Two Big Festivals This Weekend

Falls means festivals, especially around here, and two of the big ones of the year take place this weekend.

The Decatur Craft Beer Festival

This festival devoted to brew happens noon to 5 p.m. Saturday on the Decatur Court Square and kicks off Atlanta Beer Week. Tickets sold out in minutes, as usual.

About 4,000 people will sample 100 craft beers, buy food and hear bands. The money raised goes to nonprofits in grants. For full information, go to the beer festival website or the Facebook page. There's a photo gallery on Patch of the 2011 beer festival.

If you really want to go but don't have tickets, the Decatur Farmers Market is auctioning off four tickets

AutumnFest in Avondale Estates

This free arts and music festival is held 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, with the action focused at Clarendon Avenue and South Avondale Road.

The festival features more than 75 regional artists and craftsmen, live music and entertainment, activities for children, and plenty of food and beverage vendors.

Some of the highlights include music by Cowboy Envy, Caroline Aiken and headliners The Rainmen and snake handling by Southeastern Reptile Encounter.

For full information, go to the festival website.