Great Escape: Celebrate Freedom Festival in Marietta

Your teens are holding a car wash at the high school Saturday. The grandparents volunteered to take the younger children to a movie Sunday afternoon. Your tweens take tap on Wednesday evening. It’s your time. Take it.

Each week, we’ll tell you about great ideas to give you a much-deserved break and make your life a little easier—maybe a whole lot easier.

This Saturday, this year's annual Celebrate Freedom event will take place at Jim Miller Park on Callaway Road between Powder Springs Road and Austell Road in Marietta.

The free event drew around 50,000 people last year. While free, tickets are required and may be downloaded here. They also may be secured at Family Christian Stores, Ingles and BP AM/PM gas stations.

Money will be needed though for parking, food, drinks, shopping and games in the children's area.

On the "no" list for taking into the park are:

• No ice chests
• No food
• No drink
• No tents
• No pets (except for handicap service animals)

Parking costs $5 cash. ATMs are inside the park as well as permanent restrooms throughout the park, including handicap facilities.

Chairs, blankets or towels are advised for sitting instead of the soft dirt of the arena. Also advised are hats, sunglasses and sunscreen.

Gates will open at 9 a.m. with the first concert beginning at 10 a.m. Fireworks will conclude the event about 11 p.m.

Among the Christian performers will be:

• Newsboys
• Switchfoot
• Josh Wilson
• Echoing Angels
• Dave Barnes
• Shawn McDonald
• The Choir
• Jason Castro
• The Museum
• Victory World Music with Montell Jordan
• Sidewalk Prophets
• Mr. Talkbox

Before the concerts, 5K and 10K races will begin at 7:30 a.m. on a flat, fast course at the park. If you race, there will be free parking until 7:15 a.m.

Schedule for Race Day
6-7 a.m.: Packet Pickup
7:30 a.m.: 10K Run starts
8 a.m.: 5K Run starts

Elite and recreational runners, walkers, families and jog strollers are welcome. Register here.

Entry Fees
5K Registration - $30
10K Registration - $35 

A portion of the proceeds will go towards 104.7 The FISH Christmas Wish and God’s Mighty Voice, building Christian radio stations in West Africa.

Packets may be picked up early on Thursday at the Kennesaw location of the Big Peach Running Company from 4-8 p.m. or at Jim Miller Park on Friday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. All other packets must be picked up between 6 and 7 a.m. on Race Day.

Along with 104.7 The FISH, "Run Before We Rock" race co-sponsors are Natalie's Orchid Island Juice Company and ChristianRunners.org.