Summer Fun Guide 2012

Amicalola Falls

50

Cumming Playhouse

Summer 2012

Georgia Aquarium

things to do this summer

a guide to activities and destinations

50 Things To Do This Summer Cumming Aquatic Center

201 Aquatic Circle, just off Ga. 400 at Exit 16 (770) 781-1781 or visit www.crpdonline.org

Cumming Fairgrounds July 4th Festivities

235 Castleberry Road (770) 781-3491 or www.cummingfair.net

Cumming Playhouse 101 School St. (770) 781-9178 or www.playhousecumming.com

Forsyth County Parks

www.forsythco.com or www.crpdonline.org

Forsyth County Library System

AthFest 2012

Downtown Athens. Times vary each day.

(706) 548-1973 or www.athfest.com

State Botanical Gardens of Georgia

2450 South Milledge Ave., Athens (706) 542-1244 or www.botgarden.uga.edu

Lake Lanier Islands

7000 Lanier Islands Pkwy., Buford (800) 677-5304 or www.lakelanierislands.com

INK: Interactive Neighborhood for Kids 999 Chestnut St., Gainesville (770) 536-1900 or visit www.inkfun.org

Cumming, 585 Dahlonega Road; Hampton Park, 5345 Settingdown Road; Sharon Forks, 2820 Old Atlanta Road. www.forsythpl.com

Alpine Helen

Amicalola Falls State Park and Lodge

Unicoi State Park and Lodge

418 Amicalola Falls State Park Road, Dawsonville www.gastateparks.org/AmicalolaFalls

Six Flags Over Georgia

Alpine Helen/White County Convention & Visitors Bureau (706) 878-2181 or www.helenga.org 1788 Hwy. 356, Helen (706) 878-2201 or www.gastateparks.org/Unicoi

Tallulah Gorge State Park

275 Riverside Pkwy., S.W., Austell (770) 739-3400 or www.sixflags.com/overgeorgia/

338 Jane Hurt Yarn Drive, Tallulah Falls (706) 754-7981 or www.gastateparks.org/tallulahgorge.com

Six Flags White Water

Brasstown Bald

250 Cobb Pkwy. North, #100, Marietta (770) 590-4067 or www.sixflags.com/whitewater/

Georgia Aquarium

225 Baker St., N.W., Atlanta (404) 581-4000 or www.georgiaaquarium.org

World of Coca-Cola at Pemberton Place 121 Baker St., N.W., Atlanta (404) 676-5151 or www.worldofcoca-cola.com

Jimmy Carter Presidential Library & Museum 441 Freedom Pkwy., Atlanta (404) 865-7100 or www.jimmycarterlibrary.gov

Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site 450 Auburn Ave., N.E., Atlanta (404) 331-5190 or www.nps.gov/malu/index.htm

(706) 896-2556 or www.fs.usda.gov/goto/conf/brasstown-bald

Babyland General Hospital

300 N.O.K. Drive, Cleveland (706) 865-2171 or www.cabbagepatchkids.com

Enota Mountain Retreat

Ga. 180 Spur, Hiawassee (706) 896-9966 or www.enota.com

Georgia Mountains Fair

1311 Music Hall Road, Hiawassee (706) 896-4191 or www.georgiamountainfairgrounds.com

Dillard House

768 Franklin St., Dillard (800) 541-0671 or visit www.dillardhouse.com

Foxfire Museum & Heritage Center

200 Foxfire Lane, Mountain City (706) 746-5828 or visit www.foxfire.org

Page 2 – Summer Fun Guide – May 2012

Chateau Elan

100 Rue Charlemagne, Braselton (800) 233-WINE or visit www.chateauelan.com

Johns Creek

N. Fulton County border.

(678) 512-3200 or visit www.johnscreekga.gov

Fabulous Fox Theatre

660 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta (404) 881-2100 or www.foxtheatre.org For tickets, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000 or ticketmaster.com.

Gwinnett and Atlanta Braves Baseball

(678) 277-0300 or www.milb.com Atlanta Braves: (404) 522-7630 or www.braves.com

Center for Puppetry Arts 1404 Spring St., N.W., Atlanta (404) 873-3391 or www.puppet.org

Michael C. Carlos Museum

571 South Kilgo Circle, N.E., Atlanta (404) 727-4282 or www.carlos.emory.edu

High Museum of Art

DeKalb Farmers Market

Atlanta Symphony Orchestra

Sweet Auburn Curb Market

1280 Peachtree St., N.E., Atlanta (404) 733-4400, (770) 733-4444, or www.high.org 1280 Peachtree St., N.E., Atlanta (404) 733-4900 or www.atlantasymphony.org

Atlanta Ballet

1695 Marietta Blvd. NW, Atlanta (404) 873-5811, ext. 101, or www.atlantaballet.com

Zoo Atlanta

800 Cherokee Ave. SE, Atlanta (404) 624-9453 or www.zooatlanta.com

Atlanta Cyclorama & Civil War Museum

800 Cherokee Ave. SE, Atlanta (404) 658-7625 or www.atlantacyclorama.org

Verizon Wireless Amphitheater at Encore Park 2200 Encore Pkwy., Alpharetta (404) 733-5013 or www.vzwamp.com

3000 East Ponce De Leon Ave., Decatur (404) 377-6400 or www.dekalbfarmersmarket.com 209 Edgewood Ave., S.E., Atlanta (404) 659-1665 or www.weetauburncurbmarket.com

Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park

900 Kennesaw Mountain Drive, Kennesaw (770) 427-4686, Ext. 0, or www.nps.gov/kemo/

Ellijay

Gilmer County Chamber of Commerce (706) 635-7400 or www.gilmerchamber.com

Dahlonega

Dahlonega-Lumpkin County Chamber of Commerce (706) 864-3711 or www.dahlonega.org

Chattooga River

Rabun County Chamber of Commerce (706) 782-4812 or www.gamountains.com

William Breman Jewish Heritage & New Echota Historic Site 1211 Chatsworth Hwy., N.E., Calhoun Holocaust Museum (706) 624-1321 or 1440 Spring St., N.W., Atlanta (678) 222-3700 or www.thebreman.org

Stone Mountain Lasershow Spectacular

1000 Robert E. Lee Drive, Stone Mountain (770) 498-5690 or www.stonemountainpark.com

Fernbank Museum of Natural History

767 Clifton Road, N.E., Atlanta (404) 929-6300 or www.fernbankmuseum.org

www.gastateparks.org/NewEchota

Tellus Science Museum

100 Tellus Drive, Cartersville (770) 386-0576 or www.tellusmuseum.org

Booth Western Art Museum

501 Museum Drive, Cartersville (770) 387-1300 or www.boothmuseum.org

Georgia Sports Hall of Fame 301 Cherry St., Macon (478) 752-1585 or www.gshf.org

Cumming Aquatic Center

Castleberry Road. Call (770) 781-3491 or visit Whatever your family’s water activity needs, the www.cummingfair.net.

Cumming Aquatic Center can meet them.

Cumming Playhouse Opened in summer 2011, the 50,000-square-foot Located in the historic 1923 school house, the facility is home to three swimming pools, cabanCumming Playhouse provides a venue for a as, full lockers and shower rooms, and activity areas perfect for birthday or other private gather- wealth of community theater and musical groups, ings. Kids in particular will enjoy the center’s as well as a number of performances from travel120,000-gallon outdoor leisure pool with 156- ing groups around the country. This summer the foot waterslide, splash play area and lazy river. playhouse will delight children of all ages with The center also boosts a therapy pool with Jacuzzi Gypsy Theatre Company’s production of “The area and a 50-meter competition pool with seat- Wizard of Oz” June 7 through July 1. Sounds of ing for up to 1,200 spectators. The center also Sawnee Community Band will present a patriotic provides a wide range of swim lessons and water concert July 7, while the musical “Forever Plaid” runs July 12 through Aug. 5. The summer season exercise classes for all ages and fitness levels.

The Cumming Aquatic Center is located at closes with The Company’s production of “The 201 Aquatic Circle, just off Ga. 400 at Exit 16. Odd Couple” Aug. 16 through Sept. 2.

The Cumming Playhouse is located at 101 Call (770) 781-1781 or visit www.crpdonline.

School St. Call (770) 781-9178 or visit www. org. playhousecumming.com.

Cumming Fairgrounds July 4th Festivities

Located near the heart of downtown Cumming, the fairgrounds will offer its annual Independence Day celebration from 6 to 11 p.m. July 3. The popular annual event, which draws as many as 30,000 people to the fairgrounds, kicks off with vendors providing food and family-friendly activities. Fireworks begin at 9:30 p.m. and are followed with a dance contest. On July 4, the 55th Annual Thomas-Mashburn Steam Engine Parade begins at 10 a.m. Giant antique steam engines are accompanied by a variety of community groups, floats and emergency vehicles making their way down Tribble-Gap Road through downtown Cumming.

The Cumming Fairgrounds is located at 235

Central, Fowler and Old Atlanta parks. Most facilities are free, but some, such as the recreation centers’ exercise rooms and classes, require a membership fee. The city of Cumming also offers a sporting complex and City Park, in addition to the Cumming Aquatic Center. Both the county and city recreation departments provide a wide range of camps and other summer offerings for children and adults.

For complete information on Forsyth County parks, visit www.forsythco.com. For more information on the city’s offerings, visit www. crpdonline.org.

Forsyth County Library System

There is no shortage of library services in Forsyth County. The system offers three branch locations: Cumming, Hampton Park, and Sharon Forks, covering the northern, central and southern parts of the county. Thousands of books, magazines, newspapers and other reference mateForsyth County Parks rials are available. In addition, the system provides From walking trails and sporting fields to picnic many electronic offerings, including e-books, tables and recreation centers, Forsyth has an music and videos, and technological equipment abundance of parks and activity centers that are available to locals and out-oft ow n e r s . Fo r s y t h County’s park system includes campgrounds, community buildings, dog parks and sports complexes, as well as the Big Creek Greenway and recreation centers at

River Mist Equine Camps  Starting June 11  For availability contact Jennifer at jen@rivermistequine.com Enroll by June 1st and receive a $50 discount!

770-605-3822

www.rivermistequine.com Summer Fun Guide – May 2012 – Page 3

such as computers, scanners and printers. A number of reading, educational and entertainment programs are available for children, teens and adults. During the summer, children and teen programs are offered almost daily between the three branches.

Find a library near you: Cumming, 585 Dahlonega Road; Hampton Park, 5345 Settingdown Road; Sharon Forks, 2820 Old Atlanta Road. For complete information, visit www.forsythpl.com.

cottages, as well as tent and RV campsites and several picnic shelters.

Amicalola Falls State Park and Lodge is located at 418 Amicalola Falls State Park Road, Dawsonville. For more information, visit www. gastateparks.org/AmicalolaFalls.

Thrill rides such as the 90-foot free-fall Chliffhanger, the turbulent Tornado, and the 250-foot triple drop of Dragon’s Tail, are among some of the craziest water rides in the Southeast.

Families can also take time to play together in the park’s giant wave pool or relax along the lazy river.

The littlest swimmers can also have adventures in Six Flags Over Georgia several areas designed just for them, such as a From coasters to concerts, Six Flags Over 25-foot interactive play ship and a four-story tree Georgia has the ticket to summer family fun. house.

Located in Fulton County, just south of Forsyth, Six Flags White Water is located at 250 Cobb the theme park offers some of the most thrilling Pkwy. North, #100, Marietta. Call (770) 590Amicalola Falls State Park and Lodge roller coasters in the Southeast, such as the Great 4067 or visit www.sixflags.com/whitewater/.

Located just to the north of Forsyth in Dawson American Scream Machine and Batman: The Georgia Aquarium County, Amicalola Falls State Park and Lodge Ride. There are also rides families can enjoy The Georgia Aquarium is the world’s largest offers breathtaking views of the tallest cascade in together, such as bumper cars, classic carousels the Southeast. Visitors have a range of choices and sky buckets. The park’s entertainment is top- with more than 8 million gallons of fresh and when it comes to viewing the falls, including an notch, ranging from this year’s iLuminate light marine water and more aquatic life than at any easily-accessible pathway and a challenging trail show to high-energy rock concerts. In between other aquarium. With five unique galleries, guests with staircases. An 8.5-mile trail leads from the the rides and shows, families can also enjoy a full can take a path through more than 60 exhibits, ranging from rivers and rain forests to the depths park to Springer Mountain, the southern end of range of food and sourvenir shopping. the famous 2,175-mile Appalachian Trail.

Six Flags Over Georgia is located at 275 of the ocean. The aquarium tells a global water Numerous other trails provide shorter day hikes. Riverside Pkwy., S.W., Austell. Call (770) 739- story, with features modeled after the greatest zoos and aquariums in the world. Each majestic The state park provides a 56-room lodge and 14 3400 or visit www.sixflags.com/overgeorgia/. exhibit is designed to inspire, entertain and eduSix Flags White cate. The facility offers several shows, including the new ATT Dolphin Tales featuring the graceful Water Beat the heat this creaturs, and a full concession area and gift shops.

The Georgia Aquarium is located at 225 summer at Six Flags White Water, located Baker St., N.W., Atlanta. Call (404) 581-4000 to the west of Forsyth or visit www.georgiaaquarium.org. i n C o b b C o u n t y.

World of Coca-Cola at Pemberton Affiliated with Six Place A unique and Flags Over Georgia, Explore the history of the world’s most popular romantic venue the water park offers beverage in Atlanta, the city where pharmacist for any special some 50 attractions for John S. Pemberton invented the drink in 1886. swimsuit-clad families. occasion!

The Oar House

in Dahlonega

LO NE CA W TIO N

Plan your special event today!

www.TheOarHouse.com

706.864.9938

Mon-Thurs: 11am - 9pm | Fri-Sat: 11am-10pm Sunday: Closed for Church Page 4 – Summer Fun Guide – May 2012

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2415 State Barn Rd. • Suite 103 Cumming • 678.341.8060 Unlimted Monthly Tanning Packages Starting at $29.99!

World of Coca-Cola at Pemberton Place offers guests a chance to learn all about the soft drink in a modern two-story facility, located next door to the Georgia Aquarium. Guests will learn all about the company’s heritage, advertising and operations. There are also chances to meet some of Coke’s most popular characters, see art and other items inspired by the beverage, and sample over 60 Coca-Cola products from around the world. In the new Vault of the Secret Formula experience, guests will feel closer than ever to the secret formula and magic of Coca-Cola.

World of Coca-Cola at Pemberton Place is located at 121 Baker St., N.W., Atlanta.

Call (404) 676-5151 o r v i s i t w w w. worldofcoca-cola. com.

Ji m m y C a r t e r Presidential Library & Museum

Located in Atlanta, t h e Ji m m y C a r t e r Library and Museum is part of the Presidential Library System administered by the National Archives and Records Administration, a federal government agency. The library features a range of information

about the life of the only president of the U.S. to hail from Georgia. It is not a library in the usual sense, but rather a research facility and museum. It offers some 27 million pages of Pr e s i d e n t C a r t e r’s White House material, papers of administration associates, about half a million photographs and hundreds of hours of film, audio and video tape.

The Jimmy Carter Presidential Library & Museum is located 441 Freedom Pkwy., Atlanta. Call (404) 865-7100 or visit www.jimmycarterlibrary.gov.

Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site

Come hear the story of one of our nation’s greatest Civil Rights leaders, Martin Luther King Jr., in his birth city of Atlanta. The site includes a number of facilities that are operated in partnership with the National Park Service, Ebenezer Baptist Church and the King Center. Among them are King’s birth home, where he lived until age 12, and the M L K a n d C o re t t a Scott King tomb. The Peace Plaza is the area between the National

Park Service Visitor Center and Auburn Avenue. Focal points include the MLK “I Have a Dream” World Peace Rose Garden a n d t h e “ Be h o l d” Statue.

The King Historic Site is located at 450 Auburn Ave., N.E., Atlanta. Call (404) 331-5190 or visit www.nps.gov/malu/ index.htm.

AthFest 2012

The Athens Music and Arts Festival is a highly acclaimed event held annually in historic downtown Athens, a town long renowned for its thriving music sense. For the past 16 years, AthFest has used the festival to showcase the best in regionally and nationally recognized Athens-based talent.

This year from June 20-24 more than 150 bands and artists will perform on three outdoor stages and in over a dozen of the town’s best music venues.

Original music, art, local film screenings and KidsFest provide entertainment for all ages. All performances on the outdoor stage are open to all ages and are free of charge to the public.

AthFest is held in downtown Athens.

Cumming Dance Academy, Inc. "The perfect dance facility for both the serious and the recreational dancer..."

REGISTER NOW FOR SUMMER CAMP AND FALL CLASSES Professional Instruction in:

Ballet ~ Tap ~ Jazz ~ Hip-Hop ~ Irish ~ Lyrical ~ Contemporary Pointe ~ Modern ~ Kinder-Gym ~ Acro-Cheer ~ Adult Classes Musical Theatre ~ 2 Year Creative Movement

Voted Best Studio in Cumming 2010, 2011, & 2012 by a local publication - Performance Prep Classes and Jr & Sr Performing Companies - 2 Annual Theatrical Performances (Holiday and June) - Saturday Classes - Qualified Professional Staff - Sibling Discounts - Viewing Windows into Each Studio and Suspended Dance Flooring

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Tutus & Taps

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Located in CDA! Shoes, Leotards, Tights & Accessories Come by Today!

CDA II Performance Academy opening in Fall 2012! Offering more classes for more dancers and performers!

Niki J. Watkins

Owner/Artistic Director

For more information or to register for summer camp & fall registration, visit us online at www.cummingdanceacademy.com or call

770•781•4922

419 Tribble Gap Rd. • Cumming, GA 30040 www.cummingdanceacademy.com Summer Fun Guide – May 2012 – Page 5

unique experience and to actively engage young Ruby Falls, pretty three-mile trail to downtown minds. INK will offer a number of special activi- Helen and rugged 7.5-mile single track for bikers. ties throughout the summer months, including The cool mountain lake offers a swimming beach State Botanical Gardens of Georgia special craft days and homeschool and Father’s and canoe rental during summer. Overnight The State Botanical Garden of Georgia is a Day activities. guests can choose from a hotel-style lodge, fully public educational facility operated under the INK: Interactive Neighborhood for Kids is equipped cottages and modern campground. The auspices of the University of Georgia. It is a living located at 999 Chestnut St., Gainesville. Call park’s restaurant is known for its nightly mounlaboratory for university students and faculty who (770) 536-1900 or visit www.inkfun.org. tain trout buffet, while craft lovers should not utilize the collections and natural plant commumiss the lodge’s gift shop with pottery, quilts and Alpine Helen nities for studies in a variety of disciplines. It is other crafts.

Located to the northeast of Forsyth County, the also a public garden for enjoyment by the general Unicoi State Park and Lodge is located at public who find beauty, knowledge and solitude small town of Helen offers a unique Bavarian 1788 Hwy. 356, Helen. Call (706) 878-2201 or in a natural setting. The garden is located approx- theme. Helen is a re-creation of an alpine village, visit www.gastateparks.org/Unicoi. imately three miles south of the university cam- complete with cobblestone alleys and old-world Tallulah Gorge State Park pus. Founded in 1968, it encompasses more than towers. It offers visitors shopping, camping, both One of the most spectacular canyons in the 300 acres, much of which borders the Middle rustic and luxury mountain cabins, restaurants, bed and breakfast inns, mountains, theater and eastern United States, Tallulah Gorge is two miles Oconee River.

The State Botanical Gardens of Georgia is recreation. Guests can also enjoy romantic get- long and nearly 1,000 feet deep. A suspension located at 2450 South Milledge Ave., Athens. aways, beautiful scenery, family activities, water- bridge sways 80 feet above the rocky bottom, proCall (706) 542-1244 or visit www.botgarden. falls, museums, history, art, fishing, tubing, golf viding spectacular views of the river and waterand more. There’s something for every member of falls. A paved path follows an on old railroad bed, uga.edu. the family. Festivals and special events include a perfect for strollers and bicycles, while mountain Lake Lanier Islands hot air balloon race, Winefest, Volksmarch, bikers can test their skills on a challenging Nestled on the shores of Lake Sidney Lanier, Oktoberfest, Fourth of July fireworks, and 10-mile trail. Exhibits in the park’s Jane Hurt Lake Lanier Islands Resort boasts 1,500 scenic Bavarian Nights of acres, beckoning to families, romantic couples, Summer. corporate groups and even solo travelers.

Helen is located in Marrying luxurious amenities with unparalleled W h i t e C o u n t y i n natural beauty, a Lake Lanier Islands vacation is northeast Georgia. To one to be treasured long after bags have been learn more, call the unpacked and photos have been uploaded. The Alpine Helen/White sprawling grounds offer an assortment of ameni- County Convention ties, including an award-winning golf course, & Visitors Bureau at horseback rides, fishing excursions, and (706) 878-2181 or LanierWorld, a beach and water park. visit www.helenga.org.

Lake Lanier Islands Resort is located at 7000 Unicoi State Park Lanier Islands Pkwy., Buford. Call (800) 677and Lodge 5304 or visit www.lakelanierislands.com.

In the north Georgia INK: Interactive Neighborhood for Mountains just outside Kids Helen, Unicoi is one of Located just a short drive from Forsyth County Georgia’s most beloved is a one-of-a-kind, fun destination for the whole state parks. Outdoor C family. Interactive Neighborhood for Kids Inc., or enthusiasts can enjoy INK, located in Gainesville, is a hands-on chil- hiking and mountain dren’s museum where kids can role play and learn biking on scenic mounSupport our local farmers and community. through practical experiences of being a banker, tain trails, including an Enjoy live music and fun market events. grocery store clerk, doctor, dentist and much easy lake loop, chalmore. All exhibits are designed to provide a lenging trek to Anna www.brookwoodfarmersmarket.com Times vary each day. Call (706) 548-1973 or visit www.athfest.com.

Every Friday 4:00-7:00 Rain or Shine Caney Creek Preserve

Page 6 – Summer Fun Guide – May 2012

Yarn Interpretive Center highlight the rich history of this Victorian resort town, as well as the rugged terrain and fragile ecosystem of the area. An award-winning film takes viewers on a dramatic journey through the gorge, including footage of rock climbers and kayakers. A gift shop offers snacks, jewelry, toys, books, walking sticks, clothing and more.

Tallulah Gorge State Park is located at 338 Jane Hurt Yarn Drive, Tallulah Falls. Call (706) 754-7981 or visit www.gastateparks.org/tallulahgorge.com.

Enota Mountain Retreat

the Dillard House provides famous Southern cuisine in a beautiful and tranquil mountain setting.

Dining at the Dillard House is more than just having a meal, it’s experiencing a Southern culinary event. The menus consist of generous portions of homemade dishes from recipes handed down over the years. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served family-style every day of the year.

Families can also stay overnight in one of the house’s rooms, suites, cottages or chalets, and relax in a rocking chair with a morning cup of coffee before taking a leisurely stroll around the property. Nearby, there are a number of experiences for guests, including whitewater rafting and zip lines, horseback riding, and visiting quaint gift and craft shops.

The Dillard House is located at 768 Franklin St., Dillard. Call (800) 541-0671 or visit www. dillardhouse.com.

Enota is the perfect mountain escape to spend time with friends and family. Enota is a nonprofit conservation facility committed to preserving our beautiful land with a number of accommodations including vacation rental cabins, full hook-up RV camping sites, pop-up and tent camping sites and a Retreat Center for conferences, groups, events and seminars. Enota is rated among the top 100 camping destinations in the country. It also offers a spa and wellness center, organic farm and motel rooms.

Brasstown Bald Enota Mountain Retreat is located at Ga. 180 Beautiful Brasstown Bald, rising 4,784 feet Spur, Hiawassee. Call (706) 896-9966 or visit above sea level, is Georgia’s highest mountain. On www.enota.com. clear days, the spectacular 360-degree view from Georgia Mountains Fair atop the mountain allows visitors to see four Amid the lush backdrop of beautiful Hiawassee states: Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina and South Carolina. The surrounding area is home to in the North Georgia Mountains, the Georgia Foxfire Museum & Heritage Center a wide variety of plants and animals. The Visitor Mountain Fair annually offers old-time family fun.

This year, the fair runs from June 20-29.

It Take a walk through the past at the Foxfire Information Center, located on the summit of the Bald, offers exhibits, video presentations and features a juried arts and crafts show with numer- Museum & Heritage Center. Located in the small interpretive programs. The areas around the ous artist demonstrations and exhibitions, as well north Georgia town of Mountain City, the musemountain provide a range of biking, hiking and as a full entertainment walking trials. Brasstown Bald is just a short drive line-up. Among the from the northeast Georgia mountain towns of scheduled acts are Lee Greenwood, Mar ty Joan Kall Stewart, Director Hiawassee, Young Harris and Blairsville.

Stuart, Janie Fricke, PRE-SCHOOL THROUGH PROFESSIONAL Call (706) 896-2556 or visit www.fs.usda.

Helen Cornelius, Mike gov/goto/conf/brasstown-bald.

Sn i d e r, a n d L a r r y Babyland General Hospital Gatlin & The Gatlin Pack up the kids for a trip to the new Babyland Brothers. There’s also General Hospital in Cleveland, northeast of no shortage of carnival Forsyth County. Beautifully situated on 650 acres rides and games for BALLET | POINTE |TAP | JAZZ in the North Georgia Mountains, the Southern kids of all ages.

HIP HOP | CONTEMPORARY/MODERN style home filled with Cabbage Patch Kids will Georgia Mountains capture the imagination of entire families. Fair is held at the Babyland General Hospital is the only place in Georgia Mountains REGISTER NOW FOR SUMMER the world where families can witness the “birth” Fairgrounds, 1311 CAMPS & FALL CLASSES! of a hand-sculpted Cabbage Patch Kid, before Music Hall Road, adopting their own. The facility brings to life the Hiawassee. Call (706) imagination and vision of Xavier Roberts, found- 896-4191 or visit Home of the Sawnee Ballet Theatre, Inc. er of Cabbage Patch Kids, which has been one of www.georgiamounwww.sawneeballettheatre.org the world’s top-selling doll lines for more than 30 tainfairgrounds.com. years. www.sawneeschoolofballet.com Dillard House Bablyland General Hospital is located at 300 Located near the N.O.K. Drive, Cleveland. Call (706) 865-2171 433 Canton Highway • Suite 312, Cumming, Georgia 30040 North Carolina border, or visit www.cabbagepatchkids.com.

SAWNEE SCHOOL OF BALLET, INC.

770-887-0756

Summer Fun Guide – May 2012 – Page 7

um and center offers a look at a unique time and place in America’s past. Guests will find homes, tools, trades, crafts and a lifestyle of the all-butvanished pioneer culture of the Southern Appalachian Mountains. After successful sales of “The Foxfire Book” in the last 1970s, the museum and center was opened to create a physical presence in the community. About half of the more than 20 log cabins at the museum are authentic structures, standing nearly as they were built 180 years ago.

Foxfire Museum & Heritage Center is located at 200 Foxfire Lane, Mountain City. Call (706) 746-5828 or visit www.foxfire.org.

sweeping panorama of the North Georgia Foothills, Chateau Elan began with the planting of vineyards in 1981. From those lush vines of Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet and Riesling grapes has grown a 3,500-acre conference and leisure destination.

Chateau Elan is located at 100 Rue Charlemagne, Braselton. Call (800) 233-WINE or visit www.chateauelan.com.

Theatre

The historic Fox Theatre is one of Atlanta’s premiere venues for live entertainment. The Fox’s nearly 5,000-seat theatre is booked for more than 300 performances a year, ranging from Broadway and rock ‘n’ roll to comedy and movies. This summer, the venue will offer several shows and activities for families, including “The Wiggles Live” on July 31; “Peter Pan” Aug. 7-12; “Mary Poppins” Aug. 2-7; and The Fresh Beat Band on Johns Creek Aug. 26.

Forsyth County’s neighbor to the south, the city The Fox Theatre is located at 660 Peachtree of Johns Creek, is home to a range of family- St. NE, Atlanta. Call (404) 881-2100 or visit focused facilities and activities. Among them is w w w. f ox t h e a t re . o r g . Fo r t i c k e t s , c a l l the Autrey Mill Nature Preserve & Heritage Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000 or visit ticketChateau Elan Center, 9770 Autrey Mill Road, which offers 46 master.com.

North Georgia’s premier meeting destination, acres of ravine forest, two miles of walking trails, Chateau Elan, offers championship golf, a full- and Heritage Village with four buildings designed High Museum of Art production winery, European health spa and to provide understanding of the area’s rural heriWith its renowned collection of classic and conworld-class amenities. From the moment guests tage from the mid-1800s to the mid-1900s. Johns temporary art and award-winning architecture by drive through the gates of Chateau Elan until the Creek also provides a range of parks, including Richard Meier and Renzo Piano, the High moment they depart, they will experience warm the Newtown Dream Dog Park, 3150 Old Museum of Art has grown from its origins in a Southern hospitality combined with the beauty of Alabama Road, where canines can frolic through stately home on Peachtree Street to become the an area much like the French countryside. Within obstacles, sprinklers and water fountains. There leading art museum in the southeastern United also is a host of trails, States. The High has more than 12,000 works of including the Johns art in its permanent collection, including an Green Greenway and extensive anthology of 19th- and 20th-century Bell Road Multi-Use American art, significant holdings of European Trail. paintings, and a growing collection of African J o h n s C r e e k i s American art. The High is also dedicated to suplocated just inside porting and collecting works by Southern artists. north Fulton County. The museum will offer three special exhibits this Call (678) 512-3200 summer: Revisiting the South – Richard Misrach’s or visit www.john- Cancer Alley from June 2-Oct. 7; Rising Up: screekga.gov.

Hale Woodruff ’s Murals from Talladega College from June 9-Sept. 2; and Picturing New York/

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Picturing the South from June 9-Sept. 2. rain, music and narration. The museum also has on display many artifacts The High Museum of Art is located at 1280 Peachtree St., N.E., from the war, including a steam locomotive known as the Texas, a veteran of Atlanta. Call (404) 733-4400, (770) 733-4444, or visit www.high.org. the Great Locomotive Chase of 1862.

Atlanta Cyclorama & Civil War Museum is located inside historic Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Grant Park at 800 Cherokee Ave. SE, Atlanta. Call (404) 658-7625 or For nearly 70 years, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra has been delighting visit www.atlantacyclorama.org. audiences with classical music performances. This summer is no exception.

Verizon Wireless Amphitheater at Encore Park With performances from nationally known artists such as Jackie Evancho Now celebrating its fifth year of music, Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at and Il Divo to high-spirited fare such as the music of Abba and Beatles cover artists, the symphony offers something for everyone. Besides world- Encore Park has proudly watched world class performers take the stage, class musical performances, guests can also enjoy Fanfare, three-course, including the Eagles, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Dave Matthews Band, Kenny Chesney, Van Morrison and Phish, just to name a few. Set on gourmet buffet prior to most evening performances.

The Atlanta Symphony is housed at 1280 Peachtree St., N.E., Atlanta. 45 acres of beautifully-landscaped wooded land in Alpharetta, the 12,000seat amphitheater provides a unique setting for both music lovers and firstCall (404) 733-4900 or visit www.atlantasymphony.org. time concertgoers. This summer’s line-up ranges from Jackie Evancho with Atlanta Ballet the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra on June 3 and ZZ Top with 3 Doors Founded in 1929, Atlanta Ballet is one of the premier dance companies in Down and Gretchen Wilson on June 10 to Crosby, Stills & Nash on July 14 the country and the official State Ballet of Georgia. Atlanta Ballet’s eclectic and Kelly Clarkson with The Fray and Carolina Liar on Aug. 8. repertoire spans ballet history, highlighted by beloved classics and inventive Verizon Wireless Amphitheater is located at 2200 Encore Pkwy., originals. After 82 years, Atlanta Ballet continues its commitment to share Alpharetta. Call (404) 733-5013 or visit www.vzwamp.com. and educate audiences on the empowering joy of dance. In 1996, Atlanta William Breman Jewish Heritage & Holocaust Museum Ballet opened the Centre for Dance Education, dedicated to nurturing The William Breman Jewish Heritage Museum explores the universal young dancers while providing an outlet for adults to express their creativity.

The Centre serves over 150,000 people in metro Atlanta each year. Atlanta themes of respect for difference, responsible citizenship, human dignity, and Ballet’s roots remain firmly grounded in the Atlanta community and continue to play a vital role in the city’s cultural growth and revitalization.

The Atlanta Ballet is housed at 1695 Marietta Blvd. NW, Atlanta. Call (404) 873-5811, ext. 101, or visit www.atlantaballet.com.

Zoo Atlanta

Looking for lions, tigers and pandas? How about alligators, elephants and lizards? What about ostriches, apes or owls? All of these amazing animals and more live at Zoo Atlanta, one of Georgia’s most beloved destinations.

Regular shows with the animals, a daily petting zoo and daily gorilla and orangutan feedings are just part of the many things to do. Also, Zoo Atlanta is home to Po, the only giant panda born in the U.S. in 2010. The zoo also offers behind-the-scenes experiences on a limited basis, such as feeding giraffes, elephants, giant pandas or Komodo dragons.

Zoo Atlanta is located in historic Grant Park at 800 Cherokee Ave. SE, Atlanta. Call (404) 624-9453 or visit www.zooatlanta.com.

Atlanta Cyclorama & Civil War Museum

Home to Zoo Atlanta, Grant Park also houses the Atlanta Cyclorama & Civil War Museum. Its most noted attraction is the Atlanta Cyclorama, in which guests take a stirring journey through time as they sit in the middle of a sweeping panorama of the Battle of Atlanta, which was fought on July 22, 1864. The Cyclorama painting is 42 feet tall and 358 feet in circumference, and is said to be the largest painting in the world. It offers breathtaking realism enhanced by a foreground of three-dimensional figures and ter-

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Summer Fun Guide – May 2012 – Page 9

community building through the lens of the Jewish experience. In 1992, William Breman gave a substantial monetary gift, ensuring the creation of the Breman Jewish Heritage Museum. In 1996, the museum opened at the Selig Center on Spring Street in Atlanta. It includes two signature exhibitions — Creating Community: the Jews of Atlanta from 1845 to the present; and Absence of Humanity: The Holocaust Years. It also houses the Marlene J. and William A. Schwartz Special Exhibitions Gallery, the Ida Pearle and Joseph Cuba Archives and Genealogy Center, the Weinberg Center for Holocaust Education, and a library of secondary research materials.

The William Breman Jewish Heritage & Holocaust Museum is located in the Selig Center at 1440 Spring St., N.W., Atlanta. Call (678) 2223700 or visit www.thebreman.org.

Stone Mountain Lasershow Spectacular

Seen by more than 20 million people over the course of more than 25 years, the Lasershow Spectacular is a not-to-be-missed Atlanta tradition. The Laser Canopy creates a ceiling of light right over guests’ heads, transforming Stone Mountain Park into a natural amphitheater. The laser show is a dazzling display of neon laser lights, featuring characters, stories, graphics and fireworks, all choreographed to popular musical scores. The famed patriotic grand finale includes a live fireworks display. Guests may want to bring their own blankets and lawn chairs as seating is limited. Souvenir blankets and fresh food are also available at the park. During daylight hours, the park

Page 10 – Summer Fun Guide – May 2012

offers attractions such as a mountain summit sky ride, treks through the treetops on Sky Hike, Yogi Bear 4-D Aventure, and Geyser Towers.

Stone Mountain Park is located at 1000 Robert E. Lee Drive, Stone Mountain. Call (770) 498-5690 or visit www.stonemountainpark.com.

Fernbank Museum of Natural History

Fernbank Museum isn’t just another destination – it’s a journey to another time and place. A visit to the museum brings a unique opportunity to explore cultural treasures, experience the thrill of a film in the IMAX Theatre, enjoy interactive science exhibits, and marvel at the largest dinosaurs ever discovered. And thanks to a stunning line-up of special exhibitions, and events for adults, families and children, there is always something new to discover.

The Fernbank Museum is located at 767 Clifton Road, N.E., Atlanta.

Call (404) 929-6300 or visit www.fernbankmuseum.org.

Gwinnett and Atlanta Braves Baseball

Take in a day at the ballpark. The Gwinnett Braves is a minor league team housed in Coolray Field in Gwinnett County, to the southeast of Forsyth.

The 2012 season includes numerous home games throughout the summer months. The Atlanta Braves, Georgia’s only professional baseball team, is housed at Turner Field in downtown Atlanta. The team also will play numerous games at home during the summer months, with start times in the afternoons and evenings.

For Gwinnett Braves information, call (678) 277-0300 or visit www. milb.com. For information on the Atlanta Braves, call (404) 522-7630 or visit www.braves.com.

Center for Puppetry Arts

The Center for Puppetry Arts is a unique cultural treasure – a magical place where children and adults are educated, enlightened and entertained.

Since 1978, the center has introduced millions of visitors to the wonder and art of puppetry and has touched the lives of many through enchanting performances, curriculum-based workshops and a hands-on museum. At the Center for Puppetry Arts, families are exposed to artistic excellence that is used to unlock imagination. This summer’s performances include “Peter Pan,” “Cinderella,” “The Little Pirate Mermaid” and “The Tortoise, the Hare and Other Aesop’s Fables.”

Center for Puppetry Arts is located at 1404 Spring St., N.W., Atlanta.

Call (404) 873-3391 or visit www.puppet.org.

Michael C. Carlos Museum

The Michael C. Carlos Museum on the campus of Emory University in DeKalb County is one of the Southeast’s premier ancient museums with major collections of art objects from ancient Egypt, Nubia, Greece, Rome and the ancient Americas, Africa and Asia. There is also a collection of works on paper from the Renaissance to the present. In addition to holding one of the most comprehensive art collections in the region, the museum is also recognized for presenting one of the most international and distinguished exhibition calendars of any university museum. The museum serves as a portal where Emory University and the community meet, both physically and intellectually.

The Michael C. Carlos Museum is located at 571 South Kilgo Circle, N.E., Atlanta. Call (404) 727-4282 or visit www.carlos.emory.edu.

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DeKalb Farmers Market

The DeKalb Farmers Market began on June 2, 1977, as a small 7,500-square-foot produce stand in Decatur. Since its humble beginnings, the market has grown into a 140,000-square-foot “world market,” serving up to 100,000 people per week. As the first private farmers market of its kind in Georgia, its reputation in the industry is as a pioneer in fresh food distributions to the consumer. It is unique in receiving direct shipments of fresh food without costly warehouse and distribution delays. The result is a wide variety of high quality, low cost fresh and organic products, ranging from produce and bakery items to meats, seafood and dairy products.

The DeKalb Farmers Market is located at 3000 East Ponce De Leon Ave., Decatur. Call (404) 377-6400 or visit www.dekalbfarmersmarket. com.

Sweet Auburn Curb Market

For information, please contact one of the following: Cindy Hansard (770) 887-0516 Amy Webb (770) 889-6103

Established in 1923, the Sweet Auburn Curb Market is an international delight that caters to an array of customers, including local business people, in-town residents and Georgia State University students. It continues to be a Summer Fun Guide – May 2012 – Page 11

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favorite shopping place for local families, as well as shoppers from around Georgia. An array of specialty items is sold at the market. Merchants range from a number of specialty restaurants and shops to vendors selling fresh produce, bakery items, and meat and seafood.

The Sweet Auburn Curb Market is located at 209 Edgewood Ave., S.E., Atlanta. Call (404) 659-1665 or visit www.sweetauburncurbmarket.com.

Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park

This nearly 3,000-acre site preserves a Civil War battleground that was part of the Atlanta Campaign. The battle was fought at the site in Cobb County, to the northwest of Forsyth County, from June 19, 1864 to July 2, 1864. Gen. William T. Sherman’s army consisted of 100,000 men, the Confederate’s Gen. Joseph E. Johnston’s army had 63,000 men. More than 67,000 soldiers were killed, wounded or captured during the campaign.

Today, some 17.3 miles of interpretive walking trails take visitors through this massive battlefield.

The Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield is located at 900 Kennesaw Mountain Drive, Kennesaw. Call (770) 427-4686, Ext. 0, or visit www.nps.gov/kemo/.

Ellijay

Located in the heart of the North Georgia Foothills in Gilmer County, the small town of Ellijay is not a long drive from Forsyth County. The town is known primarily for apples, and is even referred to as the Apple Capital of Georgia in honor of its many apple orchards, farmhouses and an annual Apple Festival. It provides the nation with more than 600,000 bushels of apples each year. The town is also rich in natural beauty such as forests, wildflowers, and rivers and streams. There are also a number of venues providing family fun, including horseback riding, fishing, river rafting and petting farms.

For more information about Ellijay, contact the Gilmer County Chamber of Commerce at (706) 635-7400 or visit www.gilmerchamber. com.

Dahlonega

There’s “gold in them thar hills” in the northeast Georgia city of Dahlonega, site of the nation’s first major gold rush in 1828, some 20 years before the shiny stuff was found in California. Today the city embraces its gold rush history, as well as modern dining, shopping and entertainment venues. Dahlonega’s commercial district, including the public square, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Major wineries have discovered the rich, fertile hillsides of Lumpkin County, and creative spirits soar in the area with Dahlonega having evolved into a center for the performing and visual arts. Recreational activities are available year-round including hiking, biking, camping, fishing and canoeing.

For more information on Dahlonega, visit contact the DahlonegaLumpkin County Chamber of Commerce at (706) 864-3711 or visit www.dahlonega.org.

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The Chattooga River, with headwaters in North Carolina and flowing south into Georgia, provides opportunity for many water adventures.

Whitewater rafting on the river, which was the setting of the movie “Deliverance” in late 1970s, offers two distinct and memorable levels: Section III, which is mild and scenic; and Section IV, which is also scenic, but wild. Other sections of the river have been designated as “recreational.”

The Chattooga bisects the Ellicott Rock Wilderness, which straddles Georgia, North and South Carolina, and the Chattahoochee, Nantahala and Sumter National Forests.

For more information about the Chattooga River, contact the Rabun County Chamber of Commerce at (706) 782-4812 or visit www. gamountains.com.

New Echota Historic Site

One of the most significant Cherokee Indian sites in the nation, New Echota was where the tragic “Trail of Tears” officially began. During its short history, New Echota was the site of the first Indian language newspaper office, a court case which carried to the U.S. Supreme Court, one of the earliest experiments in national self-government by an Indian tribe, the signing of a treaty which relinquished Cherokee claims to lands east of the Mississippi River, and the assembly of Indians for removal west on the infamous Trail of Tears. Today, visitors can see 12 original and reconstructed buildings, including the council house, courthouse, print shop, missionary Samuel Worcester’s home, and an 1805 store, as well as outbuildings such as smoke houses, corn cribs and barns. In the visitor center, guests can purchase souvenirs, books, music and view interpretive exhibits and a 17-minute film.

New Echota Historic Site is located 1211 Chatsworth Hwy., N.E., Calhoun. Call (706) 624-1321 or visit www.gastateparks.org/ NewEchota.

Tellus Science Museum

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Tellus is a world-class 120,000 square-foot museum located in Cartersville, north of Atlanta on Interstate 75. The museum’s exhibits open minds and ignite a passion for science. Tellus features four main galleries: Weinman Mineral Gallery, the Fossil Gallery, Science in Motion; and the Collins Family My Big Backyard. A 120-seat digital planetarium and an observatory with a state-of-the-art 20-inch telescope is also located at Tellus.

Eye-popping exhibits like an 80-foot-long Apatosaurus dinosaur and a replica Wright flyer excite and amaze visitors of all ages. Children will have a blast conducting hands-on experiments with light, sound, magnets and more. Dazzling gems and minerals sparkle and glow alongside interactive exhibits demonstrating how the Earth moves and changes.

Tellus Science Museum is located at 100 Tellus Drive, Cartersville.

Call (770) 386-0576 or visit www.tellusmuseum.org.

Booth Western Art Museum

This 120,000-square-foot museum houses the largest permanent exhibition space for Western art in the country. Galleries feature contemporary Western American art, historic Western art, Civil War art, presidential portraits and letters, Western movie posters, and Western illustration.

Sagebrush Ranch is an interactive gallery where children of all ages can learn about art and Western America. The museum’s special and temporary exhibit galleries hosts six to ten exhibits per year. The museum store offers books on art and the American West, as well as prints and other items featuring Western American art images. A multimedia theatre, with seating for 60, shows the award-winning film “The American West” every 20 minutes.

Booth Western Art Museum is located at 501 Museum Drive, Cartersville. Call (770) 387-1300 or visit www.boothmuseum.org.

Georgia Sports Hall of Fame

The Georgia Sports Hall of Fame and Museum in Macon is the country’s largest state sports museum. The 43,000-square-foot state-of-the-art museum houses over 3,000 artifacts. From old-style ticket booths to brick columns in the rotunda and special lighting, the museum invites visitors to experience the history of sports in Georgia with more than 14,000 square feet of high-energy exhibit space and a Hall of Fame corridor that honors more than 300 inductees.

The Georgia Sports Hall of Fame is located at 301 Cherry St., Macon.

Call (478) 752-1585 or visit www.gshf.org.

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Summer Schedule

101 School St., Cumming, GA 30040 www.playhousecumming.com 770.781.9178

June 7 - July 1

Tuesday, Friday, Saturday 8 P.M. Sunday 3 P.M. Matinee

Gypsy Theatre Co.

July 7 8 P.M.

June 12 - August 5 Tuesday, Friday, Saturday 8 P.M. Sunday 3 P.M. Matinee

Playwright Productions

August 16 - September 2 Tuesday, Friday, Saturday 8 P.M. Brought to you by “The Company” Sunday 3 P.M. Matinee

September 6 - 30 Tuesday, Friday, Saturday 8 P.M. Sunday 3 P.M. Matinee Page 16 – Summer Fun Guide – May 2012

Playwright Productions