Free Festival to Continue in Douglas

We're all watching our family budgets these days. Whether shopping with coupons or looking for two-for-one deals, we're taking advantage of all sorts of offers and savings that help us make our dollars as valuable as possible.

Here are some deals that hopefully will stretch your dollars to the max:

1. Family Day and Children's Safety Fair

Deal: Family Day and a Children's Safety Fair will be the theme of the concluding September Saturdays Festival this Saturday. There will be free admission, free parking and free shuttle service.

The free Children's Safety Fair will feature:

• a bicycle rodeo with safety stops and bicycle helmets (from SafeKids Douglas and Sweetwater Pilot Club)
• a two-minute children's health check-up (eye, ears, nose and throat from Douglas Public Health)
• a two-minute tooth check-up (from Dental Services for Children)
• a hot car
• children's mentoring information (from Communities in Schools of Douglas County)
• child safety seat demonstration (from SafeKids Douglas)
• and lots more free activities

Other attractions will be a Community Marketplace with more than 100 vendors and exhibitors, concerts and programs from church and school groups every 30 minutes on the Courthouse steps, a food court, rides, games, fellowship and fun. Also, there will be a:

• Middle Ages re-enactments by the Society for Creative Anachronism, including sword fights along with knights and princesses.
• an American Red Cross Bloodmobile
• a USTA Tennis Challenge with the support of Gold's Gym on a 3/4-size tennis court
• a huge book sale inside the courthouse

All those attending are asked to bring a canned good for A Gift of Love and their lawn chairs for the free movie at 8 p.m.—How to Train Your Dragon by DreamWorks Animation with the vocal talents of Gerard Butler, America Ferrara and Craig Ferguson.

This program is sponsored by the Douglas County Board of Commissioners through its Department of Communications and Community Relations.

When: 11:45 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. with the movie at 8 p.m., Saturday

Where: On the grounds of the Douglas County Courthouse, 8700 Hospital Drive, Douglasville

Cost: Free except for food and merchandise

Contact: Wes Tallon at 770-920-7593 or wtallon@co.douglas.ga.us.

2. Supermarket Savings

Deal: The "Supermarket Savings" theme of the Ladies' Night Out at will help you save money at your local grocery and drug stores. Space is limited, so reservations are required. 

When: 7 p.m., Thursday

Where: Tea at Seven Springs, 4456 Marietta St., downtown Powder Springs.

Cost: $15, including dinner

Contact: 770-439-9074 for reservations

3. Six Flags Military Special

Deal: Military Appreciation Days will conclude at Six Flags Over Georgia in Austell on Saturday and Sunday. Active and reservist members of the U.S. military may receive free admission for themselves and up to three dependents with their current military I.D. card. For those deployed, their spouse and up to three dependents may receive free admission with a current military I.D. card.

Extra tickets may be purchased for half off the main gate admission price. Also, retired U.S. military may buy half-off tickets.

Where: 275 Riverside Parkway, Austell

When: Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Cost: Free

Contact: 770-948-9290

4. Jobs at Career Expo at Cobb Civic Center

Deal: The ninth annual Marietta/Cobb Career Expo will begin next Wednesday morning at the Cobb Civic Center. More than 70 organizations will be recruiting during this free event.

Among the participating employers, colleges and service organizations will be AFLAC, Comcast, Department of Veterans Affairs, Engineering Design Technologies, Inc., Chattahoochee Technical College, Regions Bank, Waffle House, Walgreens and WellStar Health System.

When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sept. 28

Where: Cobb Civic Center, 548 South Marietta Parkway at Fairground Street, Marietta

Cost: Free

Contact: Georgia Department of Labor at 770-528-6109

5. Go Publixing?

Deal: Free dinner is cooked and served at near the deli every day from 4 to 7 p.m. Portions include entree and accompaniments with Aprons menus varying each week.

Unlike other stores, Publix "will accept a manufacturer’s coupon and either a Publix or a competitor coupon on the same item," according to their coupon policy.

When: 4 to 7 p.m., daily

Where: 3721 New Macland Road and 5100 Dallas Highway, Powder Springs and 2675 Lee Road, Lithia Springs

Cost: Free

Remember: You also can help military families overseas with your expired coupons through Coupon Mom's Military Coupon Program and feed your neighbors in needs with free coupon specials found at CouponMom.com and SouthernSavers.com.