. For more information go to www.cvb.roswell.ga.us/great-chattahoochee-river-paint-out.html.

Think You’re Fast Enough?

If you think you’ve got what it takes, why not enter the Atlanta Motor Speedway “Friday Night Drags”! This street style drag race at the Atlanta Motor Speedway, in Hampton, GA, occurs most Friday nights in August and September. The event is open to any automobile and any driver with a valid driver’s license. Not up for racing but want to show off your car anyway? Enter it in the “Show N’Shine” car show also on Friday nights. Drag practice begins at 6:20pm with the gates opening at 6:30pm. Fee for competition is $20 and just $7 for spectators. For details on these events, rules and event calendar visit the Atlanta Motor Speedway’s website at www.atlantamotorspeedway.com/events/drags/.

Meditation in the Garden

The Atlanta Botanical Garden is offering meditation classes! The gardens are a wonderful place to learn how to relieve stress and create inner calm through breathwork and meditation. Classes start on August 22nd but the registration deadline is August 17th. The meditation classes are every Saturday for six weeks from 8:30am to 9:30am. The fee for the six week course is $110. For details, registration and information on more classes visit the Atlanta Botanical Garden’s website at www.atlantabotanicalgarden.org/events/ListClasses.do.

Historic Midtown Atlanta Tour

The Atlanta Preservation Center is offering their Midtown Commercial District walking tour this Saturday, August 15th at 3pm. The Midtown Commercial District tour starts with the Georgian Terrace Hotel and covers the remaining commercial historic structures in Midtown Atlanta including the Fox Theater, the Ponce de Leon Apartments, The Academy of Medicine and the Davis-Fischer Sanitarium just to name a few. The tour lasts about and hour and a half and is $10 per person. The tour group will meet on the steps of the Georgian Terrace at 659 Peachtree Street, NE, Atlanta (directly across the street from the Fox Theater). For more information on this and other walking tours, visit the Atlanta Preservation Center’s website at www.preserveatlanta.com.

Folk Art Exhibition

The 16th Annual Folk Fest is this Friday, August 14th through Sunday, August 16th at the North Atlanta Trade Center in Norcross, GA. The festival has over a hundred exhibitors representing self-taught art, folk art, outsider art and southern pottery. Friday, August 14th is the opening of the show from 5pm to 10pm and includes a “Meet the Artist” party. Friday’s admission is $15 but allows readmission for the remainder of the event. Admission is $7 on Saturday, August 15th and Sunday, August 16th. For more information about the event go to www.slotinfolkart.com or the website for the North Atanta Trade Center, www.northatlantatradecenter.com.

Sunday Evening at the Drive-In

Looking for something different and cheap to do on a hot, summer Sunday evening? The Starlight Drive-In Theater in Atlanta is showing Turner Classic Movies every Sunday night at 9:30pm through the end of the month for $1 per car. Yep, that’s $1 per car. So if you can fit six people in your car, it’s still $1 to drive in and watch the movie! For a list of showings and directions go to www.starlightdrivein.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=main.events.

Sweetwater Brewery Tours

Sweetwater Brewery in Atlanta have held week day evening tours of their facilities for several years and have recently added a Saturday tour from 2:30pm to 4:30pm. Here’s your opportunity to sample several of their brews, including the standard Sweetwater 420 and Sweetwater IPA, along with some seasonal brews. If you just want to sample, you can get a small plastic cup and six tickets for small pours for free. But, if you like your beer, go for the $8 admission which includes a souvenir glass and tickets for six 5 oz. pours. The actual tour of the facility lasts about 20 minutes and the rest of the time is used for sampling their beers in their large tasting room or on the patio. There’s live music and its dog friendly. Sweetwater Brewery is at 195 Ottley Drive, Atlanta, 30324. Tours are for those 21 and over so don’t forget to bring your ID! For more information go to www.sweetwaterbrew.com.