Festivals and fun runs are helping to kick off metro Atlanta's first weekend in May, so you'll have plenty of family-friendly activities to put on your calendar. Arts-related events are also found in several counties, including two Disney-inspired theatrical productions.
Check out the following 16 things to do in metro Atlanta this weekend:
Cobb
May-Retta Daze. 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday, May 4 and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, May 5. Free admission. Glover Park at Historic Marietta Square, 50 N. Park Square NE, Marietta. 770-794-4456. https://www.mariettaga.gov/1262/May-Retta-Daze.
Enjoy shopping for artwork, listening to live music from local performers, eating festival food and letting the kids explore their own zone.
Taste of East Cobb. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, May 4. Free admission with tickets for restaurant bites $1 each (bites cost one to five tickets each). Johnson Ferry Baptist Church south parking lot, 955 Johnson Ferry Road, Marietta. http://tasteofeastcobb.com/.
Tastes from local restaurants highlight this event, but you'll also find live music and entertainment, a kids' zone, face painting and sand art.
Acworth Dragon Boat Race & Festival. 7 a.m. team arrival, 8:30 a.m. opening ceremonies. Saturday, May 4. $60 individual registration to be placed on a team, free admission. Dallas Landing Park, 5120 Allatoona Drive, Acworth. http://www.acworthdragonboatfestival.com/.
Watch or join a team of Dragon Boat racers, which commandeer colorful 40-foot-long boats with the head and tail of a dragon on each end. Proceeds will support cancer patients and survivors in the community.
West Cobb Community Fun Fest. 2-6 p.m. Saturday, May 4. Jim R. Miller Park, 2245 Callaway Road, Marietta. https://www.facebook.com/.
Bring the family to the West Cobb Business Association's festival of food trucks, vendor alley, "touch a truck" and a family/kid fun zone with entertainment, activities and music.
DeKalb
Arts in the Garden. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday, May 3. Skyland Trail, 1903 North Druid Hills Road NE, Atlanta. https://www.skylandtrail.org/.
Buy works from the artists' market and greenhouse plant sale, learn from art demonstrations and hear musical and spoken word performances. The event showcases the talents of individuals who have mental illnesses and helps publicize available services.
Fringe ARTS Festival. 4-10 p.m. Friday, May 3 and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. DeKalb School for the Arts, 1192 Clarendon Ave., Avondale Estates. Free. http://www.dsa.dekalb.k12.ga.us/.
Celebrate the arts with music, art, dance, food, a bouncy house and more. Bring a picnic basket and folding chairs to enjoy performances on the outdoor stage.
ARTucker. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, May 4. Free admission. Tucker Recreation Center, 4898 Lavista Road, Tucker. https://artucker.com/.
Browse and purchase arts and crafts from Georgia artists and makers.
"Beauty and the Beast." 8 p.m. Friday, May 3 and Saturday, May 4 and 2 p.m. Sunday, May 5. $15 adults, $7 children and seniors. St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 636 W. Ponce de Leon Ave., Decatur. 404-378-4588. http://www.stmgaparish.org/.
See the timeless tale of "Beauty and the Beast" after you buy tickets at the narthex, parish office or at the door.
North Fulton
Nacho Ordinary 5K. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, May 4. $25 and up. Mill Springs Academy, 13660 New Providence Road, Alpharetta. https://www.nachoordinary5k.com/.
This race is run on a flat 3.1-mile cross-country course that's off the main road, and proceeds are donated to The Leukemia Lymphoma Society.
Kentucky Derby Party. 3-9 p.m. Saturday, May 4. Avalon, 400 Avalon Blvd., Alpharetta. 770-765-1000. https://www.experienceavalon.com/.
Put on your fancy hats and watch the Derby from a jumbo viewing screen in the Plaza. You'll be able to enjoy a mint julep or other beverage, dance to a live band, "bet" with raffle tickets and let your kids enjoy a Derby-themed craft.
Farewell Angelina. 8:30-10:30 p.m. Friday, May 3. Matilda's, 850 Hickory Flat Road, Milton. 678-480-6932. https://www.matildasmusicvenue.com/music.
Farewell Angelina, an all-female country group that has received a rave review from Rolling Stone, performs their harmonies along with double violins and guitars.
"Disney's Freaky Friday: A New Musical." 7 p.m. Friday, May 3, 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, May 4 and 3 p.m. Friday, May 5. $14 standard advance, $12 child up to age 10 advance, $16 at the door. Mount Pisgah United Methodist Church, north campus main sanctuary. 2850 Old Alabama Road, Johns Creek. https://www.cytatlanta.org/shows/Disneys-Freaky-Friday/1.
This new musical based on the hit Disney films is performed by Christian Youth Theater. It's a heartfelt, humorous update on the tale of a mother and teenage daughter who swap bodies.
Gwinnett
Duluth High School Wildcat Walk 5K/Fun Run. 7:45 a.m. registration, 8:30 a.m. warm-up/pep rally, 9-11 a.m. race. Saturday, May 4. $20. 3737 Brock Road, Duluth. http://duluthwildcatwalk.com/.
This third annual 5K/Fun Run goes through downtown Duluth and is a fundraiser for the Duluth High School football and athletic program.
Lilburn Community Yard Sale. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, May 4. City Park Greenway parking lot, 76 Main St., Lilburn. https://www.cityoflilburn.com/.
Come buy some new (to you) treasures such as furniture, clothing, toys, books, household goods and more.
First Friday Concert. 7-9 p.m. Friday, May 3. Free. Cultural Arts & Community Center, 10 College St NW, Norcross. 678-421-2049 to reserve seating. http://www.norcrossga.net.
Enjoy music from the high-energy Emerald Empire Band, which plays genres including rock, jazz and Motown. Bring your own food and beverages if you'd like.
Fridays-N-Duluth. 6-9 p.m. Friday, May 3. Free. 3142 Hill St. NW, Duluth. 770-476-3434. https://www.duluthga.net/. 770-476-3434.
The first Fridays-N-Duluth of the season gets underway this weekend. Visit food trucks, see and hear live entertainment and browse your way through an art walk.
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