Roswell’s on The Fringe Miniature Golf Challenge

Did the PGA Tour pass you by? Are you dismayed that you will never wear a green jacket after playing at Augusta National? Do you love friendly competition using small white balls and long silver sticks? I bet we have the perfect competition for you.

Saturday April 30th at The Fringe Miniature Golf at Area 51 (get it? Area 51 – Roswell) in Roswell, GA (no, not New Mexico), you will have your chance to prove those putting skills you’ve been bragging about.

Registration is open to golfers in seven age groups from 6 years of age on up. Time slots are 9:00, 10:30, 12:30 or 2 pm. The cost is $10 and includes the 18 hole tournament, a gift bag, and an additional free round of golf.

And how’s this for bragging rights: Winners in each age group will receive trophies to be awarded at a Roswell City Council meeting. Can you say major photo op?

Even spectators will have fun with a DJ, carnival games, inflatables, train rides, door prizes and other contests. They’ve even thought of our appetites and will entice us with full concessions for sale.

Event sponsored by the Roswell Recreation, Parks, Historic and Cultural Affairs Department and Area 51 Family Entertainment. For more information and to register, just go to www.roswellgov.com/minigolf

The Fringe Miniature Golf at Area 51 5100 Commerce Parkway Roswell, GA 30076

I'm going to Roswell and I'm gonna get married...

As you gaze lovingly at your new fiancé and the beautiful ring he just placed on your finger thoughts of the perfect wedding day begin to swarm in your mind. Outdoors? Indoors? Flowers? Food? What will I wear? What will he wear? Who should I invite to the wedding? How do I let them know the wedding details? Where can we have the rehearsal dinner? Who will take the pictures? Do I want engagement photos, too?

Before you know it, those loving thoughts have flown from your mind and panic has set in.

Fear not dear Bride, Roswell is here to help.

Sunday, January 16^th, the 10^th Annual Roswell Wedding Showcase will be held at the Holiday Inn Atlanta/Roswell at 909 Holcomb Bridge Road, from 2-5 pm. Admission is free*. This is your chance to come and meet Roswell’s wedding professionals, get in the drawings for door prizes, and see a fashion show by Savvi Formalwear and Anya Bridal. The Grand Prize is a 3-night honeymoon!

Why Roswell for your wedding? In 1853, Mittie Bulloch (yep, the same Bulloch as Bulloch Hall) married Theodore Roosevelt in her family’s mansion, creating a social scene that would dominate the Roswell village for months. Years later, the event attracted the attention of author Margaret Mitchell, who was so fascinated by the Bulloch – Roosevelt wedding that she interviewed the last living bridesmaid for a story published in The Atlanta Constitution. Thus began the tradition of Roswell being THE place for brides.

For more information about the Showcase and all that Roswell has to offer brides, check out http://www.roswellweddings.com/ and mark your calendar for this Sunday!

* Donations accepted at the door to benefit Mentoring Ministries, Inc.

Celebrate the 4th of July in Roswell

On July 4, 1776, the Second Continental Congress approved a Declaration of Independence, explaining the reasons for the resolution of Independence that they’d approved 2 days before. Even though the official signing wasn’t done until August of that year, down through the ages the Fourth of July has been celebrated as the official start of the United States of America.

Every family has their Fourth of July celebration rituals. Cookouts, watching parades or baseball games, listening to patriotic music, and wearing red, white & blue are just some of the ways I’ve celebrated. As an adult, by far my favorite way is to watch fireworks displays. Setting off a few firecrackers in the backyard just doesn’t compare with a full blown pyrotechnic display. My favorite ones are those set to music. It’s hard not to be proud of our country while listening to a John Philip Sousa march tune or Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture” punctuated with brilliant flashes of light in the night sky.

If you love fireworks like I do, you don’t want to miss Roswell's 11th Annual July 4th Fireworks Extravaganza which is held at Roswell High School. The music starts at 6 pm with Back Trax and finishes with Banks & Shane at 7:30. Fireworks are at dark. Food will be for sale on site. The High School is located at 11595 King Road.

Happy 4^th of July!

Last Weekend for "Go Wild in Roswell"

It’s the last weekend for “Go Wild In Roswell,” and there’s plenty to do. Here are just some of the activities for this weekend:

. Roswell Go Wild Thursday Night Bicycle Ride, June 3rd. Meet at Riverside Park at 6:30 pm, dressed as your favorite wild animal. Bring a donation for the Chattahoochee Nature Center.

. Animal Stalking Workshop with Mark Warren of Medicine Bow on Friday at the Chattahoochee Nature Center. 10 am – noon. Pre-registration recommended. Included in admission price for CNC.

. Family Night Hike & Stargazing at the Chattahoochee Nature Center on Friday at 8 pm. $10 for non-members, $5 for CNC members.

. Riverside Sounds Concert at Riverside Park, Saturday, 6/5 at 7:30 pm. Free and open to the public.

. The 25th Annual Magnolia Ball, 6/5 – benefits Bulloch Hall. Call 770-992-1731 for tickets and additional information.

. Sundays on the Square Concert, featuring the Bonaventure Quartet, Sunday, 6/5 from 3-4:30 pm. Free concert.

For more details on these events and a full list of the scheduled events, download a "Go Wild in Roswell" booklet at: http://visitroswellga.com/go-wild-in-roswell.html

Roswell Remembers

Are you looking for something to do this Memorial Day? Roswell Georgia is home to the largest Memorial Day celebration in the state of Georgia. Each year, folks gather on the lawn of Roswell City Hall to honor those who have given their lives to protect our freedoms.

I love the bagpipes and the fife and drums, but the most memorable part is when the service hymn of each branch of the military is played. Gentleman and ladies, who were sometimes barely able to walk to their seats, rise up, stand straight and tall, and salute as their service hymn is played. My gratitude bubbles up as I watch and I confess I shed a tear or two.

Displays are open to the public starting at 10 am. The military ceremony begins at 11 am, and by 12:45 picnic lunches appear and the music of Banks and Shane fill the air. For full details about the program, check out: www.roswellmemorialday.com/program.html

Don't Forget Mom!

Calling all husbands, fathers, and children, this is your final warning that Mother’s Day is this weekend! Unless you’re of an age where the Tooth Fairy regularly visits, you probably have outgrown simply giving Mom a great big kiss to go with the card you made in school. Husbands – as much as your wife might let you think that a new washing machine or vacuum cleaner is just what she wanted, take it from me, your stock will rise measurably if you’re a little more creative.

If picking out gifts for Mom isn’t your thing, don’t worry - Roswell has you covered!

20th Annual Colors Festival of Arts is Saturday and Sunday, May 8th and 9th. Admission to the show is free. The festival is held on the Historic Town Square, which is located at the intersection of Highways 9 & 120, 10 am. - 6 pm. Historic Town Square will be filled with fine arts, original crafts, children’s activities, fun food, and entertainment.

For entertainment details, check out www.visitroswellga.com/include/Entertainment-schedule.pdf

Treat Mom to a day off from cooking! We have many unique and fun restaurants in Roswell. Mother’s Day lunch can be a very busy time so reservations are recommended. For restaurant ideas, check out www.visitroswellga.com/restaurants.html

Let Mom Shop Until She Drops – This is easy for you and fun for her! Take your wife or mom to visit the unique shops on Canton Street and SoCA (that’s “South of Canton” street for the uninformed). Better yet, partner with some fellow husbands or your siblings and make it a “Girls Day Out” for all of the wives/moms. With so many interesting shops and fun eating opportunities, I’ve known ladies to have a great time looking, eating, and shopping for hours. Check out the shops at www.visitroswellga.com/specialty-shopping.html and www.visitroswellga.com/antique-alleys.html

Treat Mom to a Make-Over or Spa Day – Hmm, wonder if my husband is reading this blog because this is so me! A little pampering can go a long way to making Mom feel special. We have a lot of great spas and salons that are ready to work their magic on Mom. Check the out under the Beauty tab on www.visitroswellga.com/weddings.html

Treat Mom to a mini-Getaway – Book a babysitter and whisk Mom away to one of our hotels for a weekend where the two of you can unwind and get re-acquainted. We have lodging options to fit all budgets. Check out www.visitroswellga.com/lodging.html and book your favorite. During the day, there are many, many attractions for you that Mom would just love. www.visitroswellga.com/attractions-tours.html has lots to keep you busy.

You can Find It All in Roswell, GA!

Roswell Cycling Festival – Alive and Rolling

If you’ve been seeing bicycles decorated by Roswell artists and businesses popping up around Roswell, you’ve seen the start of the “Roswell Cycling Festival – Alive and Rolling.” This month-long celebration culminates in two great events on April 24^th and 25^th.

Big Creek Mountain Bike Day

Saturday 4/24
10 am. - 2 pm
Big Creek Park Parking lot - 1600 Old Alabama Rd, Roswell GA 30076

This fun program for kids of all ages will be held at Big Creek Park. Parents bring your kids out and join in the fun. RAMBO will be serving up hamburgers and hot dogs, skills clinics, family group rides and kid's bike games with prizes! Adults will be able to demo the latest bikes provided by Roswell Bicycles. A dirt jump demo will be held in the Freeride area and the day will be a blast for all ages. Best of all, the entire event is a budget friendly price – free!

9^th Annual Historic Roswell Criterium

Sunday, April 25

Canton Street, Roswell GA 30075

Speed, spectators, scenery – Historic Roswell Criterium has it all.

Start the day with the 8 am Mayors Ride in Roswell Area Park on Woodstock Road. Registration begins at 7 am followed by three recreational ride options which showcase the City of Roswell:

1) Family 6-mile tour around old town Roswell;

2) 20 mile Challenge that adds 14 miles of rolling hills to the tour ride;

3) The 40 mile Workout that adds 20 more challenging, beautiful miles.

Criterium races begin at 10:30 am and the last race of the day is a 90 minute professional race that begins at 6 pm. There is even a children’s race where children who complete the 2:30 pm Bicycle Safety Rodeo come out on the professional track for a 200 yard race.

Spectators will gather all along the route so bring your chairs and come prepared for a fun day. With children’s events and shopping at the quaint shops on Canton Street, there’s something for all ages to enjoy.

Full details about all Cycling Festival events at: www.visitroswellga.com/include-new/2010-RCF-Brochure.pdf