Community Events

This is a Fall Farmers Market in the Heart of Metter.

We will have fresh finds, delicious food and your hometown favorites!

The market is alive, the taverns are singing, and Nottingham has gathered to make merry.

The Sheriff wants control, credit, and coin. Robin Hood would rather see you enjoy yourself.

Their rivalry plays out through questionable taxes, ridiculous rules, public challenges, and plenty of mischief — but guests never need to follow a plot to take part.

This fall, the full Georgia Renaissance Festival village comes alive with seven festival days across six themed weekends, live jousting, entertainment, 160+ artisan shoppes, 300+ sips and bites, games, and a season-long rivalry between Robin Hood and the Sheriff of Nottingham.

From remembrance and forest magic to tournaments, holiday shopping, and Yuletide warmth, every weekend gives Nottingham a different reason to revel. 

This year's themed weekends include:

• Hallowtide
• Harvest of the Old Gods
• Feast of Fools
• Tournament of Champions
• Royal Market Days
• Yuletide

The tournament field comes alive three times throughout the day as knights compete for honor inside the world of Nottingham. Robin Hood and the Sheriff bring their rivalry to the tournament field while the joust delivers horses, lances, combat, and spectacle throughout the Fall Fling day. Fall Fling is its own season — cooler days, autumn light, Nottingham story, themed weekends, harvest flavors, and a village that changes as daylight gives way to evening.

NETHERWORLD Haunted House is celebrating its milestone 30th Season of Screams with two all-new haunted experiences: Curse of the Collector and Beyond Oblivion: Legacy of Evil. The 2026 season brings together three decades of legendary monsters, iconic characters, and cinematic storytelling, alongside massive new environments and original scares. 

After completing each haunt, guests will arrive at the Halloween-themed Midway, packed with festive spirit, games galore, roaming monsters, food trucks, and more. Guests can also visit the House of Creeps Monster Museum, featuring rare movie props, NETHERWORLD memorabilia, and monstrous creations, or experience five year-round escape games at Escape the Netherworld. 

All tickets are date- and time-specific, with guests selecting a half-hour entry window when purchasing. SpeedPasses are also available to expedite entry.

* Please check the website below for specific times, pricing and more details. 
Opening Weekend – Sept. 18-19 
Open Sept. 25-26; Oct. 2-4, 6-12, 14-31; Nov. 1, 6-7 
Closing Weekend – Nov. 6-7

During NETHERWORLD Haunted House’s milestone 30th Season of Screams, guests can take the adventure even further at Escape the NETHERWORLD, the immersive escape room experience created by the masterminds behind the iconic NETHERWORLD. Located at NETHERWORLD’s Stone Mountain attraction, Escape the NETHERWORLD features five fully themed adventures packed with cinematic sets, immersive storytelling, live-action effects and challenging puzzles. 

Groups of up to 10 players can choose from five thrilling adventures: Tiki Island: Attack of the Shark God, Sasquatch: Bigfoot’s Revenge, Nosferatu: Van Helsing’s Secret, Haunted: Curse of the Night Hag, and Alien Terror: Doom of the Dark Horizon. 

Whether you’re looking for an adventure before or after experiencing NETHERWORLD Haunted House, planning a Halloween outing with friends or family, or testing your team’s ability to escape, each game offers a unique challenge filled with surprises around every corner. 
 
Think you have what it takes to escape? Grab your crew and book your adventure at the website below.
 
Escape the NETHERWORLD is open every night NETHERWORLD is open during haunt season, with hours varying by day: Mon.-Thurs., 6-10:30 p.m.; Fri., 6-11:30 p.m.; Sat., 2 p.m.-midnight; and Sun., 2-10:30 p.m. Additional hours are available Sept. 23-24, 2-7 p.m., for advanced bookings only, and Sept. 27, 2-8 p.m., with walk-ins welcome. Hours vary by day; visit the webisite for the latest details. 

Come visit our observatory for a rare look through our telescope, where we will be showing some of our favorite celestial objects in the evening sky. 

This event is subject to cancellation due to cloudy skies or inclement weather. The observatory is not heated or air-conditioned, so please dress appropriately.

Please note that the observatory and outdoor restrooms will be open, but the museum will be closed.

Women Veterans: Be a part of the gathering.

A Sister Soldier's Story is a jewel that needs to be told and heard. Held in the secret garden created just for sister soldiers to gather, this place and event is for you. Come join other veterans, connect with other veterans and share your story. Saturday, Nov. 7, from 6-8 p.m..

michelle@popesmuseum.org

or (850) 459-9620

We are thrilled to share that 17 original works by Laura Pope Forester have returned home to Pope’s Museum. This extraordinary moment has inspired a wave of enthusiasm—and a lot of behind‑the‑scenes labor!

We have been working hard to prepare for this art exhibit, and you can be among the first to see this nationally significant artist's work in 50 years.

Saturday, Nov. 7, from 6-8 p.m.

michelle@popesmuseum.org

(850) 459-9620

A bicycle is a big-ticket item that lands on holiday gift lists every year, but not every family can afford to fulfill that wish. For 45 years, Rick Case Bikes for Kids has been collecting gently used bicycles from the community that will be passed along to local children and teens who are yearning for a set of wheels. From October 1 until December 20, the community is encouraged to bring bikes they’re no longer riding to any Rick Case Automotive Group dealership.

The dealerships will ensure the bolts are tightened and the tires are inflated before distributing the bikes to children and teens at the Boys & Girls Clubs, Habitat for Humanity, Women in Distress and other local charitable organizations, churches, synagogues and schools. Since 1982, Rick Case Bikes for Kids has had an incredible impact on local communities by collecting more than 124,000 bikes in Georgia, Florida and Ohio from generous members of the community.

Bikes can be dropped off at the following Rick Case Automotive Group dealerships:

• Rick Case Hyundai/Genesis / 3180 Satellite Blvd. NW, Duluth
• Rick Case Kia / 3190 Satellite Blvd. NW, Duluth
• Audi Gwinnett / 3184 Satellite Blvd. NW, Duluth
• Rick Case Mazda / 2493 Pleasant Hill Road, Duluth
• Rick Case Hyundai/Genesis / 11446 Alpharetta Highway, Roswell

The dealerships are open seven days a week. Visit RickCase.com for specific hours.

About The Rick Case Automotive Group

Founded in 1962, the Rick Case Automotive Group has been honored by Automotive News as the National All-Star Dealer, and President and CEO Rita Case was named the 2024 TIME Dealer of the Year. Rick Case Automotive Group is the nation’s largest female-owned and operated automotive dealer group in America, offering Honda, Hyundai, Genesis, Ioniq, Volkswagen, Kia, Acura, Audi, Mazda, Maserati, Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Honda Motorcycles and E-Z-Go golf carts.

The Making Place exhibition, presented by Artful Hands, brings together wood-fired pottery from the private collections of Pat Shields and Janice Hall and David and Linda Chesnut. Also in the exhibit are six works by David Drake, an enslaved African American potter who worked in South Carolina’s Edgefield District during the 19th century, on loan from the Washington Historical Museum. Hand-forged iron works by blacksmith Patrick G. Blount are also on display. Each of the works have been shaped by skill, time and a deep connection to this region.

The exhibit is open Nov. 2-12, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m., with special programming to take place throughout the week.

Gainesville Theatre Alliance presents "The Heart of Robin Hood" by David Farr, at UNG-Gainesville's Ed Cabell Theatre, inside the UNG-Gainesville Performing Arts Building. 

When Robin’s actions put his band at risk, Marian takes charge, challenging him to become the leader his people truly need in this bold, theatrical retelling. Fun for the whole family!

Join us for our opening night reception, included with admission, following the Nov. 6 performance and catered by Nothing Bundt Cakes.

The production is sponsored by Jacobs Media and Access North Georgia.

Gainesville Theatre Alliance is an inter-collegiate theatre collaboration between Brenau University and the University of North Georgia.

Tickets are available at GainesvilleTheatreAlliance.org or by calling the GTA Box Office at (678) 717-3624.

Imagine running a show when all of your stars are birds!

Become a Trainer for a Day at the World of Wild Theater presented by Georgia Natural Gas, and see firsthand how training is used to care for and connect guests to the birds while participating in the Fantastic Flights presentation!

Work alongside the Ambassador Animals Team to experience how these feathered friends showcase their unique adaptations in these presentations and learn about the positive reinforcement training that ensures that all of the birds are participating voluntarily.   This behind-the-scenes look at Fantastic Flights and its amazing participants will give you a greater appreciation for the term “bird brain” and the important relationships between the birds and their care team. Participants can expect to meet members of the Animal Care Team, meet an animal, learn about our positive reinforcement training and enrichment programs, and walk away with knowledge of how to save species. All participation in Keeper for a Day programs is voluntary for the animals.

Before registering, please understand that during this program: 

• Participants will perform similar tasks as members of the Ambassador Animals Team, which may include raking, sweeping, hosing, scrubbing, and shoveling, and should expect to do some hard work and be comfortable getting dirty. 
• Participants will be expected to participate in all weather conditions, lift up to 30 pounds, and be on their feet for up to four hours. 
• Participants must have the physical ability to bend, lift, stoop, kneel, and stand for extended periods of time. 
• Participants may be exposed to potential allergens such as insects, hay, animal waste, and other potential allergens. Please reach out in advance if you have any questions or concerns. 

Upcoming 2026 Dates:

Sunday, August 16
Sunday, September 13
Sunday, October 11
Sunday, November 8
Sunday, December 13

Time(s): 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Age Range: 16 and up

Bank of America cardholders get free admission to Tellus Science Museum during the first full weekend of each month as part of Museums on Us.

Museums on Us is a Bank of America cardholder benefit program, offering Bank of America cardholders free admission to more than 120 of the finest museums and cultural institutions in the United States.

THE ADVENTURE BEGINS ONCE YOU GET LOST! 

Wind your way through this twisting, climbing, head-scratching interactive exhibit that’ll challenge the whole family from the very first step. 

Can your eyes actually lie to you? Find out in the Maze of Illusions where nothing is what it seems. Think you’re coordinated? Climb, duck, and try not to get completely tangled in the Web Maze. Feeling ambitious? Build your own maze from scratch, then dare others to solve it.  

From giant finger mazes to brain-busting puzzle tables, art you can touch, and a labyrinth library, there are surprises to be found round every single corner.

Independent cinema finds a home this fall at the 23rd Annual Rome International Film Festival (RIFF).

Transforming historic downtown Rome, Georgia, into an intimate gathering place for global artists and film lovers, the four-day festival showcases groundbreaking narrative features, documentaries, shorts, and animation. Anchored at the historic DeSoto Theatre on Broad Street, RIFF offers unforgettable film blocks, industry panels, and community connection.

Individual screening tickets and weekend passes are available online. Learn more at www.riffga.com.

Washington Farms is a family-friendly agritourism farm with lots of fun activities for people of all ages! You can pick your own pumpkins and flowers, get lost in the corn maze, stroll through the petting zoo, zoom down the Mega Slide, jump on the jumping pillows, cheer on at the pig races, enjoy a wagon ride around the farm, and so much more!!! Visit our website for hours, pricing, and a complete list of activities! 

For hours, pricing, and a complete list of activities, visit http://www.washingtonfarms.net   

See y'all at the farm!

The Piedmont Division of the National Model Railroad Association proudly presents the Piedmont Pilgrimage, the annual tour of the Atlanta area's great model railroads. We are proud to showcase the craftsmanship and dedication of our members during this event. The 2026 tour will feature more than 60 remarkable model railroads to visit. As always, the Pilgrimage is open to everyone and is entirely free of charge.

The Pilgrimage kicks off on Saturday, Oct. 24, and will run for five weekends. Tours will be open from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on both Saturdays and Sundays.

Detailed information can be found on the website: https://piedmontpilgrimage.com/.

Join Georgia Tech Volleyball as they take on the Wake Forest Demon Deacons on Nov. 8, at 1 p.m. 

NETHERWORLD Haunted House is celebrating its milestone 30th Season of Screams with two all-new haunted experiences: Curse of the Collector and Beyond Oblivion: Legacy of Evil. The 2026 season brings together three decades of legendary monsters, iconic characters, and cinematic storytelling, alongside massive new environments and original scares. 

After completing each haunt, guests will arrive at the Halloween-themed Midway, packed with festive spirit, games galore, roaming monsters, food trucks, and more. Guests can also visit the House of Creeps Monster Museum, featuring rare movie props, NETHERWORLD memorabilia, and monstrous creations, or experience five year-round escape games at Escape the Netherworld. 

All tickets are date- and time-specific, with guests selecting a half-hour entry window when purchasing. SpeedPasses are also available to expedite entry.

* Please check the website below for specific times, pricing and more details. 
Opening Weekend – Sept. 18-19 
Open Sept. 25-26; Oct. 2-4, 6-12, 14-31; Nov. 1, 6-7 
Closing Weekend – Nov. 6-7

Come support Georgia Tech Women’s Basketball all season long as the Jackets are back in action on Cremins Court at McCamish Pavilion!

Join us Nov. 8 @ 4 p.m. at the Emma Kelly Theater in downtown Statesboro for an afternoon of live music entertainment with Darin & Brooke Aldridge. 

Darin & Brooke Aldridge have spent over a decade amassing a loyal, active fan base, reaping awards, becoming Grand Ole Opry favorites with over 50 Opry performances, and releasing a string of critically acclaimed and commercially successful albums and No. 1 singles. Brooke is a four-time consecutive winner of the Female Vocalist of the Year for the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA). Darin is a former member of the legendary bluegrass band The Country Gentlemen. He is an IBMA Mentor of the Year award-winner and a truly gifted singer, producer and multi-instrumentalist.

Darin and Brooke have also been recognized with IBMA’s nomination for Vocal Group of the Year. On April 18, 2023, they were named Bluegrass Artists of the Year at the Absolutely Gospel Music Awards in Nashville, Tenn.

Darin and Brooke, native North Carolinians, live in Cherryville, N.C., where in 2023 their hometown honored them with a mural on Main Street as part of the famed N.C. Musicians Trail.

Tickets available online www.averittcenterforthearts.org/performances/ or contact our box office: (912) 212-2787.