Looking for something fun to do in metro Atlanta this weekend? As summer winds down, water-related activities such as canoeing at Chattahoochee Nature Center's Family Fun Day and playing water games at Gwinnett County's Duck Derby are sure to appeal to the entire family.
Back-to-school events and other activities are also on the calendar. Check out the following 16 things to do in metro Atlanta this weekend.
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Cobb
Credit: From cobbcounty.org
Credit: From cobbcounty.org
Cobb International Festival. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 3. Jim R. Miller Park, 2245 Callaway Road, Marietta. 770-528-8885. https://www.cobbcounty.org.
More than 25 countries will be represented with local and international music and art, dancing, food, a kids' corner, and more.
Smyrna Birthday Celebration. 6 p.m.-10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 3. Village Green, 200 Village Green Circle, Smyrna. 770-431-2842. https://www.facebook.com.
Celebrate Smyrna's birthday with music by Banks & Shane, festival foods, a giant cake, kids' entertainment, and other festivities.
Legion Comic Book, Toy & Art Convention. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 3. $5, kids 10 and under free with a paying adult. American Legion Post 160, 160 Legion Drive, Smyrna. 770-436-2501. https://legioncomicconvention.com/.
Vendors will have a variety of toys, comics, and games for sale, with virtually all genres represented. These include anime, card games, video games, fantasy novels, and horror.
Marietta Square First Friday Art Walk. 6 p.m.-9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 2. Free. Historic Marietta Square, 99 S. Park Square SE, Marietta. https://www.facebook.com.
Stroll through Historic Marietta Square, where local artists and performers will be featured along sidewalks throughout the area.
DeKalb
Cop-N-Stuff Book Bag Bash. 9 a.m.-noon. Saturday, Aug. 3. Free. Dresden Park, 2301 Dresden Drive, Chamblee. www.chambleega.com.
More than 650 new book bags filled with school supplies will be given away to kids in kindergarten through 5th grade. Music and games will also be offered, and police officers will serve grilled hot dogs and hamburgers.
Free First Saturdays. 11 a.m.-noon. Saturday, Aug. 3. Free. Dunwoody Nature Center, 5343 Roberts Dr., Dunwoody. 770-394-3322. https://dunwoodynature.org/free-first-saturdays/.
Learn about butterflies by seeing live egg specimens, caterpillars and chrysalises up close. Other butterfly-themed activities, such as a puppet show, are also offered.
Credit: From bikewalkdunwoody.org
Credit: From bikewalkdunwoody.org
Dunwoody Sunday Cycle. 2:45 p.m. with departure promptly at 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 4. Free. Village Burger, 1426 Dunwoody Village Parkway, Dunwoody. Bikewalkdunwoody.org.
This ride is a 4.5-mile loop of mostly right turns, and it's appropriate for all ages and abilities. Younger riders and those who can't stay with the main group can take a shorter route. Be sure to wear your helmet, which is required.
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Atlanta Wild Animal Rescue Effort (AWARE) Tour. 1 p.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 3. Davidson-Arabia Mountain Nature Preserve (AWARE Parking Lot), 4158 Klondike Road, Lithonia. 404-484-3060. http://arabiaalliance.org.
Meet some of the wildlife rehab group's ambassadors and learn about their lives, habitat, prey and more. Animals will vary but may include owls, hawks, snakes, possums, and others.
North Fulton
Summer Adventures Family Fun Day. Noon-4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 4. Price included with general admission of $6-$7 with members and kids 2 and under admitted free. Chattahoochee Nature Center, 9135 Willeo Road, Roswell. 770-992-2055. https://www.chattnaturecenter.org.
Try canoeing on Kingfisher Pond as well as wet and wild games, water conservation activities, crafts, face painting, and more.
Summer Concert Series. 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 3. Free. Mark Burkhalter Amphitheater at New Town Park, 3150 Old Alabama Road, Johns Creek. 678-512-3261. https://www.johnscreekga.gov.
Edwin McCain joins the summer concert series in a show that's sure to be well attended. Bring a blanket or lawn chair and foods or non-alcoholic drinks. You can also buy food and alcoholic beverages at the venue.
Old Soldiers Day Parade. 9:15 a.m. band, 10 a.m. program and 10:30 a.m. parade. Saturday, Aug. 3. Free. Parade grandstand at the corner of Roswell and Old Roswell streets, Alpharetta. 678-297-6000. https://www.alpharetta.ga.us.
Nearly 150 units including floats, marching bands, military units, classic cars, and clowns will march in this parade, which serves as a tribute to veterans of all wars. The parade ends at the American Legion at 201 Willis Road, where you'll be able to enjoy free hot dogs and soft drinks.
Friends of Alpharetta Library Book Sale. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 3. Free admission. Alpharetta Library, 10 Park Plaza, Alpharetta. http://www.fotal.org.
Help the library raise funds and stock your shelves with new reading material including fiction and non-fiction, reference, history, children's titles, and rare titles.
Gwinnett
Mall of Georgia Play Area Grand Opening Event. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 3. Free. Van Maur Court in Mall of Georgia, 3333 Buford Drive, Buford. https://www.simon.com.
The new, interactive play center will open with festivities such as balloon twisting, photo opportunities with superheroes, a balloon drop, DJ, face painting, and more. The area has three distinct zones for different ages, and parents can relax on soft seating and charge their devices at a station. The first 300 kids will receive free goody bags and superhero capes.
Credit: From Gwinnett Duck Derby's Facebook page
Credit: From Gwinnett Duck Derby's Facebook page
Gwinnett Duck Derby. 3 p.m.-7 p.m., with ducks hitting the water at about 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 3. Free admission, $5 duck adoption. West Gwinnett Park Aquatic Center, 4488 Peachtree Industrial Blvd., Berkeley Lake. https://www.facebook.com.
Enjoy games at the pool, a DJ, food truck, and snow cones before and after the ducks hit the water. You can pay $5 to adopt a duck, which could win a prize for finishing first, second, third, or last.
Back to School Splash. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 3. $10 in advance, $15 at the park. City Park, 76 Main St., Lilburn. 678-542-7899. https://www.cityoflilburn.com.
Kids and adults can splash down water slides, listen to music from a DJ, and buy a treat from food vendors.
Festival of India. Starts at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 3. Infinite Energy Center, 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth. http://www.iacaatl.org/.
The 23rd Festival of India features Indian cuisine, music, and dance as well as a health fair and yoga demonstrations.
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