Weekend Fun, April 18-19


Saturday

Special Events

Community Recycling Event (part of the Great American CleanUp/Keep Cobb Beautiful). 9am – 1pm. Jim Miller Park & Sprayberry High School. KCB is hosting a Community Recycling event in coordination with the Great American Cleanup. Get rid of those hard to dispose of/recycle items, including electronic recycling (there is a $10 fee for TVs and monitors), textiles, document shredding, latex paint recycling, battery recycling and more.

Atlanta Gluten and Allergy Free Expo. 10am – 4pm. Cobb Galleria Center. The Gluten & Allergen Free Expo’s offerings meets the needs of the celiac community, those with gluten sensitivities, auto-immune,inflammatory diseases, and autism. Athletes and the health conscious will greatly benefit as well. The Expo features over 150 vendors sampling & selling products. The Expo also showcases personal care products, vitamins and supplements, and green household cleaning alternatives. There is a dedicated peanut/nut-free area and special area for gluten-free kids.. Allergen savvy health care practitioners will be available to answer medical questions. Free lectures, connect with gluten and allergen-free restaurants, associated non-profits, and more. Tickets are $20/adult and $5 for kids 3-12.

Big Shanty Festival Kennesaw. 10am – 6pm.  The 39th annual Superior Plumbing Kennesaw/Big Shanty Festival is April 18 and 19. The downtown Kennesaw area will be transformed into a giant family-friendly festival. There will be a variety of activities to entertain all ages. The festival features over 200 arts and crafts booths, 20 food booths. There are two entertainment stages, all types of children’s activities, and plenty of festival foods. The Big Shanty Festival will begin with a parade through downtown Kennesaw at 9:30 on Saturday morning, April 18th.

Spectrum Storytime. 10:30 -11am. Smyrna Public Library. Children ages 3 – 8. Designed for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Spectrum Story Time includes several sensory integration activities and a story for children and their caregiver. Class is limited to 8 children, so please call ahead to register. 770-431-2860 ext 3.

Taste of West Cobb. 11am – 5pm. Hillgrove High School, 4165 Luther Ward Rd,
Powder Springs. This event features local restaurants, kids activities and entertainment.  Over 25 restaurants are offering tastes of their best dishes with prices ranging from $1 to $4. Admission is free.

Taylor-Brawner Park with Art. Noon – 6pm, daily until April 19. Taylor-Brawner House, Smyrna. This complimentary exhibit and show will feature the work of 23 of the region’s most talented painters, weavers, crystal sculptors, wood turners and carvers, and all the pieces on display will be one-of-a-kind originals. Every day a different artist will be in attendance to demonstrate their craft and answer your questions.

Diaper Derby at Town Center at Cobb. 1pm – 4pm. Register at Simon Guest Services. It’s the first Diaper Derby event at Town Center at Cobb! This is the ultimate family event that brings together babies and parents in a fun, family-team atmosphere. There will be up to 12 heats of 6 babies each. We will then hold two semi-final heats, which will bring us to the final round of up to 6 babies. Babies must not be walking, and cannot turn 12 months on or before April 18. Registrations are limited to the first 72 babies. All registrants will receive a goody bag at the event. The top three babies will win a trophy and prizes from mall stores.

Seussical the Musical. 2pm & 7pm. The Mable House. Tickets $8, under 12 free. Watch Dr. Seuss’ favorite works come to life! This program is part of Footlights, a community theatre experience for 9 -18 year olds (with occasional use of adults in some roles). The mission is to provide a theatrical experience to Cobb County youth with an emphasis on education. This event is outdoors, but under a cover.

 

 

The Regulars

Marietta Farmers Market. 10am – 1pm, year round. Marietta Square.

Michaels Kids’ Club. 10am, 10:30, 11, 11:30. All Michaels locations. Drop in and create a craft (themes vary by week). $2 for 30 minutes + supplies. Recommended age: 3+. This week’s theme: Clothespin Bug Magnets

Drop-In Art Classes at Vinings School of Art. Time varies, see below. $15/hour, all supplies included.
Toddler/Pre-K: 10am – 11am
Younger Child (5-7): 11am – noon
Older Child (6 – 10):  10am – 11am
Older Child (7 – 12): 11am – noon

Barnes & Noble Storytime. 11am. Cumberland location. Book: Aqualicious

Jitterbug Performing Arts Drop-Ins. 1125 Concord Rd.
9:30am, Caterpillar Drop In: Twirl. Caterpillar classes are designed for babies from 6 months+

Read to Raven at Switzer Library. 11:30. Raven is a Caring Paws dog. She comes with her handler to listen to children read aloud to her. The children each have a 15 minute time slot & should be able to read on their own. A great opportunity for kids to gain confidence in their reading ability. Reservations are required!

Saturday Movie Matinee Smyrna Public Library. 2pm. “The Book of Live” PG:  Manolo, a young man who is torn between fulfilling the expectations of his family and following his heart, embarks on an adventure that spans three fantastic worlds where he must face his greatest fears.

 

Sunday

Taylor-Brawner Park with Art. Noon – 6pm, daily until April 19. Taylor-Brawner House, Smyrna. This complimentary exhibit and show will feature the work of 23 of the region’s most talented painters, weavers, crystal sculptors, wood turners and carvers, and all the pieces on display will be one-of-a-kind originals. Every day a different artist will be in attendance to demonstrate their craft and answer your questions.

Big Shanty Festival Kennesaw. Noon – 5pm.  The 39th annual Superior Plumbing Kennesaw/Big Shanty Festival is April 18 and 19. The downtown Kennesaw area will be transformed into a giant family-friendly festival. There will be a variety of activities to entertain all ages. The festival features over 200 arts and crafts booths, 20 food booths. There are two entertainment stages, all types of children’s activities, and plenty of festival foods. The Big Shanty Festival will begin with a parade through downtown Kennesaw at 9:30 on Saturday morning, April 18th.

Seussical the Musical. 5 pm. The Mable House. Tickets $8, under 12 free. Watch Dr. Seuss’ favorite works come to life! This program is part of Footlights, a community theatre experience for 9 -18 year olds (with occasional use of adults in some roles). The mission is to provide a theatrical experience to Cobb County youth with an emphasis on education. This event is outdoors, but under a cover.

Dogwoods

 

 

 

 

 

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A New Orleans girl turned Georgia peach and stay at home mom to 2 daughters. Before taking the leap into full time mothering, I worked at at an Atlanta-based advertising agency. I have lived in Smyrna for almost 10 years and am still not sure how I managed to find a job more chaotic and unpredictable than advertising.