Tommy Allegood

A Message from the

It’s hard to believe we’ve already made it to the end of another great year in Acworth, and what a year 2021 has been! We’ve seen the opening of new businesses, the return of events downtown, and members of our community coming back together to celebrate one another. Our teamwork has brought new partnerships, steady growth and great amenities for residents and businesses, alike. We couldn’t have done it without everyone.

The holiday season is upon us, and I invite our community to experience all that this festive time has to offer in our city. If you haven’t heard, Santa has arrived in Acworth! He will be in the Historic Downtown District at Depot Park, from 1 to 5 p.m. Dec. 11, for photos. There won’t be a photographer on-site, so bring your camera. Free horse and carriage rides for the family also will be available downtown that afternoon.

We are so excited to offer a great new event at 2 p.m. Dec. 18. Come line the streets for the first Acworth Christmas Golf Cart Parade. The parade will start and end at Cauble Park, with a route traveling through neighborhoods in the Lakeside and Parkside districts, including Historic Downtown Main Street and Logan Farm Park. For a route map and free registration information, visit www.acworthparksandrec.org. We look forward to the joy and cheer this parade will bring the week before Christmas!

Last month saw the return of the Horizon Ability Gala to Tanyard Creek Overlook. This fantastic event raised money to assist with the Horizon League’s programming for participants with cognitive and physical disabilities. We are so proud of this program and the opportunities it offers to families in Acworth. Thank you to all who donate, contribute and work as a part of our team to bring joy and fun experiences to participants of the Horizon League as we continue growing.

Did you hear? Our Parks, Recreation and Community Resource Department won the District 5 Class A Agency of the Year honor from the Georgia Recreation and Parks Association. We are proud of this team and all it does to serve our city. Speaking of awards, the city of Acworth is very excited to announce that we again were recognized as one of the healthiest employers in America. This year, we ranked No. 29 in the top 100 nationally. These great efforts allow the city team to be its best and give 100% to serving our community. A special thank-you to Human Resources Director Rachelle Ballard and her team for their hard work.

As always, for more information on any of these projects, visit www.acworth.org, sign up for our e-news blasts on our home page, “like” Visit Acworth on Facebook, or follow us on Instagram at @VisitAcworth.

God bless, Tommy

Tommy Allegood was elected to Acworth’s city council in 2000 and has served as mayor since 2002. He is a community builder who is purposed to make it count!

Light Displays

to Brighten Your Holidays

Pack the car with family and friends, put on your favorite holiday music, and have a de-light-ful time visiting twinkling displays you can walk or drive through.

Through Dec. 23

The 10th annual Holiday Lights of Hope opens nightly at 6 p.m. at Hobgood Park in Woodstock. The event features a huge walk-through Christmas light display with more than 2 million lights. Cost is $10 per person. Kids ages 14 and younger are free. Proceeds benefit the Anna Crawford Children’s Center. https://bit.ly/3GspZJM. For the most up-to-date information, visit the Holiday Lights of Hope Facebook page. Visit Mountain Country Christmas in Lights, 6-9 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, and 4-9 p.m. Saturdays, at the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds, 1311 Music Hall Road, Hiawassee. Enjoy a winter walk through thousands of lights and exhibits. There will be live music, arts and crafts vendors, holiday food and pictures with Santa. https://bit.ly/3GA0I0C.

Through Dec. 30

Enjoy Pettit Creek Farms Christmas Lights this holiday season; gates are open 6-9 p.m. Sundays and Tuesdays-Thursdays and 6-10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Drive through more than a mile of Christmas lights, and visit Santa and his reindeer, Comet and Cupid, at Santa’s Cottage. Families can visit with Santa Thursdays-Sundays, and the live nativity can be seen on Saturdays. Hay rides also are available nightly. 337 Cassville Road, Cartersville. www.pettitcreekfarms.com.

Through Dec. 31

The annual Smoot Holiday Lights for Lupus is 5:30-10 p.m. Sundays-Thursdays and 5:30-11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. The family decorates their home, 3699 Autumn View Drive, Acworth, with a variety of lights and fixtures that are synchronized to music. Free hot chocolate and cookies are offered, 6-8 p.m. Saturdays, and all collected donations go to the Lupus Foundation of America, Georgia Chapter. Holiday Lights at Veterans Park opens nightly at 6 p.m., 7345 Cumming Highway, Canton. Enjoy a 2-mile drive through the Christmas light show. Admission is $20 per car. For the most up-to-date information, visit the Holiday Lights at Veterans Park Facebook page. Lights of LIFE, every night, rain or shine, through New Year’s Eve. The display opens at dark and runs until 9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, and 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays at Life University, 1269 Barclay Circle, Marietta. Cost is $10 per car/truck; buses are $20. Fees for individual goods and services are at the discretion of the vendors. www.life.edu/lights-of-life. Light Up the Holidays at Barnsley Resort visitors (including those who are not staying overnight), are welcome to view more than 1 million lights and festive décor in the historic 1800s manor house ruins, surrounding gardens and English-style village. There is a small fee for the self-guided tour at 597 Barnsley Gardens Road, Adairsville. www.barnsleyresort.com.

Through Jan. 2

Lights at the Landing is a new holiday event coming to Dallas Landing Park in Acworth. Visitors and locals can enjoy a walk-through holiday light show in the park. Operation hours are 5:30-9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, and 5:30-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Refreshments will be available for purchase. Tickets must be purchased in advance for specific time slots at www.lightsatthelanding.com. Lights of Joy, the largest residential Christmas light display in Georgia, has more than 750,000 lights. Open nightly, 6-11 p.m. 1510 Ben King Road NW, Kennesaw. Park at Influencers Church across the street, walk to see the lights in this free display, and enjoy sections synchronized to Christmas music. No pets allowed. https://www.lightsofjoy.net/about-joy.

The Smoot Family’s annual Lights for Lupus display benefits the Lupus Foundation of America, Georgia Chapter.

Through Jan. 2

See your favorite tunes come to life in Rockin’ Christmas, open nightly, 6-10 p.m. at 250 Cobb Parkway N, Marietta. The mile-long drive-through show features a symphony of sight and sound, from life-sized musical notes to retro Santa spinning it old school. https://bit.ly/2ZtC5C4. Celebrate the season with Stone Mountain Christmas, 1000 Robert E. Lee Blvd., Stone Mountain. Millions of lights, Christmas shows, a parade featuring Santa Claus and more create a night to remember. Don’t miss the Scenic Railroad, Journey through Musical Frosted Forest and the World’s Largest Christmas Lights Show. www.stonemountainpark.com. Visit Holiday In the Park select dates at Six Flags Over Georgia. More than 1 million LED lights and dozens of Christmas trees create a magical atmosphere during the holiday season. This holiday classic includes sparkling lights, festive shows, culinary treats, and, of course, Santa! https://bit.ly/3nEWFal.

Through Jan. 3

Fantasy in Lights is back at Callaway Gardens, 17800 Highway 27, Pine Mountain. A new scene, Magical Field of Lights, is nearly two football fields long and features a Christmas tree more than 10 stories tall. Bundle up for a Jolly Trolley ride, or drive your car through millions of lights. Named one of the top 10 light displays in the world by National Geographic. www.callawaygardens.com.

Through Jan. 15

Garden Lights, Holiday Nights features Orchestral Orbs, glowing harmoniously with holiday tunes, at Atlanta Botanical Garden, 1345 Piedmont Ave. NE, Atlanta. A Tunnel of Light, the radiant Ice Goddess and the Glittering Galaxy embraces visitors in enchanting light. Health and safety protocols are in place, and the garden is operating at limited capacity. Only timed tickets are available online. www.atlantabg.org.