Labor Day 2011 is on Monday, September 5. Celebrate the unofficial last weekend of summer with your kids. There are plenty of family-friendly activities and events - some are even free!
1. Arts on the Creek - Johns Creek
Attend Arts on the Creek festival from 10:00-5:00 on Saturday or 1:00-6:00 on Sunday. The festival is sponsored by the Johns Creek Chamber of Commerce and hosted by Perimeter Church. Kids will enjoy face-painting and other activities, as well as live entertainment, food, and art. Free.
2. Love the Lake - Acworth
Visit Acworth's lake festival at Cauble Park on Saturday from 10:00-6:00 or Sunday from noon-6:00. A parade kicks off the festival from Acworth First Baptist Church at 10:00 on Saturday. After the parade, enjoy 150 craft and arts vendors, live entertainment, food, and a large kids zone. Free.
3. Art in the Park - Marietta
Marietta Square's art festival is a 25-year award-winning tradition. Visit the artists' market, see artist demonstrations, and don't miss the children's art alley. The Marietta Square is a great location with lots of shops and restaurants. Free.
4. Powers' Crossroads Country Fair and Art Festival - Newnan
Powers' Festival is another historic and highly regarded Labor Day art festival. The Fair and Festival runs all three days of Labor Day weekend from 9:00-5:00. Located on the beautiful grounds of the Powers Family Plantation, the Festival features art, Southern cooking, live country and bluegrass music, and demonstrations of skills such as blacksmithing and yarn-spinning. Cost: $5.00 in advance or $7.00 at the door. Children 6 and under are free.
5. Decatur Book Festival - Decatur
March in the children's parades, listen to your child's or teen's favorite author, and eat some great food at this unique book festival. Events run from Friday night to Sunday. Free.
6. Callaway Gardens' Sky High Hot Air Balloon Festival - Pine Mountain
Labor Day weekend is a great time to visit Callaway Gardens for several days of hot air balloon flights and fun. In between the flights, there's lots to do on Robin Lake Beach, like swimming, water skiing, and riding paddle boats. You'll hear live music and see lots of demonstrations - past years have had disc dogs, sandcastle building, and knee boarding championships. Cost: many events are included in the special admission price of $25 for adults and $12.50 for kids, but some activities require an additional fee. If you arrive after 5:00 p.m. on Friday or before 9:00 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday, you'll pay half price.