If you’re looking for free, family-friendly, non-scary Halloween experiences, check out the wide variety of Trunk or Treat events within our local communities of Alpharetta, Johns Creek and Duluth. We’ve compiled some of our favorite options below. These events offer great opportunities to get involved in your local community and celebrate Halloween in a fun way. Let us know which ones you plan to go to in the next few weeks.

Johns Creek Police Department Trunk or Treat
The Johns Creek Police Department is hosting its annual Trunk or Treat event on Wednesday, October 24 from 6:00-8:00 pm at their Headquarters. Last year the event brought thousands of children, so this year is sure to not disappoint. The event will include activities for children, treats, refreshments and, of course, candy. Be sure to dress your little ones in their best costumes!

Duluth’s Howl on the Green 
On Friday, October 26, the city of Duluth will host their annual Halloween event, Howl on the Green on the city’s town green. The event will feature Food Trucks, Trick-or-Treating, Costume Contests, Crafts, Live Entertainment, and music, oh my! Kids events are from 6-9pm. The night turns to fright with spooky entertainment beginning 9pm with fire dancers, aerialist and more!

Trick or Treat at Avalon
Local businesses within Avalon in Alpharetta are handing out candy and treats to children on Saturday, October 27, 2018 from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm. When you arrive, stop by the Concierge desk to pick up your Trick or Treat map and then stop by the retailers who are handing out candy. When you’ve collected all your candy, don’t forget to drop off your completed map back at the Concierge desk to be entered into to with an Avalon family fun prize package!

Johns Creek Baptist Trunk or Treat
On Sunday, October 28, 2018 from 3:00 - 5:00 pm, Johns Creek Baptist Church is offering a fun and safe Trunk-or-Treat for kids of all ages. Come in your non-scary, family friendly costumes, and enjoy the fun and excitement of walking around together to get candy, treats, smiles, and laughter.

The Sixth Annual Wire & Wood Songwriters Festival will be held in revitalized downtown Alpharetta on October 12-13. The festival is free to the public this year and will be held in multiple outdoor venues including local restaurants throughout Milton Avenue and Main Street. 

Headliners include Robert Randolph & The Family Band, Justin Townes Earle, Dan Wilson and Glen Phillips.

Robert Randolph & The Family Band was nominated for a Grammy in 2018 for Best Contemporary Blues Album and recently collaborated with Darius Rucker. Justin Townes Earle has released eight solo albums since 2007 and his name may sound familiar - he is the son of singer-songwriter Steve Earle.

The main stage will be in the middle of Milton Avenue and two side stages will be in the all new City Center on Main Street. Local eateries South Main Kitchen and Ceviche are headlining sponsors and both will have stages in and around their restaurants. 

South Main Kitchen features delicate, delicious southern inspired entrees with a twist. We recommend heading to their rooftop bar for a cozy view of downtown Alpharetta where you can order off the exclusive rooftop menu. Ceviche is known for their homemade sangria and wide variety of margaritas. The restaurant will host the inaugural “late night jam” on late Friday and Saturday which is sure to be a fun time.

Smokejack BBQ is also a headlining sponsor of the festival. Smokejack won’t have a featured stage this year, but will instead host live music from Zac Martin in their bar all night on Friday. If you can’t decide what to order, their burnt ends are to die for.

In addition to the plethora of local cuisine, there will be plenty of food, wine and beer tents if you’d rather mingle. While you’re downtown take a peek at the progress of our new office space, which is located in the Liberty Hall building at 33 S Main Street. Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Georgia Properties is scheduled to move in by end of the year and we can’t wait to show you around! If you’ve never experienced all that downtown Alpharetta has to offer, the Wire & Wood Festival is the perfect opportunity.

Here in Johns Creek in the North Atlanta area and throughout the Southeast, the start of the Fall season brings a great opportunity to plant a successful garden due to the cooler temperatures that reduce plant stress. Unlike the harsh heat of the summer months, roots have the ability to establish quickly which allows for newly planted trees and perennials to develop.

Many local nurseries also have plants that have been growing in the same containers all season and prices are usually marked down to make room for Christmas trees. This is a great opportunity to score some plants at half off.

According to Proven Winners, you can plant up to 6 weeks out before the ground freezes, you just need to make sure to provide supplemental water when needed. Once planted, you’ll want to feed your bulbs by fertilizing. Then lastly, don’t forget to mulch!

You may be tempted to plant your spring bulbs soon after the first cool weather of Fall hits in early October, but it’s important to wait to plant spring bulbs until the temperatures have consistently been in the 60s. This way the soil is warm enough to stimulate root growth. 

Here are a number of local nurseries and home improvement stores that offer free DIY gardening workshops:

On October 6, Randy’s Perennials and Water Garden in Lawrenceville is offering a Customer Appreciation Day with fun activities, food and special discounts.

On October 17, Pike Nurseries in Suwanee is offering a free Fall Container Gardening workshop.

After you load up on plants at the Garden Center at Home Depot in Johns Creek, check out a free Witch Hat Door Hanger Workshop on October 18.

If you’re in the mood for an in-town field trip, join the North Fulton Master Gardeners for a free Fall Vegetable and Planting Workshop at Farm Chastain on October 20.

Take advantage of these local opportunities and get your Fall garden off to a great start before winter hits.

One of the most desired Johns Creek neighborhoods that we help homeowners and homebuyers navigate is Doublegate. While there are a plethora of swim and tennis communities in North Atlanta, Doublegate remains at the top list of the most sought-after communities because of its active tennis leagues and swim team, its well constructed, large floorplan homes and its convenient location in the heart of Johns Creek.

Perfect for families looking for their forever home, Doublegate boasts a private swim and tennis club with a pool, playground, sports court, six tennis courts with some of the best lighting in Johns Creek, a lawn area and walking paths. Residents are proud to actively participate in over 15 ALTA Tennis Leagues and in 2017, the mixed doubles ALTA team even won the city championship. Each year the neighborhood hosts a Doublegate Open which is enjoyed by players and their families and truly celebrates the tennis community within the neighborhood. In addition, the Doublegator summer swim team league is part of the Atlanta Swimming Association and over 100 children in the neighborhood join the team each summer.

The HOA is also very active and puts on a variety of events throughout the year. One of the biggest highlights is Halloween at Doublegate which features a pizza party, bacon house and a haunted house tailgate.

Doublegate has an appealing wide variety of home architectural styles and large floorplans. Typically homes in the community are four or more bedrooms and many feature basements. Lots range from at least half an acre to over an acre in size.

We’ve been fortunate to help many buyers find their dream home in Doublegate and serve many homeowners ready to sell by marketing and selling their home to our network of qualified, interested buyers.

If you would like more information regarding available real estate in Doublegate or you’re thinking of selling and would like a free, no-obligation property valuation, click here.

As of today's post there are:

• 4 Active Doublegate homes for sale  $454,900/low, $529,000/high
• 0 Contingency Due Diligence Doublegate homes for sale
• 0 Contingency - Other - Doublegate homes for sale properties
• 0 Contingency Kick Out Doublegate homes for sale
• 1 Pending sale Doublegate homes for sale

We’ve compiled a list of the top three Fall festivals around North Atlanta that you won’t want to miss. From art, to live music, to fried fair food, the options are limitless for OTP fall fun.

Duluth Fall Festival: September 27-30

The award-winning Duluth Fall Festival celebrates the sweet history and town of Duluth and kicks off with a Carnival on Thursday and Friday. Then, at 10:00 am Saturday, a Welcome Parade marks the start of the Festival that takes place on Saturday and Sunday. The Grand Marshall of this year’s parade is Duluth native and 1980 Heisman Trophy Winner George Rogers.

To avoid fighting for a parking spot, free, air-conditioned shuttles that drop you off at the front door of the festival. The three shuttle locations leave from Chattahoochee Elementary School, Peachtree Ridge High School and Duluth Middle School. Admission and parking are free for the event. Single carnival tickets cost $1.25 each or you can pay $25.00 for a strip of 20 tickets with 1 free ride included.

Alpharetta Scarecrow Harvest: September 29 

Travel+Leisure recently rated Scarecrow Harvest as the best fall festival in Georgia. This free, family festival features over 100 lifesize scarecrows created by members of the local community and are displayed throughout downtown Alpharetta. At 12:00 pm awards are given for most creative, best personality,  best-constructed scarecrows. The event will feature live music, face painting, festival food, story-telling, and inflatables.

Cumming Country Fair and Festival: October 4-14

If you’re looking for a traditional Fair experience, the Cumming Country Fair is your best bet. This year’s Fair features concerts from Trace Adkins and Confederate Railroad. There will also be a Grizzly Bear Show, and Olympic Dive show and a Human Cannonball show. Admission for ages 10 and under is free and ages 11 and up is $11.00. Parking is an additional $5.00. 

If you're thinking about buying a brand-new home for you and your family, then it's important to make sure you have a plan of action in mind. It's easy to let emotions carry you away with them when you're looking at homes - particularly if you're buying for the first time. However, it's worth remembering that a home is a huge investment, and something that you need to get right  the first-time if you want to avoid any long-term headaches.

To help you get the most out of your time spent viewing your listings, we've put together a guide to the 3 most important things you'll need to look at in your new home. Let's get started.

The Location

There are few things more important in real-estate than the right location. While you can change the décor and even the structure of your home, you'll need to make sure that you've got the neighborhood right, as that's something you'll need to live with whether you like it or not. Consider the following factors when choosing the best location:

• Can you get along with your neighbors? Consider visiting the destination a few times before you decide to buy and looking for opportunities to speak with your would-be neighbors. Knock on their door and explain that you're considering moving to their area. They should be happy to answer any questions you might have.
• Does the neighborhood have the right amenities? Are you close enough to work, playground for the kids, schools, hospitals and stores? Is everything you need in relatively close proximity? If not, do you mind traveling the extra distance?

Is the Structure Sturdy and Reliable?

It's easy to get caught up in the way a building looks when you're a first-time buyer. However, the last thing you want is to move into your new home and discover that it's not as safe and reliable as you thought it was. While it's tempting to get carried away with your purchase, make sure that you're devoting enough time to finding out whether the property is in good condition before you agree to buy.

For instance, one of the most important structural elements all home buyers need to check is the state of the roof. Having the roof inspected before you move in can save you a lot of time and costs later on.

Make Sure It Fits your Lifestyle

Finally, the key to purchasing the perfect home for you and your family is making sure that it fits with your lifestyle. For instance, is your dream home big enough for the family you have now, and the family you hope to have in the future?

Before you reach out to your local movers Bellhops Atlanta to start moving your belongings over to your new home, make sure everything is going to fit. Think about the size and the floor plan, and any plans you might have for the next ten years that might affect your needs. A house is a long-term investment, so don't approach it with a short-term view.

If you live in Johns Creek, you’re likely familiar with the award-winning Newtown Dog Park. What you may not know is that every year the city of Johns Creeks hosts a Pup-A-Palooza for furry friends across the Atlanta area.

On Saturday, September 22 from 11:00 am - 1:00 pm at the Mark Burkhalter Ampitheater at Newtown Park, the City of Johns Creek invites you and your furry friend to partake the 2018 Pup-A-Palooza. There will be a Best Dressed Dog and Best Dog Trick contest as well as live music. There will even be a caricature artist, so you can take home a custom photo of you and Fido.

Newtown Dog Park officially opened in 2011 after local resident Pat McNeely won a national contest sponsored by Beneful Dog Food. Since its opening, it has won multiple awards, most recently winning the Best Dog Park in Atlanta by Access Atlanta. The Johns Creek dog park sits on one acre and features artificial turf, sprinklers, water drinking stations, a walking trail and a separate area for small and large dogs. It’s open from 8:00 am - 9:00 pm each day except for Wednesdays, when the park is closed from 8:00 am to 10:00 am for weekly maintenance.

A&S Culinary Concepts brings many delicious opportunities to Doublegate property owners. Chef Andrew Traub got into the food industry at age 15 and never looked back. He has more than 30 years of experience, loves food, and has worked hard to share what he knows with others. A&S Culinary Concepts has much to offer Doublegate property owners. Come for a private cooking class, call them in for corporate catering, plan a private group dinner or family celebration, sign up for a corporate team building experience, and watch for wine pairings, craft beer dinners, and much more.

People Living in Doublegate Take Classes from Chef Andrew

Business owners living in Doublegate can keep A&S Culinary Concepts in mind for team building and catering. Sign up the whole accounting department for culinary combat. Who can perfect the dish Chef Andrew teaches everyone to prepare? Also boost morale and attendance at meetings by offering delicious food from A&S Culinary Concepts. Maybe your staff will even be excited when they see a meeting on the calendar. Find the perfect menu that coincides with any dietary needs at the office. Know that all food is prepared from scratch with homemade stocks, sauces, mayonnaise, and dressings. Signature spice blends, house cured and smoked bacon, and roasted meats are used. Pastry chefs on staff also create scrumptious and beautiful desserts to leave a lasting impression.

A&S Culinary Concepts is also known for its Original Big Green Egg Bootcamps. Whether a beginner griller or a master, there is something new to learn. Find out all of the details of preparing any course on the grill. Make salads, sides, meat, seafood, and even dessert on the Big Green Egg. Impress your family by presenting a beautiful and delicious full meal prepared outside. Find more about the grilling camps, cooking classes, and corporate offerings by visiting A&S Culinary Concepts. 

Anyone living in Johns Creek who is thinking about taking on an investment property should be sure to account for ongoing expenses when calculating the costs of owning and maintaining the home. It is important to plan for the unexpected and also to take into account all known costs when making the decision to buy and how much to spend. You are more likely to get a good return on your investment if you set aside enough money to properly take care of your Johns Creek property.

Be smart in the type of mortgage and insurance that you decide on. If you can, put as much down as possible to reduce the amount of interest you need to pay. Choose a fixed rate mortgage if it is important that your payments do not change, and do your research to make sure you are properly protected by insurance. There are several types of insurance to consider, including building insurance, landlord insurance, and contents insurance. Sit down with a professional, talk about what type of use you expect to have at your property, and decide on the proper coverage.

Make a Budget for Your Johns Creek Property for Repairs and Insurance

Two other costs to keep in mind are maintenance and repair and property management fees. Depending on the condition of the property at the time of purchase, some matters may need to be attended to right away. Other things will pop up at unexpected times. Who knows when the furnace will stop working or the roof will need to be replaced. It could also be a good idea to put a little money into the house and make it nicer so that you could charge a higher rate and make the property more appealing. Lastly, some people living in Johns Creek may prefer to manage their property on their own, but that can be very stressful. A property manager can take care of communicating with tenants, staying on top of maintenance, and being there to take care of issues as they come up. This convenience, however, comes at an added cost and will need to be taken into consideration when calculating ongoing expenses.

The Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area offers Doublegate real estate owners a beautiful nearby location to get out and explore nature. There is much to do here in the 48 miles of river that meanders through the northern suburbs of Atlanta. Spend some time on the water or explore the many recreation areas on the land near the river. A good place to start your adventure would be the Island Ford Visitor Center, located at 8800 Roberts Drive in Sandy Springs, GA. Pick up maps, chat with the staff about the best places to go, grab a souvenir to take back to your Doublegate home, and pick up an Annual Park Pass if you plan to visit often. Come just for a day and pay $5 or opt for the Annual Park Pass for $40. America the Beautiful Passes can also be used at this park.

Doublegate Home Owners Go Kayaking, Hiking, and Biking

Spend some time floating down the river. Rafts, canoes, kayaks, motor boats, and other small crafts are allowed in the river anytime of the year. Boating is available from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset. Spend time with friends or family relaxing, fish from your boat, or move quietly to try to see wildlife. The river can be accessed from many locations, and rental equipment is available from area authorized outfitters. If you prefer to stay on the land, there are many miles of hiking and biking trails available.

Visit the park on your own or take advantage of one of the many events and programs offered. Rangers often lead guided walks, there are many volunteer opportunities, and also educational offerings for youth. Be aware that many events and programs do require registration in advance. All who live in Doublegate real estate are invited to view the calendar, find more details and a plan a visit to Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area.