Like the fluttering autumn leaves, fall festival season continues. The following is a collection of eclectic encounters of the festival kind.
10th annual Indian Festival and Powwow
The scoop: This celebration of Native American culture takes place in a virtual tepee village at Stone Mountain Park's antebellum plantation and farmyard. More than 50 tribes are represented, with arts and activities spread across four days. Dancers and drummers keep tradition alive as they compete for prizes by stomping and pounding away. Others showcase skills such as bow making, fire starting and open-fire cooking. Food samples will be available, too. Cruise the marketplace where Native American artisans sell wares. If your moccasins start barking, kick back to entertainment such as traditional musical performances and an appearance by snake wrangler, musician and wildlife educator Okefenokee Joe.
Don't miss: At 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, competitors will participate in the grand entry and show off their tribal best. Dancing follows throughout the day.
Information: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Thursday-Friday; 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. $10; $10 parking per vehicle. Stone Mountain Park, U.S. 78 E., Exit 8, Stone Mountain. 770-498-5690, www .stonemountainpark.com .
10th annual Buford Ace Classic Cruise-in and Car Show
The scoop: It's a gear head's paradise as about 300 vehicles gather in the parking lot of the S&S Ace Hardware & Mower in Buford. A variety of rides from dragsters to motorcycles line up in all directions. "Look, a street rod!" "Dad, take a picture of that real NASCAR car!" The overall theme is a glance back at yesteryear. Hot dogs are free and sodas are 25 cents. DJ Mark Joseph will spin classics from the '50s and '60s. Visitors can enter the raffle for prizes, including restaurant gift certificates. Or troll the silent auction for bargains like floor tile while kids shoot at targets with a paintball gun.
Don't miss: Expect rarities of all kinds, including a vintage British roadster owned by a gent who's taking it around the world from one contest to another. It's free to show your own car, but $15 to enter the competition. Proceeds benefit the North Gwinnett Cooperative.
Information: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday. Free. S&S Ace Hardware & Mower, 4300 Buford Drive, Buford. 770-932-1458, www.ssacehardware.com .
Ninth annual Afternoon in the Country at Serenbe
The scoop: Serenbe, a rustic-meets-posh sustainable community and retreat in Palmetto, sets the stage for this bash hosted by the Atlanta chapter of Les Dames d'Escoffier International, a group of women in the service and hospitality industries, as a fund-raiser. Organizers bring in more than 40 chefs from Atlanta restaurants such as Rathbun's, Restaurant Eugene and Serenbe's own restaurants. They, along with area retailers, and wine and microbrew representatives, set up tasting stations underneath massive tents. Guests mingle with organic farmers and soak up a soundtrack of bluegrass fusion by the band Drivetrain. A one-of-a-kind cake raffle, a silent auction, hayrides and more round out the day.
Don't miss: Contemplating silent auction items such as a private concert by Francine Reed.
Information: 1-4 p.m. Sunday. $95; $35 ages 12-20; free ages 11 and younger. The Inn at Serenbe, 10950 Hutcheson Ferry Road, Palmetto. 770-463-2610, www.ldeiatlanta.org .
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