►Out & about

Continued from page 29

Festivals & Fun

East Cobb’s 22nd Anniversary: Barbecue at Twelve Oaks

Friday, Aug. 11, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.; doors open at 10:45 a.m. Enjoy a trip back in time for a barbecue at Twelve Oaks. There’ll be a visit by Margaret Mitchell and Scarlett O’Hara may drop by while we’re dancing the Virginia Reel. Greg Picciano will play music with a professional square dance caller teaching the steps. Tickets are $15 for Cobb County residents, $18 for non-residents. East Cobb Senior Center, 3332 Sandy Plains Rd., Marietta 30066, 770-509-4900. Tickets and details at cobbcounty.org.

Decatur BBQ Blues & Bluegrass Festival

Saturday, Aug. 12, 2-9 p.m.

The festival offers visitors the taste of classic southern BBQ and more than seven hours of original live blues and bluegrass music. Tickets cover entrance fee and music. The cost is $12 until midnight, Aug. 12, then rises to $20 at the festival gate. Kids 12 and under are free with a paid adult. Held in downtown Oakhurst at 630 East Lake Dr., Decatur 30030. For more info, visit decaturbbqfestival.com.

Pigs & Peaches

BBQ Festival

Friday, Aug. 15, 6-10 p.m. & Saturday, Aug. 26, 10 a.m.-10 p.m.

One of the region’s most beloved festivals, Pigs & Peaches features a BBQ competitions for professionals, amateurs and kids. It’s two days of non-stop music, good eats, cold beer and family fun. Free admission. Adams Park, 2753 Watts Dr., Kennesaw 30144. Go to pigsandpeaches.com for more information.

Piedmont Park Arts Festival

Saturday, Aug. 19, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. & Sunday, Aug. 20, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Up to 250 artists offer photography, jewelry and all other manner of fine arts and crafts at the festival. Of course, there’ll also be food, music, games and family fun. Free admission; pets welcome. Piedmont Park, Charles Allen Dr. & 10th St., Atlanta 30306. Piedmontparkartsfestival.com is the site for details.

Grant

Saturday, Aug. 26, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. & Sunday, Aug. 27, 11 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Music and art lovers celebrate the end of summer at this annual fundraiser for the Grant Park Conservancy. There’s a 5K run, live music, expansive artist market and full selection of food trucks. Free admission. Grant Park, 800 Cherokee Ave., Atlanta 30315. Learn more at summershadefestival.org.

Miss Mary’s Ice Cream Crankin’

Sunday, Aug. 27, 2-4 p.m.

Taste more than 100 flavors of homemade ice cream. There’ll be contests, music and a kid’s corner, too. This is the 13th year for the Drake House fundraiser. Tickets are $6 per person, or $25 for a family of up to 6 people. Roswell Square Park, 600 Atlanta St., Roswell 30075. More info is at thedrakehouse.org.

Dunwoody Butterfly Festival

Tuesday, Aug. 29, 10a.m.-4 p.m. Member preview starts 9 a.m. Three enormous butterfly tents will each be filled with hundreds of butterflies. Other attractions include a Birds of Prey show and live animal encounters, as well as games, crafts, music and food. Dunwoody Nature Center, 5343 Roberts Dr., Dunwoody 30338. Visit dunwoodynature.org for details and info about membership.

AJC Decatur Book Festival

Friday-Sunday, Sept. 1-3.

The AJC Decatur Book Festival is the largest independent book festival in the country. Since its launch, more than 1,000 world-class authors and hundreds of thousands of festival-goers have enjoyed book signings, author readings, panel discussions, live music, poetry slams and writing workshops. Venues are located throughout the square in Decatur. The festival’s website, decaturbookfestival.com, has a map, schedule and much more.

Dragon Con

Friday, Sept. 1, 10 a.m. through Monday, Sept 4, 5 p.m. Parade on Saturday, Sept. 2, 10 a.m.

If you’re into cosplay, gaming or pop culture—or anything remotely related— don’t miss Dragon Con. There are celebrities, panels, performances, vendors, contests, games and much more. Or just enjoy the free parade Saturday morning on Peachtree Street. A membership badge covers all four days and costs $140 to $160. Hyatt Regency Atlanta, 265 Peachtree St., Atlanta 30303, and four surrounding hotels: Atlanta Hilton, Sheraton Atlanta, Atlanta Marriott Marquis and Westin Peachtree Plaza Hotel. Dragoncon.org has lots more info.

Marietta Art in the Park

Saturday-Monday, Sept. 2-4, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. each day.

The 31st Annual Marietta Art in the Park will showcase 175+ fine artists who work in everything from oils and watercolors to textile and ceramics, along with plenty of food and entertainment.

The Chalk Spot street art display benefits the Marietta High School Art Club. Held in Historic Marietta Square; free admission. Glover Park, 50 N. Park Square, Marietta 30060. View the festival map and get details at artparkmarietta.com.