Friday Night Flicks, Clarkesville. Screening of "Up." Music, games, food for sale. Winners of the "Change Begins with Me: What positive things can I do to impact the environment?" poster/essay contest will be announced. 7 p.m. April 23, Sam Pitts Park, Clarkesville. Free. Food sales benefit the Soque River Watershed Association. 706-754-2220.
Murrayville Day Festival and Parade, Murrayville and Gainesville. 11 a.m. April 24, downtown Murrayville and Lanier Elementary School, 4782 Thompson Bridge Road, Gainesville. 770-534-1105 or 770-540-3308.
6th Annual Spring Chicken Festival, Gainesville. Activities will include the Official Chicken Cook-off, the Rubber ChickEkiden, the Chicken Feathers Quilt Show and kids activtiies. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 24, Roosevelt Square, downtown Gainesville. Free; wristbands for ckicken tastings, $8 adults, $5 kids. 770-531-1102.
Sheep shearing demonstration and petting zoo, Cleveland. Pet animals, watch shearing and take home some wool. Alpaca and sheep wool for sale. April 28 and 29, North Georgia Zoo, 2912 Paradise Valley Road, Cleveland. $5. 706-348-7279.
Historic Buford's Spring Fest, Buford. Live music, kids' activities, vendors and food. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 1, downtown historic Buford.
Spring Fling Festival, Dawsonville. Kiwanis 5K, 10K and fun run, food and garden-related booths, music and children's activities. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 1 and 2, downtown Dawsonville and Dawsonville Middle School. Free.
"Creepy Critters Entomology" Gainesville. A homeschool series emphasizing bug collection techniques and bug themed crafts. May 10, 17, and 24 from 9:30-10:30AM. $45. Register online.
"Wildlife Science," Gainesville. A homeschool series focusing on the study, conservation and use of wild animal ecosystems. May 10, 17 and 24 from 10:30-11:30 a.m. $45. Register online.
Ongoing
The Georgia Renaissance Festival, Fairburn. Medieval events and vendors including jousting, artist market, live music and pubs. 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays, Sundays and Memorial Day through June 6, Georgia Renaissance Festival, 6905 Virlyn B. Smith Road, Fairburn. $19.95 adults, $17.95 seniors age 60 and older, $8.95 children age 6-12 and free for kids age 5 and younger. 770-964-8575.
"Tools for Living," Sautee. Exhibit of tools used to sustain early valley inhabitants. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 1-5 p.m. Sunday. Sautee Nacoochee Community Association History Museum, 283 Ga. 255 N, Sautee. 706-878-3300.
Story times, Hall County. Children can listen to stories, sometimes read by special guests. Various days and times at libraries in the Hall County Library System. Free.
"Waters of Time: The Chicopee Woods Story," Gainesville. Learn about previous eras and inhabitants of Chicopee Woods. 10 a.m. to p.m. Monday-Saturdays. Elachee Nature Science Center, 2125 Elachee Drive, Gainesville. $3 adults, $2 children ages 2-12, age 1 and younger and members free. 770-535-1976.