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Food Resources for Families in Need

Finding a helping hand can make all the difference when putting food on the table becomes a challenge. Across Marietta, several local organizations and churches provide groceries, pantry items, and drive-thru services for families in need. Many operate weekly or monthly, with mobile programs reaching multiple neighborhoods to make access easier. Below is a guide to some of the most active food support programs in Marietta.


Atlanta Community Food Bank – Community Food Center

The Community Food Center is one of the most comprehensive food pantries in Marietta, offering multiple service days throughout the week.

Address: 1605 Austell Road, Marietta, GA 30008
Hours:
Sunday: 9 am–1 pm
Monday: 10 am–1 pm and 3–6 pm
Tuesday: 9 am–12 pm and 1:30–4 pm
Wednesday: 9 am–12 pm
Thursday: 9 am–12 pm and 1:30–4 pm

To make an appointment to get food, please call (478) 394-4547 or text FOOD to (404) 334-5653. Appointments are required. Volunteer opportunities are available for individuals, groups, and those in need of service hours. Ages 8 and up are welcome to volunteer, and those under age 18 must be accompanies by an adult. You can sign up online or reach out to the volunteer team at volunteers@acfb.org.


Cobb Schools & CFR Thanksgiving 2025 Meals

The Center for Family Resources (CFR), in partnership with the Cobb Schools Foundation and the Cobb County School District, is continuing its long-running Thanks for Giving campaign for the 39th year. The 2025 effort will provide 600 food boxes containing full Thanksgiving meals and essential pantry items, distributed through more than 30 local schools. Volunteers and schools throughout Cobb County are collecting and assembling the boxes to support families in need during the holiday break and to help children who rely on school meal programs have enough to eat during the break.

Corporate and group food donations can be dropped off at the IAM Lodge, 1032 South Marietta Parkway, on November 14, 17, and 18, 2025. Volunteers are needed from November 14–22, 2025. Businesses can participate through sponsorships or food drives, and individuals can contribute by donating directly or volunteering. Families interested in receiving a food box should contact their Cobb County school counselor for availability.

Click here to learn more or to get involved this November.


First Christian Church / The Food Pantry

The Food Pantry at Marietta First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) offers vital support to individuals and families across Cobb County facing food insecurity. Operated by church members and volunteers and supported through donations, the pantry provides groceries, fresh produce, and essential items to those in need. Open every Monday from 9 am to 1 pm, the pantry welcomes those seeking assistance and those wishing to help, working together so no one goes hungry.

Address: 569 Frasier Street Southeast, Marietta, GA 30060
Hours: Mondays from 9 am to 1 pm

For more information, please call (770) 428-3125.


First Presbyterian Church / The Pantry on Church

This downtown Marietta church operates a convenient drive-thru pantry. The line forms in the West Parking Lot, across the tracks from the church on Kennesaw Ave.

Address: 189 Church Street, Marietta, GA 30060
Hours: Tuesdays from 5 to 7 pm

If you would like to volunteer to pack (mornings) and/or distribute (late afternoons) food on Tuesdays, they welcome individuals, civic and private business groups, as well as high school students who need service hours. For program questions or inquiries about these opportunities, please email Martie Moore.


First United Methodist Church of Marietta / Food Pantry

The Food Pantry at First United Methodist Church of Marietta provides food items to individuals and families experiencing food insecurity in Cobb County.

Address: 56 Whitlock Avenue Northwest, Marietta, GA 30064
Date: By Appointment Only and ID Required

For more information, please call (770) 429-7800 or email forrestcate@mariettafumc.org.


GraceLife Church / Joseph’s Storehouse

Joseph’s Storehouse at GraceLife Church hosts both weekly and monthly food distributions.

Address: 1083 Allgood Road, Marietta, GA 30062
Weekly: Tuesdays (register by 11 am) and Fridays (register by 1:30 pm); distribution from 2–4 pm
Monthly: 1st Wednesday and 3rd Saturday; registration 7–10 am, distribution 9–10:30 am

For more information, please call (770) 971-4232.


Hope for Christmas

Hope For Christmas brings holiday cheer to families by providing toys, gifts, grocery assistance, and meal kits to help make Christmas morning special. The event also features a Secret Santa Shop, giving children the joy of selecting a gift for their parents. Families must live in Cobb County to participate at the two locations listed below, and registration is followed by confirmation in mid-November. Be sure to sign up early as this event fills up months in advance. Through this outreach, Hope For Christmas helps families experience a brighter and more joyful holiday season.

Addresses:
North Metro Church, 2305 Ernest W Barrett Pkwy, Marietta, GA 30064
Tu Iglesia Hispana, 161 Hill St Se, Marietta, GA 30008

For more information, please email info@hopeforchristmas.com


Liberty Hill Baptist Church / Forever Fed Drive-Thru Pantry

Forever Fed operates drive-thru self-select pantries where guests stay in their vehicles and choose groceries from a provided list. Lines form at 9 am, and distribution continues for 30 minutes after the start time. Guests arriving after 10:30 am are asked to return to a future pantry. Each household can receive food twice per month, and no ID or pre-registration is required. All recipients must be present to receive food. The pantry serves outdoors in light rain but pauses during heavy rain; updates and cancellations are posted on the Forever Fed website. In addition to the Marietta location, Forever Fed operates a weekly drive-thru in Woodstock (Tues at 5:30 pm) and a monthly drive-thru in Kennesaw (4th Sun at 4 pm).

Address: Liberty Hill Baptist Church, 1053 Liberty Hill Rd, Marietta, GA 30066
Hours: 2nd Saturday from 10-10:30 am

For more information, please call Forever Fed at (678) 883-3314 or visit their Facebook page.


MUST Ministries

MUST Ministries provides food assistance through a variety of programs designed to reach people where they are. Food pantries at its Client Services centers in Marietta, Smyrna, and Canton are open Monday through Friday, while Neighborhood Pantries inside local schools allow families to pick up groceries at no cost. The Mobile Pantry delivers food to those unable to visit a center, and the MUST Hope House – Loaves and Fishes Community Kitchen serves two meals daily to residents and lunch to the community. During summer, the organization’s Summer Lunch program distributes over half a million meals to children who depend on school lunches, and the Senior Food Program delivers monthly grocery boxes to low-income seniors.

Address: MUST Marietta Campus, 1260 Cobb Pkwy N., Marietta, 30062
Phone: (770) 427-9862.


MUST Ministries / MSGA Drive-Thru Pantry

MUST Ministries hosts a monthly drive-thru pantry in partnership with Marietta Sixth Grade Academy (MSGA).

Address: Marietta Sixth Grade Academy, 340 Aviation Road, Marietta, GA 30060
Hours: 2nd Wednesdays from 5:30–7 pm, no early arrivals please.

For more information, please call the Marietta Sixth Grade Academy at (770) 429-3115 or follow Marietta City Schools on Facebook.


MUST Mobile Pantries

MUST’s mobile units bring groceries to several Marietta neighborhoods on a rotating schedule (current as of November 2025):

  • Life University, 1269 Barclay Cir: 1st Wednesday, 3:30–5 pm
  • VA Clinic – Cobb, 1263 Cobb Pkwy N: 1st Thursdays, 3–4 pm
  • Walton Ridge Apartment Homes, 1631 White Circle: Last Tuesdays, 3:30–5 pm
  • White Columns Inn, 801 Cobb Pkwy N: 1st Thursdays, 4:15–4:45 pm

For more information, please call MUST Ministries client services at (770) 427-9862.


Providence Community Baptist Church / Daily Bread Ministry

Providence offers pantry services once a week and additional distribution days on select Saturdays. Their requirements include state issued identification, names & ages of household members, and weekly, monthly, or annual income.

Address: 38 Austin Avenue, Marietta, GA 30060
Hours: Wednesdays from 1–4 pm and the 3rd Saturday of each month from 9 am–1 pm

Call (470) 629-6138 or email dailybreadpcbc@yahoo.com for more information.


Roswell Street Baptist Church / Storehouse Ministries

Storehouse Ministries provides groceries and pantry items to those who call ahead to register.

Address: 812 Roswell Street, Marietta, GA 30060
Hours: Tuesdays from 10 am–12:30 pm and Thursdays from 10 am–3 pm
Phone: (770) 428-8410 (registration required)


Schaffer Road Church of Christ

The Schaffer Road Church of Christ offers a food pantry that provides groceries to individuals and families in need. Open to all who require assistance, regardless of church membership, by appointment only.

Address: 554 Schaffer Road, Marietta, GA 30060
Phone: (770) 437-9047


West Cobb Islamic Center (Masjid Al-Furqan)

The West Cobb Islamic Center provides monthly food distribution to registered families.

Address: 3861 Barrett Parkway SW, Marietta, GA 30064
Hours: 3rd Sunday of each month from 11 am to 12:30 pm
Registration is required each month; sign up here.

If you would like to make a difference and help sort donations, prepare packages, and distribute food to those in need, you can sign up to volunteer here. For more information, please call (770) 623-9242.


Wright Street Baptist Church / Food Pantry

The Wright Street Baptist Church Food Pantry provides food items to households experiencing food insecurity through a convenient drive-thru service. Open to all in need, the pantry offers essential groceries to help meet basic nutritional requirements.

Address: 395 Wright Street SW, Marietta, GA 30064
Hours: 3rd Saturdays of each month from 8 am to 10 am

For more information, please call (770) 422-5851.


YMCA Mobile Grocery

The YMCA Mobile Grocery travels to several communities each week, bringing fresh groceries directly to families. Grocery packs are free and open to the public.

Locations and Schedule:

  • Tuesdays, 3:00 – 4:30 pm 
    Brumby Elementary School, 815 Terrell Mill Rd, Marietta, GA 30067
  • Wednesdays, 10:30 am
    Dwell @ 750 Apartments, 750 Franklin Gateway, Marietta, GA 30067
  • Wednesdays, 11:00 am 
    Elevate at the Pointe Apartments, 707 Franklin Gateway, Marietta, GA 30067
  • Thursdays, 11:00am
    Green Acres Baptist Church, 591 Pat Mell Rd, Smyrna GA 30080
  • Fridays, 10:00 am  
    Hillcrest Apartments, 642 Allgood Rd, Marietta, GA 30067
  • Fridays, 10:35 am
    Clifton Ridge Townhomes, 676 Horizon Place, Marietta, GA 30060

For more information, contact the YMCA Community Outreach Coordinator Carolyn Metts at carolyn.metts@ymcaatlanta.org


These local programs continue to make an impact by ensuring families across Marietta have access to essential groceries and pantry staples. Most services welcome walk-ins, though some require pre-registration. The above schedules may change, so calling to check schedules ahead of time and arriving early can help guarantee availability.

In addition to the list above, Cobb County offers an online tool to connect residents with other nearby resources. To search for free or low-cost services such as medical care, housing, food assistance, job training, and other essential support, please visit findhelp.cobbcounty.gov.

How Food Pantries Operate:

Most local food pantries welcome anyone in need of assistance. Some may ask for proof of residency within Cobb County or surrounding areas. Depending on the location, families may have the option to choose items that best fit their household needs, known as a “choice model.” Other programs offer curbside service, where volunteers bring pre-packed boxes of food directly to your vehicle for a quicker and more accessible experience.

MUST Care Clinic Opens in Marietta

Healthcare access remains a challenge for many Georgia residents, with more than 1.2 million people, including about 171,000 children, living without insurance. For families already struggling to make ends meet, the inability to afford medical care can have wide-reaching effects on work, housing, and long-term stability.

MUST Ministries has long recognized how health challenges can create barriers that are difficult to overcome. To address that need, the organization has launched the MUST Care Clinic, now open in Marietta and offering affordable medical and behavioral health services to those who need them most.

Through a partnership with Eastchester Family Services, the new clinic provides both primary care and behavioral health support on a sliding fee scale based on family size and income.

Family Medicine and Primary Care Services include:

  • Chronic disease management
  • Pediatrics
  • Prescription assistance
  • Non-urgent diagnostic services
  • Referrals for specialty care
  • Nutritional wellbeing
  • Treatment of acute conditions
  • Onsite laboratory services with phlebotomy
  • Women’s health and gynecological services

Mental Health Services include:

  • Comprehensive mental health assessments, including trauma, substance use, and depression screenings
  • Individual therapy for adults and children
  • Family therapy
  • Group therapy

Private insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid are accepted, but coverage is not required. No patient is turned away due to an inability to pay.

MUST Ministries President and CEO Dr. Ike Reighard said, “At MUST Ministries, we believe everyone should be treated with dignity and respect, and that includes being able to access the care they need to heal.”

The clinic opened its doors on October 1, 2025 and quickly began serving patients. In its first ten days, the clinic cared for 65 individuals, highlighting the strong demand for accessible medical services.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony drew nearly 200 attendees, including local leaders and supporters, who gathered to celebrate this new resource for the Marietta area.

Address:
MUST Care Clinic
1260 Cobb Parkway North
Marietta, GA 30062

Hours:
Monday through Wednesday from 9 am to 5 pm

Appointments are encouraged but walk-ins are welcome. To schedule a visit, please call (470) 694-5339.

Fall Festival of Fun

Cobb PARKS is bringing the thrills, chills, and laughs back to Jim R. Miller Park & Event Center with its annual Fall Festival of Fun. From hayrides to candy fairies, this evening event packs plenty of seasonal fun without any of the fright.

Guests can hop aboard the hay-bale express for a ride that’s more playful than spooky, then test their luck at carnival games for a chance at fang-tastic prizes. A special BOO! card adds to the adventure, offering stamps from candy fairies that can be redeemed for treats or prizes. For families who love a good photo opportunity, costumed characters from storybooks, movies, and superhero sagas will be ready to pose.

The fun continues with barnyard friends at the petting zoo, plus handcrafted goods for sale and plenty of food to satisfy those fall cravings. Performances throughout the night keep the energy high, making this festival one that is easy to enjoy from start to finish.

The best part? Parking, entry, performances, and most activities are free, making this an easy pick for a festive fall evening out.

Also during the festival, Cobb PARKS is bringing chills, screams, and spine-tingling surprises with its annual Haunted House. The haunted experience opens during the Fall Festival of Fun and continues nightly through Halloween, October 31 and reservations are required. Read more about the haunted house here…

Admission:
Free

Hours:
Saturday, October 25, 2025 from 5 pm to 10 pm

Address:
Jim Miller Park
2245 Callaway Rd SW, Marietta, GA 30008

For more information please call (770) 528-8800.

Cobb PARKS Haunted House

Cobb PARKS is bringing chills, screams, and spine-tingling surprises back to Jim R. Miller Park with its annual Haunted House. Step inside the darkened halls where eerie corridors twist, shadows move, and unsettling whispers echo through the night. The haunted experience opens during the Fall Festival of Fun and continues nightly through Halloween, October 31.

Visitors can reserve an hour-long session online, choosing their preferred date and time slot. Early registration is encouraged, as space is limited and sessions tend to fill up quickly.

This haunted experience is recommended for ages 13 and up, though guests 12 and under are welcome if accompanied by an adult. To maintain safety, only standard cloth or medical face coverings are allowed, no costume masks, hoods with zippers, or full-face makeup. Guests are asked not to touch props, set pieces, or performers, and to refrain from taunting or startling others.

Please note that special effects including fog, strobe lights, latex, and loud sounds are used throughout the attraction, so guests with related medical sensitivities should take caution before entering.

Date:
Saturday, October 25 through Friday, October 31, 2025

Time:
October 25: 5 pm to 9 pm
October 26–30: 5 pm to 10 pm
October 31: 6 pm to 11 pm

Admission:
$5 per person (includes sales tax)
Register online here

Address:
Jim R. Miller Park Event Center (Event Halls A, B, and C)
2245 Callaway Road
Marietta, GA 30008

For more information, please contact Cobb PARKS at (770) 528-8875.

Victorian Funeral at Root House Museum

Throughout October, the William Root House Museum transforms its historic rooms to reflect the somber customs of a Victorian-era funeral. In the 1850s, Hannah and William Root shared their home with their children and extended family, including Hannah’s father, Leonard Simpson, who passed away on October 11, 1856.

The exhibit portrays how the family would have prepared the home for mourning, with curtains drawn and rooms adorned in black crepe and ribbons. Visitors will encounter 19th-century embalming tools, mourning jewelry fashioned from human hair, and other authentic relics of the period. Daytime tours featuring the exhibit are included with regular museum admission.

New to this year’s exhibit is a 19th-century embalming and cooling board. Used during the late 1800s, these portable tables became vital to undertakers during the Civil War as embalming gained popularity for preserving bodies during long transports. The Root House’s newly restored board offers visitors a fascinating window into the evolution of funeral practices.

For those seeking an after-dark experience, two late-night programs offer a deeper exploration of Victorian mourning customs.

Midnight Wake
Guests will tour the house by candlelight while learning about 19th-century funeral rituals and embalming techniques. The evening concludes with a reading of a poem on death written by Leonard Simpson in 1839. Space is limited to 13 guests, and attendees must be at least 12 years old.

Victorian Funeral Flashlight Tours
During this self-guided, after-hours experience, visitors can explore the candlelit rooms and view the full funeral exhibit at their own pace.

Mr. Tombstone’s Pop-Up
Before or after the flashlight tour, visitors can enjoy treats from Mr. Tombstone’s Coffee Emporium, offering hot chocolate, cold brew, coffee, and an assortment of skull-shaped cakes in chocolate, blueberry, and cinnamon flavors.

Date:
Throughout October 2025

Time:
Museum Hours: Wednesday through Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm
Midnight Wake: October 11, 2025 from 11 pm to Midnight
Flashlight Tours: October 25, 2025 from 5 pm to 9 pm

Admission:
Regular daytime admission applies
Midnight Wake Tickets: $50 advance only
Flashlight Tours Tickets: $10 advance / $15 at door

Address:
William Root House Museum & Garden
80 North Marietta Parkway NW
Marietta GA 30060

For more information, please contact Cobb Landmarks & Historical Society at info@cobblandmarks.com.

Veterans Memorial 5K

American Legion Post 29 is hosting the annual Veterans Memorial 5K in Marietta Square on Saturday, November 8, 2025. The event honors heroes from the past, present, and those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

The 5K Run, Walk, and Wheelchair division starts at 7:30 am. The Tot Trot follows at 8:30 am. The course takes place around the Marietta Square, with the start and finish steps from the historic Cobb County Courthouse.

Participants can choose the 5K Run or Walk, the Tot Trot for young racers, or a Phantom Runner option for supporters who want the event shirt without toeing the line. The race is also a Peachtree Road Race official qualifying event.

Proceeds support local veterans and military families through the Shepherds Men SHARE Initiative, the Georgia National Guard Family Support Foundation, United Military Care, and the Post 29 Service Officer program.

Packet pickup is at Big Peach Running Co., 1062 Johnson Ferry Rd, Marietta, on Thursday, November 6, 2025 from 4 pm to 7 pm. A second pickup spot is available at American Legion Post 29, 921 Gresham Ave, Marietta, on Friday, November 7, 2025 from 4:30 pm to 8:30 pm.

Awards go to the Overall Male and Female winners, Male and Female Masters, and the top three Male and Female finishers in fifteen age groups from 10 and under through 70 and over. Spirit Awards recognize teams of four or more from military groups, churches, schools, corporations, and running clubs or fitness centers.

Date:
Saturday, November 8, 2025

Time:
5K 7:30 am
Tot Trot 8:30 am

Be sure to stick around the Marietta Square for the Veterans Day Parade starting at 10:40 am and the ceremony at noon.

Address:
Marietta Square
1 Cherokee Street
Marietta GA 30060

For more information, please contact American Legion Post 29 at Tom Bell: thell@teamlogisticsilk.com, Gary Jenkins: pacesetr@bellsouth.net, Ed Bruce: (770) 639-5463.

Pie Bar Founders Pass the Rolling Pin to New Owner

After a decade of baking up some of the area’s favorite slices, Pie Bar founders Lauren and Cody Bolden have officially sold their beloved business to new owner Dominie Garcia as of October 1, 2025.

With locations in Kennesaw, Marietta, and Woodstock, Pie Bar has become a familiar stop for flaky crusts, seasonal fillings, and a good cup of coffee. In a heartfelt Facebook post, Lauren shared, “Over the past 10 years, Pie Bar has gone from idea to start-up to growth-phase to covid to settling in/getting comfy… and now it is time for the next chapter.”

The Boldens plan to stay involved through the end of the year, working side by side with Garcia and the team to ensure a smooth transition and, as Lauren promised, “no shortage of delicious pie.”

Pie Bar’s story began as a small passion project in downtown Woodstock before expanding to multiple Cobb County locations. From its humble beginnings at farmers markets to its now well-loved brick-and-mortar shops, the business has built a strong following for its signature pies and warm, approachable atmosphere.

Address:
60 Powder Springs St, Marietta, GA 30064

Phone:
(678) 402-5176

Online:
OrderPieBar.com | Menu | Yelp | Facebook

Touch-a-Truck at Switzer Library

The Switzer Library parking lot is turning into a playground for big wheels and flashing lights this September. The 3rd Annual Touch-a-Truck event gives kids the rare chance to climb behind the wheel, honk a horn, and pretend they’re in charge of some of the coolest vehicles around.

From fire trucks to construction rigs, little ones can explore the machines they usually see rumbling down the street. Even better, they’ll get to meet the drivers who operate them. It’s two hours of pure childhood joy, where buttons can be pressed without parents having to say no for once.

Date:
Friday, September 26, 2025

Time:
2 pm to 4 pm

Admission:
Free

Address:
Switzer Library
266 Roswell Street
Marietta, GA 30060

For more information, please contact the Switzer Library Children’s Department at (770) 528-2331.

2025 HarvestFest and Scarecrows In The Square

Visit Marietta Square for the annual HarvestFest (formerly the Harvest Square Arts and Crafts Festival) on Saturday, October 18, 2025 from 9 am to 5 pm. The event includes HarvestFest Market featuring a wide variety of unique handmade items from a local artist and craftsmen as well as Fall fun for the entire family.  The HarvestFest festival also includes Halloween Happenings Kids Festival, Touch-A-Truck, Costume Contest, Pie Eating Contest, a College Football Watch Area, and Scarecrows in the Square.

Schedule:

  • HarvestFest Market & Halloween Happenings Kids Festival – 9 am to 5 pm
  • Touch-A-Truck – 10 am – 2 pm
  • Pie Eating Contest – 11:30 am (ages 6-12) and 12:00 pm (ages 13 and up)
  • Costume Contest 2 pm to 3 pm (contestants arrive no later than 1:30 pm)
  • Farmers Market – 9 am to noon.
  • College Football Watch Area

HarvestFest Market: Handmade Arts & Crafts
HarvestFest Market will feature many local and area artists and craftspeople from around the southeast. Exhibitors will include handmade arts & crafts including painting, pottery, woodwork, metal, jewelry, glass, fabric and floral designs.

Halloween Happenings Kids Festival
Halloween Happenings is a fun-filled festival designed for children ages 12 and younger. Kids can come dressed in their favorite costume with a trick-or-treat bag. With carnival games, inflatable houses, candy, and other special activities, this event offers a safe and exciting way to celebrate the fall season. No registration is required for the kids costume contests.

Touch a Truck
Festival-goers of all ages will love the Touch-A-Truck event, where many City of Marietta vehicles will be on display for an up-close experience. Visitors can explore firetrucks, police cars, tractors, tow trucks, and more! This year’s participants include the City of Marietta Parks, Recreation, and Facilities; the City of Marietta Fire Department; the City of Marietta Police Department; and the City of Marietta Public Works, among others.

Costume Contest
Come dressed in your best handmade costume for the Costume Contest at Glover Park Stage. Contestants should arrive no later than 1:30 pm to receive a contestant number, with the contest starting at 2 pm, beginning with the youngest participants. Categories include 1st to 3rd place winners for each age group: 1 year old and younger, 2 to 3 years old, 4 to 6 years old, 7 to 8 years old, 9 to 10 years old, 11 to 12 years old, and 13 and up (new starting in 2025). There is also a group category, with 1st to 3rd place awarded to groups of at least two contestants of any age. The event will conclude with a pet costume contest at 3 pm, featuring an Overall Grand Prize and 1st to 3rd place winners.

Pie Eating Contest
This year’s Fall Festival will feature an exciting Pie Eating Contest for participants aged 6 and older. Are you ready to prove you’re Marietta’s fastest pie eater? The City of Marietta is collaborating with Pie Bar on the Marietta Square to create an unforgettable dessert-eating experience. The contest is scheduled for Saturday, October 19th, right before the Halloween Happenings event. Participation is free, but contestants must be 6 years or older to join the fun.

Scarecrows in the Square
The annual Scarecrows In The Square competition will be showcased throughout the park during the festival. Schools, clubs, businesses, and non-profits are invited to apply to participate.  Accepted organizations can then bring their scarecrows to Glover Park at Historic Marietta Square for a chance to win awards. Prizes will be awarded for Best In Show and 1st Place in each category: School/Club, Business, Government, Non-Profit, and Best Overall. Participants are encouraged to join in the HarvestFest Halloween Happenings by hosting kids’ activities or offering treats at their scarecrow displays during the event.

The Big Chicken Cornerback’s Coop: A College Football Watch Area
Local college football is coming to the streets of Marietta at the “Coop” on East Park Square.  Bring your chairs and grab some food from the local vendors and be a part of the watch party.

Farmers Market
Though not an official part of the festival, The Marietta Square Farmers Market will also take place nearby from 9 am to noon.  The market takes place in the parking lot across the railroad tracks from the Marietta Welcome Center at 25 Mill St, Marietta, GA 30060.

Date:
Saturday, October 18, 2025

Time:
9 am to 5 pm

Address:
Glover Park, Marietta Square
75 E Park Square
Marietta, GA 30060

Parking:
Marietta Square Parking

Admission:
Free

The Marietta Parks and Recreation Department sponsors this event each fall.  For more information, please call (770) 794-5601.

Scarecrow Winners 2024:

Best Overall:

  • Marietta Daisies Garden Club

1st Place in a Category:

  • Live Music West Cobb
  • GA Metro Dance Theatre
  • Weekday Ministry Preschool
  • Visit Marietta

Motion Picture Plaza Series

Marietta Parks & Recreation is bringing an exciting pop-up series for movie lovers this fall with the Motion Picture Plaza, a monthly event featuring family-friendly films, activities, and plenty of fun. Taking place in the City Hall Plaza, between the Police and Fire Stations, this series runs from August to October and features an evening of entertainment for all ages.

Each night begins at 8 pm with themed activities tied to the evening’s film, followed by the movie itself, which starts at dark. This year’s selection of films and activities centers around engaging themes that promise to add a unique twist to your movie-going experience.

Dates:

August 9th – “Back to School Special”

  • Featured Film: Hidden Figures
  • Activities: Space-themed crafts and activities Celebrate the back-to-school season by watching the inspiring story of the women behind NASA’s success, with activities designed to take you on a journey through space exploration.

September 13th – “The Strange and Unexplained”

  • Featured Film: E.T.
  • Activities: Glow-in-the-dark and cryptid-themed games Get ready for an evening of extraterrestrial adventure with the beloved classic E.T., and enjoy glow and cryptid-themed activities that will light up the night.

October 25th – “Happy Haunting”

  • Featured Film: Beetlejuice
  • Activities: Halloween-themed games and crafts To wrap up the series, join the spooky fun with a Halloween celebration featuring Beetlejuice. The activities will be filled with Halloween spirit to get you in the festive mood.

These events offer the perfect chance to unwind under the stars, enjoy a great film, and participate in fun activities with family and friends. Don’t forget to bring your blankets and chairs to settle in for an evening of entertainment.

Time:
Activities start at 8 pm, with the movie beginning at dark

Address:
City Hall Plaza
205 Lawrence Street
Marietta, GA 30060

For more information, please email Emily Zillweger at ezillweger@mariettaga.gov.