After the pools close and the schools open, it can feel as if life has dropped a few petals from its summer bloom.
But all is not lost in autumn's descent.
Though our tank tops patiently await their 2017 return, our sleeved clothes suddenly feel less oppressive than they did in the summer heat.
And although another year of Music Midtown has been committed to the record books, we still have hope in the fall festivals ahead.
In that spirit, we have gathered five little-known fall festivals to add to your calendar:
Cabbagetown
Cabbagetown's annual chili cook-off and bluegrass festival is a blast. The idea is simple: dozens of entrants make chili while festival goers try them, a few beers and the sweet country notes of bluegrass in autumn. The festival honors Cabbagetown history — that little slice of country right in the middle of the city — where rural traditions and fiddle music were preserved as the world grew up around it. Even proceeds benefit Cabbagetown's parks and community spaces. Chomp & Stomp will be held on Saturday, November 5. Just, avoid the insanity peppers.
Kennesaw
Add a few more dj's to the roster and the fourth annual Owl-o-ween festival might look more like an EDM show than the hot air balloon festival it is.
Located on 88 acres of Kennesaw State's Sports + Entertainment Park, Owl-o-ween will transform the park into a "whimsical playground," by tethering hot air balloons to the grounds, lighting a glow stage and hosting an LED performance group among other performers.
Owl-o-ween is also a costume party, so come correct on your best Trump motif when the event goes down for two nights, Oct. 21 and 22.
Ball Ground
140 waterlily varieties in bloom will be on display at Gibbs Gardens' Monet Bridge. French food and wine will be served, the latter most notably at an onsite tasting. Live music The Michael Allen Radio Show band promises a magical afternoon on Saturday, and the Strolling Classical Musicians on Sunday are sure to enchant. To round out the weekend fun? If you guessed face painting, caricature artists and the antics of mimes, you got it right! The Waterlily festival will be held on Oct. 3-4, as well as on Oct. 10-11, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Ringgold
At the end of each harvest year, the Georgia Winery invites friends, family and even the occasional television reporter to come out and experience the old tradition of grape stomping. In addition to putting your feet in future wine, the event offers the sounds of live music and fire pit smoke to fill the air. This year, the harvest celebration will take place on Saturday, Oct. 8.
Helen, GA
From Sep. 22 until Oct. 30, it is game time in Helen as the 46th annual Oktoberfest reaches fever pitch. It's been nearly 50 years since the town was converted into the unabated kitsch of an alpine village replete with cobblestone streets and Bavarian facades, all nestled in the Blue Ridge mountains of North Georgia.
While drinking beer from a das boot ( translation the large glass boot) is clearly the primary goal at any Oktoberfest, tertiary goals can include getting a taste for that sweet German "gemütlichkeit," an atmosphere of community togetherness and cheer, or jamming hard to the polka kings of north Georgia putting in work.
Oktoberfest is centralized from Helen's Festhalle but extends out into the community at large. It's best to stay in Helen when you go, because that is legal trouble waiting to happen, making the ride back down to Atlanta after all that Heineken. Try the Castle Inn, which is within walking distance of the festivities.
MORE:
9 can't-miss fall festivals in Atlanta
6 places to celebrate Oktoberfest in Atlanta
How to spend 48 hours in Helen with kids
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