Big Shanty Festival

Downtown Kennesaw is host to the 38th annual Big Shanty Festival on April 20 and 21, 2013.  The festival combines the best of the rich heritage of Kennesaw and the Civil War era with today’s fun filled activities. Over 70,000 attendees will enjoy the more than 250 booths with arts & crafts, food vendors, merchants, and live entertainment.

This year’s event offers great entertainment on two stages and a variety of foods to please everyone’s palate. The Kennesaw Big Shanty Festival kicks off with a parade on Saturday, April 20, 2013 at 9:30am. The parade features floats, high school bands, marchers, and over 1,000 youngsters representing every sport association in the area. The Parade will start at Adams Park and continue down Main Street through downtown Kennesaw.

Admission:
Free

Hours:
Saturday, April 20, 2013 from 10am to 6pm
Parade is on Saturday at 9:30am
Sunday, April 21, 2013 from 12pm to 5pm

Location:
Downtown Kennesaw near the Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History
Kennesaw, Ga 30144

This fun filled event is co-sponsored by the City of Kennesaw and the Kennesaw Business Association. For more information, call (770) 423-1330.

For more information, please call (770) 423-1330.

Kennesaw Farmers Market

Kennesaw Farmers Market

The 2013 Kennesaw Farmers Market is back starting on May 7 of 2013 and bigger than ever. Now in it’s ninth season, the farmers market takes place every Tuesday morning from May through October.

On Tuesdays from 7am to 1pm, an average of over 30 local farmers and merchants offer fresh tomatoes, flowers, seasonal fruits and vegetables, baked goods, plants, herbs, and a variety of local food and products. Be sure to get there early for the best selection.

Dates:
Every Tuesday morning from May through October

Address:
Adams Park Soccer Field Parking Lot
2753 Watts Drive
Kennesaw GA

For more information, call (770) 499-0874 or (770) 794-7075.

If you would like to become a vendor, please call (770) 499-0874 or (770) 794-7075. The Kennesaw Farmers Market is sponsored by the Kennesaw Downtown Development Authority (KDDA).

Sequestration budget cuts force McCollum Airport’s control tower to close

The FAA has notified Cobb County that McCollum Airport’s control tower is scheduled to be closed on April 7th. The duration is unknown at this time.

The Airport will remain open and operate as an uncontrolled airfield.

The FAA has decided to close control towers with less than 150,000 total operations and 10,000 commercial (airline) operations to meet its required Sequestration budget cut.

The FAA is planning for the closing of 173 control towers beginning April 7th, with an additional 16 to be closed on September 30th.

An additional 48 control towers are being addressed for closure separately from this process.

There are a total of 515 control towers in the country and 246 are progressing toward closure. The following Georgia Control Towers are preparing for closure:

  • ABY Southwest Georgia Regional Albany GA
  • AHN Athens-Ben Epps Athens GA
  • CSG Columbus Metropolitan Columbus GA
  • FTY Fulton County-Brown Field Atlanta GA
  • LZU Gwinnett County-Briscoe Field Lawrenceville GA
  • MCN Middle Georgia Regional Macon GA
  • RYY Cobb County-McCollum Field Atlanta GA

For more information about the McCollum closure, please contact Karl Von Hagel, A.A.E., Airport Manager, at (770) 528-1615.

Lyle Ashton Harris: Accra My Love Artist Talk and Opening Reception

Join the KSU Zuckerman Museum for the artist talk and opening of Lyle Ashton Harris: Accra My Love, March 13 & 14, 2013. In his work, Harris explores identity, desire, and masculinity of modern-day Ghana through photography, installation, and video. Presented by the KSU Zuckerman Museum in conjunction with the KSU Year of Ghana program. The exhibition runs March 14 – April 24, 2013.

Date:
Artist Talk: Wednesday, March 13, 2013 at 7pm at the Clayton Gallery in the Bailey Performance Center. To reserve free tickets, please call (770) 423-6650 or email boxoffice@kennesaw.edu.
Opening Reception: Thursday, March 14, 2013 from 5-8pm at the Fine Arts Gallery in the Wilson Building. Meet artist Lyle Ashton Harris.

Admission:
Free

Address:
1000 Chastain Road
Kennesaw, GA 30144-5591

Parking:
Free parking in Lot E after 6:30pm or follow signs to Visitor Parking.

For more information, please call (770) 499-3223.

Touch-A-Truck

Get ready to put your imagination in gear and get into the driver’s seat as Touch-A-Truck rolls into Kennesaw on Saturday, March 16, 2013. The event is sponsored by the Kennesaw Parks and Recreation Department and takes place from 10am to 2pm.

The event allows kids of all ages to get up close and personal with over 40 cars, trucks, and construction vehicles. Some of the vehicles include a heavy construction, public safety, cool cars, specialty vehicles, and even a flying machine. Kids will learn about the functions they serve and even meet the drivers. Be sure to bring your camera and enjoy the great photo opportunities as your kids explore the vehicles, climb into the driver’s seat, honk the horn and pretend to steer.

Date:
March 16, 2013

Time:
10am – 2pm

Admission:
Free

Address:
Near the Depot
2828 Cherokee Street
Kennesaw, GA 30144

For more information, call (770) 422-9714.

Kennesaw Easter Egg Hunt

Kennesaw Easter Egg Hunt

Hop on over to Kennesaw’s Easter Egg Scramble on Saturday, March 30, 2013 at Adams Park in Kennesaw.

The Kennesaw Easter egg hunt begins promptly at 11am so bring the kids to hunt for thousands of colorful wrapped candy treats and goody-filled eggs (including a few “lucky” eggs that can be redeemed for larger prizes).

The scramble will be divided into three age groups on three ball fields:
0-3 years
4-5 years
Ages 6-12
A fourth field will be designated for children with special needs, or those who require assistance.

Children must be accompanied by an adult. Be sure to bring a basket or bag to collect treats, and don’t forget your camera. The Easter Bunny will be on hand for pictures, hugs and handshakes. Note: Pets are not permitted on the ball fields.

Admission:
Free

New Date:
Saturday, March 30, 2013 from 10am to 12pm

Address:
Adams Park Softball Complex
2600 Park Drive
Kennesaw, GA 30144

For more information, please call (770) 422-9714.

Inclement Weather Information

“Due to inclement weather and wet ground conditions, the City of Kennesaw’s Easter Egg Scramble has been postponed to next Saturday, March 30 (same time and location).”

Kennesaw Parks and Rec Website:
kennesaw-ga.gov/city-services/recreation-a-culture/parks

City of Kennesaw Website:
kennesaw-ga.gov

Kennesaw Parks and Rec on Facebook:
facebook.com/KennesawParksRecreation

City of Kennesaw on Facebook:
facebook.com/pages/Kennesaw-City-Hall/55721081962

City of Kennesaw on Twitter:
twitter.com/citykennesaw

Phone Number:
(770) 528-8875

Kennesaw State University to formally announce the launch of football

ksu-football-announcement

Press conference scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 14, 2013 at 4 p.m.

KENNESAW, Ga. (Feb. 13, 2013) — Kennesaw State University has been approved to start a football program and additional Title IX sports, now that the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia has signed off on the University’s feasibility and business plan.

The approval was secured today at the Board of Regents’ February meeting. A press conference will be held tomorrow, at Kennesaw State, to discuss the details of the long-awaited announcement.

WHAT: Today’s approval by the Board of Regent’s completed the final step in a six-year process of studies, student voting and fundraising aimed at bringing NCAA Division I football to the state’s third-largest university.

WHO:
Daniel S. Papp, President, Kennesaw State University
Vaughn Williams, Director of Athletics, Kennesaw State University
Vince Dooley, Legendary UGA Football Coach and Chair, Football Exploratory Committee, Kennesaw State University

WHEN: 4:00 p.m.,Thursday, Feb. 14.

WHERE:
KSU Convocation Center
Kennesaw State University
1000 Chastain Rd, Kennesaw, GA, 30144

PARKING:
Media parking is available on the 4TH level of the East Parking Deck next to KSU Convocation Center
TV trucks and live radio remotes park in lot behind KSU Convocation Center
Media entrance is located at the southeast corner of the KSU Convocation Center
For directions and a campus map, please visit: www.kennesaw.edu/alumnifriends_directions.shtml

MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES: To RSVP, please contact Al Barba at 770-794-7837

Kennesaw State University is the third-largest university in Georgia, offering more than 70 graduate and undergraduate degrees, including doctorates in education, business and nursing and a new Ph.D. in international conflict management. A member of the University System of Georgia, Kennesaw State is a comprehensive, residential institution with a growing student population of more than 24,600 from 130 countries.

Outdoor Movie Series

This year, the 2013 Kennesaw Outdoor Movie Series continues with a trio of family friendly flicks at Swift-Cantrell Park in Kennesaw. The inflatable screen lights up at dark, so arrive early (around 6pm) for games, activities, inflatable fun, and more.

Admission is free, but concessions and some activities have an extra charge. Bring your blanket or lawn chair and a picnic (no alcohol or glass containers) and relax “on the green” for an outdoor movie night the whole family will enjoy. All movies are rated PG, and titles are subject to change. Cancellations may occur due to weather conditions.

The event on Saturday, June 1, 2013 will feature water-themed activities starting at 6 p.m., as the sun-soaked “shores” of the park become a watery playground of splishing, splashing, slipping and sliding fun. Activities will feature both free and pay-to-play inflatable slides, field games and attractions. After the sun goes down, set sail for a fun-filled pirate adventure with a screening of The Pirates! Band of Misfits. The 2012 stop-motion animated adventure comedy follows the Pirate Captain and his crew of amateur pirates as they attempt to win the Pirate of the Year competition. The movie is rated PG, and features the voices of Hugh Grant and Jeremy Piven.

Children participating in water activities should arrive dressed to get wet. An extra change of clothing, towel and dry shoes is recommended. Restrooms will be available; showers and changing rooms are not.

Click here for more information, or call (770) 422-9714.

Schedule:
Saturday, May 4, 2013 – Brave (postponed due to rain)
Saturday, June 1, 2013 – The Pirates!  Band of Misfits
Saturday, September 14, 2013 – Brave
Saturday, October 12, 2013 – Hotel Transylvania
* Cancellations may occur due to weather conditions.

Location:
Swift Cantrell Park
3140 Old US Highway 41
Kennesaw, GA 30144

Parking is also available at:
Kennesaw Elementary School
3155 Jiles Rd NW
Kennesaw, GA 30144

For more information, please call (770) 422-9714.

(Pre-Scramble) Bunny Breakfast

Before Kennesaw’s annual Easter Egg Hunt, enjoy a hot, delicious breakfast and personal visits with the Easter Bunny as he makes his way from table to table to say hello to all the boys and girls. The all-you-can-eat buffet will consist of pancakes, sausage, bacon, juice, coffee and a few other “scrumtrulescent” surprises. Don’t forget your camera! Two seatings are available at 8am and 9:30am.

Advance tickets are just $5 per person, and can be purchased online at www.kennesaw-ga.gov/pkrec or at the Ben Robertson Community Center beginning January 2. Tickets can also be purchased at the door for $8 per person (based on availability, space is limited). Children two (2) years of age and under do not need a ticket; however they must sit on an adult’s lap.

Date:
Saturday, March 23, 2013

Times:
Two seatings – 8am and 9:30am

Address:
Ben Robertson Community Center
2753 Watts Drive
Kennesaw, Georgia 30144

For more information, please contact Laurel Fleming, City of Kennesaw Special Events Coordinator, at lfleming@kennesaw-ga.gov

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration

A program celebrating the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. will be held on Saturday, January 12, 2012 from 5-7:30 p.m. at the Kennesaw Mountain High School Auditorium. The program, titled United We Stand, Divided We Fall, is an initiative of Reverend John W. and Evangelist Deborah J. Harris, local churches and the City of Kennesaw.

The celebration focuses around youth, with the reading of essays about unity, interpretive dance, and singing. A Community Choir made up of members of local churches will perform, as well as many special guests.

“The agenda for this year’s celebration is to continue establishing a great MLK Day tradition in Kennesaw,” said Reverend Harris. “We will also be presenting the MLK, Jr Trailblazer Awards, named for a man we honor as a trailblazer for racial equality and unity among all men through non-violent means. These awards are given to high school seniors that will be matriculating into college for fall semester.”

Date:
Saturday, January 12, 2012

Time:
5pm to 7:30pm

Address:
Kennesaw Mountain High School Auditorium
1898 Kennesaw Due West Road Northwest
Kennesaw, GA 30152