Renaissance Faire + Georgia Food & Wine Festival

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What's up, East Cobb!

It’s a busy spring weekend ahead with lots to do, and the weather looks season-appropriate. Here’s how I’m seeing things.

Saturday is the one to plan around. Cobb Parks is doing their first-ever Renaissance Faire at The Art Place at Mountain View, and we're genuinely curious whether this is going to be good or great. Free to get in. Live music, artisan vendors, carnival games, and a full kids' area out on the grounds. Me and my wife are going early before it fills up and settling in for The Tenpenny Travelers set.

On Sunday, we're thinking Good Kitchen + Market for breakfast. We're heading over right when they open for the best parking. If you've got a kid with food allergies, this place is worth knowing about (they keep a whole book on ingredients). Then, we’re going to try to make it to the Homeless Pets Foundation’s Easter event to get pics with the Easter Bunny.

If you need a nearby grown-up afternoon this weekend, the Georgia Food + Wine Festival is running Friday-Sunday at Jim R. Miller Park in Marietta. Sunday has a Kids Zone if you want to bring the family.

Full planner is below.

- Andrew

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_{This issue is sponsored by Peachy Insurance}

_{This issue is sponsored by Peachy Insurance}

Late March is when Georgia weather gets unpredictable fast. Hail, wind, heavy rain, the occasional fallen tree. The claims we see most often in spring are the ones people assumed they were covered for but weren't.

Two things worth a quick check right now:

And if you're putting Georgia's new tax rebate toward a spring project (new roof, deck, or HVAC) a quick call before you start can flag whether your coverage needs to catch up.

Peachy is Atlanta-based, licensed, and built to give you a straight answer without the runaround.

Get a coverage review and free quote today.

Visit peachyinsurance.com OR text/call us 404-600-1660 (Closed on Saturdays and Sundays)

The Art Place at Mountain View
3330 Sandy Plains Rd, Marietta
Saturday, March 28
11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Free

Cobb Parks is doing something this Saturday they've never done before. The inaugural Renaissance Faire takes over The Art Place campus with live performances, artisan vendors, carnival games, food, mischievous pirates, and a Kids' Kingdom built out on the grounds.

This is the FIRST one, which means nobody knows exactly how good it's going to be yet, and that's actually a good reason to go.

If you've ever been to the Georgia Renaissance Festival in Fairburn, you know the vibe. This is that energy, five minutes from your house, and free to get in.

The Tenpenny Travelers are on stage. They describe themselves as traditional Renaissance music with "a dash of modern mischief and fantasy, 4 gamer geeks, and a pinch of cowbell." School of Rock East Cobb is also performing.

Cobb Animal Services will be there with pets available for adoption if someone in your family wants to leave with more than they came with.

The faire runs rain or shine, so check the forecast and dress for it. Parking is free at Mountain View Aquatic Center, connected to the event by a bridge. Get there early if you want to settle in before the crowds.

This is where we end up on Saturday mornings when we want breakfast but don't want to wait 45 minutes for a table.

It's right downtown on Margaret Avenue, order-at-the-counter style, and you can sit inside with the crowd or grab a spot outside if the weather cooperates. 4.6 stars across 800+ reviews, which for a breakfast spot is hard to argue with.

If you've got a kid with allergies or dietary restrictions, this place actually takes it seriously. They keep a whole book on site explaining their food and ingredients, and the staff will walk you through options instead of just waving you toward something.

The wheat-free, non-dairy pancakes are what people specifically call out in reviews, which tells you something.

The avocado toast is solid, the salads are legit if you're not in a breakfast mood, and the seasonal drinks are worth a look. The gingerbread chai latte has its own fan club.

One note: parking is tight, so go early or be ready to circle. They also charge extra for oat milk in lattes, which a few reviewers online found frustrating if you've got a dairy allergy. Small thing, but worth knowing.

Price: $$
Hours:
Mon–Sat 8am–8pm
Sun 8am–3pm

3162 Johnson Ferry Rd Marietta, GA 30062

Spring project season just flipped on. If you've been putting off a grill tune-up, need paint matched, or finally want to sharpen the kitchen knives that have been failing you for two years, this place on Johnson Ferry is worth the stop.

They've been in East Cobb since before it was called East Cobb, locally owned the whole time, starting on Roswell Road in 1954 before moving into a bigger space.

Staff carry purchases to your car if you need it, walk you through new equipment before you leave, and cut keys they let you test before you pay.

One reviewer had his generator repaired same day with a storm bearing down. That's what a neighborhood hardware store is supposed to mean.

They also sharpen blades (knives, scissors, chainsaw chains) and do small engine repair on Stihl products if anything from last season needs attention before the warm weather really kicks in.

Price: $$
Hours:
Mon–Fri 9:00 AM–6:00 PM
Sat 9:00 AM–5:00 PM
(call ahead to confirm Sunday hours: 770-992-2655)

Three East Cobb educators were honored at the March 19 Cobb County School District Board of Education meeting for excellence in their fields.

Dr. Kathleen Petka of Walton High School was named the 2025-2026 Georgia Art Education Association Youth Art Month Art Educator of the Year.

Ashley Culley at Dodgen Middle School received the 2025-2026 Georgia Chapter of the American String Teacher Association Teacher of the Year award.

Michelle Yoo of Keheley Elementary was recognized as the 2025-2026 CCSD Elementary School Visual Arts Specialist of the Year.

The board's recognition of these educators reflects the district's commitment to arts instruction and student engagement.

Sources: East Cobb News | CCSD

Ten East Cobb high school students are among the 12 winners of Cobb Water's 2026 High School Photography Contest.

Six students from Lassiter (Alex Hood, Dayton Davis, Katelyn Garrow, Sarah Joseph, Marissa Meyer, and Rushna Ahsan) took top honors, along with Ashleigh Lafferty and Neyla Lamont from Sprayberry and Charlie Sayler and Jonah Suarez from Wheeler.

Each winner received a cash prize, and their photos were turned into notecards distributed throughout the county.

The winning photographs will be displayed at the Mable House Arts Center in Mableton through May 15, open Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM. If your family enjoys photography or just wants to see what local student artists are creating, it's worth a trip.

Sources: East Cobb News | Cobb County

The Cobb County School District welcomed a record-breaking 1,894 attendees at its 2026 job fair on March 17, the highest turnout in the event's history.

The fair, held at Truist Park, featured all K-12 schools and gave candidates the chance to connect directly with school leaders and hiring administrators.

In the weeks leading up, the district saw a 54% increase in application activity, with nearly 5,000 candidates starting new applications or updating existing ones.

This surge reflects strong interest in joining CCSD, which continues to invest in competitive pay, teacher development programs like Georgia's BEST (which provides advanced degrees), and mentorship for new educators.

If you're looking for a career in education or support roles, the district is actively recruiting year-round.

Source: CCSD

One year after a serious car accident that left him with a traumatic brain injury, 11-year-old Evan Davis from East Cobb has been named a 2026 Miracle Child for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals.

On March 18, 2025, Evan was involved in a crash on Hawkins Store Road and Canton Road in Marietta that resulted in multiple fractures and severe injuries. His condition was critical when he arrived at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta.

After months of rehabilitation and determination that surprised his medical team, Evan is now walking, talking, and preparing to return to soccer through an adaptive sports program.

As a Miracle Child, Evan will attend fundraising events and campaigns throughout the year that support Children's Miracle Network Hospitals, beginning with the University of Georgia Dance Marathon later this month.

His family's journey shows the power of specialized care and rehabilitation in helping kids heal.

Source: 11Alive

Twelve pounds of calm, friendly cat who just wants to hang out with you.

Rose came into Homeless Pets Foundation as part of a shelter pull with five other cats and somehow is still available, which genuinely doesn't make sense once you meet him.

He's not the kind of cat who disappears under the bed when someone visits. He actually wants to be in the room with you.

Calm, affectionate, easy to be around. If you sit down, he'll probably find his way over.

He's got the size of a cat who's been comfortable somewhere before and the temperament to match.

Rose does fine with kids, dogs, and other cats, so if your house is already full, he'll adjust.

His compatibility with smaller animals like birds or rodents is unknown, so ask before you visit if that's relevant.

Otherwise there's not much to flag.

He's already vaccinated and combo tested negative, so there's no waiting around once you've decided.

Visits are by appointment, so start with a phone call or email. Homeless Pets Foundation is on Gresham Road in Marietta.

Homeless Pets Foundation
1343 Gresham Rd, Marietta, GA 30062
(770) 971-0100
[email protected]
By appointment only

🎮 Owl Con 2026 - Joe Mack Wilson Student Center (860 Rossbacher Way, Marietta) | 12:00 PM–6:00 PM | Free | More: calendar.kennesaw.edu
Gaming, comics, fandom fun, and a cosplay contest. Open to KSU community.

🧱 Lego Free Play - Switzer Library (266 Roswell St, Marietta) | 4:00 PM | Free | More: cobbcounty.gov
Open build time. Ages 5–12.

🧩 Spring LEGO "Happy Hummingbird" Build Event - Barnes & Noble/The Avenue West Cobb (3625 Dallas Hwy SW Suite 400, Marietta) | 7:00 PM | Free (while supplies last) | More: barnesandnoble.com
In-store build event. Drop-in format.

🎡 Atlanta Fair - Atlanta Fairgrounds (688 Central Ave SW, Atlanta) | 5:00 PM–11:00 PM | Pay-per-ride | More: atlantafair.net
Classic midway rides, games, and fair food. About a 20-minute drive from East Cobb. Runs March 12-April 12.

🥕 Marietta Square Farmers Market - Marietta Square | 9:00 AM–12:00 PM | Free | More: mariettasquarefarmersmarket.com
Produce, baked goods, and weekend staples.

🛍️ Marietta Square Artisan Market - Marietta Square (Mill Street area) | 9:00 AM–1:00 PM | Free | More: mariettasquareartisanmarket.com
Local makers and handmade goods.

🎲 Board Game Day - Custer Park Sports and Fitness Center (545 Kenneth E Marcus Way, Marietta) | 10:00 AM–6:00 PM | $3 | More: City of Marietta
Drop in and play board games all day. All ages welcome.

🌷 Spring Fest - The Avenue West Cobb (Marietta) | 11:00 AM–1:00 PM | Free | More: avenuewestcobb.com
Bunny photos, petting zoo, and spring activities.

🏰 Cobb County Public Services' Renaissance Faire - Mountain View Regional Library (3320 Sandy Plains Rd, Marietta) | 11:00 AM–4:00 PM | Free | More: artplacemarietta.org
All-ages fair with performances, artisans, and activities from Cobb Parks + Senior Services.

🧚 High Fae Court Atlanta Market Day 2026 - Schoolhouse Brewing (840 Franklin Ct, Marietta) | 12:00 PM–5:00 PM | Free | More: schoolhousebeer.com
Fantasy books and artisan market in a brewery setting.

🎻 Music of Magic and Myth (Sensory-Friendly Matinee) - Jennie T. Anderson Theatre (548 S Marietta Pkwy, Marietta) | 2:00 PM–3:00 PM | Tickets required | More: georgiasymphony.org
Shorter, sensory-friendly performance option. Good for families with sensory needs.

🏃 Run With a Longhorn 5K - Kell High School (4770 Lee Waters Rd, Marietta) | Registration required | More: runsignup.com
Family- and pet-friendly 5K supporting the Kell Band program. Registration opens early morning.

🍔 Georgia Food + Wine Festival (Sunday Funday) - Jim R. Miller Park (2245 Callaway Road SW, Marietta, GA 30008) | 12:00 PM–5:00 PM | Tickets required | More: georgiafoodandwinefestival.com
The most relaxed day of the festival, with a Kids Zone. Family-friendly with food vendors and live music.

🏀 March Madness Hoopfest (Final Day) - Multiple Cobb County venues | All day | $20; kids under 3 free | More: basketball.exposureevents.com
Final day of youth basketball tournament games.

🌿 Rain Gardens Workshop - West Cobb Senior Center (4915 Dallas Hwy, Powder Springs) | 10:00 AM | Free (registration required) | More: cobbcounty.gov
How to plan, install, and maintain a rain garden.

🏛️ Getting to Know Cobb: Tax Commissioner's Office - North Cobb Senior Center (3900 S Main St, Acworth) | 10:30 AM | Free (registration required) | More: cobbcounty.gov
Senior-focused info session on services, exemptions, and more.

🧵 East Cobb Quilters' Guild Day Meeting (Georgia Celebrates Quilts: A Quilt Show Retrospective) - Catholic Church of St. Ann (4905 Roswell Rd, Marietta) | 10:00 AM–12:00 PM | Guest policy varies | More: eastcobbquiltersguild.wildapricot.org
Program meeting and quilting community time.

🍽️ Georgia Food + Wine Festival (Wine & Spirit Tasting) - Jim R. Miller Park (2245 Callaway Road SW, Marietta, GA 30008) | Various times Friday | Tickets required | More: georgiafoodandwinefestival.com
Multiple tasting events throughout the festival weekend. Check the official schedule for Friday options.

😂 Comedy on the Square - The Alley Stage (11 Anderson St, Marietta) | 8:00 PM–9:30 PM | Tickets required | More: alleystage.org
Stand-up comedy show on the Marietta Square.

🍻 Bubbles & Brews Craft Beverage Month - Cobb Ale Trail locations (multiple) | All day | Free to participate; pay per tasting | More: bubblesandbrews.com
BrewPass-style month of brewery, winery, and distillery stops. Pick one location or collect stamps.

🎭 Menopause The Musical 2: Cruising Through 'The Change' - Earl and Rachel Smith Strand Theatre (117 North Park Square, Marietta) | 7:30 PM | Tickets required | More: earlsmithstrand.org
Comedy musical. A solid "night out" pick.

🎤 Karaoke Night hosted by Jeannie Caryn — Sidelines East Cobb (4719 Lower Roswell Rd, Marietta) | 8:30 PM | Free | More: musicspeak.com
Weekly karaoke hosted by Jeannie Caryn — a consistent Friday night out right off Lower Roswell if you want to actually do something instead of just scroll.

🧾 Tax and Social Security Seminar - North Cobb Regional Library (3535 Old 41 Hwy, Kennesaw) | 10:00 AM | Free | More: cobbcounty.gov
Beginner-friendly seminar. Adults 18+.

🍷 Georgia Food + Wine Festival (Saturday Savor) - Jim R. Miller Park (2245 Callaway Road SW, Marietta, GA 30008) | 1:00 PM–4:00 PM | Tickets required | 21+ only | More: georgiafoodandwinefestival.com
Unlimited-style tasting afternoon with food and drink vendors. Souvenir glass and tokens included.

😂 Comedy on the Square - The Alley Stage (11 Anderson St, Marietta) | 8:00 PM–9:30 PM | Tickets required | More: visitmariettaga.com
Saturday night comedy show.

🍔 Georgia Food + Wine Festival (Sunday Funday) - Jim R. Miller Park (2245 Callaway Road SW, Marietta, GA 30008) | 12:00 PM–5:00 PM | Tickets required | More: georgiafoodandwinefestival.com
Food vendors, live music, and family areas with a Kids Zone.

🐾 Easter with HPF — Bunny Photos Benefiting Homeless Pets Foundation — Parc at Piedmont (999 Hood Rd, Marietta) | 2:00–4:00 PM | $10 donation | More: homelesspets.com
Bring the kids and the dog — Homeless Pets Foundation is hosting Easter Bunny photos at Parc at Piedmont, with all proceeds supporting rescue animals. Great reason to get outside Sunday afternoon.

🎭 Menopause The Musical 2: Cruising Through 'The Change' (Matinee) - Earl and Rachel Smith Strand Theatre (117 North Park Square, Marietta) | 3:00 PM | Tickets required | More: earlsmithstrand.org
Sunday matinee option.

🎵 Live Music Sundays with Music Speaks — Sidelines East Cobb (4719 Lower Roswell Rd, Marietta) | 6:00 PM | Free | More: musicspeaks.com
Original songwriter showcase every Sunday evening. Low-key, local, and a solid reason to extend your weekend.

Start in your neighborhood, or hit Victory Park and Joe Kirby Park in Marietta, which just this month added Little Free Libraries.

You're looking for an excuse to get outside without planning anything fancy. This works. Grab a book from a little wooden box, leave one if you've got it. Kids think it's a treasure hunt. You just get out of the house.

Little Free Libraries are basically tiny book-sharing boxes scattered around neighborhoods. The whole system runs on a swap, take a book, leave a book (or don't). No membership, no rules, no checkout process. Just books that actually get read by someone who finds them.

If you want guaranteed stops with decent seating and other stuff to do, Victory Park (823 S Park Dr) and Joe Kirby Park (426 Frasier St) both just got Little Free Libraries. Victory Park has a playground, fitness equipment, and a pavilion if you want to stick around. Joe Kirby has a nature trail and covered bridge, so there's something to do either way.

The Little Free Library map also shows dozens of libraries scattered around East Cobb if you want to build a whole route.

You pull up to a small wooden or decorative box, open it, and find a mix of books. Kids think it's a treasure hunt.

Some boxes are better stocked than others, so there's a little luck involved. Bring 1–3 books you're ready to pass along. Let each kid pick one. It takes about 10 minutes per stop if you're browsing.

Cost: Completely free. No registration, no fees, no parking charge.

Timing: Anytime during daylight. Morning is ideal if you want a quieter walk and less competition for shade on a sunny day.

Don't empty a box. Leave plenty for the next family. Skip donating wet or damaged books.

If you want to make your adventure longer, combine it with a walk through either park. The one-mile perimeter trail at Victory Park is paved and stroller-friendly. Joe Kirby's nature trail is also easy and flat.

Pack a cooler if you're making an afternoon of it. Both parks have picnic pavilions with charcoal grills, so you could easily turn this into a family outing.

Georgia just approved up to $500 back for most households. And a lot of that money is heading straight into spring projects. New roof, kitchen refresh, deck expansion, whole new systems.

The problem: your homeowner's insurance might not know about any of it.

A few tips to help you stay ahead.

1. Pull up your current declarations page and check your dwelling limit. This is the dollar amount your insurance company will pay to rebuild your house if it's a total loss. In East Cobb, home values have gone up. Get a rough rebuild estimate from your contractor or a local builder before you decide if the number is real.

2. Tell Peachy about the project before you start. Some upgrades actually improve your policy (new roof, updated electrical). Others might expose gaps you don't know about. A quick call can determine whether your coverage needs to change.

3. Ask about coverage for the materials while they're sitting on your property. If you're ordering a $15,000 roof or $20,000 in materials and they're stacked in your yard for weeks, standard homeowner's policies sometimes don't cover theft or weather damage to materials that haven't been installed yet.

Not sure if your current coverage actually matches your home's real value? Peachy can pull your declarations page, walk you through it, and catch what might be short.

Call 404-600-1660 (Closed Saturdays and Sundays)

Cobb County Government — County jobs across departments including admin, parks, public works, and more.
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Cobb County School District — Certified and non-certified roles across the district. Postings move fast, so check often.
👉 Browse openings | Classified / Professional roles | Sub positions

City of Marietta — City jobs including operations, customer service, parks, and public safety support.
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Wellstar Health System — Clinical and non-clinical roles. Filter by location to stay close to East Cobb/Marietta.
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The Avenue East Cobb — Retail and restaurant openings. Good for part-time, weekends, and flexible schedules.
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Marietta City Schools — Teaching, support, substitutes, and nutrition roles. Separate system from CCSD.
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Bonus help (free): CobbWorks — Job search support, workshops, and hiring events for Cobb residents.
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