LAWRENCEVILLE
Gwinnett County Fair at Gwinnett County Fairgrounds
Cue the midway lights: A full 11 days of fair festivities are on tap. Mark your calendars for special musical guests, including the Bellamy Brothers (Sept. 19), T. Graham Brown (Sept. 20) and Gene Watson (Sept. 22). Other activities run the gamut from beauty pageants to livestock shows. However, the main attraction arguably is the carnival rides themselves. Those who can’t get enough of the thrill rides can take advantage of a special deal allowing guests the opportunity to purchase an all-attraction pass, which gives unlimited access to them. Bring plenty of cash for carnival grub. Corn dogs and funnel cakes beckon.
4-11 p.m. Mondays-Fridays; 11 a.m.-midnight Saturdays; 1-10 p.m. Sundays. Through Sept. 25. $5; $2 seniors and children ages 6-12; free ages 5 and younger. Gwinnett County Fairgrounds, 2405 Sugarloaf Parkway, Lawrenceville. 770-963-6522, www.gwinnettcountyfair.com.
CHAMBLEE
Taste of Chamblee at Chamblee City Hall
The organizers are dubbing the fourth annual version of this celebration “a festival for the senses.” Food, music, art, an antique car show and more will tickle your senses of sight, hearing and smell. A slew of area restaurants inhabit Restaurant Row, where they’ll be offering samplings from their menus. Beginning at 11 a.m. musical acts start rocking. The music runs the gamut from the bluesy Heaven Davis to the smooth sounds of the ’70s from Yacht Rock Revue. More than 40 regional artists will shill their creations, including photography, pottery, sculpture, jewelry and other items. The antique car show is new this year and promises an array of classic rides. Another addition to the festival is the Sustainability Fair, which allows businesses to showcase their sustainable products or services. Let the little ones run wild in the Kidz Zone, with face painting, tattoos, balloons and more.
11 a.m.-8 p.m. Sept. 17. Free. Chamblee City Hall, 5468 Peachtree Road, Chamblee. www.thetasteofchamblee.com.
SANDY SPRINGS
26th Annual Sandy Springs Festival at Sandy Springs Heritage Green
For more than a quarter of a century, Sandy Springs has been holding this annual festival. It’s grown from a humble community picnic to a bustling event with more than 20,000 guests expected. Pint-size sister act von Grey performs its country-tinged music along with a host of other groups, including the Fur Circus and Lost Detour. Watch dolled-up animals march in the Kiwanis Pet Parade, which takes place at 10:30 a.m. Saturday. Old-school autos shimmer and shine in the classic car show.
9 a.m.-7 p.m. Sept. 17; 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 18. $5 for one day, $7 for two-day pass; $2 for one day, $3 for two-day pass ages 6-17; free ages 5 and younger, and Heritage Sandy Springs members. Heritage Green, 6110 Bluestone Road, Sandy Springs. 404-851-9111, www.sandyspringsfestival.com.
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