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Home > Smart Spending > Archives > 2008 > December > 05
Friday, December 5, 2008
If you love a parade (and other free things)
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Santa makes his appearance at the 2007 Children’s Christmas Parade. He’ll be back for this year’s event on Saturday. Photo: Todd R. McQueen
There’s a veritable parade of fun free events happening this weekend, and many of them are actual parades. But even the things that take place somewhere warm and toasty won’t cost you a dime.
FORWARD MARCH
Let’s start with all the marching, floating Santa-driven cavalcades sprinkled liberally throughout the metro area. Just click on the name of the locale to be whisked to more info on their events. Among the towns and cities filling the streets with joy this weekend:
Lilburn - 10 a.m. Dec. 6
Johns Creek - 10 a.m. Dec. 6
Covington - 11 a.m. Dec. 6
Buford - 2:30 p.m. Dec. 6
Cumming - 3:30 p.m. Dec. 6
Woodstock - 4 p.m. Dec. 6
Conyers - 4:30-7 p.m. Dec. 6
Powder Springs - 5 p.m. Dec. 6
Newnan - 3 p.m. Dec. 7
There’s also the Children’s Christmas Parade sponsored by Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, which begins at 10:30 a.m. Dec. 6. It heads south from Peachtree Street near Baker Street in downtown Atlanta, turns right into Marietta Street from Peachtree Street, and ends on Centennial Olympic Park Drive. 404-785-6635.
LIVING HISTORY
A little further afield, the Sons of the American Revolution will commemorate a skirmish that occurred at the mouth of Vann’s Creek in present-day Elbert County during the American Revolution. The Vann’s Creek Battle Ceremony takes place at 11 a.m. Dec. 6 in Richard B. Russell State Park. 2650 Russell State Park Road, Elberton. 706-283-4359.
STRIKE GOLD
On most days, it only costs a few dollars to visit the Dahlonega Gold Museum State Historic Site. This Sunday, you won’t need the wallet at all. As part of Dahlonega’s Old Fashioned Christmas celebration, the museum’s admission fee will be waived for the day. Learn about the nation’s first gold rush and see historic coins minted in Georgia. 9 a.m.-4:45 p.m. Dec. 7. Dahlonega Gold Museum State Historic Site, 1 Public Square, Dahlonega. 706-864-2257.
OOM-PAH
Doesn’t everybody love the tuba? Despite its reputation as the brassy basso clown of the orchestra, the tuba can make truly beautiful music. Want evidence? Check out the annual gathering of horns at Tuba Christmas, where more than 200 tuba players will serenade visitors with holiday tunes. Noon-1 p.m. Dec. 5. Free. Underground Atlanta, 50 Upper Alabama St. S.W., Atlanta. 404-523-2311.
HOLIDAY GLEE
This year marks the 82nd annual Spelman-Morehouse Christmas Carol Concert. The Spelman College and Morehouse College Glee Clubs join forces for this beloved holiday event, which always draws a big crowd. Even though there are three performances, you should get there early, especially for the concert at the smaller Sisters Chapel on the Spelman campus. Limited seating and fine entertainment combined with free admission equals lots of hopeful patrons. It will all be worth it when the Morehouse College Glee Club launches into “Betelehemu,” a carol sung in the Yoruba language of West Africa, an undeniable highlight of Atlanta’s holiday season. 8 p.m. Dec. 5 and 7 at Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel, 830 Westview Drive S.W., Morehouse College, Atlanta. 404-215-2680. 8 p.m. Dec. 6 at Sisters Chapel, 350 Spelman Lane S.W., Spelman College, Atlanta. 404-681-3643.
