Fall Colors River Canoe Trip: 16 things to do this weekend in Atlanta

Adam Stanhope sits in his canoe as he waits for the start of the race. World class paddles took part in the race, but for most it was a little less serious with more than 20 classes including age divisions, father-son and father daughter. Awards were also given for best costume and best boat decoration.

Credit: Brant Sanderlin, bsanderlin@ajc.com

Credit: Brant Sanderlin, bsanderlin@ajc.com

Adam Stanhope sits in his canoe as he waits for the start of the race. World class paddles took part in the race, but for most it was a little less serious with more than 20 classes including age divisions, father-son and father daughter. Awards were also given for best costume and best boat decoration.

Fall is in full swing, and the holidays will be here before you know it.

Luckily, you'll find one-of-a-kind events throughout the Metro that offer unique holiday shopping for every member of your family.

If you're looking for something a little more active, try running in a 5K or canoeing down the Chattahoochee. With all the exciting and community-oriented events taking place around the Atlanta area, this weekend could turn into the best one of the year. Check out this line up:

Cobb

The Edge Maker & Micro Conference. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, Nov. 3. $20 per person. Cobb Galleria Center. 2 Galleria Parkway SE, Atlanta. 770-694 6593. www.theedgeconnection.com.

Spend your Friday immersed in handmade and micro culture at the Edge Maker & Micro Conference. With a full day of hands-on workshops, resources and displays, this empowering conference with help you kickstart your own ideas.

Flavor Run Atlanta 5K. 9 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 4. $40 per racer. Jim Miller Park. 2245 Callaway Road SW, Marietta. www.flavorrun.com.

Take part in the most flavorful race in the country this Saturday when Flavor Run Atlanta hits Jim Miller Park. You'll find yourself covered in fruit-flavored powder at this hilarious run, which includes admission to the 5K race, finishers medal and t-shirt, commemorative race bib and more.

Due West UMC Preschool's Holiday Market. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 4. Free. Due West United Methodist Church. 3956 Due West Road, Marietta. 770-590-0982. www.duewest.org.

Stock up on a few homemade holiday gifts for loved ones at the Due West UMC Preschool's Holiday Market. With over 45 vendors, a bake sale and a silent auction, you'll find a little something for everyone at this all day event.

FURever Fest Fall 2017. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 4. Free. Cobb Animal Shelter. 1060 Al Bishop Drive, Marietta. 770-590-5614. www.cobbcounty.org.

Join Cobb County Animal Control for FURever Fest this Saturday, which will include pet adoptions with special adoption rates, police K-9 demonstrations, raffles, prizes and vendors.

DeKalb

110920 Atlanta - Fernbank's new exhibit on Charles Darwin called, simply, "Darwin," opens Selpt. 24 with a big splash. The exhibit will be there till January, focusing on his discoveries in the Galapagos, and the dawn of his theory of evolution by natural selection Tuesday, September 20, 2011. Among the marvels Darwin saw was large green iguanas peering down at him from tree branches. Vino Wong vwong@ajc.com

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Adventures in Science Day at Fernbank. 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 4. Included with museum admission, free for members. Fernbank Museum of Natural History. 767 Clifton Road NE, Atlanta. 404-929-6300. www.fernbankmuseum.org.

Let your kids discover and explore science at Fernbank's Adventures in Science program this Saturday. They'll get an opportunity to take part in hands-on experiments and activities, talk to real scientists and more.

ARTucker. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 4. Free. Tucker Recreation Center. 4898 LaVista Road, Tucker. 770-723-1793. www.decaturish.com.

Celebrate local Georgia makers at ARTucker, an indoor artist's marketplace that will feature works from over 50 artists and crafters for sale. If you're looking for a unique handmade gift for the holidays, this event will include pottery, paintings, metalwork, jewelry and sculpture.

Book Festival of the MJCCA. 8:15 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 4. Prices vary. Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta. 5342 Tilly Mill Road, Atlanta. 678-812-4002. www.atlantajcc.org.

It's time for the 26th Annual Book Festival of the MJCCA, which will includes headliners such as Senator Al Franken, First Daughters Barbara Pierce Bush and Jenna Bush Hager and News Icon Dan Rather, among others. With over 45 authors, you won't want to miss this year's event.

Discover Napa Valley Wine & Food Festival. 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 5. $69 per person. Vino Venue. 4478 Chamblee Dunwoody, Dunwoody. 770-668-0435. www.vinovenue.com.

Transport yourself to Napa Valley without ever leaving the South at the Discover Napa Valley Wine & Food Festival, which takes place this Sunday at Vino Venue. You'll sample up to 100 different wines, along with delicious cuisine at this afternoon event.

Gwinnett

Annandales Extra Mile 5K Walk/Run. 8 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 4. $30 to run, free to walk. Suwanee Town Center Park. 330 Town Center Ave., Suwanee. 770-932-4885. www.annandale.org.

Help raise awareness and show your support for adults living with developmental disabilities and brain injuries at Annandales Extra Mile this Saturday. Funds raised for this event will help provide assistance to developmentally and intellectually disabled adults.

79th Annual Cotton States CFA Championship & Household Pet Cat Show. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 4 and 5. $8 for adults, $6 for children and seniors. Infinite Energy Center. 6400 Sugarloaf Pkwy, Duluth. www.cottonstatescatclub.org.

Witness some of the most beautiful and unusual cats and kittens from around the country at the 19th Annual Cotton States CFA Championship & Household Pet Cat Show. It all takes place at the Infinite Energy Center this weekend, and will include a beauty pageant, cat-related vendors, cat shows and adoptable pets.

2017 Suwanee Wine Fest. Noon to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 4. $55 per person. Suwanee Town Center Park. 330 Town Center Ave., Suwanee. Contactwww.suwaneewinefest.com.

Don't miss the Suwanee Wine Fest taking place at Suwanee Town Center Park this Saturday, which will include unlimited wine and craft beer samples, food samples, fun activities and live entertainment.

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DIY Publishing Workshop with Sally Apokedak. 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 4. Free. Gwinnett County Public Library Five Forks Branch. 2780 Five Forks Trickum Road SW, Lawrenceville. 770-978-5154. www.gwinnettpl.org.

Calling all writers - Sally Apokedak will help you take your book from desktop to bookshelf at a special DIY event that takes place at Gwinnett Library's Five Forks Branch. You'll find out all the ins and outs of self-publishing and discover the tools you need to success in the indie publishing world.

North Fulton

Northside Hospital's Movies In The Park: The Emoji Movie. 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 4. Free. Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park. 2200 Encore Pkwy, Alpharetta. www.events.accessatlanta.com.

Spend your Saturday enjoying a free movie at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre, courtesy of Northside Hospital. The Emoji Movie will show on the big screen as part of the Movies in the Park series.

The Elegant Elf Marketplace. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 4 and 5. $5 per person, free for children ages 10 and under. Lake Forest Elementary School. 5920 Sandy Springs Circle, Sandy Springs. Contactwww.sandyspringssociety.org.

the 7th Annual Elegant Elf Marketplace will take place at Lake Forest Elementary School this weekend, which will feature high-end gifts from over 85 local and regional vendors, live demonstrations, book signings, a fashion show and more.

The Chastain Park Arts Festival is an annual event in Atlanta that showcases the work of local, regional and national artists.

Credit: Jonathan Phillips

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Credit: Jonathan Phillips

Chastain Park Fall Arts and Crafts Festival. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 4 and 5. Free. Chastain Park Amphitheatre. 4469 Stella Drive NW, Atlanta. info@affps.com. www.chastainparkartsfestival.com.

Prepare to shop this weekend as the Chastain Park Fall Arts and Crafts Festival takes over Chastain Park. You'll find an amazing array of handmade and one-of-a-kind works from over 185 artisans, an outdoor art gallery, live acoustic music, demonstrations and food trucks at this free event.

Fall Colors River Canoe Trip. 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 5. $25 for members, $30 for non-members. Chattahoochee Nature Center. 9135 Willeo Road, Roswell. 770-992-2055. www.chattnaturecenter.org.

Experience the fall colors like never before with a guided canoe trip along the Chattahoochee River. The river guides at CNC will lead you on a 2 and 1/2-hour long journey along the river, surrounded by colorful trees and wildlife.