With the temperatures cooling and the promise of crispness soon-to-be in the air, Marietta has fall flavors and festivals not-to-be missed! Obviously, any overview of fall in the Southeast must include a little football, too! As you plan your getaway to Marietta or block time on your local calendar, you’ll want to add some of these highlights unique to Marietta.
FESTIVALS
Marietta Roots Beer Festival- September 13, 6:00-9:00 pm
Sponsored by Cobb Landmarks, the 9th annual Marietta Roots Festival will be held at the award-winning William Root House Museum and Gardens at 80 N Marietta Parkway NW.
This year’s festival brings together some of the area’s finest craft breweries, including Red Hare Brewing & Distilling, Glover Park Brewery, Cultivation Brewing Co., and Horned Owl Brewing. Ticket holders can enjoy a selection of artisanal beers, seltzers, and sodas – some made with ingredients harvested from the Root House gardens. Food favorites from local eateries will include Marietta Melt Yard, Jimpa’s Catfish, and Sugar Shanes. Don’t miss musician Cody Bolden and his band rocking out in the garden throughout the evening. Check out the website for online and walk-up ticket pricing.
Chalktoberfest Chalk and Beer Festival- October 12 & 13, 2024
Don’t miss this popular signature festival for Marietta, presented and founded by the Marietta Cobb Museum of Art. The annual Chalktoberfest event has become a major festival in the Southeast US over the past eleven years, attracting upwards of 100,000 visitors over the two-day event, with an economic impact of $6.2 million to the City of Marietta. This is truly a unique event designed to offer something for everyone. Professional chalk artists, food trucks, antique cars, and arts vendors converge on Marietta Square the second weekend in October to delight the community. In addition, there are crafts for children, a children’s play area, amateur chalk contests, live music, and a beer and wine festival. This family-friendly event is free for the public. There is a fee to participate in the craft beer festival, which will feature over 100 craft beers and 25 wines.
HarvestFest and Scarecrows in the Square October 19, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Held annually on Marietta Square and in Glover Park, HarvestFest brings a full day of fun with an Arts & Crafts show, Pie-Eating Contest, Touch-A-Truck, Scarecrows in The Square, Costume Contest, and the Halloween Happenings Kid’s Festival. New this year is the Big Chicken Cornerback’s Coop! In partnership with the City and Magnolia Designs, the Big Chicken of Marietta will host local college football viewing right on the streets of the Square. Bring your chairs, grab takeout from nearby restaurants, and enjoy this exciting watch party on HarvestFest Day.
FLAVORS
Tuesdays in Marietta Coffee Shoppe- 137 Church Street
This locally owned specialty coffee shop is located just north of the Square and is a great little spot to enjoy your morning coffee or after-lunch pick-me-up. This fall, check out featured flavored syrups to top your hot or cold latte: Autumn Syrup is a delicious seasonal blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves and Golden Hour Syrup is a black-tea based syrup with apple, cinnamon, and marigold flavors. Tuesdays is also offering an exclusive handmade seasonal treat, Hope’s Honey Cake, which blends cinnamon, honey, coffee, and orange juice.
Sessions Stand- 397 N Sessions Street
Sessions Stand located in the Lewis Park neighborhood, about a mile north of Marietta Square. This local favorite has spacious indoor seating and a charming outdoor space that includes a walk-up window for on the go ordering. Sessions Stand will offer some delightful seasonal treats this fall, including their classic favorites: Pumpkin Pie Spice Chai and Apple Chai. They will also serve new drinks, including Vanilla Thyme Latte and a specialty spiced foam to top your favorite coffee drink. Check out their new menu or display case for daily seasonal bites and baked goods.
Doughnut Dollies Marietta- 724 Cherokee St NE, (Around back!)
Doughnut Dollies brings the taste, care, and natural high-quality ingredients of “homemade” to everything they make. All of their pastries are prepared in-house and they tend to run out of popular choices, so go early! Some of their featured fall favorites are their classic Apple Fritters made with apples from North Georgia, and unique seasonal donut flavors including: Brown Sugar Fig (available on select weekends), Rosemary Peach Shortcake, and Pumpkin Coffee Cake (which is also vegan). A few of their uniquely crafted donuts include: Apple French Toast which combines apple filling with a maple glaze, Cinnamon Toast- a cake donut, and Mikey, which is a Long John style donut filled with espresso cream, topped with maple frosting and BACON. Wow!
FOOTBALL
In addition to the outdoor Big Chicken’s Cornerback Coop watch party at HarvestFest on October 19, you can catch your game day favorites on Saturdays and Sundays this fall at these sports bars and pubs.
Three Roses Tavern- 105 N Park Square
With over 15 screens, including a massive 200-inch TV, Three Roses Tavern is the place for sports fans, especially football lovers, from Thursday to Monday nights. They offer daily drink specials and classic football fare like wings and their famously delicious burgers. Plus, you can enjoy “Los Bravos” specialty beer, crafted just for Atlanta Braves fans.
Glover Park Brewery- 65 Atlanta Street SE.
Located just south of Marietta Square, Glover Park Brewery is a popular spot for locals to unwind with a wide selection of locally crafted beers. It’s a great place to catch a game on Saturdays or Sundays, as they open as early as 11:00 am on big game days. While the focus is on their beer and taproom offerings, you can grab a tasty slice from the food truck out back featuring Woodfire Pizza by Fuscos. Guests can also enjoy cornhole or relax by the fire pits.
Forno Vero- (Located in the Marietta Square Market) 68 North Marietta Pkwy
For anyone looking to grab a quick game solo or with a friend or two, the bar seating at Marietta Square Market’s Forno Vero Neapolitan Kitchen & Drinkery might fit the bill. Open on both Saturdays and Sundays, Forno Vero offers woodfire pizzas, salads, and handhelds. They also serve specialty cocktails, beer, and wine.
It is difficult to include all the reasons to visit Marietta in the fall because there are so many wonderful festivals, flavors, and fun. You may have to make it a weekly visit! For the kids (of all ages) especially enthralled with pumpkin flavors, another themed treat to check out is the pumpkin flavored MoonPies on sale at The Local Exchange! Marietta truly offers something for all ages, tastes, and interests. We look forward to meeting you on the Square!
Written by Kim Ellet a local writer, Marietta resident and enthusiast, and member of the Visit Marietta Board of Directors. www.KimEllet.com
