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Win tickets to #JapanFest at Infinite Energy Center, September 17 &18

JapanFest has become one of our annual go-to events for the family. It wasn’t always that way. I’m skeptical of anything that has ‘fest’ or ‘apalooza’ at the end of it, as I channel my inner Heinz Doofenshmirtz and create a JapanCulture-inator. JapanFest is great fun for the entire family on so many levels and it happens at Infinite Energy Center September 17 and 18.

This is a festival designed to celebrate Japanese culture. What is great about JapanFest, and quite surprising from our perspective was how accurate it is as presenting it. I was also surprised at how much fun my wife and children had. It was kind of a given that I would love it, having lived in Fukuoka, Japan for two years. The curve ball was how much fun the kids had, interacting with some cosplay, watching the presentations or looking at the various things for sale.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

At JapanFest 2016, for the first time ever they will have a Kabuki exhibition. Anime and voice over legend Kyle Hebert will also be present for questions and autographs. Hebert’s vocal work in Naruto, DragonBall-Z, Pokemon and others is well known by American audiences.

Do you like Samurai or sumo? They’ll be represented at JapanFest too. We’re most excited about a presentation called Shimasen Rock. This instrument is a three stringed wonder that makes the most magical sound. A close second is watching people play the Koto, which is the large ‘harp’, that is lying down. There is also a very large Anime area with product that you’ll only see at conferences or trade shows like this.

JapanFest has the best food court for Japanese food you will ever find. Ever. Walking through the food court is as close to eating at a yataii that you’ll come to in the U.S. We ate okonomiyaki, a dish that’s rarely served at most Japanese restaurants, and this fast version was as good as we’ve eaten.

They’ve got vendors from lots of Japanese companies, tractors (hello Kuboto!), a stage where they’ll introduce festivals or traditions and lots more. If Japan is Greek to you you’ll be OK at JapanFest. It’s fun, accessible to everyone and a real hoot for the entire family.

Dragon Con cosplay photos, part 2

Here’s our second general block of Dragon Con photos. You won’t see any Star Wars cosplay because there was so much that it’ll be in its own post. Yes, there was that much. These Dragon Con photos were taken during the parade, walking around the hotels, photo shoots or catching them on their downtime. The costumes from Netherworld stand out, they’re frightful and really play to the crowds.

A photo review of Dragon Con, part 1

Dragon Con happens in Atlanta every Labor Day Weekend. It is a ‘con’ in every fan based sense of the word and then some. After speaking with reporters who cover Cons like this across the country I learned that Dragon Con has the biggest and best reputation for its cosplay. Cosplay is a shortened and combined word for ‘costume’ and ‘play’. There is an example of every costume based level on display at Dragon Con, from the low tech folks who simply cut up a cardboard box to those that created movie caliber makeup, costume and performance to sell the look.

Here are some of our favorite photos that capture the spirit of Dragon Con, the families, attendees and fun to be had. Some of these photos were taken during the Dragon Con Parade while others were taken around the hotels.

Free entry August 20 & 21 to Six Flags Over Georgia for military

On August 20 and 21 Six Flags Over Georgia will honor the men and women that protect our freedom with the annual Military Appreciation Weekend. Are you an active duty military member with a valid ID? If so then you’ll receive free admission for yourself and up to 3 other family members. Are you a retired military member or veteran? If so you’ll get a 50% discount off admission to the park. Active military members can also purchase additional tickets at 50% off. *To take advantage of this all admission tickets must be purchased at the park.*

It’s all part of the Military Appreciation Weekend at Six Flags Over Georgia on August 20 and 21. Participants can also take advantage of the Military Appreciation Weekend Meal, to save more cash and eat like a king.

Win a family 4-pack of tickets to EnduroCross, 8/27 #Giveaway

What is Endurcross? Imagine a situation where large rocks, trees, water, sand, impossibly large tractor tires and more are put on a path. Now get some of the best motorcycle riders in the world together, put this course indoors- that is Endurocross and it’s coming to Duluth’s Infinte Energy Arena on August 27. Doors open at 6:30 to this very family friendly event that will have kids on the edge of their seats.

Yes, Endurocross is family friendly. It is also very loud. If you’re going you will want to bring some ear protection. Don’t be cheap and just go the bathroom and use toilet paper. It is not the same and your enjoyment will be amplified greatly when you have proper ear coverage. There will be lots of kids at the event, most of which have something to protect their hearing.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The obstacles in front of these motorcyclists are insane. It’s difficult-to impossible to even walk over these obstacles while maintaining your footing or standing up right. Now put yourself on a motorcycle, put sand in the corners to make it slicker and accelerate as fast as you can.

This is for a family 4-pack of tickets to Endurocross at Infinite Energy Arena on August 27. It will be crowded, so go early and have fun!

Educator Open House at World of Coca-Cola, Georgia Aquarium & more, Aug. 27

Teachers, or educators as they’re sometimes called, rock. I was a teacher for a couple of years and it’s a great profession that is incredibly rewarding on lots of levels. Teachers, and a guest, can receive free entry to World of Coca-Cola, Georgia Aquarium and Center for Civil and Human Rights on Saturday, August 27 from 8a.m. to 12 p.m as part of their Educator Open House. For teachers this is great because it’s free, might inspire some great teaching classes and is local.

Well, it’s local if you’re a teacher in the Atlanta area. This offer is also open to home school teachers. If you’re a home school teacher in the Atlanta area just go through the same link to reserve your two passes, just bring your letter of intent also.

There is a limit to how many teachers can take advantage of the Educator Open House, so act quickly. Additional guests will need to purchase tickets to whichever attraction that they want to enter. Between Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola and Center for Civil and Human Rights there are dozens of potential lessons that teachers can cull from. Some of those attractions also have specially discounted tickets for home school students, but inquire at each one for their specific policy.

Let’s Play – Building a new park from scratch in East Point

We are a Play Ambassador for Let’s Play and were compensated for this. All thoughts are our own.

It’s good when great things happen locally and that’s just what happened when the City of East Point was awarded a $20,000 Let’s Play grant from Dr Pepper Snapple Group and KaBOOM!. The park is less than a mile away from the house that I lived in for 10 years, and still own today. It’s rewarding to see the neighborhood that I love get the attention that it deserves.

Jefferson Park is a neighborhood in East Point, Georgia and they were one of the winners of the $20,000 grant from Let’s Play. This means that the park will be torn down and a brand new, state-of-the-art playground will be put in the same spot.

Normally it takes weeks to install a new playground. However this new park will be built in one day. On September 9, 2016, dozens upon dozens of neighborhood volunteers will transform the area into a place that children will spend hours playing. I’m in that neighborhood several times a month and know that there are lots of children in the area that will benefit from the new structure.

What do kids want in a playground?

Continue reading Let’s Play – Building a new park from scratch in East Point

Win tickets to Batman: The Killing Joke at Avalon on 7/25

A feature film that is rated R? Holy ghosts of Team America, please tell me more. Batman: The Killing Joke is an R rated film that will have a two night theatrical appearance via Fathom Events. The animation in Batman: The Killing Joke is similar to that which is used in Batman: The Animated Adventures. The Killing Joke earns its R rating and is not appropriate for children. However, fans of the graphic novel or a deep appreciation of the dark knight will relish seeing a Batman tale where the joker goes too far.

Continue reading Win tickets to Batman: The Killing Joke at Avalon on 7/25