By Vikki Conwell

For the AJC

Before the heat and humidity give way to the chill of fall, Atlantans can kick up their sandals one last time during Labor Day weekend. A plethora of events -- from food and football, art, history and fantasy -- will delight and satisfy a variety of entertainment enthusiasts. Here’s a sample of what the Labor Day weekend offers:

The AJC Decatur Book Festival

Book lovers rejoice at this annual festival. The festival runs Sept. 3- 5 with loads of author appearances, live entertainment, cooking demonstrations, kids activities and more. It’s free, but tickets are required for some events. At various venues in and around the Old Courthouse Square, 101 E. Court Square, Decatur. The AJC Decatur Book Festival

Art in the Park

Grab the family and head to Marietta for three days of outdoor juried art shows and artist markets, music and fun. More than 130 artists from across the nation will display their works and talents through painting, photography, pottery, sculpture and jewelry. You can create your own make-and-take projects in an interactive art alley.

In its 24th year, Art in the Park attracts more than 30,000 festivalgoers each year who can also visit neighboring restaurants, shops and museums of Historic Marietta Square. Many of the local establishments will offer special operating hours to accommodate festival participants.

10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept 4. through Monday, Sept. 6, free; free parking at the Cherokee Street Parking Deck; Glover Park, Historic Marietta Square; 770-592-7180; www.artparkmarietta.com

U.S. 10K Classic

On your mark. Get set. Go. Whether you walk, run or roll, you can join about 12,000 competitors for the U.S. 10K Classic, a fun-filled race for runners, walkers, wheelchair athletes and inline skaters. Professional cyclists and corporate teams can also join the fundraising event benefiting children’s charities in Georgia. Additional events include a 10K professional women's cycling race and a 100K professional men's cycling race. Children’s (11 and under) races will be held 11 a.m. Saturday. All races kick off in front of Cumberland Mall and conclude at Six Flags White Water Park.

Registration is available at the Family Festival, a showcase of vendor booths, art exhibits and children’s activities held 10 a.m. – 6 pm. Saturday, Sept. 4 and Noon-5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 5 at the Galleria Gardens, 2450 Galleria Pkwy., Atlanta, 30339. Registration is available online and by mail until August 31.

7 a.m. Monday, Sept. 6, Registration ranges from $15 for children to $38 for adults; Cumberland Mall, Marietta; 770-432-0100 ext. 645; www.us10k.org

Atlanta Caribbean Jerk Festival

Whet your taste buds with Caribbean cuisine while listening to live reggae and calypso performances during the 5th Annual Atlanta Caribbean Jerk Festival. The celebration of Caribbean food and music also features a cooking competition, jerk preparation demonstrations, domino and ludo tournaments and crafts. A portion of proceeds benefit the Atlanta Montego Bay Sister Cities Foundation.

Noon -11 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 5, $10 adults, children under 12 free; parking is free; Panthersville Stadium, 2817 Clifton Springs Road, Decatur; 678-760-8543, www.atlantajerkfestival.com

Atlanta Kickoff Street Fest

A big block party before a big football game is sure to please fans and non-sports fans alike. Listen to the sounds of live music with Yacht Rock Schooner, Hot Sauce & Justin plus great food and cold drinks. Your ticket to the Atlanta Kickoff Street Fest also gives you access to Front Page News, Vickery’s Bar & Grill and Sutra Lounge Nightclub. $1 of each ticket helps Gulf Coast relief.

5 p.m-3 a.m. Friday, Sept. 3, $10 advance, $15 at gate; Midtown Atlanta on Crescent Avenue, 1104 Crescent Avenue, Atlanta (between 12th and 13th Streets); www.atlantakickoffstreetfest.com

Pride At Six Flags Over Georgia

In what is expected to become an annual event, members of Atlanta’s gay community will convene for a day of fun at Six Flags over Georgia and White Water. Touted as one of the biggest Pride events of the year, activities include rides, music, food and karaoke contests.

10 a.m.-10 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 4, Six Flags over Georgia, 7561 Six Flags Pkwy., Austell; 10 a.m.-6p.m. Saturday, White Water, 250 Cobb Parkway Northeast, Marietta; $30 admission to either park, $55 park admission including buffet lunch; 404-518-6023, www.prideatsixflags.com

Beer & Whiskey Fest

It’s part beer, part whiskey and part musical tribute. This sixth year annual charity event features five tribute rock bands performing the hits of GN'R, Def Leppard, U2, Van Halen, The Police and Green Day. DJ Suspense will spin records between the live shows under the huge air-conditioned party tent, and proceeds benefit the Nature Conservancy Gulf Coast Relief Fund. A silent auction also will be held.

2 -11 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 5, $10 advance; $15 at the gate (proceeds benefit PAWS Atlanta); Park Tavern@ Piedmont Park, 500 10th St. N.E.; additional charge for food and beverages. 404-249-0001; www.beerandwhiskeyfest.com

Dragon*Con

Horror, sci-fi, comic book and fantasy characters will invade five Atlanta hotels as Dragon*Con returns for another weekend of nonstop entertainment. Billed as the largest multimedia, popular culture convention of science fiction and fantasy, gaming, comics, literature, art, music and film, Dragon*Con attracts geeks, gamers, goths and nostalgia buffs from across the region. This year’s guests include Stan Lee, co-creator of Spider-Man, Iron Man, Hulk, Fantastic Four and dozens of other Marvel Comics characters.

10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 3 through 5 p.m. Monday, Sept. 6, $25 -- $100, Hyatt Regency Atlanta, 265 Peachtree St. N.E.; Atlanta Marriott Marquis, 265 Peachtree Center Ave.; Hilton Atlanta, 255 Courtland St.; Sheraton Atlanta Hotel, 165 Courtland St., and The Westin Peachtree Plaza, 210 Peachtree St., N.W., 770-909-0115; www.dragoncon.org

12th Annual Sky High Hot Air Balloon Festival

Up, up and away. If you’ve always wanted to sail away on a hot air balloon, here’s your chance. Launch your inhibitions during the 12th annual Sky High Hot Air Balloon Festival at Callaway Gardens. Activities include a balloon glow and tethered flights each day. When you’re not lifting off into the sky, enjoy the entertainment, exhibits, music and water activities.

9 a.m. Friday through 4 p.m. Monday (balloon tethering times vary); $10 adults, $5 children; Callaway Gardens, U.S. Highway 27, Pine Mountain; 800.225-5292; callawaygardens.com

The Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Exhibition

Students can celebrate the 200th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s birth and witness an exhibition of his life. The guided tours with Malice Toward None include artifacts, original documents, videos and interactive activities. Students can also enjoy performances, storytelling and music or listen to excerpts of some of Lincoln’s most popular speeches. Younger children can participate in hands-on activities and view arts and crafts designed to broaden their understanding. The exhibition kicks off Saturday and runs through November 7.

10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 4; $8 students, one adult free with every 10 students; Atlanta History Center, 130 West Paces Ferry Road N.W., Atlanta; 404-814-4110; www.atlantahistorycenter.com

Emory Healthcare 500

NASCAR’s Labor Day weekend will again take the roads of Atlanta Motor Speedway, including night racing. The three-day festivities begin with the Friday Fan Fest featuring a 150-lap short track series race, autograph sessions and a concert. Clint Bowyer, Jeff Burton and David Ragan will also be on-hand for a question-and-answer session. Gates open at 10:30 a.m. for Saturday’s Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series practices and qualifying culminating with the Great Clips 300 NASCAR Nationwide Series night race. A concert by Foreigner kicks off Sunday’s Emory Healthcare 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series night race.

If you’ve got a little more steam left, enjoy a free fan breakfast 7-9 a.m. Monday, Sept. 6 in the infield garage area. The breakfast is free for fans displaying tickets to Sunday’s Emory Healthcare 500.

Friday, Sept. 3: gates open at 5:30 p.m., Fan Fest begins at 6 p.m., race begins at 8:45 p.m.; Saturday, Sept. 4: gates open at 10:30 a.m., race begins at 7 p.m.; Sunday, Sept. 5: gates open at 2 p.m., pre-race party 4:30-6:45 p.m., race begins at 7:30 p.m. $10, Friday or free with a ticket for Saturday or Sunday races; $30-$65 Saturday, free for children 12 and under with paid adult ticket; $19-$135 Sunday, $49 pre-race party and concert. Atlanta Motor Speedway, 1500 Ga. 19 / 41, Hampton. 770-946-4211, www.atlantamotorspeedway.com

-- By Vikki Conwell, for the AJC