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September 2009

2009 North Georgia State Fair Brings Fun For All!

As the largest fair in metro Atlanta, the North Georgia State Fair attracts nearly 300,000 people every year from North Georgia and neighboring states. The North Georgia State Fair features live music, free attractions and shows, farm animals, flower shows, blue ribbon competitions, local square dancers, fair foods, games and rides at the Great James H. Drew Exposition – one of the largest carnival midways in the United States.

The fair offers free concerts with big names hitting the stage. A covered arena guarantees concerts rain or shine. Headlining the free concert series this year are: Luke Bryan on Friday, September 25; Keith Anderson on Saturday, September 26; Joe Nichols on Wednesday, September 30; Billy Currington on Thursday, October 1; Newsboys, with special guests Seventh Day Slumber and Bread of Stone on Friday, October 2; Chuck Wicks on Saturday, October 3. All concerts begin at 8:00pm and are free with fair admission.

New for 2009 - The Frisco Brothers Tiger Encounter and Elephant Show features an educational show for the entire family with fierce and mighty tigers and large and loveable elephants. The Tiger Encounter showcases rare white and tabby tigers in their natural habitat. The African Elephant Show features over-sized entertainment. Another new show is Skin & Bones & Co -a unique presentation of animals, skills and comedy. This show includes various combinations of trained dogs, potbellied pigs, juggling, magic and plenty of comedy. This show is kid tested and parent approved.

Attractions returning this year include The Arctic Olympic High Dive Show - all new show for 2009! The last show each day features a fire dive. The Keith King BMX Bike Show, Oscar the Robot, Brian Ruth the Chainsaw Master, and Frisco Brothers Petting Zoo and Pony Rides are also returning favorite attractions.

Admission for the North Georgia State fair is: $5 adults, $2 students ages 7-18, free for children 6 and under. Ride tickets are $1 each, $20 for 22 tickets and $50 for 55 tickets. All rides require more than one ticket. Parking is $3. Unlimited Ride Specials: $18 Pay-One-Price Ride Specials – includes unlimited rides on the following dates only: 9/24, 9/29 and 9/30. Pay-One-Price ($15) Ride Special on Monday, 9/28. For more information, see www.northgeorgiastatefair.com.

'A Blue Ribbon Affair' Arts, Crafts & Classic Cars Show

A Blue Ribbon Affair, an arts, crafts and classic car show, will be held at Jim R. Miller Park from 10:00am to 6:00pm on Saturday, September 19 and 12:00pm to 5:00pm on Sunday, September 20. More than 200 artist and craftsmen will show and sell their wares in several indoor buildings and outdoor tents. These unique, handcrafted items will include clothing, stained glass, pottery, holiday ornaments and displays, dolls, wooden toys, furniture, jewelry and much, much more. It's a great opportunity to purchase some truly unique holiday gifts. After enjoying a shopping extravaganza, you can sit back and enjoy the sights and sounds of various performing groups and the smells and tastes of scrumptious southern treats such as fresh-squeezed lemonade, steamed corn, roasted pecans and apple dumplings.

The Classic Car and Truck Show is new to the event this year. Blue Ribbon prizes, trophies and cash prizes will be awarded for competitions such as Best of Show, Best Paint, Best Interior, Best Engine and Best Undercarriage. These unique classic cars and trucks will roll out on Saturday, September 19 from 10:00am to 5:00pm. An awards ceremony will take place at 3:30 pm. In case of rain the show will be held on Sunday, September 20 from 10:00am to 5:00pm. There is a $20 fee to enter a car in the show if paid in advance and $25 the day of the show.

A Blue Ribbon Affair is always held the weekend prior to the opening of the North Georgia State Fair. Throughout the arts and crafts festival, the Fair accepts entries in the non-commercial exhibits, where competitors contend for award-winning ribbons - which prompted the name, A Blue Ribbon Affair.

Admission to A Blue Ribbon Affair is $1 per person. Children ages 12 and under are free. For information, call (770) 423-1330 through September 7 and (770) 528-8989 after September 7.

Cobb Swimmers Finish Big at the GRPA State Meet
Cobb County swimmers took to the water for the Georgia Recreation and Parks Association's State Swim Meet in Carrollton and came away with outstanding results. The meet was held July 24-25. Cobb's team of more than 100 swimmers once again demonstrated why Cobb produces some of the best swimmers in Georgia and the southeast. Two state records were broken by Cobb swimmers; Colin Riley broke the 9-10 boys' 100 individual medley record with a new time of 1:08.65, and Thomas Locke, Jake Williams, Alexander Riley, and Michael Bridgers set a new record for the 11-12 boys' 200 yard free relay at 1:43.25.  The 11-12 year old boys also claimed first in the 200 medley relay. Thomas Locke finished a strong second in the 11-12 boys' 50 backstroke and 100 individual medley – the winner in both events set new state records.

The younger swimmers took to the water first and the stage was set by 8 year old Jami Williams who opened the meet by winning the very first finals event, the 7-8 girls' 50 freestyle (35.04). Colin Riley followed that with a first in the 7-8 boys' 50 freestyle (28.45) and his record setting individulal medley a few events later. Along with Jami and Colin, Cobb finalists included Kensley Morris (second in 7-8 girls' 50 freestyle), Anna Lofton (third in 9-10 girls' 50 and 25 freestyle), Daniel East (third in 9-10 boys 50 free), Kyle Dugan (third in 7-8 boys' 25 free), Caitlin Oh (third in 9-10 girls' 100 IM), and Maggie Porkorny (third in 7-8 girls' 25 backstroke).  The 7-8 boys' free relay finished second along with both the girls' and boys' free relays in the 9-10 age group. The 7-8 girls' relays finished third in both the free and medley relays and the 7-8 boys' also finished third in the medley relay. Pictured above is Allison Stewart during the competition.

In the age groups 11-12, 13-14, and 15-18, Cobb finished in the top 3 spots in both the medley and free relays in the five of the total six relays. The 11-12 girls' claimed first in both the free and medley relays. The free relay team included Bella Barry, Rachel Weissert, Kira de Bruyn, and Johanna Keeline, and the medley relay team included Bella Barry, Olivia Winkler, Kira de Bruyn, and Johanna Keeline.

Other top swims included Davis Beauchamp, who took first place in the 13-14 boys' 50 free (24.09) and 50 breast (29.01) and he swam on the first place 13-14 boys' free relay. Other finalist included Bella Barry (first in 11-12 girls' 100 free and second in the 50 fly, Daniel Bridgers (first in 13-14 boys' 100 free), Lauren Leach (first in 15-18 girls' 50 free and third in the 100 free), Kira de Bruyn (first in 11-12 girls 100 IM and second in the 50 breast), Johanna Keeline (second 11-12 girls' 50 free and third in the 50 fly, Mallory Saylors (second in the 15-18 girls' 50 back), Kyle Phillips (third in 15-18 boys' 100 free), Lauren Brewer (third in 11-12 girls' 50 breast), and Jake Williams (third in 11-12 boys' 100 IM).  The meet was capped off by the 15-18 boys' free relay finishing off the meet in style by doing what 8 year old Jami Williams did 24 hours earlier, touching the wall first.

Many thanks to all the parents and volunteers who helped bring such a fine team to the GRPA State Meet and congratulations to all of the Cobb swimmers for a great season!

New Women's Basketball League Forming

A new women's basketball league is starting this fall at the Ron Anderson Recreation Center in Powder Springs. Games will be played on Tuesdays and Thursdays. League play will begin in November and end in February. The registration fee is $320 per team for the 10-game season. An organizational meeting will take place on Thursday, September 10 at the Ron Anderson Recreation Center at 7:00pm. For more information, call Jeff Abrams at (770) 528-8816.

Mable House Music Brings People Together
Concertgoers will have different musical genres from which to choose at the Mable House-Barnes Amphitheatre. The Marshall Tucker Band will be perfoming Friday, August 28. Music legend B.B. King, who has personified blues music for more than half a century with hits like “Payin' The Cost To Be The Boss,” will perform Wednesday, September 2. “Smoke on the Mountain,” a bluegrass gospel musical, will close the season with three shows September 18-20.

Tickets for individual shows range from $15 to $49.75. To purchase tickets, call (800) 745-3000, visit the amphitheatre box office, the Jennie T. Anderson Theatre box office in Marietta or any Ticketmaster outlet.

California Dominates at the ASA Girls 14's National Fastpitch

California teams dominated the 2009 USA/ASA Girls’ 14-Under Class A Fast-Pitch National Championships played recently at Cobb County’s Al Bishop and Lost Mountain softball complexes. This tournament featured the top teams in this age category in the country. Victory USA from Cypress, CA won the 122 team, seven-day event that featured teams from 37 states. California squads claimed 12 of the top 16 spots in the final order of finish. The highest finishing Georgia team was the Atlanta Vipers, who came in fifth place with a 6-2 mark. Cobb’s Georgia Fire Black finished tied for 17th with a 4-2 record, while the Kennworth Bandits were 1-2 and West Cobb Dynamite was 0-2.

Converse Open Gym at Fair Oaks Recreation Center
If you love basketball and you're between the ages of 11-17, then bring your skills to the Converse Open Gym. It's a free session every month where you can make friends, get hands-on coaching and improve your game. Converse Open Gym is all about the love of the game in providing young ballers the opportunity to show off their skills in a safe environment at a state-of-the-art facility. This is a free event and each participant receives a reversible jersey, ID card, posters and other special giveaways. The event will be held at the Fair Oaks Recreation Center on Saturday, September 12.  The times and age groups are 11-14 years (meeting at 10:00am and 12:00pm), and 15-17 years (meeting at 2:00pm and 4:00pm). Registration begins 30 minutes before each session, so be sure to arrive early. For more information, see www.BasketballDreams.net or call.Matt: at (770) 885-9844.

The Art Station – Big Shanty Offering New Classes for Fall

Manga drawing will offer instructions and guidance in creating popular Japanese comics! This 6-week course is for those ages 10-14 and will work with many techniques including pencil, ink and color media.

Looking to sharpen your creativity while expanding your imagination? Then Arts and Craft for Kids is the perfect class for you. This is a 5-week course that will allow you to become involved with a variety of work including painting, drawing and molding clay.

Two day Glass Fusing Workshops will be offered during September and October. Each workshop will focus on different techniques and complete different projects.

'Fun in the Park' Photo Contest

September is a great time to take pictures in Cobb's parks. With the fair in town, car shows, end of the summer concerts, and fall football and soccer underway, there is no better time to snap some great shots! Submit your best recreation and cultural affairs photos for the 2009 'FUN IN THE PARKS' Photo Contest. We are looking for photos that capture your enjoyment of Cobb's parks. Your pictures can capture youth at play, sports and action, nature and wildlife, or just a picnic under the shade tree. Take your best shots and enter them for fun and awards.  For more information, follow this link.

Staff Notes

Ann Tewelo, Recreation Coordinator at The Art Station - Big Shanty, will be retiring September 30. Ann has served Cobb County with 10 years of dedicated service. Congratulations and good luck to Ann!

The '2009 Lifeguard Competition' was held at Old Salem Park on Lake Oconee where Cobb County won the competition for the fifth time since it began in 1999.  This competition challenges the skills of lifeguards from parks and recreation programs throughout the state. Two teams represented Cobb in this competiion.  The 'Cobb Red' team consisted of Christopher Welch (team captain), Reid Seagraves, Callie Nettles, Ryan Duggan, Alec Cohen and Amanda Meagher.  The 'Cobb White' team consisted of Tasha Antonucci (team captain), Amanda Wiseman, Megan Smith, Dimitiry Zinger, Mark Glendon, Andrew Bruce and Candace Headrick.  These employees practiced many hours before and after work on their own time to get ready for this competition.

The competition consisted of physical events that included a team triathlon, a rescue board relay, a capture the flag event, a one-on-one rescue relay as well as a long swimming relay. Lifeguards were also tested on their lifeguarding skills and knowledge with two critical incident scenarios and a one hundred question Lifeguard Training written exam based on the American Red Cross Lifeguard Training program. All of these events combine to test the physical as well as the mental skills of each life guard.

The 'Cobb Red' team took first place finishes in the capture the flag event, the rescue board relay, the one on one rescue relay, and the swimming relay along with a second place finish (by one thin point!) in the critical incident scenario to take the lead for Cobb County. The 'Cobb White' team put on a strong showing as well by taking first place in the written exam, second place in the capture the flag event and third place in the swimming relay. Gwinnet County mounted a strong challenge and remained in striking distance of the lead to the very end, but the day belonged to the 'Cobb Red' life guards who won the final event outright to eliminate any doubt of who was taking home the trophy.  Congratulations to our fine group of lifeguards for making Cobb County proud!