Summer Outdoor Fun Guide Words by Karen Huppertz

Summer Outdoor Fun Guide

Words by Karen Huppertz

Southwest Gwinnett residents can save gas and avoid escalating airfare prices by enjoying the many summer activities right at home. From the various trails and parks nearby, to a flurry of regular activities in downtown Norcross, Duluth, Peachtree Corners and Berkeley Lake, fun for all ages is right around the corner.

Each city has their own guidelines for bringing in coolers, chairs and alcohol to events. Check the links provided below for specific details.

Regular Events — Berkeley Lake

Residents in Berkely Lake gather at 11 a.m. July 4th at Berkeley Lake Elementary School for a parade down to the Chapel. The event usually includes an opportunity to meet local city, county and state leaders. Events for residents include face painting, water balloon tossing, watermelon eating, hula hooping and limbo dancing. In past years, residents living on the water in Berkeley Lake gather a flotilla of boats to enjoy a Fourth of July fireworks display launched from the lake over the Berkeley Lake Dam. While public parking is not available, residents often gather near Berkeley Lake City Hall to enjoy the show.

Regular Events — Duluth

Duluth gets the party started every Friday night through Sept. 16 with Fridays-NDuluth. Truck Fridays take place on all odd number Fridays and feature live music, food trucks and vendors. Themed Block Party on Main events take place on all even-numbered Fridays and feature food trucks and themed entertainment. Block Party themes include a Friday Fiesta, Dog Days of Summer, International Night, Bringing Back the 90s, Caribbean Night, Mardi Gras in July, Lantern Parade and Whimsical Wonderland. Flicks on the Bricks runs alongside Food Truck Friday with movies at 8 p.m. the first Fridays of June, August and September. Expect to see characters from the movie or other themed entertainment there while you enjoy a great time on Duluth Town Green. The Duluth Farmers & Artisan Market takes place 2 to 6 p.m. on the second Sunday of each month through Dec. 11 and is a fun place to shop for homemade jams, jellies, pickles, salsa, canned vegetables, honey, cut flowers, herbs, spices, homemade candles, soaps, lotions, pottery, baskets and more. August in Duluth is Art Month. Duluth is

hosting an entire month of art designed to bring out the creative side in you. Throughout the month, the city will host a variety of interactive art from colorful tree wrappings, Seek Duluth, dance, theatre, music — and the list goes on. Check the city’s website for details for each event at tinyurl.com/DuluthEvents.

Regular Events — Norcross

Norcross offers the community Movie Monday at 1:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. on the second and fourth Monday afternoons of the month at the Norcross Cultural Arts & Community Center. On Wednesdays, the Norcross Community Market takes place 4 to 7 p.m. through August at Thrasher Park with live music, local farmers, artists, food and children’s activities. Look for blueberries, peaches, melons, tomatoes and everything in between. The Power of Produce Children’s Tent, for elementary aged children, encourages kids to interact with farmers and learn about produce. Kids will receive $2 Market Money to buy fruit and veggies. SNAP/EBT is accepted and the city doubles benefits on fresh fruits and vegetables. The Norcross Summer Concert Series takes place 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Fridays through September in Thrasher Park. The concerts are free and local restaurants are happy to create the perfect picnic for concert goers. Residents from all over Southwest Gwinnett look forward each year to the Norcross Red, White & Boom pre-Fourth of July block party 5 to 10 p.m. on July 3 at Lillian Webb Park and Downtown Norcross. The event includes live music, food, fun and fireworks with special events for children including bounce houses (nominal fee), face painting and food vendors in addition to the city’s many local restaurants. Details for each event is at norcrossga.net/calendar.aspx?CID=22.

Regular Events — Peachtree Corners

It’s a significant year for Peachtree Corners as they celebrate their 10th anniversary as a city. Now that the pandemic is largely a thing of the past, residents can count on a regular schedule of activities, all of which can be found on the city’s calendar at tinyurl.com/PTC-Calendar. According to Diana Wheeler, Peachtree Corners Community Development Director, “We are trying to help the community become accustomed to consistent timing of events at the Town Green.” Residents can enjoy a meal or snack at any of the more than 15 eateries located in the Town Green before or during an event. Most restaurants will even deliver food to the Town Green during a local concert. “Dinner and a movie or a show... Hopefully people will come out and enjoy themselves,” added Wheeler. Peachtree Corners dedicates each second Saturday of the month to local bands in the Night Music series. Residents might even spot their neighbor on stage from time to time. Larger, touring bands can be found on the last Saturday night of the month in the Summer Concert series. All invited musical groups promise a family-friendly performance.

Free Music Concerts

• July 1 — The Drifters. Rhythm and Blues fans should mark their calendars now for the original Drifters on opening night of the Peachtree Corners Festival at the Town Green. “We are bringing the legendary R&B group The Drifters to Peachtree Corners! This is not a tribute band but is the real thing,” said Dave Huffman, Peachtree Corners Festival President. “Think of hits like ‘Under the Boardwalk,’ ‘Save the Last Dance for Me’ and ‘This Magic Moment’ and then come on out to the Town Green to hear them live. It will be a special evening celebrating the festival and the tenth anniversary of our great city.” 7:30 p.m. Town Green, Peachtree Corners. • July 8 — Bee Gees Gold. John Acosta, as Barry Gibb, offers the ultimate salute to the original Bees Gees experience. From his unique falsettos and classic late 70s look to the band’s sensational rhythm section, Bee Gees Gold will have you shouting, “I’ve just seen and heard the Bee Gees LIVE!” 7:30 p.m. Thrasher Park, Norcross. • July 23 — The Evolution of Pop will play your favorite hits from artists like Prince, Bruno Mars, Justin Timberlake, Chris Stapleton, Ed Sheeran, Red Hot Chili, Peppers, Stevie Wonder, The Beatles, Justin Bieber, Usher, James Brown, The Jacksons, Michael Jackson, The Weekend, Queen, Maroon 5, The Black Eyed Peas and more. 8 p.m. Town Green, Duluth. • July 30 — Everclear with Hushmoney helps wrap up July in PTC. Considered a 90s Alt-Rock Band, Everclear continues to tour extensively. Fans may remember and certainly will enjoy Everclear’s rendition of “Santa Monica” and “Father of Mine.” 7 p.m. Town Green, Peachtree Corners. • Aug. 5 — The Breakfast Club claim to be the longest running, most recognized 80s tribute band in the United States. Formed in 1993, their “mission was simple: create an entertainment group that embodied the enigmatic, creative and buoyant spirit of music and live performances of the original MTV generation of the 1980s.” 7:30 p.m. Thrasher Park, Norcross.

• July 9 — Sailing to Denver and Trappers Cabin. Sailing to Denver describe themselves as a unique Americana / RootsRock band that has been recording since 2011. They can regularly be seen around town at many different venues, city concerts and corporate events and have been known to feature amazing special guest musicians from all over the southeast. 7 p.m. Town Green, Peachtree Corners. The Wildflowers

• July 16 — Chaz Shepherd and Dexter Tolson. Chaz Shepherd joins the Norcross Jazz in the Alley series not only as a talented singer-songwriter, but as an actor known for his role as Stevie in “Set It Off,” Elbridge Al Bryant in the TV mini-series “The Temptations,” John Hamilton in “7th Heaven” and Trey Wiggs in “The Game.” He recently was cast to play Marvin Sapp in TV One’s upcoming Marvin Sapp Biopic to be released Aug. 21. Dexter Tolson is a self-taught saxophone player influenced by Grover Washington, Jr. and David Sanborn. He and his band, Dexter Tolson & Friends, includes keyboard wiz Tony Carter, beat master Bobby Henderson on drums and bass expressionist Roland Beard. Dexter Tolson & Friends thrives on performing original music that is a fusion of funk and jazz. 7:30 p.m. Betty Mauldin Park, Norcross. • July 22 — All In One is the ultimate party band performing your favorite contemporary Top 40 dance, R&B, Motown, rock, country and Carolina Beach songs. This six-piece band is as diverse as their name implies. 7:30 p.m. Thrasher Park, Norcross.

• Aug. 13 — The Wildflowers. Considered America’s #1 tribute band to Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers. According to their official bio, bassist Darryell Stone asked himself one day in 2012 while listening to the radio “Who doesn’t love Tom Petty?” Testing his hypothesis, Stone polled friends, family and fellow musicians how they felt about Petty. “The result was always the same. Everyone loves Tom Petty. Equipped with decades of experience and a passion for Tom Petty’s magic way with

songs, The Wildflowers bring music lovers of all stripes what they adore: more Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers.” 8 p.m. Town Green, Peachtree Corners. • Aug. 13 — Cleveland P. Jones and Michael Cruse. Cleveland P. Jones is a singer-songwriter born in South Carolina, a graduate of Morehouse College and Berklee College of Music. He has toured internationally, collaborated with notable artists and opened for soul legend Chaka Khan. Jones has released two albums and is currently composing new music “to spread love and healing one song at a time.” Michael Cruse, a Lexington, Kentucky native, is known for his unique take on the musical stylings of the incomparable Louis Armstrong. Cruse has performed and studied with a long list of jazz greats. He was a part of the filming of “Miles Ahead” and portrayed NYCbased trumpeter and recording artist, Ernie Royal, starring Don Cheadle as Miles Davis, as well as filming for HBO’s “Lovecraft Country.” Cruse is currently serving as an Artist Affiliate and Brass Instructor in the Jazz Studies Department at Emory University. 7:30 p.m. Betty Mauldin Park, Norcross. • Aug. 19 — Liverpool Legends “are four lads who were hand-picked by Louise Harri-

son, sister of the late George Harrison of The Beatles.” They have toured internationally, recorded and produced the Grammy-nominated album “Fab Fan Memories” and delighted audiences at the Rose Bowl and Carnegie Hall. These four are sure to bring back all the best memories cherished by Beatles fans. 7:30 p.m. Thrasher Park, Norcross. • Aug. 27 — Stayin’ Alive (Bee Gees Tribute) with The Mike Veal Band. Audiences will know all the words to the songs and sights from this band’s full Bee Gees play list, including blockbusters such as “Night Fever,” “Jive Talkin’,” “How Deep Is Your Love,” “You Should Be Dancing,” “Nights on Broadway” andv“Stayin’ Alive.” Expect to enjoy the all-white suits, dazzling lights and big screen video clips that will have you on your feet dancing. 7 p.m. Town Green, Peachtree Corners.

Fun for Children and Pets

Berkeley Lake children are invited to learn to fish 10 a.m. to noon Tuesday mornings, beginning May 31, from behind the Chapel. Great American Summer Program (GASP!) at Berkeley Lake Elementary and BLHA sponsor the event. Ages 3 to 12 are welcome (with a parent) for fishing, games, fun and snacks. The Fountain at the Duluth Town Green is open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week, weather permitting. Group visits for daycares, school groups, etc. are allowed, but must be scheduled with the Festival Center Coordinator at events@duluthga.net. There is an application to complete and a $20 fee for water and bathroom usage. Duluth will host a special Back-to-School

Bubblepalooza 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on July 27 at the Town Green to help kids celebrate one of the last days of summer break. The event includes large yard games, a DJ and bubbles, of course. Yoga on the Green Photo by Anna Niziol

The Norcross Splash Pad at Lillian Webb Park is open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. through October. Children in Peachtree Corners are welcome on the recently expanded playground and can enjoy the splash pad on hot summer afternoons. The playground is open 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. and the splash pad is operational 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. during the summer months. Kids (or just adults) are also invited to the Peachtree Corners Town Green, along with their furry friends 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on July 16 for Bark in the Park. The event will include vendors, special doggie treats and fun activities only a canine can enjoy. Turns out the pups enjoy bubbles too.

Fitness Fun

Not just for the summer months, each city offers year-round physical activities for all fitness levels. Tuesday mornings at 8 a.m. in Peachtree Corners are dedicated to Yoga on the Green. Everyone from beginners to experienced yogis are welcome to join this free class taught by David Penn from Sun Dragon Yoga. Yoga is known to help improve flexibility, increase blood flow, correct posture and helps improve mental focus. “Yoga is an ancient practice that brings together the human mind and body,” according to Penn’s website. “It’s a practice that incorporates meditation, breathing exercises and poses that are designed to reduce stress and encourage relaxation.” For Thursday exercise fans, PTC residents can try free CrossFit at the Green with TJ Fox of CrossFit PPG at 10 to 11 a.m. through September. According to their website, “CrossFit is a lifestyle characterized by safe, effective exercise and sound nutrition. It involves constantly varied functional movements performed at high intensity.” Beginning in June, North American Properties, the new owner of The Forum, is launching a Forum Fit program 6 to 7 p.m. every Wednesday through October. Kicking off the program is Club Pilates Peachtree Corners, who will be leading classes outdoors under the clock tower at The Forum. Mat sessions of Pilates might remind first-time participants of yoga with a strong emphasis on core strength and alignment. This low-impact workout improves flexibility, balance and posture. Look for a loyalty rewards program built into the Forum Fit offering. With every five classes attended, guests will receive exclusive prizes. For future events at The Forum, visit theforumonpeachtree.com/events/.

Play Ball (or Cornhole)

Sporting events can be found on the big screen at Peachtree Corners Town Green including the Atlanta Braves versus the Los Angeles Angels at 7:20 p.m. on July 23 and Atlanta Braves versus the Astros at 7:20 p.m. on Aug. 20. Additional special viewing events are announced closer to sporting dates. At 6:30 p.m. Wednesday nights at the PTC Town Green, residents can bring their chairs or grab an outdoor table to cheer on their favor-

ite Cornhole team. CornholeATL, Georgia’s largest and fastest growing cornhole league, will showcase four different divisions of play. The fun continues for seveb weeks beginning in June.

Run, Hike, Fish, Play or Grill

Walkers and runners can help Light Up The Corners in Peachtree Corners 6 to 11 p.m. on Aug. 20 for the city’s 4-mile Glow Run and 1K Twilight Trot. The event kicks off and culminates at The Forum on Peachtree Parkway. Participants can expect prizes for the “Glowiest” man, woman, girl, boy and team, plus food, music and more. All runners and walkers participating in either event will receive a performance, quick-dry t-shirt, glow items to ensure you glow on the course, entry to the Post Race Party and coupons for lots of free and discounted stuff at The Forum. Details at lightupthecorners.com. If all of the above is not enough, families can check out each city’s parks and recreation departments, as well as the Gwinnett County Parks & Recreation’s parks, for a wide variety of outdoor fun. In general, parks are open sunrise to sunset. Duluth Parks & Recreation Director Kathy Marelle noted their department designs their programs to meet the needs of a wide and diverse group of individuals including young professionals, youth league groups, young families and active adults. The city is hoping, with the voters’ blessing this fall, to receive additional Special Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) funding that will allow them to repurpose an old, no longer used ballpark into a pickleball court. “Pickleball is huge, huge, huge,” stated Marelle. The city is constantly observing and evaluating the latest trends in fitness and adjusting their facilities and programs. “When we are repurposing facilities in Duluth, we are always keeping in mind the multi-cultural needs of the community,” added Marelle. Berkeley Lake offers one public park at 4040 South Berkeley Lake Rd. The city maintains the popular playground within that park for the enjoyment of area children. The city, known for their commitment to protecting the environment, also purchased and maintains a greenspace. There are walking trails within the city greenspace near Ridge and North Berkeley Lake Roads. Seven parks are available for the Duluth community to enjoy, including the popular Chattapoochee Dog Park at 4291 Rogers Bridge Rd. Get details about each park at tinyurl.com/DuluthParks. In addition to several county parks, Norcross maintains 11 city parks with details for each park at norcrossga.net/257/Parks. As the newest city in Gwinnett, the parks in Peachtree Corners are all county-operated, but the city is currently constructing an 11.5mile multi-use trail system that will crisscross through the community connecting with shops, restaurants and office parks. The city is also planning a multi-use trail near Crooked Creek between Spalding Drive and Holcomb Bridge Road/Peachtree Parkway. Details can be found at tinyurl.com/PTCtrails. Gwinnett County has made a significant commitment to providing a wide-ranging park system with 11 located in Southwest Gwinnett. Here’s a glimpse at the many options: • Best Friend Park, 6224 Jimmy Carter Blvd., Norcross — This 43-acre park includes outdoor leisure play pools, 17 lighted tennis courts, gym, indoor badminton courts, outdoor basketball courts, pavilion, grill, playground, baseball/softball fields, restrooms and a .75-mile paved trail. • Cemetery Field, 211 Cemetery St., Norcross — This six-acre park includes a football/multi-purpose field, concession and restrooms. • Graves Park, 1540 Grave Rd., Norcross — This 70-acre park has an interactive fountain, two tennis courts, a sand volleyball court, soil soccer pitch, playground, dog park area, 1.25mile paved trail, grill, pavilion, restrooms and the Graves Park Community Garden. • Holcomb Bridge Park, 4300 Holcomb Bridge Rd., Peachtree Corners — Includes a pavilion with picnic tables, grill, playground, restrooms, amphitheater, a quarter-mile unpaved trail and fishing from a river overlook. • Jones Bridge Park, 4901 East Jones Bridge Rd., Peachtree Corners — This 30-acre park along the Chattahoochee River includes pavilions, grill, playground, sand volleyball court, three soccer fields, a Good Age Building rental room, restrooms, a lovely meadow and river overlook areas for fishing. • Lucky Shoals Park, 4651 Britt Rd., Norcross — This 68-acre park includes a community recreation center, three indoor basketball courts, outdoor basketball courts, indoor badminton courts, five multi-purpose youth fields, one multi-purpose adult field, two lighted tennis courts, pavilions, grill, playground, 1.14-mile paved trail, indoor walking track and restrooms. • McDaniel Farm Park, 3251 McDaniel Rd., Duluth — This unique park offers a glimpse of Georgia farming history along with traditional park amenities. The former cotton farm was owned by the McDaniel family from 1859 to 1999, where they lived off the land. Visitors can wander the grounds to see the original barn, well house, chicken coup, blacksmith shed and restored tenant farmhouse, as well as a vegetable and flower garden. This 134-acre park also includes 3-miles of paved and unpaved trails, grill and restrooms. o A separate park entrance at 320 Mc-

Daniel Rd. includes a farm themed playground, dog park, rustic pavilion, paved and unpaved trails with connectivity to the Historic side of the park, grill and restrooms. • Pinckneyville Park, park entrance at 4785 South Old Peachtree Rd., Peachtree Corners — Families with children playing baseball or soccer are probably already familiar with this 93-acre park which includes a seven-field baseball / softball complex, the 5,000-square foot Medlock Corporate Pavilion with catering kitchen and the Danny Cochran Pavilion. This beautiful park also includes a dog park, roller hockey rink, free-skate area, playground, grill, fishing pond, meadow, 1.53-mile paved trail and restrooms. o At a separate entrance at 4707 South

Old Peachtree Rd. in Berkeley Lake, the community can access the five-field soccer complex with pavilion, grill, playground, restrooms, pond, 1.47 miles of paved trail and access to 6.6 miles of the Western

Gwinnett Pathway. o The third entrance to this park is technically in Berkeley Lake at 4650 Peachtree

Industrial Blvd. and includes a Community Recreation Center with catering kitchen, pottery / art studio, hidden courtyard, rental rooms and .21 miles of paved trail that connect to the soccer complex. o The county offers a variety of summer camps at the Pinckneyville Park Community Recreation Center. Groups of ages 5-6 and 7-13 are eligible for week-long Adventure Camps running through July 29. Ages 8-16 may also want to consider the Drama

Camp July 11-15. Information and registration at GwinnettCommunityServices. com. • Shorty Howell Park, 2750 Pleasant Hill Rd., Duluth — This very active 67-acre park includes an activity building with classes and rental options, a large community room and classroom, seven lighted youth baseball / softball fields, football / multi-purpose field with lighted walking track, pavilion, grill, playgrounds, lake, a 1.25-mile paved trail and restrooms. • Simpsonwood Park, 4511 Jones Bridge Circle, Peachtree Corners — This 223-acre park includes a chapel, pavilion, grills, 3.1-mile non-paved trail, sand volleyball court, group camping, meadow and restrooms. • Western Gwinnett Park, 4488 Peachtree Industrial Blvd., Berkeley Lake — Includes two lighted football / multi-purpose fields with lighted walking track, Aquatic Center with indoor lap pool, indoor instructional pool, and outdoor leisure play pool, 0.25-mile paved trail and the West Gwinnett Park Community Garden.

Additional information and everything to know about renting Gwinnett County Park facilities is at GwinnettParks.com. ##