LABOR DAY WEEKEND: 3 fun-filled days

You’ve been working hard all year, so give yourself a break! Enjoy the summer sun at some of these metro area celebrations.

BEST BETS

1. STAR 94 FM ‘STARFEST’

WITH JOHN MAYER

The artist is touring in support of his third studio release, “Continuum.” Also performing: One Republic.

WHEN: 8 p.m. Friday

ADMISSION: $56; $36 lawn

WHERE: Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park, 2200 Encore Parkway, Alpharetta

INFO: 404-733-5397, 404-249-6400, www.vzwamp.com

2. DRAGONCON

Multimedia gathering of creators and consumers of science fiction, fantasy, gaming, comics, literature, art, music and film. Also, performances, costuming, dances, screenings, autographings and a dealers room.

WHERE: Hyatt Regency Atlanta, the Atlanta Marriott Marquis and the Atlanta Hilton

WHEN: Friday-Monday

ADMISSION: $65-$90

INFO: 770-909-0115, www.dragoncon.org

DRAGONCON FILM FESTIVAL

Feature and short films. Science fiction, fantasy, horror, comedy, art films and animation. Panels with filmmakers.

WHEN: Times vary

ADMISSION: Included with $25-$50 one-day DragonCon pass

WHERE: Hyatt Regency Atlanta, 265 Peachtree St. N.E., Atlanta

INFO: 770-909-0115, filmfest.dragoncon.org

DRAGONCON PARADE

Something wacky this way comes: Imperial stormtroopers, Klingons, superheroes, monsters, hobbits and so forth march, shamble and otherwise make their way up Atlanta’s main street. Steps off at Woodruff Park, heads north on Peachtree Street to Baker Street, ends at Courtland Street.

WHEN: 10 a.m. Saturday

ADMISSION: Free

WHERE: Woodruff Park, Peachtree Street at Auburn Avenue, Atlanta

INFO: 770-909-0115, www.dragoncon.org

3. CELEBRATE FREEDOM ATLANTA

Christian music festival presented by 104.7 The Fish. With MercyMe (pictured), Hawk Nelson, Aaron Shust, Jaci Velasquez, Salvador, Ayeisha Woods, Chris Sligh and others.

WHEN: 9 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday

ADMISSION: Free

WHERE: Georgia International Horse Park, 1996 Centennial Olympic Parkway, Conyers

INFO: 770-602-2606, www.celebratefreedomatlanta.com

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Artillery Demonstrations. Re-enactors fire the cannons and explain how the cannons used in the Civil War worked. 11 a.m., noon, 2 and 3 p.m. Sunday, Monday and Sept. 28. Free. Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park, 900 Kennesaw Mountain Drive, Kennesaw. 770-427-4686, Ext. 0, www.nps.gov/kemo.

Art in the Park. Works by 130 artists, including painting, photography, pottery, graphics, sculpture and jewelry. In Glover Park. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday-Monday. Free. Marietta Square, 4 N. Park Square, Marietta. 770-429-1115, www.mariettaartinthepark.com.

Craig Morgan: Country Night Series. Country music singer-songwriter and veteran of the United States Army. Danielle Peck shares the bill. 8 p.m. Saturday $38.50-$45; $20 lawn. Mable House Barnes Amphitheatre, 5239 Floyd Road, Mableton. 770-819-7765, 404-249-6400, www.themhba.com.

“Dialog in the Dark.” A series of familiar environments and activities made challenging by total darkness. Visitors are led through interactive environments by guides who are blind or visually impaired. 9 a.m.-8 p.m. daily (last ticket sold at 7 p.m.). Saturday-March 1. $24; $20 ages 65 and older and military personnel; $16 ages 11 and younger. Atlantic Station Exhibition Center, 265 18th St., Atlanta. 1-866-866-8265, www.dialogtickets.com.

Dixie Fried Car Show and Drive-In Invasion. On Saturday, driven pre-1965 cars, hot rods, kustoms and bikes welcome. On Sunday, pre-1974 welcome. No billet. Awards and prizes in six categories both days. Sponsored by Atlanta Road Kings Car Club in conjunction with Drive-Invasion festival of vintage B movies. Also vendors, food and live entertainment. Noon to dark Saturday-Sunday. $24; $43 for both days; $5 children 8 and younger. Starlight Six Drive-In Theater, 2000 Moreland Ave. S.E., Atlanta. 404-627-5786, www.driveinvasion.com.

Drive Invasion 2008 Film Festival. Screening of “Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure,” “Blazing Saddles,” “Up in Smoke,” “This Is Spinal Tap,” “Kentucky Fried Movie,” “Forbidden Planet,” “Barbarella,” “Frankenstein Island,” “Invasion of the Body Snatchers” and “A Boy and His Dog.” 9:30 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. $24-$43. Starlight Six Drive-In Theater, 2000 Moreland Ave. S.E., Atlanta. 404-627-5786, www.starlightdrivein.com.

Grant Park Summer Shade Festival. Includes a 5K run (www.active.com), artist market, live music on multiple stages, children’s activities and food vendors. Also, Corks & Forks: A fine food and wine event where guests taste signature dishes from some of Atlanta’s top restaurants along with wine pairings from around the world. 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Sunday. Free festival admission. Corks & Forks: $45; $35 advance. Grant Park, 537 Park Ave. S.E., Atlanta. 404-521-0938, www.summershade.org.

Habitat for Humanity Homecoming Festival. 20th anniversary groundbreaking party with live music, water slides and moonwalks for children and refreshments for sale. Benefits Gwinnett Habitat’s Annual Campaign. 2-8 p.m. Saturday. Free with donation of any amount. Habitat Multifamily Home Site, 210 Pounds Road, Tucker. 770-931-8080, www.habitatgwinnett.org.

Live and Local. Bands from throughout the Southeast. 6 p.m. Saturday: Water Seed and Shelflyfe. Included in admission: $39.99 (online $29.99); $29.99 children under 48”; ages 2 and younger free. Six Flags Over Georgia, 275 Riverside Parkway, Austell. 770-739-3400, www.sixflags.com/overgeorgia.

Love the Lake Festival. Arts and crafts, food, two stages with entertainment, children’s activities, including inflatables. Parking in downtown Acworth with shuttles to the park. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday; noon-6 p.m. Sunday. Free. Cauble Park at Lake Acworth, 4425 Beach St., Acworth. 770-423-1330, www.acworth.org.

Patterson Hood. Frontman for the Athens rockers Drive-By Truckers. Part of the AJC Decatur Book Festival. 7:30 p.m. Sunday. Free. Decatur Square, West Ponce de Leon Avenue at Clairemont Avenue, Decatur. 404-645-9331, www.decaturbookfestival.com.

“Trains Planes and Automobiles.” Car show, trackless train ride, model train displays, train memorabilia and food vendors. Shuttles to Tara Field airport to see vintage planes, and Army helicopters. Main Street will be blocked off with barriers. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday. $5 for spectators; no fee for entering vehicles in car show. Hampton Train Depot, 17 E. Main St., Hampton. 770-946-4306, www.cityofhampton-ga.gov.

U.S. 10K Classic Family Festival. Artists market, race expo, children’s activity area, rock climbing wall, batting cages, interactive games, face painters. Dave Matthews Tribute Band 5-7:30 p.m. Saturday. All you-can-eat barbecue ($10) 5-7 p.m. Saturday. Jordin Sparks guest appearance 3:30 p.m. Sunday. Festival hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. Free. Galleria Gardens, 2 Galleria Parkway N.W., Atlanta. 770-432-0100, Ext. 645, www.us10k.org.

World Championship Rodeo 2008. An International Professional Rodeo Association event with bull riding, barrel racing, steer wrestling, saddle bronc riding, bareback riding and calf roping. 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 7 p.m. Sunday. $15; $12 ages 65 and older; $10 ages 5-12; ages 4 and younger free. Cumming Fairgrounds, 235 Castleberry Road, Cumming. 770-781-3491, www.cummingfair.net.

WRFG Labor Day Blues Barbecue. A day of blues music, dedicated to the late Sean Costello. Joe Krown Organ Combo headlines the concert. Also appearing: The Breeze Kings, Joe McGuinness and Oliver Wood, Heaven Davis, the Soul Shakers, and Zydefunk with Charlie Wooten. Benefits community radio station WRFG 89.3 FM. 12:30-8:30 p.m. Monday. $18; $15 advance; ages 12 and younger free. Park Tavern, 500 10th St. N.E., Atlanta. 404-523-3471, www.wrfg.org.