Crisp, autumn weekends provide the respite from work we crave, and this guide to fall festivals in Atlanta and Georgia will help you celebrate the best of life — fun, food, family and entertainment. You will find festivals in the north Georgia mountains, the Georgia coast, and festivals close to Atlanta. It's the kind of information that can only be found in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Keep it handy and consult it often in the weeks ahead.
Yellow Daisy Festival
This festival in Stone Mountain Park features more than 400 artists from across the country and offers live entertainment and good food. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sept. 5, 6 and 8, 10 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Sept. 7. $10 entry fee per vehicle. Stone Mountain Park, 1000 Robert E. Lee Blvd., Stone Mountain. 770-498-5690, www.stonemountainpark.com/events/Yellow-Daisy-Festival.
The Fair on the Square
Started by Lawrenceville business owners to showcase businesses as well as everything else this historic downtown has to offer. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Sept. 8. Free at the Gwinnett Historic Courthouse, 185 W. Crogan St., Lawrenceville. www.lawrencevillefallfestival.com.
Atlanta Bar-B-Q Festival
Barbecue lovers will be in hog heaven. 4-10 p.m. Sept. 13 and noon-8 p.m. Sept. 14. General admission tickets for each day: $6 in advance, $10 day of the festival. 20th Street at Atlantic Station, Atlanta. For information, go to www.atlbbqfest.com. For tickets, call 1-877-725-8849 or go to the festival website.
Shakerag Arts and Crafts Festival in Peachtree City
Peachtree City's 36th annual Shakerag Arts and Crafts Festival vendors from around Georgia and the South and will include pottery, paintings, ceramics, clothing, florals and pet accessories. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sept. 21 and noon-5 p.m. Sept. 22. Free. 191 McIntosh Trail, Peachtree City. 770-631-2542, www.peachtree-city.org/recreation.
JapanFest
The festival, billed as the largest Japanese festival in the Southeast, is in its 26th year. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sept. 21 and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept 22. $8 adults, children 6 and younger free. Teachers may bring up to 50 students for free by applying online. Gwinnett Convention Center, 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth. 404-842-0736, www.japanfest.org.
Roswell Arts Festival
Set in Roswell's Historic Town Square, the 47th annual Roswell Arts Festival promises an array of entertainment featuring local singers, dance companies and children's entertainers. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sept. 21 and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 22. Roswell Town Square, 616 Atlanta St., Roswell. 770-640-3253, www.roswellartsfestival.com.
Atlanta Arts Festival at Piedmont Park
Featuring 200 of the country's finest painters, photographers, sculptors, leather metal craftsmen and glass blowers. 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Sept. 14 and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 15. Free. Piedmont Park (on the west side of the park, running from the 12th Street and 14th Street entrances toward the Bath House), Atlanta. www.atlantaartsfestival.com.
Sandy Springs Festival
Highlights include a pet parade, music, dance and vocal performances, the second annual "ArtSS Chalk Walk" chalk art competition, the Doug Kessler Sandy Springs Lightning 10K/5K and teens and an artists' market. 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Sept. 21 and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 22. $5 for adults, $2 for children 6 to 17, free for children 5 and younger and free for Heritage Sandy Springs members. Two-day passes are available for $7 for adults and $3 for children 6 to 17. Race registration is $30 for the 5K and $35 for the 10K or $35/$40 after Sept. 19 or on race day. 404-851-9111, www.sandyspringsfestival.com.
Marietta StreetFest
The event features arts and crafts, antiques, a car show, music, children's activities and a farmers market. 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Sept. 21. Free. Marietta Square. The Marietta Museum of History, which organizes the event, will be open. Museum admission is $7 for adults, $5 for students and seniors and free for children 5 and younger. 770-794-5710, www.mariettastreetfest.com.
Riverfest Arts and Crafts Festival
The annual Riverfest Arts and Crafts Festival in Canton prides itself in featuring only handmade or homegrown offerings. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sept. 28 and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 29. A $5 recommended (but not required) donation for adults and children and 11 and older. Boling Park, 1200 Marietta Highway, Canton. Free parking, and shuttle service is available from the parking areas. www.serviceleague.net.
Taste of Chamblee
The Taste of Chamblee street festival includes a car show, food, live entertainment, art, a beer garden and a kids area. Noon-6 p.m. Sept 28. Free. At the corner of Peachtree and Broad, Chamblee. www.tasteofchamblee.com.
Atlanta Black Theatre Festival
It's a marathon of culture during the annual Atlanta Black Theatre Festival, which will feature more than 40 performances in four days. Author and playwright Pearl Cleage will be honored during the Producers' Ball and Awards Ceremony at 7 p.m. Oct. 5. The minimum donation for the ball is $75 for individuals and $500 for a reserved VIP table of eight. Various times Oct. 3-6. Ticket prices start at $10. At the Porter Sanford III Performing Arts & Community Center, 3181 Rainbow Drive in Decatur. www.AtlantaBTF.org.
Festival on Ponce
As many as 175 artists and crafters line up in the chain of parks As many as 175 artists and crafters line up in the chain of parks found along Ponce de Leon Avenue. A children's area, food vendors and trucks, and live acoustic music highlight the event. It benefits the Olmsted Linear Park Alliance and the Paideia School. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Oct. 19 and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Oct. 20. Free. Olmsted Linear Park, 1246 Ponce De Leon Ave. N.E., Atlanta. 404-845-0793, www.festivalonponce.com.
11th annual Southeastern Cowboy Festival and Symposium
Experience life and art in the old West at Booth Western Art Museum in Cartersville. Highlights include a "Passport to the West" school program with demonstrations of pottery making, blacksmithing, chair caning, spinning and beading. Oct. 24-27. $10 for adults, $8 for seniors 65 and older, $7 for students, $3 for children 12 and younger and free for Booth museum members and active military personnel with ID. Tickets to the John Anderson concert are $25 for museum members and $30 for the general public. Tickets to the school program are $5 for students, $3 for adults and free for teachers. (Call 770-387-3849 to schedule your school group.) 501 Museum Drive, Cartersville. 770-387-1300, www.boothmuseum.org/cowboy-festival-and-symposium.
Taste of Atlanta
Come celebrate food with a three-day festival featuring the culinary talents of Atlanta's 90 best restaurants. 6:30-10:30 p.m. Oct. 25; 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Oct. 26-27. General: $30 advance, $40 at the gate for general admission on Oct. 26-27. VIP: $75 in advance; $85 at event. Tech Square at Spring Street and Fifth Street, Atlanta. www.tasteofatlanta.com.
Snellville Fall Festival
Enjoy more than 75 craft vendors, music, live entertainment, kids' activities and a clogging demonstration. For those with a sweet tooth, there will be a pie and cake baking contest. Want more? Participate in a costume contest and pumpkin bowling. Noon-8 p.m. Oct. 26. Free. Snellville Towne Green, across from City Hall. Kelly McAloon at 770-310-0429, www.snellvillepride.com.
Smyrna Fall Jonquil Festival
This year's fest features more than 125 handmade arts and crafts booths, local nonprofit booths, puppet shows, live music, and Keep Smyrna Beautiful will distribute jonquil bulbs and promote a cleaner Smyrna. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Oct. 26 and noon-5 p.m. Oct. 27. Free. Village Green in downtown Smyrna. For more information, call Tod Miller or Bill Watson at 770-423-1330 or go to www.smyrnacity.com.
About the Author
