Car Show, Bike Ride, Film Festival Highlight Fall Events

More than cool weather is coming to Douglasville this fall. A collection of exciting, new and improved events are scheduled to debut. From Hot Rods & Hops, Oct. 18; Pedal for Your Palate, Oct. 19; to On the Reel Film Festival, Nov. 1 and 2, this season’s line-up of events is not to be missed.

Fall festivities presented by the City of Douglasville will kick off with Hot Rods & Hops, Friday, Oct. 18 from 4 to 10 p.m., on O’Neal Plaza. Hot Rods & Hops brings revving entertainment to downtown Douglasville, featuring amazing hot rods, a live performance by Hot Rod Walt and the Psycho-DeVilles, and Hops Alley, a craft brew tasting.

“This event is sure to spark fun for attendees. Come check out some of the area's coolest classic, muscle, and other high-performance vehicles, or showcase your ride at the car show,” said Douglasville Main Street Manager Stephanie Aylworth.

At no cost, attendees can tour the car show, shop vendor booths, and enjoy live music. Hops Alley tickets are on sale for $10 each and can be purchased online at www.visitdouglasville.com in the events section, or at the Douglasville Welcome Center. Attendees must be 21 or older with a valid I.D. to participate in the sampling.

Hot Rods & Hops is presented by the Irish Bred Pub and the Douglasville Downtown Development Authority (DDA). Event proceeds will benefit the DDA’s downtown redevelopment efforts. To become a sponsor, vendor, or to learn how to enter a vehicle in the car show, call 770-947-5920. There is a registration fee of $25 per vehicle to enter.

The Douglasville Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) has uniquely combined charity and cycling as a fun and invigorating way to support a great cause. Pedal for Your Palate is a community-focused charity bike ride in downtown Douglasville.

“This year’s event will help raise money for The Pantry, a local food bank,” said Douglasville CVB Tourism Director Randi Miles. Cyclists of all levels are invited to get in gear and participate in the family-friendly event taking place Saturday, Oct. 19 at 8 a.m. “Bike riders can select from three different routes to pedal at their own pace for good, healthy fun while supporting the community,” said Miles.

The 5-mile, fun ride is a low-intensity cruise through downtown Douglasville's scenic historic district, and for more competitive cyclists, there are 25- and 62-mile routes to choose from. The Douglasville CVB will donate $5 from each entry fee to go towards the overall event goal donation. A food drive will also be held the day of the event to support The Pantry’s mission in providing free canned goods and other food items to local families in need. To sign up, support, or volunteer, visit www.pedaldouglasville.com, or call 770-947-5920. The deadline to pre-register for the event is Wednesday, Oct. 16 by 5 p.m.

Downtown Douglasville will host two other popular events on Oct. 19 including the Douglasville/Douglas County Cultural Arts Council’s 17th Annual Chili Cook-off from 6 to 9 p.m., on O’Neal Plaza, and the 34th Annual City of Douglasville Moonlight Run, the largest after-dark 5K and one-mile run in the Southeast. The first race is set to begin at 7 p.m. on Church Street.

Reel in the fun Nov. 1 and 2, at the inaugural On the Reel Film Festival. The 2-day event celebrates amateur filmmakers’ creative talent in writing, directing, and production of G- to PG-13 rated short films. Film categories include action and suspense, comedy, drama, documentary, and animation, and are separated into four age groups: youth (ages 6 to 13), teen (ages 14 to 18), traditional age college students, and adult semi-professional filmmakers 21 and up.

Opening night of the festival on Friday, Nov.1 will include a red carpet film preview presentation and reception. Saturday, Nov. 2 will feature film screenings, workshops, green screen adventures, headshot souvenirs, a costume and makeup showcase, concessions, and other hands-on activities. A highly-rated animated movie will also be shown in the new conference center auditorium for the entire family to enjoy.

“We are very excited about this event. To date, we have received 26 movie shorts from filmmakers of all ages. Our international submissions have come all the way from Poznań, Poland and Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates!” said Aylworth.

Event tickets can be purchased online at www.onthereelfilmfestival.com or at the Douglasville Welcome Center. Sponsorship opportunities and entertainment related vendor booths are still available; go online or call 770-947-5920 for details.

To learn more about these and other events taking place in the Douglasville area this fall, visit www.douglasvillecalendar.com.

Registration for the 2013 Pedal for Your Palate bike ride is now open. Stephanie Aylworth (pictured) is among several to pre-register for the cycling event that will benefit The Pantry, a local food ministry that helps to support hungry families and individuals in need.