And no, I’m not just recommending that you stay home and grill out. There’s lots to do on the cheap in metro Atlanta over Labor Day weekend. I tipped you off to the Decatur Book Festival earlier this week. Here are five more freebies.
On Saturday, August 30, at 10:00 a.m., hundreds of Dragon*Con members will take to the streets decked out in their favorite alter egos. The parade route follows Peachtree Street from Woodruff Park at Auburn Avenue to the Hyatt, continues down Baker Street, and ends at the Marriott at Courtland Street. Along the way, you’ll spy everyone from Batman and Spiderman to aliens and Darth Vader, many of whom will be passing out candy & other goodies to the crowd, and all of whom will be having a wicked good time.
Billed as the largest free one-day concert in Atlanta, Celebrate Freedom Atlanta will take place on Saturday, August 30, at the Georgia International Horse Park. Over a dozen Christian rock artists will take the stage, including MercyMe, Ayiesha Woods, Anita Renfroe, Salvador, Jaci Velasquez, and the David Cooper Band. Gates open at 9:00 a.m., and concerts will kick off at 9:30 a.m. and run until 11:00 p.m.. Download free tickets online, and remember to bring $3 for parking as well as chairs or blankets. No coolers are allowed. The Georgia International Horse Park is located at 1996 Centennial Olympic Parkway, Conyers.
3. The U.S. 10K Classic Family Festival
Whether or not you’re planning to participate in the U.S. 10K Classic, check out the free Family Festival, which will take place on Saturday, August 30, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and Sunday, August 31, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.. Highlights include a children’s activity area, athlete and celebrity autograph signings, and free concerts. Don’t miss Saturday evening’s concert, featuring the Dave Matthews Tribute Band, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.. Their tribute is especially poignant due to the recent untimely death of the Dave Matthews Band’s saxophonist, LeRoi Moore, who died at 46 after suffering serious injuries in an ATV accident. The Family Festival will be held at the Galleria Gardens, located in the office complex behind the Galleria Mall on Cobb Parkway, Atlanta.
4. Gwinnett Habitat for Humanity 20th Anniversary Homecoming
While technically not free, the admission charge for the Gwinnett Habitat for Humanity 20th Anniversary Homecoming is a donation in any amount, even if it’s just a penny you picked up in the parking lot on the way in. From 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., you’ll enjoy free concerts by local musicians from MusicForCharities.com, including Tammy Allen, and kids will have a blast taking part in all of the free activities, including a waterslide. The Gwinnett Habitat for Humanity 20th Anniversary Homecoming will take place at 210 Pounds Road, Tucker, the site of the townhome builds slated to start in September.
Taking place on Saturday, August 30, and Sunday, August 31, the Summer Shade Festival kicks off when the Adams Realtors 5K Run wraps up. Browse through the Artist Market, which runs from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Saturday and 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday. Listen to free concerts from 11:30 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. on Saturday and 11:00a.m. through 7:30 p.m. on Sunday. And let the kids play around in the Childrens’ Fun Center from noon to 5:00p.m. on both days. The Summer Shade Festival takes place in Grant Park, Atlanta. Free parking is located in lots on Boulevard and Cherokee Avenue.
–Jennifer Maciejewski
I had a great time at Summer Shade. Met a lot of great people and enjoyed all it had to offer. Here are some of my pictures and the like:
http://womenartmoney.blogspot.com/2008/09/ms-frizzle-and-gang-begin-to-explore.html
Good looking out =)!