Shake Your Shamrock: 16 things to do this weekend around Atlanta

Along with St. Patrick's Day events and festivities, you'll find plenty of things to do around Atlanta this weekend to have the time of your life.

Here are 16 ways to get a strong start on the weekend from Smyrna to Alpharetta:

Cobb

Smyrna St. Patrick's Day Fest. 2 p.m. Friday, March 17 and 1 p.m. Saturday, March 17 and 18. $5 per person, free for children under 13. Atkins Park Tavern. 2840 Atlanta Road, Smyrna. 770-435-1887. www.smyrnastpatricksdayfest.com.

Join the community to celebrate St. Patrick's Day in Smyrna this Friday and Saturday at Atkins Park Tavern. this event will feature a live DJ, live music, carnival games, cornhole, and of course, the big green fountain.

American Craft Show. 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, 10 am. to 6 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, March 17 through 19. $12 per person. Cobb Galleria Centre. Galleria Parkway, Atlanta. 612-206-3100. www.craftcouncil.org.

Calling all crafters. The American Craft Show will hit the Galleria this weekend with over 250 artists showing their wares. From jewelry and clothing to home decor and furniture, don't miss this huge crafter's event.

2017 Annual Civil War Symposium: Longstreet to Redemption. 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, March 18. $5 per person. KSU Center Meeting and Training Facility. 3333 Busbee Drive, Kennesaw. 470-578-2551. www.travelcobb.org.

Learn about Civil War history with an in-depth symposium taking place at Kennesaw State University this Saturday. You'll see not-to-miss presentations focused on Confederate General James Longstreet and hear about Georgia's history following the war.

2017 Model Train Show. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 18 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, March 19. $10 per person, free for children ages 12 and under, free for scouts in uniform. Cobb Galleria Centre. Galleria Parkway, Atlanta. events@cobbgalleria.com. www.themodeltrainshow.com.

If you love model trains, don't miss the 2017 Model Train Show taking place this weekend in Cobb. Along with as many model trains as you can dream of, you'll also see over 250 vendor tables with displays and layouts, raffles, door prizes and more.

DeKalb

The Secrets of Slave Songs. 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 18. $20 for adults, $15 for students, seniors and children ages 12 and under. Porter Sanford III Performing Arts and Community Center. 3181 Rainbow Drive, Decatur. 612-343-3390. www.threadsdance.org.

Make time to see "The Secrets of Slave Songs" this weekend, a re-imagined rendition of Traditional Negro Spirituals, used as a secret language, that will educate and inspire.

31st Annual Artistic Affair: "Spruill is Shining" Fundraiser. 6:30-10:30 p.m. Saturday, March 18. $125 per person. Spruill Center for the Arts.5339 Chamblee Dunwoody Road, Atlanta. 770-394-3447. www.cvbdunwoody.com

Help support local artists by attending the 31st Annual Artistic Affair Fundraiser. This year's theme, "Spruill is Shining," will feature a live and silent auction, dinner and dancing to raise money for art education at the Spruill Center for the Arts.

Credit: David Tulis

Credit: David Tulis

2017 Publix Georgia Marathon and Half Marathon. 7 a.m. Sunday, March 19. No race-day registration, expo registration only. $140 for the marathon, $100 for the half-marathon, free to watch. Centennial Olympic Park. 265 Park Ave. West NW, Atlanta. 404-231-9064.www.atlantatrackclub.org.

If you've ever through of running in a marathon, or even a half-marathon, now's your chance. The 2017 Publix Georgia Marathon and Half-Marathon will hit Centennial Olympic Park this Sunday will runners from all over the region. Runners will receive a commemorative shirts and medals.

2017 Be Healthy Georgia Festival. 10 a.m. Sunday, March 19. Free. Centennial Olympic Park. 265 Park Ave. West NW, Atlanta. 404-231-9064.www.atlantatrackclub.org.

If running in the marathon just isn't for you, stick around after the Publix Georgia Marathon for the 2017 Be Healthy Georgia Festival taking place at 10. This event will feature a fun run and dash, along with games with Georgia's pro sports teams, a visit from mascots, give-a-ways and more.

Gwinnett

Credit: Courtesy of Fadó Irish Pub Buckhead

Credit: Courtesy of Fadó Irish Pub Buckhead

Shake Your Shamrock St. Patrick's Day Celebration. 6 p.m. Friday, March 17. Free. Mall of Georgia. 3333 Buford Drive, Buford. 770-271-9458.

www.events.exploregwinnett.org.

Celebrate St. Patrick's Day with the whole family this Friday at the Mall of Georgia with the Shake Your Shamrock celebration event. From 6 to 9, guests will enjoy live entertainment, including performances by the drake School of Irish Dance, giveaways, music, dancing, a photo booth and food.

Braselton LifePath PathFest. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 18. Free. Braselton LifePath. 6322 Grand Hickory Drive, Braselton. 706-684-0369. www.braseltonlifepath.com.

Head on down to the Braselton LifePath for PathFest, a day of St. Patrick's Day fun and festivities. This event will include a Path parade, inflatable bouncy houses, food and drinks, PathQuest to find the Pot of Gold and more.

Gwinnett Life Run. 7 a.m. Saturday, March 18. $30 per person, free to watch. Gwinnett County Fairgrounds. 2405 Sugarloaf Parkway, Lawrenceville. www.gwinnettliferun.com.

Get out and run this Saturday to raise money for The Pregnancy Resource Center of Gwinnett and Young Life. The Gwinnett Life Run will include a 10K, 5K and 1 mile run, along with Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwich giveaways, commemorative t-shirts, inflatables, prizes and awards.

Bridal Expo. 1 p.m. Sunday, March 19. $6 to $25 per person. Environmental and Heritage Center. 2020 Clean Water Drive, Buford. 770-904-3500. www.events.exploregwinnett.org.

If you have an upcoming wedding to plan, stop by the Bridal Expo taking place at the Environmental and Heritage Center in Buford this Sunday. Guests will enjoy workshops, take part in giveaways, taste samples, explore gowns and receive a swag bag to keep.

North Fulton

St. Patrick's Day Outdoor Block Party. 2-11 p.m. Friday, March 17. $20 per person. Fadó Irish Pub Buckhead. 273 Buckhead Ave. NE, Atlanta. 404-841-0066. www.fadoirishpub.com.

It's that time again - time for the St. Patrick's Day Outdoor Block Party at Fadó Irish Pub in Buckhead. They're closing down the streets to fill with live music, dancing, drinks and, of course, green-clad guests.

St. Patrick's Day at Gate City Brewing Company. 6:30-10 p.m. Friday, March 17. Fundraiser tickets sold at the door. Gate City Brewing Company. 43 Magnolia St., Roswell. 770-992-4339. www.cdakids.org.

Gate City Brewing Company will host a St. Patrick's Day celebration that will include live music from The Seven Sons, a brewery tour, beer tastings, prizes, food and more.

Paint Your Pet. 7-9:30 p.m. Saturday, March 18. $45 per person. Art and Beyond.

8560 Holcomb Bridge Road Suite 102, Alpharetta. 770-954-6102.

www.artandbeyondstudio.com.

If you love your pet like the baby that he is, don't miss the Paint Your Pet event taking place this Saturday at Art and Beyond. No previous experience or skill level needed, you'll follow instructor Sonja Fasen as she guides you through a step-by-step process to create a beautiful painting of your beloved pet.

Novruz Spring Food Festival. 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. Sunday, March 19. Free. Istanbul Cultural Center Atlanta. 591 North Main St., Alpharetta. 770-410-5700. www.awesomealpharetta.com.

What better way to celebrate the coming of spring than with a cultural festival full of food, dancing and fun activities. The Novrus Spring Food Festival will hit the Istanbul Cultural Center Atlanta this Sunday, and will feature traditional Turkish Doner, Baklava, Dolma and Shish Kebab, folk dancing performaces, competitions, arts and crafts, inflatable bouncy houses and more.