Hello, local readers. Once again we’re here with your weekend guide, where we share our favorite things to do in and around Atlanta and point out where you can get free stuff along the way. As always, be sure to add anything we missed in the comments.
Indian Festival & Pow-Wow
Stone Mountain Park. Thursday through Sunday, 10 am – 5 pm. $10 per car park entry/parking.
Named a Top 20 Event by the Southeastern Tourism Society, the four-day Indian Festival and Pow-Wow showcases Native American culture through dance, music, authentic craft demonstrations, cooking traditions, storytelling, wildlife presentations and more. Festival-goers can enjoy many varieties of Native music from featured performers, such as Native American Music Award-winning artists JJ Kent and Tommy Wildcat, in addition to a special Saturday night concert Native American Music Award 2007 Artist of the Year, Arvel Bird and his band.
More info and directions.
Chomp & Stomp Chili Cook-off & Festival
Cabbagetown Park. Saturday, 11 am – 6 pm. Free; $5 for a spoon.
You’ll be taken straight back to the olden days of Cabbagetown when you sit in the park with your neighbors, listening to vibrant bluegrass music and sampling delicious local chili from the cook-off. Those who want to work up an appetite can participate in the Romp and Stomp 5K, which begins at 8 a.m. at Milltown Tavern.
More info and directions.
Chastain Park Arts Festival
Chastain Park. Saturday, 10 am – 6 pm; Sunday, 10 am – 5 pm. Free.
Come out and enjoy the crisp Fall weather at the Chastain Park Arts Festival. Located in one of the largest parks in Fulton County, the festival emphasizes the visual arts. Over 100 painters, sculptors, craftsmen, phototgraphers, glass blowers, jewelers and more will be featured. Festivities will also include food and beverages. Bring the whole family for a great day at the park.
More info and directions.
Decatur Wine Festival
Old Courthouse Square. Saturday, 1 pm – 4 pm. $32.
Metro Atlanta’s largest outdoor wine festival features over 400 wines from around the globe, fare from Decatur’s finest eateries, and live music on the community bandstand. Proceeds benefit the Decatur Arts Alliance, which produces the Decatur Arts Festival and many other arts events, free to the community each year. And the (arguably) best part? Entry fee includes a promotional commemorative wine glass. Cheers.
More info and directions.
Fernbank Museum Pirate Weekend
Fernbank Museum of Natural History. Saturday, 10 am – 2 pm; Sunday, noon – 4 pm. Included in admission cost ($15 adults, $14 students & seniors, $12 kids under 12).
Attend Pirate Weekend… or walk the plank! Fernbank’s 2nd annual Pirate Weekend features pirate-themed activities like temporary tattoos, a treasure chest full of fool’s gold, and a pirate name generator. A scavenger hunt related to museum content offers one lucky winner the chance to take home buried treasure, and Truman, the green dragon mascot from Kidsville News will be making an appearance on Sunday from 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm. This special event is presented in conjunction with the museum’s current “Water” exhibit, a hands-on experience designed to educate visitors about water’s importance to the earth and mankind.
More info and directions.
Cirque de Soleil: OVO
Atlantic Station. Thursday, November 4 through January 2. $35-255.
Body extortionists, acrobatics, and colorful, flashy insect costumes will certainly keep your attention during the performance of “Ovo”! The concept of insects came with creator, Deborah Colker’s correlation between acrobats and insects. With many of the same abilities such as flying, climbing walls, etc.. Colker saw it as an opportunity to express her vision with the world by creating “Ovo”. It’s a love story that all can enjoy and connect with which is all the more reason to check it out!
More info and directions.