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Chalktoberfest Brings Color, Crowds, and Community Spirit to Historic Marietta Square

By Salvatore Insinga, Staff Writer

MARIETTA, GA — Under clear blue skies and perfect autumn weather, the historic Marietta Square came alive this weekend for Chalktoberfest, an annual celebration of art, music, and community spirit that drew thousands of visitors to the heart of the city.

Professional chalk artists from across the country and around the world transformed the brick walkways into a dazzling open-air gallery. Their intricate, large-scale chalk and paint masterpieces covered the streets in a spectrum of color and creativity — from vivid portraits to surreal landscapes and playful pop culture tributes.

A special section of the festival showcased young local artists from nearby schools, who eagerly joined the fun with their own imaginative chalk creations. Their section became one of the festival’s most popular attractions, drawing proud families and plenty of encouragement from festival-goers.

In addition to the art, Chalktoberfest featured a bustling lineup of vendors offering everything from artisan crafts and handmade jewelry to delicious food, local brews, and seasonal treats. Inside the square, live bands played crowd-pleasing cover songs throughout the day, adding a festive soundtrack as families, couples, and friends strolled through the streets admiring the art, scarecrow displays, and Halloween decorations set up by the City of Marietta and local businesses.

Among the lively crowd was Sam Foster, a young mayoral candidate who spent the day mingling with attendees and sharing his vision for Marietta’s future. Foster, who has lived in the city for six years, said he hopes to make Marietta “more accessible and affordable for younger residents” by expanding affordable housing options and making the square more bicycle-friendly.

Foster even gave a nod to his favorite local eatery on the square, The Australian Bakery Café, calling it his favorite Marietta restaurant.

As the sun set over the square and the final chalk strokes faded into the glow of string lights and laughter, Chalktoberfest once again proved why it’s one of Marietta’s most beloved traditions — a perfect day for art, community, and connection.

Lewis Park: Cherokee County’s Whimsical “Faerie Park” Seeks to Grow Again

Woodstock, GA – September 11, 2025

Nestled on 57 acres of wooded land just south of Allatoona Lake, Lewis Park at 200 East Bells Ferry Road offers a peaceful escape for residents of the Towne Lake and Sixes communities. Known for its shaded walking trails that wind along a tributary of the Little River, the park has earned a unique reputation over the years as Cherokee County’s very own “Faerie Park.”

For more than a decade, visitors have adorned the forest with toys, marbles, hand-crafted art, and tiny faerie houses, creating a magical trail that has attracted families, hikers, and dreamers alike. Recently, however, much of the artwork and faerie homes were removed, leaving behind only traces of what many called the most whimsical trail in the county.

But the magic is returning. In recent months, community members have begun decorating the trail again—this time with several thousand pieces of art and decorations. While not yet at the scale of its former glory, supporters say Lewis Park could once again grow into one of the greatest faerie gardens in Georgia.

To help make that vision a reality, Eye on Cherokee has launched a special Faerie House Contest. Participants are invited to design and place their own faerie houses along the Lewis Park trail, then submit a photo of their creation to eyeoncherokee@gmail.com.

Entries will be judged on originality and effort, with prizes awarded to multiple winners. The contest runs now through December 1st, when the winning submissions will be announced.

Organizers hope the competition will inspire more residents to contribute to the park’s whimsical charm.

“We want Lewis Park to be the greatest faerie park in Georgia,” organizers said. “Because we are Cherokee County—and we are the best county.”

For now, the forest trail awaits its next chapter, where community creativity may once again transform Lewis Park into a place where imagination takes root among the trees.

On March 1st, 2025, Marietta the Gathering—a free public event hosted by the city—brought fans together in historic Marietta Square. The event united various fandoms, from anime enthusiasts and tabletop gamers to live-action role-players (LARPers). Well-organized and lively, it featured activities like LARP foam fighting, Dungeons & Dragons sessions, and miniature painting.

Attendees embraced the spirit of the event, with many showing off elaborate costumes. The furry community made a strong showing, with colorful, costumed critters gathering in the square.

The event highlighted Atlanta’s thriving nerd culture while showcasing Marietta as one of its most exciting, up-and-coming suburbs. With food, fun, games, and costumes, it was the perfect way to spend a sunny spring day in Georgia.

by S.Insinga

Punk Rock and Comic books have made their way to Main Street Acworth, Chris Hamer owner of URBNPOP Comics has brought something new to Cherokee County.  

 Chris Hamer Atlanta artist and creator of the Scout Comics Adventure of Byron title has opened up a comic book, art and toy store that embodies the indy feel of little 5 points. The shop has featured art for sale by known local artists and serves as a gallery that the public may view. Visiting the shop was fun, thousands of comics lined in rows ready to view, displays full of retro toys and Chris is an encyclopedia of pop art and culture. We discussed old school punk, local arts and upcoming shows. I feel like Chris definitely planted a flag on main street that cool and interesting things are finally coming to Acworth.