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.

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.

Time for some BBQ!

Kennesaw, GA
The Pigs and Peaches BBQ Festival is this Friday, August 14th, from 3pm to 11pm and Saturday, August 15th, from 10am to 10pm, at Adams Park and the Ben Robertson Community Center in Kennesaw. There will be live music, a children’s area, arts and crafts vendors, a parachuting team and plenty of BBQ! This festival also includes a Georgia State Championship Barbeque Cookoff with winners announced on Saturday afternoon. Admission and parking are free. For a schedule of events and information on parking, go to www.kennesaw-ga.gov/pkrec/bbqfestival.

Decatur, GA
The 9th Annual Decatur BBQ, Blues and Bluegrass Festival is this Saturday, August 15th, at Harmony Park in Decatur (in the Oakhurst neighborhood). The festival is from 4pm to 10pm. Admission is $10 for adults over 21, $5 for ages 10-20 and children under 10 get in free. For details on the event, parking information and directions, go to www.decaturbbqfestival.com.

Summer Stargazing

Want to do a little summer stargazing? How about learning about those stars at the same time?! The Chattahoochee Nature Center is offering a night of stargazing led by an Emory Astronomer. This isn't your grandpa pointing out the big dipper! It's an introduction to the night sky, learning about the summer constellations and more. How romantic and fun! Summer Sky Stargazing is this Saturday, August 8th at the Chattahoochee Nature Center from 8pm to 10pm. Tickets are $20 for non-members of the center. Go to their website for details and to register online at http://chattnaturecenter.org/adult-onsite-programs.

Too soon to get scared?

Not according to the folks at Ghosts of Marietta! You don't have to wait until fall to enjoy a ghost tour. Ghosts of Marietta are conducting walking ghost tours and an overnight investigation this month! They have also put a fun spin on the walking ghost tour by teaming up with The Historic Marietta Trolley Company for a trolley ghost tour appropriately named the "Scary-etta Ghost Tour" beginning this Friday, August 7th from 8pm to 9:30pm. Space on the trolley is limited so reservations need to be made in advance. $25 + tax for adults and $12 + tax for children. If you miss it this month the next trolley ghost tour is September 4th. Check out these websites for more details and to make reservations: www.ghostsofmarietta.com and www.mariettatrolley.com/events.

First Friday Art Walk in Marietta, GA

The First Friday Art Walk in Marietta, GA is a great idea for a leisurely Friday evening activity. Bring a date or some friends for a stroll through the historic Marietta Square. Spend the evening viewing the works of local artists, enjoying the park, discovering the shops and galleries and take in dinner at one of the many restaurants. The remaining First Friday Art Walks for this year are on August 7th, September 4th and October 2nd from 6pm to 9pm. It's free and is a self-guided tour with maps available at any of the participating venues (look for the Art Walk signs on the doors) or online. For directions and a list of artists and venues go to www.artwalkmarietta.com.