Thrifty Thursdays with Mel : Free and cheap activities in Atlanta, September 2-6

It’s hard to believe that September is already upon us! If you’re having a staycation over the Labor Day weekend, take the opportunity to fall in love with our fair city by getting out and enjoying all the exciting events going on around Atlanta. Whether ITP or OTP, there is something to enjoy no matter what part of the city you’re in. Don’t miss the AJC Decatur Book Festival, one of the largest independent book festivals in the country. There’s special programming happening all weekend for the littlest book worms in Downtown Decatur September 2-4!

THURSDAY
Grandma Snazzy’s Storytime
September 1
10:00 AM
Crabapple Kroger, 12460 Crabapple Road, Crabapple
FREE!

Grandma Snazzy is a bit of a story telling legend in Atlanta. She’s spunky and fun and knows the names of all the children who visit the Crabapple Kroger for their weekly story time. Enjoy storytime, crafts, songs, and snacks. Before showing up, you should call to confirm that Grandma Snazzy will be there. Call 770-740-2050 for more information or check out the Crabapple Kroger Facebook page here.

FRIDAY
FREE Teen Open Studio at The High
September 2
5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
High Museum of Art, 1280 Peachtree Street, N.E., Atlanta, GA 30309
FREE!

Swing on by the High to find inspiration in the galleries and experiment with materials like charcoal, paint, metal, fabric, and duct tape in our studio! Projects will be different each month, and you’re welcome to bring in sewing projects you need help with. Teen Team members and Shannon Mulkey, founder of the Indie Craft Experience, are always around to lend a hand. Open Studio is a drop-in class! Come any time from 5 to 8 p.m. This is a teen-only event for high school age teens only. Admission to Open Studio and the Museum is FREE for high school students. Drinks and snacks provided. For more info, click here.
SATURDAY
Dragon Con Parade
September 3
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Downtown Atlanta
FREE!

Get your costumes ready! More than 65,000 people are expected to pack downtown Atlanta over the Labor Day weekend as Dragon Con, the internationally known pop culture, sci fi, fantasy and gaming convention, returns for its 30th consecutive year. Atlanta’s largest parade starts at 10 a.m. at the intersection of Peachtree Street and Linden Avenue and ends on Peachtree Center Avenue in front of the Atlanta Marriott Marquis. For more info, including the parade route, click here.

SUNDAY
AJC Decatur Book Festival
September 2-4
All Day
Downtown Decatur
FREE

The AJC Decatur Book Festival is just around the corner! Over Labor Day weekend, tens of thousands from metro Atlanta and beyond will share the historic downtown Decatur square with world-class authors, illustrators, editors, publishers, booksellers, and artists for a weekend filled with literature. See the complete schedule, including children’s activities here.

MONDAY
Family Story Time at Roswell Library (Ages 0-5)
September 5
Roswell Branch Library, 115 Norcross Street, Roswell
11:00 AM – 11:30 AM
FREE!
This story time explores stories, rhymes, and singing suitable for children under age 5. For more info: Call 770-640-3075 for more information.

TUESDAY
Preschool Story Time at Northside Library
September 6
4:00 PM – 4:30 PM
Northside Branch Library, 3295 Northside Parkway, N.W., Atlanta, GA 30327
FREE!
Songs, finger plays, stories read in participatory style suitable for preschoolers ages 4-6. Click here for more info on this and other events at the Northside Branch Library. Click here for more info.
WEDNESDAY
Storytime at Barnes and Noble Buckhead
September 7
11:00 AM – 11:45 AM
Barnes and Noble Buckhead, 2900 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 310, Atlanta, GA 30305
FREE!
Storytime is each Wednesday at 11:00AM. Crafts or activities will follow the reading of the newest, best books for kids. For more information, click here.