" If you live in Alpharetta, this is a MUST read. π― π π π³ π²"!
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The Quiet Before the Cackle
Published about 23 hours agoΒ β’Β 12 min read
Alpharetta, Milton, Johns Creek & Roswell Events: Oct 23 β Oct 31
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The pumpkins are plotting, the scarecrows are smiling, and Alpharettaβs got that can-you-feel-it buzz in the air. By nightfall the town hums with live music, porch lights, and a low-key sense that something fun is about to happen.
Before the big weekend of costumes, candy chaos, and haunted happenings, weβre easing into the moodβLatin beats at Eclipse de Luna, trunk-or-treats in church parking lots, and the occasional inflatable ghost family bobbing proudly on a front lawn. We're in that golden window when the air turns crisp, the coffee turns spiced, and Alpharetta is picturesque. Hopefully the munchkins won't have to wear coats over their costumes like I did growing up. (Did you have to do that that?)π§πΌββοΈ β
So before the witching hour officially hits, hereβs whatβs lighting up the week β from scarecrow sightings to live shows worth staying out past dark for. β
Naray Publisher, A Side Of Town β
Subscribe and share the A Side Of Town, here, for free and get in the drawing for the October secret GIVEAWAY!
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Before we jump into this weekβs events, a quick vibe check from the editorβs desk:
How Are We Doing? βA little feedback goes a long way β which parts of the newsletter hit best for you?
Real talk: how much of the newsletter do you actually read?
Got thoughts beyond the options? Hit reply β I actually read them.
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β βTHURSDAY Oct 23 ββοΈ Johns Creek International Festival β π Atlanta Athletic Club Field π Thu, Oct 23 @ 11 AM β 6 PM π What: Food, music, and art from every corner of the world. Technically everyoneβs invitedβbut you heard first. βMilton Library βRead for the Recordβ β π Milton Public Library π Thu, Oct 23 @ 10 AM π What: Join volunteers reading to preschoolers for national literacy day. Youβll look like a saint, feel like a kid again.β βLights, Camera, Avalon βπAvalon Plazaβ βπThur, Oct 23 6pm - 10pm βWhat: Halloween film classic Hocus-Pocus. First come, first serve seating. Bring your own chairs / blankets. Popcorn available from Regalβ βFood Truck Alleyβ π Old Roswell Street, Alpharetta π Thu Oct 23 | 5β9 PM π΅ Free What: Last call for Food Truck Alley β the season finale for parking-lot tacos, local brews, and a little live-music chaos under the lights.β Hocus Pocus PopβUp πMercantile Social π 5pm-11pm A themed, immersive bar experience inspired by Hocus Pocusβseasonal flair meets community fun. β βFRIDAY Oct 24 βAvalon βTrick or Drinkβ Crawl β π Avalon Boulevard, Alpharetta π Fri, Oct 24 @ 6 β 10 PM πΉ What: Kids wear costumes and get candy, parents drink wine and trail along. Why didn't they have this when my kids were little?β ββοΈ Avalon Nights Live β β π Avalon Plaza, Alpharetta πFri, Oct 24 @ 6 β 8 PM πΈ What: Free live music under the lights. Grab a drink, claim a patch of turf, and pretend you planned this all week.β βScarecrow Harvestβ π Downtown Alpharetta City Center π Fri Oct 24 | All day π΅ Free What: Scarecrow Harvest takes over downtown β hundreds of handmade scarecrows, a little civic pride, and peak βfall in the Southβ energy. Stroll Main St with a pumpkin latte and enjoy all month β
SATURDAY, Oct 25
Alpharetta Farmers Market (Fall Edition) π Downtown Alpharetta, North & Milton Ave π Sat, Oct 25 @ 8:30 AM β 12 PM π What: Fresh produce, coffee, and baked goods worth the early wake-up. This is how locals do Saturday cardio. βGarden Club Fall Plant Swap β π Mansell House & Gardens, Alpharetta π Sat, Oct 25 @ 9 AM β 12 PM πΈ What: Trade plants, share coffee, and pretend you knew the Latin names all along.
Crabapple Bee Club & Community Garden Meet-Up β π Crabapple Community Garden, Milton π Sat, Oct 25 @ 10 AM πΌ What: Local gardeners swap seeds and stories. Good buzz in every sense. β βSUNDAY, Oct 26 ββ βGameDay at Avalon βEvery Sunday β βWEDNESDAY, Oct 29 βHalcyon βDoodle Dog Dayβ & Family Picnicβ π Halcyon Green Space, Alpharetta π Wed, Oct 29 @ 11 AM β 1 PM πΎ What: Dogs, kids, and good sandwiches. Itβs basically βbring-your-family-to-work-day,β but fun. ββ βMilton Historic Farmstead Open House β π Milton Estates π Wed, Oct 29 @ 10 AM π What: Tour a piece of Miltonβs history and peek at preservation in progress. Itβs like HGTV, minus the ads. β βTHURSDAY, Oct 30 βAlpha Loop βSip & Strollβ β π Alpha Loop Trail, Alpharetta π Thu, Oct 30 @ 6 PM πΆββοΈ What: Evening walk featuring local sips, stories, and new favorite shortcuts. Locals knowβthis is the real inside loop. β βFRIDAY Oct 31 βHalloween @ Roaring Social β π Downtown Alpharetta Speakeasy πβ Fri, Oct 31 @ 8 PM β 12 AM πΊ What: Swing-era cocktails, costumes, and big band beats. Itβs giving Gatsby after dark.
ON-GOING (Catch them while you can!) βOff the Beds and Onto The Walls Exhibit The Chattahoochee Stars Quilt Guild invites the community to come check out the many ways the art of quilting enhance our lives. Displayed Oct 1 - Nov 15 βπAlpharetta Arts Center, 238 Canton St π²free β β
*Some items throughout this newsletter may be affiliate links which means the publisher may get a small commission at no additional cost to you.* β
This Weekβs Poll: Who is the favorite children's dentist π¦·? ββ βBecause finding a dentist your kids donβt dread visiting is a true parenting milestone. Whether they hand out balloons or stickers, tell the best corny jokes, or simply make those little teeth sparkle β we want to know who keeps your family smiling. β βVote for your favorite local dental pro below! β
Whether your kidβs dentist has a waiting-room treasure chest or a bubble-gum fluoride fountain, these Editorβs Picks keep that βfresh-from-the-chairβ sparkle going at home. β
πͺ₯ Electric Kidsβ Toothbrush β For the kid who only brushes when itβs fun, this bright, buzzing toothbrush turns two minutes into a victory lap.
π§ Fun Tooth Fairy Pillow β Make those middle-of-the-night βtooth exchangesβ a little more magical (and less of a scramble for loose bills).
π Dentist-Themed Storybook β A charming bedtime read that helps little ones see the dentist as a hero, not a horror story.
β³ Wildcard Hit: Mini Sand Timer for Brushing β Because even superheroes need to know when two minutes are up. A simple, screen-free way to keep brushing time on beat. [insert affiliate link]
π³οΈ Vote now and help us crown Alpharettaβs favorite Family Smile Squad! The winning office earns serious bragging rights (and maybe a few extra gold stars from Alphie). β
THURSDAY Oct 30 ββοΈ Downtown Alpharetta Craft Market & Dessert Crawl β π Town Green π Thu, Oct 30 @ 5 β 9 PM π§ βWhat: Pop-up shops and sweet treats worth breaking your βno shopping on weeknightsβ rule. β βHAHAWEEN Night βπCafe Efendi π Oct 30, 7:30pm reserve tickets β β
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CaffΓ¨ Antico Courtyard β π Milton Ave, Alpharetta π Anytime β What: Hidden espresso courtyard with string lights and neighborhood gossip. If you know, you know.
πΈ Guess the Photo
This is a photo of an object around town, tightly zoomed in, can you guess what it is? π Do you know what it is?
Answer revealed next week!
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β North Point Mall FairyTale Village β π North Point Mall Atrium π Oct 23 β 31 @ 10 AM β 7 PM Daily π§ What: A candy-coated immersive fall experience. The kids love it, the Instagram grid loves it more.
βοΈ Scarecrow Harvest β π Downtown Alpharetta Green π Oct 23 β Nov 2 (All Day) πΎ What: 100+ scarecrows from local schools & businesses. The pumpkin-spice photo backdrop you didnβt know you needed.
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Trunk-or-Treatβ π Roswell Area Park π Wed Oct 23 | 5β7 PM π΅ Free What: Trunk-or-Treat β candy, costumes, and zero jump scares. β
Halloween at Halcyon Kids Zoneβ π Halcyon Village Green π Sat Oct 25 | 3β8 PM π΅ Free What: Halloween at Halcyon Kids Zone β trick-or-treating, crafts, and sugar highs in small sneakers. β
Bell Memorial Park βSpooktacularβ β π Milton πSat, Oct 25 @ 4 β 8 PM π What: Costumes, candy, and food trucks. Halloween magic with a small-town twist.
βοΈ Roswell Wine Festival β π Canton Street, Roswell π Sun, Oct 27 @ 2 β 5 PM π What: Sip, stroll, repeat. Ten years strong and still the areaβs classiest Sunday buzz.
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β SATURDAY OCT 25 ββοΈ Johns Creek Arts Festival (Day 1) β π Atlanta Athletic Club Field π Sat, Oct 26 @ 10 AM β 5 PM π¨ What: 120 artists, live tunes, and food trucks. Translation: where your weekend spending budget goes to die (beautifully). β βCrabapple Fest π Crabapple Road, Milton π Sat Oct 25 | 10 AMβ5 PM π΅ Free What: Art, vendors, food trucks, and that wholesome chaos of everyone you know in one place. β
Fall Hike & Social (Milton Trails) β π Milton Trail System π Sun, Oct 26 @ 2 PM π₯Ύ What: A guided hike through fall color with cider at the end. Nature therapy with better shoes. β βSUNDAY Oct 26
Johns Creek Arts Festival (Day 2) β π Sun, Oct 26 @ 10 AM β 5 PMβ β πΌοΈ What: Round two. Come for the pottery, stay for the people-watching. β
Can you solve this weekβs scramble? βScramble:SLVEAE β Hint: They are in their peak color season _ _ _ _ _ _ (number of letters) Answer revealed at the bottom see The Fadeout section! π
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Okay right after last week's issue was posted Benjamin Moore unveiled it's 2026 Color Of The Year (COTY) Silhouette AF-655.
BM Silhouette AF655
I don't know, this color is like a grayed brown????? I guess. What do you think? I think it's leaning purple. I don't think it's pretty. Not that everything has to be pretty. This just feels like a wimpy dark color. I LIVE for moody and dramatic, ok????! I feel if Ben wanted to go full on dark and moody Bucktrout Brown ( Okay, not a flattering name) would have been a better choice. It's deep, rich, and confident in its moodiness. It's not trying to be all things to everyone.
BM Bucktrout Brown CW 180
If you're going full-on to the dark side, sell all of your soul into it. If you only stick your toe into the dark waters, you're not going to be happy with the results. You can always light a candle to repent.π―οΈ π β This is the supporting color palette for Silhouette:
Color Palette by Benjamin Moore
Thoughts??? I know you have thoughts, hit reply and let me know. β
πHey Neighbor, βWelcome to Alpharetta β where the sidewalks hum, the trees stay camera-ready, and your GPS will absolutely try to send you down Old Milton Parkway at least twice before you get your bearings.
This is the sweet spot between big-city energy and small-town charm: weekend concerts on the Green, coffee that actually tastes like coffee, and a community that still waves in parking lots.
If youβre new to town, start your setlist here:
Avalon Nights Live β outdoor music + people-watching = instant local experience.
Downtown Alpharetta Farmers Market β Saturday mornings, 8:30β12:30, where friendships start over fresh bread and kettle corn.
Wills Park Equestrian Center β even if you donβt ride, itβs a quintessential βyouβre really in Alpharetta nowβ kind of scene.
π And pro tip: locals love a good happy hour, a scenic Greenway walk, and anyone who learns how to pronounce βRucker Roadβ correctly on the first try.
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NFCC Fall Coat Drive β π North Fulton Community Charities, Roswell π Thu, Oct 23 π§₯ What: Donate warm gear for neighbors in need. Feels good and frees closet space β a win-win.
Alpharetta Adopt-a-Stream Cleanup β π Big Creek Greenway π Sat, Oct 25 @ 9 β 11 AM π What: Help keep the creek clean β and earn bragging rights for being the good friend.
Johns Creek Tree Planting & Park Cleanup β π Newtown Park Amphitheater π Mon, Oct 27 @ 9 AM π³ What: Get your hands dirty (positively). Civic pride with a side of fresh air. ββ β
Job postings for the creative economy (by which I mean totally made up π) But A Side Of Town would love to post your real jobs, gig, service, or help wanted ads. β βHelp Wanted (ish)
π» Pumpkin Patch Hype Squad β Downtown Greenβ Seeking extroverts who can say βletβs grab one more photoβ at least twelve times per hour. Must enjoy hay bales, plaid overload, and gently herding toddlers toward the exit before meltdown oβclock.
β Caffeine Correspondent β Local Coffee Trailβ Duties include verifying foam art quality, over-analyzing playlist choices, and pretending to write your novel while people-watching. Payment: one free refill and bragging rights.
𧦠Sweater Weather Consultant β Alpharetta Farmers Marketβ Offer unsolicited compliments on strangersβ knitwear and declare, with authority, that βitβs finally fall, yβall.β Bonus points for owning at least three neutral-tone cardigans.
π― Candle Sniffer β Avalon Retail Rowβ Your nose knows. Responsibilities: identify seasonal scents from twenty paces and debate whether βCinnamon Cashmereβ smells like cookies or confusion. β βGot a real-life job you need seasonal help with? Let's get it posted next week? Click π here to submit your posting
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Courtesy Limelight Inn
Dahlonega, GA
Theme: Fall Leaves, Firesides & Wine Country Vibes
Just an hour north of Alpharetta, Dahlonegaβs the kind of town that looks like it was built to star in a Hallmark movie. π· Wander the historic square, taste your way through a few vineyards, then trade city noise for the crackle of a fire-pit and the smell of roasted marshmallows.
Stay:The Limelight Inn or a cozy VRBO cabin with mountain views. βSip: Kaya Vineyards or Montaluce Winery & Restaurant. βStroll: Amicalola Falls State Park β 700 steps of cardio justified by breathtaking waterfall views. βPro Tip: Bring a flannel and an appetite; most wineries host live acoustic sets on weekends.
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β Tap your pick β weβre just curious what makes Alpharetta tick?
Thanks for humoring our curiosity β now back to your regularly scheduled good vibes.
π₯ Roast: To the driver who treated the Avalon roundabout like a demolition derby. Weβre all for adventure, but maybe signal before the third lap next time?
π Boast: To the neighbor who turned their front yard into a full-scale haunted house and somehow got HOA approval. We bow down to your spooky ways.
πΎ Toast: To the Alpharetta Parks crew who cleaned up the post-festival confetti faster than we could say βpumpkin spice latte.β Youβre the unsung MVPs of spooky season.
Keep it kind + local. We may edit for clarity/length.
π Wanted: One Decent Rake Must handle heavy leaf loads and mild existential dread. Preferably not the flimsy kind that folds under emotional pressure.
π For Sale: Inflatable Ghost Family Lightly haunted, occasionally deflates out of spite. Great for yards, porches, or HOA disputes.
π―οΈTrade: One Pumpkin Pie Candle (Half-Burned) Smells like dessert, tastes awful. Open to swapping for something less snack-confusing β maybe βLavender Oasisβ or βFresh Linen.β β βDo you have a real classified you would like to post? Click π here to submit your item / opportunity.
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Word Puzzle Answer: Leaves β
Last Week's Guess the Photo Answer: The fountain behind City Hall
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β π Share the Love
If you enjoyed this edition of the A Side Of Town, share it with a friend, your neighbor, or that cousin who's always "thinking about moving down here." β βIt cost nothing to click the "share" button below, tell a friend, or hit reply and tell us what you think-the good, the bad, or the "y'all have a typo." β Every click, comment, and forward helps keep this line-dance moving. We appreciate the heck out of you so much. Slide to the right.....1,2,3.....
Coming Soon Eventsβ βRoswell's All-Inclusive Wine Festival β πThe Mill Kitchen and Bar π Sat Nov 8 What: 100+ world-class wines to taste, gourmet food from Chef Dollar, and live music οΌTicketsβ β
" If you live in Alpharetta, this is a MUST read. π― π π π³ π²"!
Find out what's going on in town the fun way. π₯
*NEW FREE LOCAL NEWSLETTER* covering community happenings, events, new business openings, job postings, new restuarants you didn't know existed, contractors you can hire, weekend getaways, and more-- all delivered straight to your email. New editions Thursday at 7am. π Subscribe for free! β¬οΈ
Read more from " If you live in Alpharetta, this is a MUST read. π― π π π³ π²"!
Alpharetta, Milton, Johns Creek & Roswell Events: Oct 16 β Oct 22 Last weekend was a vibe! Did you make it to Restaurant Week or the Songwriters Festival? Friday night we grabbed NFA Burger at Avalon and couldnβt sit still once MJβs βBillie Jeanβ hit the speakers. ππ» Saturday, we braved the road closures to try Made on Roswell Street β so worth it. The food was deeeee-licious (get the paella!) and the company even better. I was laughing too hard to take a single photo, but trust me,...
Alpharetta, Milton, Johns Creek & Roswell Events: Oct 9 β Oct 15 Hey hey hey, it's been a fabulous week! Celebrations are in order all around.First we want to celebrate the A Side Of Town's first (but won't be the last) giveaway winner. π₯ The September $50 Avalon Gift Card Giveaway winner is K. Campbell!!!!!!!! We appreciate you and all of our new subscribers for helping A Side Of Town grow. We are also celebrating hubby's birthday this weekend so if you know him and see him around over the...
Alpharetta, Milton, Johns Creek & Roswell Events: Oct 2 β Oct 11 We see you, calendar chaos. PTA meetings, soccer practice, and trying to remember whatβs for dinnerβ¦ Let us take one thing off your plate: where to actually show up this week. Next week we will announce the winner for the September giveaway! Subscribe and share the A Side Of Town, here, for free and get in the drawing for next month's secret GIVEAWAY! NarayPublisher, A Side Of Town This weeks newsletter is sponsored by Elle C....
