LAWRENCEVILLE
American Indian Festival at Gwinnett County Fairgrounds
This popular three-day event carries on a tradition started by Paul Eddy in 1992. Eddy, a member of the Yankton Dakota or Sioux tribe, passed away in 2006. His wife Toadie and son Ryan keep the celebration alive and well into its 21st year. The Eddys and their staff bring together traditional Native American arts, crafts, dances and music. Guests immerse themselves in performances including storytelling, flute playing and blowgun demonstrations. Don’t miss the daily grand entry, which involves a color guard and a parade of Native American dancers in full costume showcasing their traditional moves. All veterans receive a special salute during the grand entry. It takes place at 1 and 6 p.m. May 26; 2 p.m. May 27; and 1 p.m. May 28. Dancing and drumming competitions follow and run all afternoon. Country music duo the Locklear Sisters perform each day. Native American artifacts such as jewelry, pottery and paintings will be available to view or purchase. Food vendors sell everything from buffalo burgers and Indian tacos to traditional festival fare. Funnel cakes, cotton candy and other carnival style indulgences will be aplenty. The entire event is housed inside the covered rodeo arena.
10 a.m.-9 p.m. May 26; 10 a.m.-7 p.m. May 27; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. May 28. $7; $4 ages 5-12; free ages 4 and younger. Gwinnett County Fairgrounds, 2405 Sugarloaf Parkway, Lawrenceville. 706-207-1291, www.vitwind.com.
DUNWOODY
TAFEX: The African Experience Festival at Brook Run Park
The world’s second-largest continent is the focus of this one-day cultural fete. Wander through the festival’s African marketplace where arts and crafts, jewelry, apparel, food, musical instruments and other goods and services will be for sale. Among the live music and performances on tap is an appearance by Kola Ogunkoya. This Nigerian-born afrobeat musician plays a mash-up of jazz, highlife, jùjú, funk and traditional Yoruba music. Guests can attend hands-on seminars, including one that gives women a head-tie lesson. A fashion show presents traditional garb alongside contemporary designs. Those with a serious penchant for table tennis can pick up a racket and participate in a tournament. Younger ones burn energy in the kid-friendly play area.
2-7 p.m. May 27. Free. Brook Run Park, 4770 N. Peachtree Road, Dunwoody. 877-436-3980, www.tafexonline.com.
ROSWELL
“We Bought a Zoo” at Riverside Park
Mammals of all ages are invited to this free outdoor screening of “We Bought a Zoo.” It’s part of B98.5 and Aldi’s B at the Movies series. The cinematic action materializes on a 45-foot inflatable screen. Guests can bring lawn chairs and blankets and chill under the night sky. Vendors will be selling concessions until halfway through the movie. Organizers say picnic baskets and coolers are allowed, but please leave alcohol at home. Pre-movie festivities include games and giveaways and the screening begins at dusk. Director Cameron Crowe’s 2011 flick draws inspiration from the 2008 memoir by Benjamin Mee. Matt Damon plays the recently widowed Mee, who reboots his family’s life by buying a sprawling abode with a rundown zoo out back. The film’s rated PG.
7:30 p.m. May 26. Free. Riverside Park, 575 Riverside Road, Roswell. 404-897-6266, http://www.b985.com/news/events/station-events/b-movies/nCRHM/.
About the Author
