Atlanta's Labor Day weekend full of sporting and other events kicks off a little early Thursday night, when 100,000 or more sports fans will head downtown for football games at the Georgia Dome and Georgia Tech and a baseball game at Turner Field.
At least motorists shouldn't have as much trouble getting into town this weekend, since the state Department of Transportation has suspended roadwork for the holiday period.
Georgia Tech opens its season Thursday with a 7:30 p.m. home game against Western Carolina, while a couple of miles away at the Georgia Dome, the Falcons play a 7:30 p.m. preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens. Also on Thursday night, the Braves take on the Nationals at Turner Field.
The busy Georgia Dome weekend continues on Friday night, when Georgia State University plays Clark Atlanta University at 7:30 and on Saturday night, when the Georgia Bulldogs take on Boise State in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game. Kickoff is at 8 p.m., but pregame festivities will begin at 1:30 p.m. at the Georgia World Congress Center next door to the Dome.
“Fans without prepaid parking passes to any of this weekend’s games are strongly encouraged to use MARTA,” Dome spokesman Jerry Kirksey said.
Other sporting events downtown include Braves games against the Dodgers Friday and Saturday nights and Sunday afternoon at Turner Field and Atlanta Dream basketball games Friday night and Sunday afternoon at Philips Arena.
Adding to the congestion will be the annual Dragon Con science fiction convention, being held at various downtown hotels beginning on Friday and continuing through Monday.
A stretch of Peachtree Street from Woodruff Park north to the Peachtree Center area will be closed on Saturday morning for the Dragon Con parade, which begins at 10 a.m.
Also downtown, the Atlanta Black Gay Pride weekend runs Thursday through Monday, with most events taking place at the Meliá Hotel.
Downtown won’t be the only part of metro Atlanta marked by the red glow of brake lights this weekend, as traffic is expected to be heavy on the southside due to the AdvoCare 500 NASCAR race at Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton. Doug Turnbull in the AM750 and 95.5FM News/Talk WSB Traffic Center said delays can be expected surrounding races scheduled for Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights.
Traffic around downtown Decatur will also be heavy due to the annual AJC Decatur Book Festival, which runs Friday through Monday.
As for the weather, the weekend will begin hot and dry, with a chance of rain creeping into the forecast by Sunday, especially if a system developing in the Gulf of Mexico strengthens into a tropical storm.
Channel 2 Action News meteorologist David Chandley is forecasting sunny skies and highs in the lower 90s Friday and Saturday.
A 30 percent chance of rain is forecast for Sunday, increasing to 40 percent on Labor Day, Chandley said. Highs both days should be in the upper 80s.
About the Author
