National Magic Week + Other (Free or Cheap) Events in the Metro

ATLANTA

Community music fest features local youth artists

 Join Dunwoody Music for the fourth annual Village Fest Saturday, Oct. 29, 4 to 8 p.m., at the Dunwoody Nature Center , 5343 Roberts Drive, Atlanta.

The event will showcase more than 20 acts featuring local child and teen artists. The event is free, and donations will be collected to raise funds to purchase IPads that will be incorporated into the Nature Center’s programing throughout the year.

For more information, call 770-394-3322.

Walk to help people living with Parkinson’s Disease

Join the National Parkinson Foundation’s annual fundraising walk event entitled “Moving Day” on Sunday, Oct. 23, 9 a.m., at Centennial Olympic Park, 65 Park Ave. W NW, Atlanta.

The event serves as the organization’s largest fundraiser to help unite families, friends and communities in the fight against Parkinson’s disease. Donations help fund research, better treatment and better lives.

This celebration of movement will feature a family-friendly walk course, a kids’ area, a caregivers’ relaxation tent and a special Movement Pavilion featuring yoga, dance, Tai Chi, Pilates, etc. all proven to help manage the symptoms of PD. For more information, visit http://bit.ly/1TKQn4U.

National Magic Week and Popcorn Popping Month welcome Atlanta families

Join The Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System to celebrate National Magic Week and National Popcorn Popping Month on Tuesday, Oct. 25, 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., at the Atlanta-Fulton Central Library, 1 Margaret Mitchell Square, Atlanta.

Children ages 3 to 12 years will enjoy magical stories, tricks, and treats. This event is free to attend, however, registration is required. Participants should meet in the Children’s Department. For more information, call 404-730-1845.

DEKALB

“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 on 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.

State Sen. Gloria Butler to host annual fish fry

State Sen. Gloria Butler, who represents District 55 which covers parts of DeKalb and Gwinnett counties, is inviting the community to a free fish fry on Saturday, Oct. 22, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Lenora Park Pavilion, 4515 Lenora Church Road, Snellville.

The fish fry will include music, games, face painting, food and ice cream treats. For more information, call 770-4693260 or email senatorbutler@comcast.net.
How to Make the Most of Your Health Insurance

Don Rubin, a professor at the Center for Health and Risk Communication at the University of Georgia, will present “How to Make the Most of Your Health Insurance” on Nov. 7.

The workshop will be held 11 a.m. to noon, at the Northlake-Barbara Loar Library, 3772 LaVista Road, Tucker, 30084 (404-679-4408).

Rubin also will hold the workshop from 2 to 3 p.m. at the Redan-Trotti Library, 1569 Wellborn Road, Lithonia (770-482-3821).

Get the scoop on government grants

Grants.gov is the federal government’s website for the 26 federal grant-making agencies to post their grant opportunities for the public. A presentation on Nov. 7, 1 to 2 p.m., at the Flat Shoals Library, will cover the registration process, how to search for funding opportunities and how to apply for those opportunities. The library is located at 4022 Flat Shoals Parkway, Decatur.

The workshop is open to the first 70 participants. 404-244-4370.

GWINNETT

Gwinnett County offers pre-Halloween fall festival on Oct. 28

Gwinnett County residents are invited to a free community fall festival Friday, Oct. 28, 5 to 9 p.m. at the Lucky Shoals Park Community Recreation Center, 4651 Britt Road, Norcross.

Fall into fun and enjoy games, crafts, and a movie. Kids’ costume contest for ages 12 and under begins at 7 p.m. Movie begins at 7:30 p.m. All ages welcome. The cost is $11 per person with a donated bag of unopened, individually wrapped candy or $16 per person without candy. Must pre-register online at www.gwinnettparks.com. For more information, call 678-277-0860.

Free ‘no needle’ rapid HIV testing offered for Ages 13+

The public is invited to a free community HIV testing on Monday, Oct. 24, 5:30pm to 7 p.m., at the Centerville Community Center, 3025 Bethany Church Road, Snellville.

Residents ages 13 and up are welcome to get tested. No needles will be used and results are ready in 20 minutes. This event is sponsored by Positive Impact Health Centers. For more information, call 678-990-6430 or visit www.RCClinic.org.

Ballroom dance lessons offered at Gwinnett community center

Join Gwinnett County Government for ballroom dance classes on Thursday, Oct. 27, 7 to 8:30 p.m., at the Centerville Community Center, 3025 Bethany Church Road, Snellville.

Come learn salsa, swing, foxtrot, and more in this four-week class with Larry Lucas. On Nov. 17, there will be a dance for class participants to show off their new skills. Comfortable clothes, socks, or leather-soled dance shoes (no sneakers or heavy traction footwear) are best.

The cost is an $8 nonrefundable fee per person (in exact cash notes, no coins). Pre-register with payment by Oct. 25 at the center.

For more information, visit gwinnettcountyevents.com.

ROCKDALE

Johnson Park to host annual Halloween Fest

Rockdale County Parks & Recreation will host the Johnson Park Annual Halloween Fest on Friday, Oct. 28, 6 to 9 p.m. at Johnson Park, 1781 Ebenezer Road, Conyers.

This spine-chilling family-oriented event will provide a safe and fun new twist on trick or treating. With the help from the community and local businesses, families will be able to walk or ride along the park’s trail and trunk or treat in the designated areas and participate in other activities that will be available throughout the facility.  Be a part of this spook-tacular night and make the Johnson Park Annual Halloween Fest a night you won’t forget!

The cost of the event is $5 per person (participants must have a wrist band.) For more information, contact LaVonda Bruton at 770-278-7529.

Panola Mountain State Park provides fun and safe trick or treat alternative

The public is invited to attend the third annual Panola State Park’s Trunk-O-Treat Saturday, Oct. 29, 2 to 4 p.m. at Panola Mountain State Park, 2620 Highway 155 S.W., Stockbridge.

Boys and girls can collect candy going car to car, instead of door to door and play on the playground. There will be games, face painting, tree climbing and contests. Parking is $5. To register your car, call 770-389-7801.