WEEKLY LINEUP OF LOCAL EVENTS 10/7

ATLANTA

Inaugural Atlanta Mac and Cheese Festival set for Saturday, Oct. 8
The first-ever Atlanta Mac and Cheese Festival is Saturday, Oct. 8, 12:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m., at Walker Park, 200 Memorial Terrace SE, Atlanta.

Tickets are $20 and include tastes of cheesy goodness from more than 20 vendors, live entertainment from local bands in a family-friendly atmosphere. Proceeds from the festival benefit Neighbor in Need, which helps low-income seniors in East Lake, Kirkwood, Edgewood and East Atlanta make emergency home repairs.

For more information, visit www.atlmacandcheesefestival.com.

10^th annul ATL Horror Film Festival

The 10^th annual Atlanta Horror Film Festival will take place at the Plaza Theatre and Mammal Gallery on Oct. 13 – 16 at the Plaza Theatre, 1049 Ponce De Leon Ave NE.

The four-day festival will showcase independent horror shorts and feature films from new and established filmmakers. Individual films are $10 each or attendees can purchase day passes for $20. Passes for all four days are available for $50. For the full itinerary, visit www.atlantahorrorfilmfest.com.

Little Five Points Halloween Festival and Parade

Celebrate the 16^th annual L5P Halloween Festival and Parade Saturday, Oct. 15, 12 to 11 p.m., in Little Five Points, 2311 Emeline Place, Atlanta. Enjoy free live entertainment on two stages, shop at Little Five Points retailers and admire the best and wackiest costumes.

The daylong festival includes a two-hour parade that kicks off at 4 p.m. at Euclid and Austin avenues near Horizon Theatre. The parade will feature a marching band, zombies and more. For more information, visit www.l5phalloween.com.

Oakhurst Porchfest 2016 set for the weekend

Oakhurst Porchfest is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 8, 6 p.m., in the Oakhurst neighborhood of Decatur between Agnes Scott College and Kirkwood.

Sponsored by Decatur Metro, Decatur Arts Alliance and others, the grassroots music fest transforms an entire neighborhood of porches into concert stages for local musicians.

The inaugural event features more than 130 diverse performances, including orchestral pop group Oryx & Crake, country rock group The Skylarks, blues and rock group The Canarys and many more.

You can find a full lineup of performances or volunteer opportunities at oakhurstporchfest.org.

Free Hip-Hop festival brings music to streets of Atlanta

The sixth annual Atlanta Hip Hop Day Festival will take place Saturday, Oct. 9-10, at Robert Woodruff Park, 91 Peachtree St NW, Atlanta.

The free festival is a tribute to Hip Hop as well as Atlanta’s contribution to Hip Hop. The event will feature B-Boy & B-Girl exhibits, emcee battles, turntablism and graffiti artists.

Guests will be entertained by some of Atlanta’s hottest DJs and performances on the main stage. There will also be a plethora of food and vendors. For more information, www.atlantahiphopday.com.

DEKALB

Antioch-Lithonia Missionary Baptist Church invites community to free fall festival

Join Pastor James C. Ward and the Antioch family for a fun filled Fall festival Saturday, Oct. 8, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at 2152 Rock Chapel Road, Lithonia.

The event is free and will include music, games, great food, group fitness exercises, health screenings and vendors providing an array of services and information. Entertainment will be provided by a dance group and the Band of Believers. This event is sponsored by the church’s Personal Support and Development Ministry. For more information, call 770-482-1277.

Harriet Tubman School to host free community fish fry

Harriet Tubman School for Leadership & Enterprise (HTSLE) is set to host a grand community fish fry Sunday, Oct. 16, on the school grounds located at 6980 Main St., Lithonia at 4 p.m.

The event will include a free fish fry for the community and a school supply giveaway. The HTSLE leadership team will be on hand to provide information to community members about the institution’s mission to provide students with leadership and entrepreneurship training.

Harriet Tubman School for Leadership and Enterprise is a non-profit organization and relies solely on donations to function effectively. For more information or to make a donation, visit: www.htsle.org or call 803-624-8302. Email correspondence can be sent to harriet_tubman_school@zoho.com.

DeKalb Library to host series to improve technology literacy for seniors

Seniors are invited to join DeKalb County libraries for its technology series designed especially for seniors Tuesday, Oct. 11, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at the Redan-Trotti Library, 1569 Wellborn Road, Lithonia.

During the October series, seniors can attend weekly classes to learn about technology and how to use smart phones, iPads, tablets, and other mobile devices. Participants are encouraged to bring their own mobile devices to class. For more information, call 770-482-3821.

Writer’s group welcomes seasoned writers and novices

All writers are invited to join the Stone Mountain-Sue Kellogg Library’s writing group Tuesday, Oct. 11, 5 to 6 p.m., 952 Leon Street, Stone Mountain.

Whether you are new to writing or have a Pulitzer Prize, the writer’s group is a safe place to share what you’re working on and also to learn and do fun writing activities. For more information, call 770-413-2020.

Workshop set to diminish the stigma of mental health

Changing The Cycle Foundation will present a workshop entitled “Removing The Stigma of Mental Health” on Saturday, Oct. 15, 10:30 a.m. to noon, at Stonecrest Library, 3123 Klondike Road, Lithonia.

The workshop will include presentations by Jennifer Key, LPC, NCC from Keys To A Healthy Relationship LLC and Ashley Smith, author of What’s On My Mind? on the types and signs of mental health, how one can overcome mental health and more. This workshop is free and open to the public. Registration is required. To RSVP, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/removing-the-stigma-of-mental-illness-tickets-28221356838. For more information, visit www.changingthecycle.org.

“Oktoberfest” comes to the City of Lithonia

Community Unification Initiatives Inc., and the City of Lithonia presents Oktoberfest Family Community Fun Day in the Park Saturday, Oct. 22, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., at Lithonia Park, 2515 Park Drive, Lithonia.

Bring the family, food, lawn chairs and blankets out for fun and games. There will be music, art, athletics, poetry and a drill team performance by youth from the community. The youth extravaganza will also bring awareness to domestic violence.

Law enforcement and distinguished former professional football Super Bowl champions will have panel discussions with families to promote unity in the community. The event as well as parking is free.

For more information, call Donna Tate at 678-480-7342.

GWINNETT

Fanciful fabulous faux wedding

Be a special “guest” of a beautiful staged wedding ceremony Sunday, Oct. 16,t 11 a.m., in the ballroom of the Gwinnett Historic Courthouse, 185 W. Crogan St., Lawrenceville.

After the ceremony, enjoy mocktails and appetizers in the Gallery Hall and meet with wedding professionals showcasing a variety of products and services. The “reception” will take place in the transformed ballroom for lunch, cake, and door prizes!

This event is open to those ages 18 and older. Tickets are $17 per person and attendees must pre-register by Oct. 12 online with code GHC1141618 or call 770-822-5450.

Gwinnett hosts fall planting 101 workshop

Join Gwinnett County for its “Planting the Right Plant in the Right Place” fall planting workshop Monday, Oct. 10, 12 to 1 p.m., in the second-floor conference room of the Gwinnett County Government Annex Building, 750 South Perry St., Lawrenceville.

Learn how to get the best out of the fall months to plant trees, shrubs and several other types of plants. The class will cover proper planting techniques, picking tolerable planting sites and the selection of plant material. To register by Oct. 7, call 678-377-4011.

Rockdale

Conyers Police Department hosts car wash fundraiser

The Conyers Police Department invites the public to its ‘Grill ‘n Chill’ carwash and fundraiser Saturday, Oct. 8, at 12 p.m. at 900 Dogwood Drive, Conyers.

Attendees can get a free carwash and enjoy burgers, brats and hotdogs while supplies last. Donations are appreciated and benefit the youths in the Conyers Police Explorers program.

For more information about the carwash or the Explorer Program, contact Sergeant Peggy Franklin at 678-374-5603 or peggy.franklin@conyersga.gov.

Pink Pooch Parade and Festival

The Pink Pooch Parade and Festival will take place Sunday, Oct. 16, 1 to 5 p.m., at the Olde Town Pavilion, 949 S. Main Street, Conyers.

Bring your favorite pooch, dress in pink and raise funds to support the Atlanta 2 Day Walk for Breast Cancer. Participate in the parade, shop among the vendors, win prizes, enter the pet contest and enjoy concessions provided by Ice Days. Registration for the parade is $25. Entry to the festival area at the Olde Town Pavilion is free.

Sponsored by the Pampered Puppy, Just 4 Fun Radio and Ice Days. For more information, contact Tara at the Pampered Puppy at 770-760-1494.