September Saturdays Festival Coming Up

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. Free Heroes Day on Saturday

Deal: Heroes Day and the Touch-a-Truck Experience will be a part of  the first of two September Saturdays Festivals. There will be free admission, free parking and free shuttle service.

Among the attractions will be a Community Marketplace with more than 120 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 "Against the Influence" activities for teens, the Atlanta Hawks Street Experience and "Chat with the Chairman" with Douglas Commission Chairman Tom Worthan.

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. From DreamWorks Animation,  MegaMind features the voices of Will Ferrell, Tina Fey, Brad Pitt, David Cross and Jonah Hill. 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 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. Six Flags Military Special

Deal: Military Appreciation Days will be held at Six Flags Over Georgia in Austell on Saturday and Sunday and on Sept. 24-25. 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.; Sept. 24, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Sept. 25, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Cost: Free

Contact: 770-948-9290

3. Austell Clothing Consignment Sale

Deal: Nearly 200 sellers will participate in a youth clothing consignment sale at an Austell church later this week. Most items will sell for half off on Saturday.

Also, old laptops are needed by the church for a tax-deductible donation to help with checkout.

When: 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, and 9 a.m. to noon Saturday

Where: Orange Hill Baptist Church, 4293 Austell Road, Austell.

Contacts: Email kidskingdomconsignment@orangehill.org, call 770-948-9388 ext. 53 or visit orangehill.org.

4. More Supermarket Savings

Deal: The theme of the next 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., Sept. 22

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

Cost: $15, including dinner

Contact: 770-439-9074 for reservations

5. Library Card Sign-Up Month

Deal: As many already know, many free services are available through the Cobb and Douglas library systems. This month is Library Card Sign-up Month. These cards are free to county residents, providing students, for example, with free access to databases of new articles, encyclopedias and test preparation materials, as well as homework help and resources.

Libraries also provide free Internet access with recently updated computers in Cobb, an important resource for families without access at home since nearly all school districts require students to use the Internet to complete homework.

Getting a library card is easy and only takes a few minutes. Parents and guardians should visit the library with their children, bring proof of residency and a photo ID and fill out a short form.

Where: Lithia Springs Library and Powder Springs Library

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.