Festivals are a terrific way to introduce your children to a variety of interests, from dancing to food. You know which events are the best because residents demand their return every year. This Atlanta suburb is home to some of the area’s most popular festivals year-round. Use our guide to narrow down your choices and spend a family day at an annual affair near East Cobb, Georgia.

Family Fancy Pants Dance

Image via Flickr by Rob Briscoe Licensed CC BY 2.0

The annual Family Fancy Pants Dance is hosted by Marietta’s Parks and Recreation Department. It’s a great way to make a magical childhood memory that you can renew each year. Organizers designed the dance for children ages 5 to 12, plus a parent or other special dance partner, like Grandpa.

Cut a rug at the Fancy Pants Dance each September at the Cluster Park Sports and Fitness Center on Kenneth E. Marcus Way. You and your kids will spend a fun-filled afternoon boogying down, playing games, and participating in various activities.

Plan to get dressed up in your semi-formal or formal best for this awesome occasion. Each year offers a special theme, like “A Night Of Movie Magic” for 2022. Guests who come dressed as their favorite movie characters will get the chance to walk the red carpet. Make sure you preregister for the dance, as space is limited.

Glover Park Concert Series

Enjoy music under the stars at the Glover Park Concert Series. Performers hit the stage on the last Friday of the month between April and September. Be sure to bring a picnic and blankets or set up your lawn chairs on the grass. Plan to get to the park after 4 p.m.

The free shows start at 8 p.m., rain or shine all summer long. If you want guaranteed views of the stage, front-row seats are available for a fee. From Motown and R&B to Country and Pop, there’s a genre to get everyone’s toe-tapping. Past groups that played at Glover Park include:

  • Grapevine Band.
  • Kasper & 911 Band.
  • Next Level Band.
  • Glow Band.
  • Paradocs.
  • The Big Chicken Beatle Band.

Taste of Marietta

The Taste of Marietta is a food festival that takes place in the historic Marietta Square each April. With an average of 70 restaurants, food trucks, and caterers showcasing their best food, it’s the ideal destination for foodies of all ages, even the budding chefs in your family. Sample dishes for just $1 up to $5 from vendors like Dave Poe’s BBQ, and learn a few new kitchen tricks from the celebrity chefs’ cooking demonstrations.

There’s also tons of entertainment at this event, thanks to the live musicians belting out your favorite songs on five stages. Your little ones will love Kid’s Alley with age-appropriate games and activities just for them. Remember to head to the Main Stage in Glover Park at sunset to see the headliner. The Taste of Marietta takes place rain or shine, and admission is free.

Cobb County Rodeo

We’re calling out all you cowboys and cowgirls for a wild, boot-stomping time at the annual Cobb County Rodeo. So grab your 10-gallon hats, corral the kiddos, and head to the covered arena at Jim R. Miller Park on Callaway Road Southwest. This exhibition hits Marietta for three weekends each year in June, August, and October. Plus, it’s a terrific way to give back to the community, as some of the money raised at the rodeo goes to the sheriff’s mounted patrol unit.

The Cobb County Rodeo has entertained East Cobb families for more than 20 years. It’s the home of the best local adrenaline-pumping, action-packed fun. Strap on your spurs and make it a night to remember, whether you’re new or longtime rodeo fans. You’re going to want to stay the entire two hours and catch all the competition, including rough stock and timed events like:

  • Bull riding.
  • Bareback riding.
  • Barrel racing.
  • Steer wrestling.
  • Tie-down roping.
  • Team roping.

Art in the Park

Discover a whole world of art over the Labor Day weekend each year. Art in the Park is the city’s award-winning event and a beloved annual tradition. Set within the grounds of Historic Marietta Square and Glover Park, this free fine art extravaganza has captivated residents since 1986 with a market and the children’s art alley.

Whether your family is new to the hobby or you’re a professional critic, you’ll enjoy browsing the creative works of roughly 175 local and national artists. Shop for paintings, photography, pottery, sculptures, and wooden items. Organizers also help raise funds at the show that help support local schools.

Paid parking is available in the Cobb County deck on Waddell and Lawrence Streets. Make a day of this outing and remember to visit the unique shops, boutiques, eateries, museums, and galleries that are within walking distance of the festival.

HarvestFest

Our local festival guide wouldn’t be complete without mentioning HarvestFest. The Marietta Parks and Recreation Department hosts it every October, and there are plenty of fall-themed entertainments for the entire family. In addition to an arts and crafts show, you can shop at the farmer’s market, then partake in spooky festivities, like Scarecrows on the Square.

HarvestFest is the perfect time to test-drive your Halloween outfits thanks to the costume contest. There’s even a competition for your pet, so don’t forget to dress up your family’s four-legged friends. Children 12 and under can play games and win prizes, plus trick-or-treat for candy, while mom and dad can get a jump start on holiday shopping. Exhibitors are there peddling their wares, like handcrafted jewelry, glass pieces, and stunning floral designs.

Well, there! Crème de la Crème of East Cobb just informed you of the best annual festivals in the area. What do you think of the events we listed? Did we miss a favorite gala of yours — one other Georgia families will love? If we did, let us know! Drop us a line so we can add your suggestions to our list.