After a week filled with worries about Tropical Storm Irma and its aftermath, it's time to get out and have a little fun.
As temperatures warm back up, your thoughts are probably turning from stocking up on bread and other essentials to enjoying all Atlanta has to offer.
Whether you'd like to enjoy the sights and sounds of a festival, learn to cook authentic Tuscan dishes or get active with a run, there's something for just about everyone.
Here's what's happening in Atlanta this weekend:
Cobb
Credit: Bob Andres
Credit: Bob Andres
Marietta Streetfest. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16 and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 17. Free. Marietta Square. 39-75 E. Park Square, Marietta. 404-966-8497.
Marietta's 26th annual family-friendly festival has over 75 art and jewelry exhibits with work for sale, as well as a Kid's Korner with inflatables, crafts, games and more. Local musicians will also perform, and you can check out a classic car show and military cruise-in.
East Cobb Garden Tour, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 17. $25 online or $35 at the garden, $15 for seniors, and children under 16 are free. McFarlane Nature Park. 280 Farm Road, SE, Marietta.
Stroll through the beautiful stops on the East Cobb Garden Tour, which includes the McFarlane Nature Park and historic farm house as well as four additional gardens in the East Cobb neighborhood. Proceeds benefit the non-profit nature park.
Taste of Smyrna Festival of Delectable, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 16. Free admission with $1 to $4 samples. Village Green and Market Village, downtown Smyrna. 770-423-1330.
Save your appetite for plenty of samples from Smyrna restaurants, and also check out the beer garden and wine tasting. Music will be performed throughout the festival.
Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre 10th Anniversary Birthday Bash & Open House. noon to 4 p.m. Free. 2800 Cobb Galleria Pkwy, Atlanta. 770-916-2800.
Celebrate 10 years of performances with the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre and register to win prizes like a free ticket and parking pass to 10 performances. Complimentary food tastings will be available, and you'll also be able to enjoy samplers from the upcoming season of The Atlanta Opera, Atlanta Ballet and Alliance Theatre.
DeKalb
Southern Surf StompFest, noon to 10 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 16. Free. Little Tree Studios, 2834 Franklin St., Avondale Estates. 404-297-9960.
The annual Southern Surf Stompfest highlights the South's best surf, instro and other music. An artists' market and food trucks will also be on hand at this event for all ages.
Aga Khan Foundation National Walk/Run, registration onsite starts at 7 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 17. $15 for park admission. Stone Mountain Park, 1000 Robert E. Lee Blvd., Stone Mountain.
The Aga Khan Foundation National Walk/Run raises money for and awareness about global poverty. Walk or run a variety of races, bid in a silent auction, and stay for the concert afterward.
Credit: decaturdba.com
Credit: decaturdba.com
Concert on the Square, 7 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 16. Free. Square in downtown Decatur. 404-371-8386.
Spend a September evening outdoors as you listen to music from The Haraway Brothers. Their songwriting has been influenced by artists ranging from Bruce Springsteen to Lionel Ritchie.
Adult Disability Medical Home (ADMH) Run for Health, 8 a.m. registration, 9 a.m. 5k and 9:15 a.m. 1k. $30 registration until Sept. 15, $35 on race day and $15 for children 10 and under. Brook Run Park. 4770 N. Peachtree Road, Dunwoody.
Run or walk to support health and related services for teens and adults with Down syndrome and other developmental disabilities. The race is also a qualifier for the AJC Peachtree Road Race.
Gwinnett
Credit: COURTESY OF THE CITY OF SUWANEE
Credit: COURTESY OF THE CITY OF SUWANEE
Suwanee Fest, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Free. Saturday, Sept. 16. Noon to 5 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 17. Suwanee Town Center Park, 330 Town Center Ave., Suwanee.
Enjoy over 200 vendors and exhibitors and 15 entertainment acts at the annual two-day Suwanee Fest. Or join in a one-mile parade for a chance at cash or prizes for floats or participants.
Gwinnett County Fair, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16. 1-9 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 17. Gwinnett County Fairgrounds, 2405 Sugarloaf Pkwy., Lawrenceville. $10 for fair goers ages 12-64; $5 for kids ages 6-11; and free for kids 5 and younger. *Admission is cash only.
It’s not September without Gwinnett County Fair, which will offer food, classic fair rides, livestock shows and more this weekend and next weekend. This Saturday, fair goers can whitness the Flores Circus Thrill Show. Sunday brings the always crowd-pleasing Gwinnett Wee Miss Pageant.
Rock'n Ribville, noon to 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16. Free. Lawrenceville Lawn. 210 Luckie St., Lawrenceville. www.rocknribville.com.
Barbecue takes center stage since the event is a sanctioned competition, but there's also plenty of music, a kids' zone and more to enjoy. Proceeds benefit the Lawrenceville Police Benevolent Fund.
JapanFest, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 17. $10 admission, kids 6 and under free. Infinite Energy Center. 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth. 404-842-0736. www.japanfest.org.
Learn about Japanese culture at JapanFest performances that include songs, dance, swordsmanship, martial arts and more. Workshops are held on topics ranging from Japanese secrets to a long life to anime.
North Fulton
Date Night: Modern Tuscan Cooking, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Friday, Sept. 15. $79 per person. Sur La Table, North Point Mall, 1082 North Point Circle, Alpharetta. 800-243-0552. https://www.surlatable.com/sku/3694197/Date+Night%3A+Modern+Tuscan+Cooking.
Invite your significant other to a cooking class where you'll both learn how to create authentic Tuscan dishes, including grilled steak with rosemary and garlic. You'll be able to enjoy a generous taste of every dish.
"Star Wars" and More: The Music of John Williams, 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16. Tickets start at $19.50 for lawn seating. Verizon Amphitheater. 2200 Encore Parkway, Alpharetta. 404-733-5010. vzwamp.com/event/atlanta-symphony-orchestra-star-wars-and-more.
Join the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra for an evening of music from John Williams' legendary film scores, including selections from "Harry Potter" and the "Star Wars" movies. If you'd like to have dinner, Star Wars picnic baskets are available with dishes such as Chewbacca Chicken Wraps and Vader Taters.
"The Jungle Book," 11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 16. $10. Roswell Cultural Arts Center. 950 Forrest St., Roswell. 770-641-1260.
Take the kids to see the Georgia Ensemble Theatre's presentation of “The Jungle Book.” It's a fast-paced retelling of the Rudyard Kipling story, featuring scrappy Mowgli and his jungle adventures.
Heritage Sandy Springs Outdoors Club hikes. 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 15. Free. Heritage Sandy Springs. 6110 Blue Stone Road, Sandy Springs. 8 to 9 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 16 at Morgan Falls Park. 200 Morgan Falls Road, Sandy Springs.
The Heritage Sandy Springs Outdoor Club holds weekly urban hikes through Sandy Springs' local parks. All ages and skill levels are welcome, and advance registration is recommended. Completion of an online liability waiver is required.
About the Author
