🎃 Halloween Weekend Arrives + Boo Bash Takes Avenue + Georgia Ballet's Dracula Opens

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Happy Thursday, East Cobb! 🍂

Halloween weekend is finally here with the county's massive Fall Festival of Fun at Jim R. Miller Park on Saturday. The free five-hour celebration features that signature hay-bale express hayride, carnival games, and Candy Fairies to spread holiday cheer.

Meanwhile, Avenue East Cobb brings the Boo Bash with trick-or-treating through shops, and the Georgia Ballet opens its 65th season with a gothic Dracula that's already selling fast.

Whether you're picking pumpkins at three local church patches or catching comedy on the Square, this weekend delivers peak October energy.

See more below in our list of events.

Best,
Andrew

Jim R. Miller Park
2245 Callaway Rd SW,
Marietta, GA 30008
5-10 PM
Saturday, Oct. 25

Cobb County Parks transforms Jim R. Miller Park into Halloween central this Saturday with free admission to the annual Fall Festival of Fun.

The signature hay-bale express hayride winds through decorated grounds while Candy Fairies stationed throughout stamp BOO! cards that kids exchange for treats and prizes.

Carnival games offer prizes for all skill levels, the petting zoo brings barnyard animals up close, and photo ops with storybook and superhero characters create those Instagram moments.

Food vendors serve everything from funnel cakes to barbecue, while local artisans display handcrafted seasonal goods. Live performances on the main stage keep energy high all evening.

Free parking and entry!

Learn more here.

Authentic German bakery that took over the prime trolley-front location in August, serving traditional strudels, Black Forest cake, and weekend-morning pretzels that draw lines. Every pastry follows old-world recipes passed down through the owner's family - it's like having a Bavarian grandmother in the kitchen.

Check them out if you're looking for a unique and sweet treat as the weather turns.

13 Hub Lane announces their newest location in Avenue East Cobb brining their upscale home furnishing ands women's clothing to East Cobb. This is an expansion from successful stores in Roswell and Panama City Beach. They'll occupy the former Bath & Body Works space between Hand and Stone Massage and LoveSac, offering curated furniture, home accessories, women's clothing, and complimentary one-hour design consultations. Check out their stylings to pick up something fresh and fall appropriate.

The Dickerson Middle School Percussion Ensemble has earned top recognition at both state and national levels, bringing pride to East Cobb's thriving arts education programs. The talented student musicians showcased their skills against tough competition, demonstrating the excellence of local music education. This achievement adds to the school's growing reputation for outstanding performing arts programs.

Read more here

A controversial rezoning request for a new RaceTrac gas station in Northeast Cobb has been continued to November's zoning hearings. The proposal has drawn community attention as residents weigh concerns about increased traffic and 24-hour operations against convenience and economic development. The delay gives both supporters and opponents more time to organize before the final vote.

Read more here

Clara is a sweet 3-year-old Domestic Short Hair looking for her forever home. This medium-sized gal (8.56 lbs) has a gentle demeanor and is ready to bring calm companionship to the right family. Clara is available for adoption at Cobb County Animal Services (Kennel #658) at 1060 Al Bishop Dr in Marietta. Visit during shelter hours or call 770-499-4136 to meet her.

Learn more about precious Clara at the shelter’s website.

🎃 Boo Bash Halloween Celebration | Avenue East Cobb Plaza | Saturday, Oct. 25 | 11:00 AM–2:00 PM | More
Costume parade meets shopping spree as families collect treats from participating retailers using stroll maps. Free face painting, bounce houses, and two Mega Awesome Costume Party shows. Free admission.

🚗 Trunk or Treat | Eastside Church | Friday, Oct. 24 | 6:00–7:30 PM | More
Over 40 decorated car trunks offer treats in the church parking lot. Food trucks provide dinner for purchase alongside free trick-or-treating. Rain or shine event.

🧺 Marietta Square Farmers Market | Mill St. Lot | Saturday, Oct. 25 | 9:00 AM–Noon | More
Peak fall harvest brings heirloom varieties rarely found in stores. 64+ vendors with local honey, breads, jams, and impressive flower arrangements. Arrive early for best selection.

🎨 Marietta Square Artisan Market | Mill St. (northwest corner) | Saturday, Oct. 25 | 9:00 AM–1:00 PM | More
Juried market showcases paintings, pottery, jewelry, and functional art. Fourth Saturday tradition with direct artist access. Free to browse.

📚 Young Adult Author Fest | North Cobb Regional Library | Saturday, Oct. 25 | 12:00–3:00 PM | More
Inaugural fest brings 10 bestselling YA authors including Becky Albertalli. Two panels, signings, and book sales on-site. Free admission.

🎃 Pumpkin Patches (3 locations) | Mt. Zion UMC, St. Andrew UMC, East Cobb UMC | Through Oct. 31 | Varying hours | More
Three church patches offer specialty varieties and photo ops. Mt. Zion has widest selection, open daily with varying hours. Free entry, pay for pumpkins.

🩰 Georgia Ballet: Dracula | Jennie T. Anderson Theatre | Oct. 23-26 | Various times | More
Company premiere of gothic ballet celebrating 65th anniversary season. Five performances with bar service. Tickets $70-112, mature themes (12+).

🎤 Comedy on the Square | The Alley Stage | Friday & Saturday, Oct. 24-25 | 8:00 PM | More
Intimate cabaret setting hosts touring comics. Table seating for four, two-drink minimum. 18+ only, tickets $15-30.

🎶 Avenue LIVE | The Plaza at Avenue East Cobb | Friday, Oct. 24 | 6:00–8:00 PM | More
Final October concert on the 8,000-square-foot plaza. Free live music, bring chairs, enjoy dinner from surrounding restaurants.

👻 The Original Haunted House | Jim R. Miller Park | Saturday & Sunday, Oct. 25-26 | 5:00 PM–late | More
Professional-quality scares in twisted corridors. $5 admission, advance registration required through CivicRec. One-hour time slots.

🎃 Pumpkin Launch Engineering Competition | KSU Marietta Campus | Thursday, Oct. 23 | 2:00–5:00 PM | More
Engineering students showcase trebuchets and catapults they've built all semester, competing for maximum pumpkin-launching distance. 15th annual tradition with spectacular splatter. Free to watch.

🎸 Crazy Train: Ozzy Tribute | Earl Smith Strand Theatre | Friday, Oct. 24 | Evening | More
Vinny Cormier channels Ozzy with Berklee-trained musicians in the 531-seat Art Deco venue. Check website for times and tickets.