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Hung up on weekend
Fun, funds fill Saturday
Dress Drive 7 es
The Prom Angels Homecoming 2009 Dress Shopping Event to collect dresses and accessories like these will be Saturday and Aug. 29 at Chris Cleaners and Clothes Spa. - photo by Emily Saunders
From cars and motorcycles to dresses and softball, there is no shortage of activities Saturday in Forsyth County.

With students back in school and football season fast approaching, it seems to be the ideal day for nonprofit organizations to raise money.

It’s also attractive for clubs staging events and local artists exhibiting their crafts.

The following events, all on Saturday, are just some of the many activities on tap throughout the county.

Dress drive

The Angels Over Forsyth organization, known for donating children’s gifts at Christmas, is launching its latest venture.

Prom Angels will hold a Homecoming 2009 Dress Shopping Event, collecting gently used, stylish prom and homecoming dresses and accessories for girls who can’t afford their own.

The tax-deductible donations will help girls “who weren’t getting to go to their prom because they couldn’t afford it,” said Natalie Roth, event organizer.

Girls can go shopping for the dresses after they show proof of having completed four hours of community service, Roth said.

“Everybody we talk to about this is really excited,” she said.

Dresses can be dropped off at Chris Cleaners, 6730 Browns Bridge Road (click for map), between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Saturday. A second collection will be held the same time Aug. 29.

Contact: (404) 402-4911 or www.promangels.webs.com.

Ball drop

Watch out for falling objects Saturday at St. Marlo Golf Club (click for map) as Mentor Me North Georgia presents its ball drop fundraiser.

“We will have a hot air balloon that will rise above the green and drop, we’re hoping, 1,500 golf balls over the green, and then the first ball in the hole will win the grand prize,” said Carol Tunstall, executive director.

The event will also feature a silent auction, long putt contest and cocktail hour.

Tunstall said the organization raised about $10,000 during its inaugural ball drop last year.

“We’re hoping to exceed that this year,” she said.

Proceeds go directly to the organization, which provides children in the community with the support and guidance of mentors.

Tickets are $40 each or $75 per couple. The cost of golf balls is $5 for one, $10 for three and $35 for a dozen. The event runs from 6 to 9 p.m.

Contact: (770) 341-8028, carol@mentormenorthga.org or www.mentormenorthga.org.

Poker run

Motorcyclists can play poker on wheels during Hogs for Hands Motorcycle Poker Run.

Organized by by Hands on Forsyth and Forsyth County Community Connection, the event begins at the Maple Street parking lot (click for map) by the Cumming Fairgrounds.

“Bikers will start out at one location and they are able to draw a card,” said Nicole McCoy, executive director. “They progress to different locations and at each different location they draw a different card.

“When they get to their final stop, we see who has the best poker hand.”

Prizes will also go to the worst poker hand and raffle winners.

Local biker group, North Georgia Mountain Riders, is helping put on the event.

Registration begins at 9 a.m. Cost: $25 per driver, $10 per passenger.

Contact: (770) 205-1701, nicolemccoy@connectforsyth.org or www.connectforsyth.org.

Flea market

The Humane Society of Forsyth County, a no-kill animal shelter, is holding the No Flea Market, with everything from furniture and tools to clothing and crafts at Central Park (click for map).

The public is invited to set up tables, donate items or peruse all the merchandise for sale.

“A lot of folks have donated items ahead of the event,” said Lisa Leonard, society president. “We have other folks who have decided they would rather have their own booth on the day of the event and they’re coming with their own things that are priced.”

For those who would like to keep their proceeds, there is a $40 booth fee, Leonard said.

Proceeds go to the society’s spay and neutering assistance program. Extra items not sold will go to Family Haven and The Place of Forsyth County.

The No Flea Market is set for 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the park, 2300 Keith Bridge Road. Admission is free.

Contact: (678) 887-6480, lleonard@forsythpets.org or www.forsythpets.com.

Car show

The 16th annual Mount Pisgah Baptist Church Auto Crusade returns to the Cumming Fairgrounds (click for map).

About 150 to 200 car owners will show off their hot rods to help raise money for the church’s youth program.

“It’s all makes and models of cars from the early 1920s up to present days,” said Danny Bearden, event organizer. “I have a set number of people that have come every year for years and then we’ll have new people come.”

Cars will be judged in different classes, Bearden said. There’s also a model car contest, food vendors, games and model cars for kids.

Dave Horton, fairgrounds administrator, said the church “really does a good job” with the show.

“There’s a pretty steady stream of folks all day long,” he said. “We’ve got a lot of antique car enthusiasts around here.”

There is a $25 charge to enter a car into the show, which runs from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free.

Contact: (770) 889-0116 or vwww.mtpisgahbaptistchurch.org.

Softball tourney

More than 200 athletes from three states will gather at Central Park on Keith Bridge Road (click for map) for the Special Olympics Forsyth County Battle of the Bats.

About a dozen local athletes will compete against those from Cobb, Henry, DeKalb and other Georgia counties, as well as teams from Tennessee and South Carolina.

The double-elimination softball tournament’s opening ceremony begins at 8:30 a.m. Games may last until the evening, said organizer Linda Fitzpatrick.

“This is [our] first softball invitational that we have put together,” she said. “The local community has helped us raise over $4,000 dollars in 90 days to be able to host this tournament. It’s something we’re very, very proud of.”

Fitzpatrick said the athletes bring some serious competition and would “love screaming fans to stop by.”

This year’s event is mostly for the players’ experience, though Fitzpatrick hopes it may eventually evolve into a fundraiser.

The games will take place on fields four, five, six and seven.  Admission is free, with donations accepted.

Contact: lindafso@yahoo.com or www.soforsyth.com.

Arts, crafts fair

About 85 vendors will offer everything from jewelry to children’s books during the Big Creek Arts and Crafts Fair.

The ninth annual event benefits two First Redeemer Church mission programs, There’s Hope for the Hungry and Whispering Hope.

In addition to crafts, the festival will feature a silent auction, food and door prizes.

Judy Lee, wife of First Redeemer Pastor Richard Lee, said the event features “something for all ages.”

“If you’re there, you’re probably going to get a prize,” she said.

Cost: $3.50, free for children under 10 years old.

The event runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the church, 2100 Peachtree Parkway (click for map).

Contact: www.firstredeemer.org.

Staff Writer Frank Reddy contributed to this report.