Outdoor Calendar August 2023

♫ denotes musical event.

o Button Down Dash 5K, Suwanee. 7:45 a.m. Aug. 5, Suwanee Town Center, 330 Town Center Ave. $35. www.runnersfit.com.

o Falcon’s Fast Break 5K, Flowery Branch. 8 a.m. Aug. 5, Flowery Branch High School, 4405 Hog Mountain Rd. $30. www.runnersfit.com.

o Bulldog Dash 5K/Fun Run, Suwanee. 8/8:45 a.m. Aug. 5, North Gwinnett High School, 20 Level Creek Rd. $35. www.active.com.

o Back to School Field Day, Gainesville. Outdoor games, hot dogs, snow cones from Gainesville Parks & Recreation Dept., Police Department, Fire Dept. and Amerigroup, plus free backpacks to first 500 kids, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Aug. 5, Midland Greenway, 682 Grove St. www.exploregainesville.org.

o Raptors in the Park, Blairsville Educational program with live birds of prey from Blue Ridge Raptors, 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Aug. 5, Vogel State Park, 405 Vogel State Park Rd. $5-$7.50, plus $5 parking. www.gastateparks.org, 706-745-2628.

o Photography in the Garden, Gainesville. Garden stroll to learn botanical photography techniques, 1-4 p.m. Aug. 12, Gainesville Garden of the Atlanta Botanical Garden, 1911 Sweet Bay Dr. $34, $29 members. www.atlantabg.org, 404888-4760.

o Movie Under the Stars, Braselton. Concessions, to-go food and beverages, movie at dark, 710 p.m. Aug. 12, Town Green, 9924 Davis St. www.braselton.net.

o Hollywood at Hardman, Sautee Nacoochee. Outdoor viewing of 1950s movie filmed at farm, plus old-fashioned yard games, bring blankets, chairs, 7:30-11 p.m. Aug. 12, Hardman Farms Historic Site, 143 Hwy. 17. $6. www.gastateparks.org, 706-878-1077.

o Mommy & Me Nature Program, Gainesville. Children ages 18 months to 4 years participate in nature program with parent, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Aug. 16, Elachee Nature Science Center, 2125 Elachee Dr. $10 per adult, free to children. Limited to 20 children. www.elachee.org, 770-5351976.

o Home School Day, Gainesville. Children ages 5-12 investigate Chicopee Woods, 9-11 a.m. Aug. 17, Elachee Nature Science Center, 2125 Elachee Dr. Register in advance, 15 child limit. $15. www.elachee.org,770 535-1976.

o Food Truck Friday, Gainesville. Food, drinks, and live music, 5-9 p.m. Aug. 18, Lake Lanier Olympic Park, 3105 Clarks Bridge Rd. On-site parking limited, shuttles available, courtesy dock available. www.exploregainesville.org.

o Georgia Mountain Fair, Hiawassee. Carnival rides, concerts, arts & crafts, mountain culture & history exhibits and more, Aug. 18-26, Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds, 1311 Music Hall Rd. Various times and admission prices. www.georgiamountainfairgrounds.com, 706-896-4191.

o 5K/1K for Kindness, Cumming. 8/9 a.m. Aug. 19, Creative Enterprises, 410 Pilgrim Mill Rd. $30/$20. www.active.com.

o Cumming City Center Fall Market. Pop up market for local businesses and artists, plus live music and other entertainment, 10 a.m. Aug. 19, 423 Canton Rd. www.cummingcitycenter.com.

o Beginner Archery, Tallulah Falls. Learn to shoot an arrow or improve your skills, 1-2:30 p.m. Aug. 19, Tallulah Gorge State Park, 338 Jane Hurt Yarn Dr. Must be strong enough to pull 30pound bow. $5 parking. www.gastateparks.org, 706-754-7981.

o Liquid Learning, Gainesville. Speaker from o Container Walking Tour, Gainesville. Explore container gardens, learn basics, 10 a.m.noon Aug. 26, Gainesville Garden of the Atlanta Botanical Garden, 1911 Sweet Bay Dr. $43, $29 members. www.atlantabg.org, 404-888-4760. o Senior City Golf Championships, Gainesville. Aug. 26-27, Chattahoochee Golf Club, 201 Tommy Aaron Dr. www.exploregainesville.org. o Lake Lanier Super Tournament, Gainesville. Phoenix Bass League competition, takeoff 6 a.m., weigh-in 2 p.m. Aug. 26 & 27, Laurel Park, 3100 Old Cleveland Hwy. www.majorleaguefishing.com. o Full Moon Suspension Bridge Hike, Tallulah Falls. Mile and a half night hike down 310 stairs to suspension bridge over falls, 8:30-10 p.m. Aug. 30, Tallulah Gorge State Park, 338 Jane Hurt Yarn Dr. $10, plus $5 parking. Register in advance. www.gastateparks.org, 706-754-7981. o IRPA Rodeo, Cumming. Annual Labor Day event with bull-riding, bareback riding, barrel racing, calf roping and more, 8 p.m. Sept. 1 & 2, 7 p.m. Sept. 3, Cumming Fairgrounds, 235 Castleberry Rd. $20 age 11 and older, free to children 10 and younger. www.cummingfair.squarespace.com. o Labor Day Donut Dash 5K/Munchkin Run, Cumming. 8/9 a.m. Sept. 4, Cumming City Center, 423 Canton Rd. $30/$25. www.runnersfit.com. o Tal-luau, Tallulah Falls. Beach bash to close the season, food, music, prizes and games, 5:307:30 p.m. Sept. 4, Tallulah Gorge State Park, 338 Jane Hurt Yarn Dr. $5 parking. www.gastateparks.org, 706-754-7981.

Save Georgia Hemlocks talks about the trees’ importance, 6-7 p.m. Aug. 19, Tap It! Pints & Growlers, 110 Maple St. Register in advance. www.elachee.org, 770-535-1976.

On-Going o Group Run Riverside, Gainesville. Run with Lanier Running Club, 8:30 a.m. Aug. 5, 19 and Sept. 2, Riverside Preparatory Academy, 2001 Riverside Dr. www.lanierrunningclub.org. o Sunflowers and Selfies, Helen. Family fun with hayrides, games, photo ops, native plant sale, guided walks, and blooming field of sunflowers, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Aug. 12, 13, 19 & 20 Smithgall Woods State Park, 61 Tsalaki Trl. $5, plus $5 parking. www.gastateparks.org, 706-8783087. o Group Run Wild Wings Lot, Gainesville. Run with Lanier Running Club, 8:30 a.m. Aug. 12 & 26, Wild Wing Café, 311 Jesse Jewell Pkwy.

♫ Cumming City Center Outdoor Concerts. 7 p.m. Aug. 2, 18 & 26, Lou Sobh Amphitheater, Cumming City Center, 423 Canton Rd. Line up: Taylor Harlow, Aug. 2; Bogey & the Viceroy, Aug. 28; Highwaymen Show, Aug. 26. No outside food or drinks. Bring lawn chairs or blankets. Free. www.cummingcitycenter.com.

♫ Appalachian Jam, Dahlonega. Mountain music makers pick guitars, fiddles and other instruments on the Downtown Square outside the Dahlonega Gold Museum Historic Site, 2-4 p.m. Saturdays through Oct. 14. www.dahlonega.org.

♫ Music in the Branch, Flowery Branch. Live music 7-8:30 p.m. first Sundays through October, Flowery Branch Amphitheater, 5603 Mitchell St. www.discoverlakelanier.com.

o Yoga on the Lawn, Flowery Branch. 6:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Flowery Branch City Hall, 5305 Railroad Ave. $5 donation. www.discoverlakelanier.com.

o Art in the Park, Dahlonega. Unique arts and crafts 10 a.m.-5 p.m. first Saturdays through November, Hancock Park, corner of North Park and Warwick St. www.exploredahlonega.org.

o Vintage Auto & Truck Swap Meet/Cruise In, Clermont. 7 a.m.-1:30 p.m. first Saturdays through November, 151 Oxford Rd. (next to Clermont ball field), 4 -8 p.m. cruise in with music, food vendors, Clermont Chattahoochee Park, 639 Main St. www.clermontga.com.

o Bays Bridge Hay Ride, Helen. Guided hayride to historic Bays Bridge, continuously 10 a.m.-3 p.m. 3rd Saturdays through October, Smithgall Woods State Park, 61 Tsalaki Trl. $5, $5 parking.706-878-3087, www.gastateparks.org.

♫ Summer Music Series, Gainesville. Outdoor concerts at Smithgall Arts Center, various Saturdays through September, 331 Spring Street SW. Performer lineup: Mary Kate Farmer, 8 p.m. Aug. 12; Dancing Dream Abba Tribute; 8 p.m. Sept. 22. Bring chairs, blankets or reserve a table. Gates open an hour before concert. Various prices. www.theartscouncil.net.

♫ Cocktails in the Garden, Gainesville. Enjoy cocktails on garden paths serenaded by musicians, 5-8 p.m. first Saturdays through September, Gainesville Garden of the Atlanta Botanical Garden, 1911 Sweet Bay Dr. Garden admission, members free. www.atlantabg.org, 404-888-4760.

o Social Paddle, Gainesville. Peaceful kayak paddle with Lanier Canoe & Kayak Club adult recreational program coordinator, noon-2 p.m. Mondays through Sept. 27, Lake Lanier Olympic Park, 3105 Clarks Bridge Rd. No experience necessary. $300 membership. www.exploregainesville.org.

o Sunset Paddle, Gainesville. Guided kayak paddle on Lake Lanier with Lanier Canoe & Kayak Club member, 7-9 p.m. Aug. 26; 5-7 p.m. Oct. 28, Lake Lanier Olympic Park, 3105 Clarks Bridge Rd. Register in advance. Limited to 10. $40. www.exploregainesville.org., 706-348-3044.

♫ First Friday Concerts, Gainesville. Live music on Historic Downtown Square 7-10 p.m. first Fridays through September. Performer lineup: Mixed Tape, Aug. 4; Six Foot Ramblers, o La Calavera Catrina Exhibition, Gainesville. Explore nine colorful larger than life skeleton sculptures of La Catrina, Day of the Dead figure, by Los Angeles artist Ricardo Soltero, through Aug. 27, Gainesville Garden of the Atlanta Botanical Garden, 1911 Sweet Bay Dr. www.atlantagb.com, 404-888-4760. o Discovery Saturday, Gainesville. Wild animal showcase, exhibits, crafts and hike, various times 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturdays in August, Elachee Nature Science Center, 2125 Elachee Dr. $10 ages 2 and older, free to children younger than 2 and Elachee members. www.elachee.org, 770-5351976. o Sunday North Hall Rides, Gainesville. Bicycling on rural roads averaging 17-18 mph at steady pace, 30-45 miles, roll out 12:30 p.m. Sundays from Haynes Rd. velocraig@hotmail.com. o Clermont Segment Ride. 5-high effort bike ride segments for total of about 25 miles, average speed 17-18 mph, roll out 6 p.m. Tuesdays, Clermont Park, 639 Main St. velocraig@hotmail.com. o Story Times/Sensory Bin Time, Gainesville. Children ages 1-4 listen to stories about bees, flowers and garden friends, 10-10:15 a.m.; families explore themed bins, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesdays through August. Gainesville Garden of the Atlanta Botanical Garden, 1911 Sweet Bay Dr. Free with garden admission or membership. www.atlantabg.org, 404-888-4760. o Group Runs, Gainesville. Run with Lanier Running Club, starters to elites, 6 p.m. various Tuesdays, Liquid Nation Brewing, 2100 Atlanta Hwy. www.lanierrunningclub.org. o Canoe/Kayak/SUP Rentals, Gainesville. Canoe, kayak or stand-up paddleboard rentals, reserve via email 48 hours in advance for paddling Monday, Tuesday Thursday, Friday and Saturday mornings, Lake Lanier Olympic Park, 3105 Clarks Bridge Rd. $20-$30 per hour, $10 for additional hours, maximum 4 hours. info@lckc.org. o First Visit Tour, Helen. Guided van tour of Smithgall Woods State Park to see covered bridge, Duke’s Creek, park cottages and more, 10-11 a.m. first Saturdays, Smithgall Woods State Park, 61 Tsalaki Trl. $5 parking. Donations welcome. Reservations required. www.gastateparks.org, 706-878-3087. o Hall County Farmers Market, Gainesville. 26:30 p.m. Tuesdays, 8 a.m.-noon Saturdays, 734 E. Crescent St. www.hallcountyfarmersmarket.org. o Flowery Branch Summer Farmers Market 3:30 p.m. Thursdays through September, 5301 Railroad Ave. www.flowerybranchga.org. o Farmers Market, Braselton 4-7 p.m. Fridays through September, Town Green, 9924 Davis St. across from Braselton Parking Deck. www.braselton.net. o Turning Leaf Book Club, Gainesville. Monthly discussions of nature-themed books, 11 a.m. first Wednesdays, Sept.-Nov., Linwood Ecology Center, Linwood Nature Preserve, 118 Springview Dr. www.mastergardener@hallcounty.org.

Sept. 1. Set up chairs and blankets 6 p.m. Food trucks, downtown dining open. www.exploregainesville.org.

♫ First Friday Concerts, Dahlonega. Live music in Hancock Park, corner of North Park and Warwick St. Performer lineup: Across the Wide, Aug. 4; Ugly Cousin, Sept. 1; Kurt Thomas, Oct. 6. www.dahlonega.org.

– compiled by Jane Harrison