Fall for October Fun at the Atlanta Botanical Garden

Enjoy the cooler days and nights of October at the Atlanta Botanical Garden, where fall serves up a harvest of fun events.

From October 4 - 29, both the Atlanta and Gainesville gardens will be stuffed with some 100 scarecrows created by artists, designers, schools, businesses and families for Scarecrows in the Garden. Participants compete for prizes in one of two design categories: professional and nonprofessional. (Registration accepted through Sept. 8 at atlantabg.org.)

On Thursday evenings, visitors can explore the scarecrows under the glare of flashlights (which they are encouraged to bring) during Fest-of-Ale. Each week from 5-10 p.m. the beer fest features a variety of fine specialty ales at cash bars and live musical entertainment.

On the night of October 26, check out the Great Pumpkin-Carving Contest. For youngsters, harvest-themed activities will be on tap on weekends from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., and on Sunday, Oct. 22 they can don their favorite costumes for a day of treats and activities during Goblins in the Garden, held at both gardens from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. It will include storytelling, the Ride-On Train and a cash bar for Mom and Dad Goblins.

The mission of the Atlanta Botanical Garden is to develop and maintain plant collections for display education, research, conservation and enjoyment. The Garden is located at 1345 Piedmont Ave. NE in Midtown, between 14th Street and Monroe Drive. The Garden is open from 9 a.m.- 7 p.m. Tuesdays through Sunday. Admission is $21.95 adults, $15.95 children 3-12, free to children under 3 and Garden members. For more information visit atlantabg.org or phone 404-876-5859.