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ATLANTA
Decatur Book Festival set for Labor Day weekend
Tens of thousands of book lovers will gather on the Decatur Square over Labor Day weekend for the 11th annual AJC Decatur Book Festival Saturday, Sept. 3, to Sunday, Sept. 4 at the Old Decatur Court House, 101 E Court Square, Decatur.
There will be a wide array of events, panel discussions, cooking demonstrations, music, dance, theatre troupe performances and other programming for adults and children of all ages and interests. The festival will feature lectures and signings from more than 300 national and local authors, including award-winners, best-sellers, and some just getting started.
For more information, visit https://www.decaturbookfestival.com.
Celebrate Labor Day weekend at the 12th annual House in the Park Atlanta festival
The 12th annual House in the Park festival will once again be at the historic Grant Park Sunday, Sept. 4, 12 to 8 p.m., 800 Cherokee Ave, Atlanta.
Enjoy one full day of nonstop soulful house music, R&B classics and all genres in between. The family friendly event is free and will include food trucks, arts and crafts vendors, and will feature four of Atlanta’s most renowned soulful house music DJs, plus free water to keep you hydrated all day long. For more details, visit www.houseinthepark.org.
DEKALB
Car, bike show and health fair set at VOF
Voices of Faith Ministries is hosting a car and bike show on Saturday, Sept. 17, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the church’s Stone Mountain campus, 2500 Rockbridge Road S.W.
The event will include a health fair with free health checkups, performances, live music, raffles and prizes for cars and bikes that place.
The event is free and open to the public. To be a vendor or to register for the car and bike show, visit www.voicesfaith.org or call 770-498-5850, ext. 330.
DeKalb Library to host Smithsonian’s National Museum traveling exhibit
DeKalb County Public Library is hosting a special exhibit on Thursday, Sept. 1, at the Tucker-Reid H. Cofer branch, 5234 LaVista Road, Tucker.
The exhibit, entitled Changing America: The Emancipation Proclamation, 1863 and The March on Washington, 1963 features historic photographs and paintings that explore two pivotal events in American history — The Emancipation Proclamation and the 1963 March on Washington.
The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture, in collaboration with the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, developed the exhibit to commemorate the achievements these events represent. The exhibit explores their historical context, what they accomplished and failed to accomplish, and their impact on the generations that have followed.
For more information, call 770-270-8234.
DeKalb History Center sets Lunch and Learn
Two DeKalb History Center staff members, Fred Mobley and Jenny Goldemund, will discuss the history center’s home, the DeKalb County Courthouse. The Lunch & Learn will be held Sept. 20, noon to 1 p.m., at the Historic DeKalb Courthouse, 101 E. Court Square, Decatur (second floor in the Superior Courtroom).
Join the DeKalb History Center to learn more about the Historic DeKalb County Courthouse, with a focus on the fire that consumed it 100 years ago. The talk will include background information on Decatur’s square and the courthouse’s location.
The talk will cover the history and architecture of the 1898 courthouse and the fire that partially destroyed it in 1916. Learn about the changes made to the remains of the fourth courthouse in order to reopen it for court functions in 1918. The talk will conclude with a brief summary of the fifth courthouse’s history up to the present.
Speaker Jenny Goldemund has been a museum professional and consultant for more than 20 years and has worked with both art and history museums. She specializes in program development and volunteer management. Prior to her museum career, Goldemund lived in Europe and earned a master’s degree in Liberal Arts with a concentration in Museum Studies.
Commencing on a second career after 31 years of running his own company, speaker Fred Mobley received his Master’s degree in Heritage Preservation from Georgia State University in August 2010. He has earned numerous certificates, including from these programs: the Georgia Archives Institute, Jefferson Historic Landscape Institute, the Society of American Archivists, and Association of State and Local Historians. In April 2015, he accepted the position of Archivist for the DeKalb History Center.
The Lunch & Learn is free to attend. Bring your own lunch for the one-hour session. For more information, call Fred Mobley at 404-373-1088, ext. 23.
South DeKalb gears up for 4th Annual Heart of South DeKalb Festival
All roads will lead to the Gallery at South DeKalb Mall (Macy’s parking lot) on Saturday, Sept. 24. Come out and join “Discover DeKalb” for the The Heart of South DeKalb Festival, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The free outdoor festival is billed as the largest event of its kind in South DeKalb.
The day begins with a parade featuring high school bands, cars, step teams, community organizations and leaders heading to the mall at 8:30 a.m., from New Life Church on Candler Road, Decatur. Bring your chairs and enjoy a day of fun with the whole family.
There will be:
- Food and retail vendors
- Book give-a-ways provided by DeKalb Library
- T.E.M. Competition sponsored by Women of AT&T
- DeKalb County resources, car show, job fair and health screenings
- Give-a-ways and all day entertainment from various performers
- Music mixer by DJ Rudy and our featured band—EZ Access!
- Sponsors to date: DeKalb convention and Visitors Bureau, Clerk of Superior Court, Debra Deberry, Quick Trip (QT), D&K Suit City, Judge JP Boulee, Judge Mike Jacobs, State Rep. Rahn Mayo, Utley Chiropratic & Wellness Center and Bojangles
For sponsorships, vending and advertising opportunities, contact Paula Tate, festival coordinator, at hosd13@yahoo.com or 404-683-3599.
Downtown Decatur hosts Concerts on the Square
Music enthusiasts are invited to enjoy free live music on the square for Decatur’s Concerts on the Square September series.
Pack a picnic, spread out a blanket and enjoy an outstanding line-up of music every Saturday at 7 p.m. during the month of September.
For more information or show details, visit www.decaturdba.com.
GWINNETT
UGA Extension Service hosts Fall gardening, lawn care courses
Fall gardening
Join Gwinnett County Extension Agent Timothy Daly Sept. 8, 12 to 1 p.m. at the Gwinnett County Government Annex Building, 750 South Perry St., Lawrenceville.
Daly will discuss caring for your lawn during the fall to keep it healthy and attractive. The class will be held in the second-floor conference room of the building.
Herb Gardening
A lecture on herb gardening will be hosted at the same location on Thursday, Sept. 8, 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Herbs are excellent garden plants that require minimal maintenance and come in a variety of scents, flavors, and colors.
Register by Sept. 6 for the classes by calling 678-377-4011.
Gwinnett Parks and Rec to host fall family camp-out
Get outside to celebrate Nickelodeon Worldwide Day of Play and enjoy a crisp autumn night under the stars on Saturday, Sept. 17, 6 p.m. to Sunday, Sept. 18, at Tribble Mill Park, 2125 Tribble Mill Parkway, Lawrenceville.
Enjoy a camp-style dinner, lawn games, and s’mores around the fire plus breakfast in the morning. All you need to bring is your own tent, sleeping bags, and chairs. First come, first served. All ages welcome. $42/family of four with code RJP41683 or $12/person with code RJP41684. Must pre-register by Sept. 12 online at www.gwinnettcounty.com or call 678-277-0850. Some events may cost more for residents outside of Gwinnett County.
Live Healthy Gwinnett hosts free yoga in the park during September
September is National Yoga Month and Gwinnett Parks and Recreation invites the public to connect with nature Sunday, Sept. 4, 7 a.m., at Vines Park, 3500 Oak Grove Rd SW, Loganville.
The hour-long class will be guided by instructors from Ebb & Flow: Yoga Surf Studio. All skill levels welcome; bring a mat, towel and water bottle.
Pre-register at www.gwinnettparks.com with code YIP47501 Call 770-822-8869 or visit www.livehealthygwinnett.com for more information and the full schedule of events. Some events may cost more for residents outside of Gwinnett County.
ROCKDALE
11th annual Atlanta Caribbean Jerk Festival set for Labor Day weekend
The Atlanta Caribbean Jerk Festival and Family Fun Day will be held Sunday, Sept. 4, noon to 10 p.m. at the Georgia International Horse Park, 1996 Centennial Olympic Parkway, Conyers.
The Grace Atlanta Jerk Festival is one of the largest Caribbean-themed food festivals in North America and is expected to draw nearly 20,000 Caribbean nationals.
Jerk Fest offers Caribbean cuisine, arts, crafts, live performances from national and international artists, a young people’s activity zone, an authentic Caribbean-style food and produce market plus a games tent for domino and ludo aficionados and much more. The highlight of the festival is the cook-off competition to determine Atlanta’s Top Jerk Chef. Winner receives the Grace Foods Atlanta Top Jerk Chef trophy and other prizes. Part of the proceeds from the event goes to benefit the Atlanta Montego Bay Sister Cities Foundation and other charitable organizations. For more information, visit http://atlantajerkfestival.com.
Library offers school night pajama story time
Bring the kids to enjoy stories, interactive songs and simple crafts before bedtime on Thursday, Sept. 8, 6 to 6:45 p.m., in the storytime room at the Nancy Guinn Library, 964 Green Street, Conyers.
Parents and caregivers are encouraged to participate in all activities. Children are welcome to come in Sleepwear. All ages welcome.
For more information, call youth services at 770- 388-5040, ext. 113.
Friends of the Nancy Guinn Library host monthly book sale
Visit the Friends of the Nancy Guinn Library bookstore, located on the lower level of the Nancy Guinn Memorial Library, Saturday, Sept. 10, 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., 864 Green Street, Conyers.
Prices range between .50 cents for children’s paperbacks to $2 for most adult hardbacks, with more recent hardbacks or oversized books costing a little more.
Money raised by selling these gently used books provides funding for programs and other extras that benefit the library and its patrons. For more information, call 770-388-5040.
The Friends Bookstore is accessible from the back of the library (Travis St. entrance) or from the lower level entrance doors (follow the sidewalk to the 3rd door).