🛶 Fifty-Fifty

Good morning, Forsyth County.

Parents and grandparents know exactly where we are on the calendar. This is the final weekend before Forsyth County students return to school on Thursday, August 6.

I imagine local families are split about fifty-fifty right now. Some are ready for the routines, earlier bedtimes and a little more structure. Others are trying to squeeze every last drop out of summer with one more trip to the pool, another park visit, an ice cream run or a slow morning with nowhere to be.

However your family spends these final days, I hope they are good ones. Enjoy the later evenings, the quieter mornings and those small summer moments that always seem to pass faster than expected.

- Chad

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A portion of the Big Creek Greenway is temporarily closed after a large fallen tree damaged part of the trail near the Bethelview Trailhead. Forsyth County announced the closure on July 27, saying the Bethelview Trailhead and the Greenway stretching south to mile marker 8.1 will remain closed while crews assess the damage and complete repairs. Visitors should avoid the affected section until the county confirms it is safe to reopen. Other portions of the Greenway remain available, but walkers, runners and cyclists should plan around the closure before heading out. The county has not announced an estimated reopening date.

Family Promise of Forsyth County has expanded its services with two new resources designed to help local families build greater stability. The nonprofit held a ribbon cutting July 28 for its Everyday Essentials Pantry and Business Boutique at the Family Promise Bridge Center on Samaritan Drive in Cumming. The pantry will provide food and basic household supplies to families struggling to make ends meet, with plans to open every other Saturday. The Business Boutique will offer professional clothing for job interviews and the workplace, helping participants prepare for new employment opportunities without the added cost of purchasing an appropriate wardrobe. Family Promise has served Forsyth County since 2016, providing temporary housing, case management and other support to families experiencing housing instability.

Eight students from Alliance Academy for Innovation have launched a NASA-funded experiment into space after earning recognition in the national TechRise Student Challenge. Their project, called Microgravity Metamaterial Nexus, explores whether nickel-coated polymer particles can organize themselves into useful three-dimensional structures in microgravity. The research could contribute to future methods for manufacturing antennas and deployable sensors in space rather than sending them fully assembled from Earth. Alliance Academy was one of 60 schools selected nationwide for the challenge. The team received $1,500, a specialized flight box, technical support and mentoring to transform its original proposal into a working experiment. The project gave the Forsyth County students an opportunity to follow the same design, testing and development process used by professional space researchers.

Puppetpalooza!
When: Thursday, July 30, 6:30 PM – 7:00 PM
What: Children and families can spend the evening enjoying a lively library puppet show. The family-friendly program is designed for preschool and elementary-aged children and offers a playful conclusion to the library’s summer events.
Where: Cumming Library, 585 Dahlonega Street, Cumming, GA 30040.

Teen Trinket Bowl Crafting
When: Thursday, July 30, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
What: Teens can create small decorative bowls for jewelry, keepsakes and other personal items during a guided evening craft session. The program is intended for students entering grades 6 through 12.
Where: Denmark Library, 530 Fowler Road, Alpharetta, GA 30004.

Kidz Dayz: Back-to-School Bash
When: Thursday, July 30, 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
What: Cumming City Center is hosting an afternoon of bounce houses, outdoor games, vendors, face painting and other family activities before the new school year begins. Organizers will also collect donations of coats, toys and school supplies. Parents can relax and visit while children enjoy the activities, and Jump N Jacks Moonwalks will keep the bounce houses and games open until 4:00 PM.
Where: Cumming City Center, 423 Canton Road, Cumming, GA 30040

BPRC Cumming Run Group
When: Thursday, July 30, 7:00 PM
What: Big Peach Running Co. hosts its weekly Cumming run group at Crooked Culture Brewing. Runners and walkers of every pace and experience level are welcome, with participants able to choose the distance that works best for them. The gathering offers a casual way to exercise, meet other local runners and spend the evening at Cumming City Center.
Where: Crooked Culture Brewing, 421 Vision Drive, Cumming, GA 30040.

Something Rotten!
When: Thursday, July 30 through Sunday, August 2, at 7:00 PM nightly
What: The Forsyth Academy of Performing Arts is presenting the final four performances of its 2026 summer community-theater production. The musical comedy is rated PG-13 and may not be suitable for younger audiences. Tickets are required.
Where: Forsyth Academy of Performing Arts, 520 Industrial Way, Suite B, Cumming, GA 30040.

Friday Mood: Jazzercise Move & Groove on the Lawn
When: Friday, July 31, 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM
What: Start Friday with a free outdoor Jazzercise class combining cardiovascular exercise and strength training. All fitness levels are welcome. Participants should bring water, an exercise mat and handheld weights, with weights between five and 10 pounds recommended.
Where: Lou Sobh Amphitheater at Cumming City Center, 423 Canton Road, Cumming, GA 30040.

Summer Finale!
When: Friday, July 31, 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM
What: Hampton Park Library is closing out the Summer Reading Challenge with games, crafts and a special button for participating readers. Children and families can stop by and celebrate everything they accomplished during the summer program.
Where: Hampton Park Library, 5345 Settingdown Road, Cumming, GA 30041.

Summer Fridays in Forsyth
When: Friday, July 31, 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
What: The Collection at Forsyth is hosting an evening of live music and outdoor gathering on The Green. Participating restaurants will offer to-go cocktails and drink specials that guests can enjoy while strolling through the shopping district. Bring a lawn chair or blanket for seating.
Where: The Collection at Forsyth, 410 Peachtree Parkway, Cumming, GA 30041.

84: A Van Halen Tribute
When: Friday, July 31, 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM
What: The tribute band 84 will recreate the sound and energy of Van Halen’s original David Lee Roth-era lineup during a free outdoor concert. Admission and parking are free. Visitors may bring lawn chairs or blankets, but outside food, drinks and coolers are prohibited.
Where: Lou Sobh Amphitheater at Cumming City Center, 423 Canton Road, Cumming, GA 30040.

Cumming Farmers Market
When: Saturday, August 1, 7:00 AM – 11:00 AM
What: Shop for farm-fresh produce, locally raised meats, eggs, honey, homemade breads, desserts, jams, plants and handmade arts and crafts. The market will be set up in the Vision Parkway parking lot.
Where: Cumming City Center, 423 Canton Road, Cumming, GA 30040.

Latin Festival 2026
When: Saturday, August 1, 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
What: United Way Forsyth and Dawson Counties is hosting a free celebration featuring live music, cultural dance, authentic food, children’s activities and community resources. Families can also receive free backpacks and school supplies while quantities last.
Where: Cumming Fairgrounds, 235 Castleberry Road, Cumming, GA 30040.

Jackson Chase at the Lou Sobh Amphitheater
When: Saturday, August 1, 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM
What: Jackson Chase will perform his blend of country, blues and rock during a free outdoor concert. Admission and parking are free. Visitors may bring lawn chairs or blankets, but outside food, drinks and coolers are prohibited.
Where: Lou Sobh Amphitheater at Cumming City Center, 423 Canton Road, Cumming, GA 30040.

Slide Into Sundays
When: Sunday, August 2, 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM
What: Cumming City Center and Jump N Jacks Moonwalks are filling the lawn with bounce houses, water slides and games. Admission is $10 per child. Families should bring clothing and supplies appropriate for outdoor water activities.
Where: Cumming City Center, 423 Canton Road, Cumming, GA 30040.

Summer Slam
When: Sunday, August 2, beginning at 1:00 PM
What: Cumming First United Methodist Church is hosting an afternoon of games, challenges and friendly family competition. The event begins with lunch, followed by youth team competitions, a Kids’ Corner and a Family Game Show Challenge. Registration is available through the event page.
Where: Cumming First United Methodist Church, 770 Canton Highway, Cumming, GA 30040.

Understanding America: Internationalist or Isolationist?
When: Sunday, August 2, 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM
What: The library’s Celebrating America 250 series continues with a presentation and discussion examining United States foreign policy throughout the country’s 250-year history. Dr. Jon McRae will lead the adult program.
Where: Denmark Library, 530 Fowler Road, Alpharetta, GA 30004.

89° 🌡️ 66° | ☀️ | 0% | 💨 5 mph NW

90° 🌡️ 69° | ☀️ | 0% | 💨 5 mph E

87° 🌡️ 70° | ⛈️ | 60% | 💨 5 mph variable

84° 🌡️ 69° | ⛈️ | 90% | 💨 5 mph variable

💧🌡️ Water temperature = 76ºF
Temperature readings taken from Lake Sidney Lanier the night before publication

Thanks for reading today’s Forsyth Flyer.

As summer winds down and school routines return, I hope this issue helped you find something useful, discover somewhere new or feel a little more connected to what is happening around Forsyth County.

If you know someone who would enjoy the Flyer, please send this issue their way. Every forwarded email helps the publication reach another neighbor.

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Enjoy the final weekend of summer break, and have a great weekend!