Saddle up your soapboxes and get ready to sing along with Elton John to dragons. Here are just a few of the fun, family-friendly events this weekend.
Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo
The Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo, the nation's only traveling black rodeo, tells the story of the Black American Cowboy, and features bare back riding, bull dogging, barrel racing and roping. The rodeo will be held on Saturday, Aug. 1, at 7:30 p.m., and on Sunday, Aug. 2, at 3:30 p.m. at the Charles Walker Covered Arena, Georgia International Horse Park, 1996 Centennial Olympic Parkway, Conyers. Tickets are $17 in advance, $23 at the gate for children; $23 in advance, $30 at the gate for adults. Advanced reserved platform tickets are $30 in advance, $35 at the gate. Parking is $7. For more information and tickets, visit www.billpickettrodeo.com. Gates open 90 minutes before the show.
Cool Dads Rock Soap Box Derby
The Cool Dads Rock Soap Box Derby starts 10 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 1, at the Historic Fourth Ward Park, 800 Dallas St NE, Atlanta, GA 30308. Jeeps, Batmobiles and even a Chitty-Chitty-Bang-Bang car have all made appearances in The Cool Dad's Rock Soap Derby Festival, held on a section of road overlooking the historic Fourth Ward Park in Atlanta. Participants are invited to design and build a car, then race it downhill for prizes. Music, food trucks and child-friendly activities will be available at the park. The event is free to watch. The cost to register a single driver is $37.50; $70 for a team. For more information, visit the Cool Dads Rock Soap Box Derby website at www.cooldadsrock.com.
Almost Elton John
Craig A. Meyer and The Atlanta Pops Orchestra presents an evening of Almost Elton John music, "Remember When Rock Was Young," on Saturday, Aug. 1 at 8 p.m. at Mable House Barnes Amphitheatre, 5239 Floyd Road in Mableton. Tickets are $15, $25, $35 and $50. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.almosteltonjohn.com
The Reluctant Dragon
Sharing the story of a dragon who would rather be a friend than a fighter, The Reluctant Dragon will be presented by the Atlanta Center for Puppetry Arts, beginning July 28 and ending Aug. 9. Tickets are $10, and children can make their own dragon at a puppet making workshop in conjunction with the play. For more information, visit the Atlanta Center for Puppetry Arts, www.puppet.org
"Sound of Music" sing-a-long at the Fox
Love singing the music from The Sound of Music? Join others at the Coca-Cola Summer Film Festival Sound of Music Sing-A-Long at the Fox Theater, 660 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta, on Sunday, Aug. 2. Tours start at 10:30 and 11 a.m., with a preshow at noon. The movie starts at 1 p.m. Advance tickets are $15; movie and tour tickets are $25. For more information, visit www.foxtheatre.org.
