Downtown Cartersville

09/11/2026

What're you doing this weekend? 🤔
If you need plans, downtown has options!

09/10/2026

Some downtown traditions go way back! 🚲
The Kiddie Day Parade has been a downtown tradition since 1954!

It's happening again next Saturday, September 19, hosted by the Kiwanis Club of Cartersville. Kids are encouraged to come dressed up and bring their decorated bikes, wagons, strollers, or whatever they’re riding through downtown.

📅 Saturday, September 19
⏰ Meet at 8:30 AM if you want to be in the parade
📍 Bartow Street + Main Street
🎉 Parade starts at 9 AM
🏆 Costume contest immediately following the parade

Who remembers being in the Kiddie Day Parade as a kid? Share your old parade pictures in the comments. We might need a little inspiration for this year...

Thank you to Justin Earl for these throwbacks of past parades!

09/09/2026

We made plans for you this Saturday night! 🎶

Groove Fest is bringing an entire evening of R&B and jazz to Friendship Plaza, with music all night, food trucks, and a vendor village full of local businesses to shop and support.

This is the 2nd year Black Bartow Events & NWGA Jazz Society are hosting this FREE event downtown!

📅 Saturday, September 12
⏰ 5:30–10 PM
📍 Friendship Plaza

Tag the friend you keep saying you need to make plans with!

09/06/2026

New look, new owners at Southern Cove!

Southern Cove has new owners! Kimberly & Steve Holland have taken over the shop & have some big plans for the future!

Over the next few months, you’ll start seeing new brands on the shelves, a new look, a new logo, and plenty of changes around the shore. And yes, the bar in the back is staying! 🍻

So next time you’re downtown, pop in to meet the new owners and take a look at what they’ve already done to the space! And give their page a follow to keep up with everything they have going on!

Hours:
Tues-Thurs: 10a-7:30p
Fri-Sat: 10a-9p

09/04/2026

🌳 A NEW PLACE TO PLAY IS COMING DOWNTOWN!

We’re excited to officially share plans for a brand new playground as part of the reimagined Founders Oak Park! The playground design and installation services were approved by City Council at last night’s meeting, officially moving this exciting addition to downtown Cartersville forward.

Designed around the story of the original Founders Oak, the playground will feature a signature tree inspired tower, swings, slides, climbing and interactive play, accessible features, a dedicated area for younger children, shade, seating and more.

Whether you’re downtown shopping, grabbing dinner or simply spending time with family, this new space will give kids a place to play and families another reason to enjoy the heart of Cartersville.

The legacy of the Founders Oak will live on throughout the reimagined park through the oak inspired playground, new fountain area, benches crafted from the original oak, and a new oak tree that will be planted within the block.

We can’t wait to watch this new downtown space come to life!

🔗 See the playground design and read the full announcement: https://bit.ly/4hb6BFy

09/03/2026

We want to know what YOU want to see downtown!

The City is working on a new Downtown Streetscape Plan, and we want your thoughts! We’re looking at things like sidewalks and crosswalks, lighting, landscaping, signage, public spaces, and more. Basically, all the things that make up how downtown looks, feels, and works.

Take a few minutes to check out the project & share your thoughts! 💙
https://www.inspire-engagement.com/cartersville-streetscape-plan

09/02/2026

Downtown has been busy! 👀
Since January 2025, 15 new businesses have opened their doors in Downtown Cartersville!

That means more places to shop, eat, grab a drink, take care of yourself, and spend some time downtown! And we have even more places opening soon!!

So thank you for continuing to show up, for supporting our downtown businesses, & helping downtown keep growing! 💙

Let us know if you've been to any of this places! And who's on your list to check out next!

08/31/2026

Ghouls just wanna shop small! 🧙‍♀️

We’re ONE MONTH away from Witches Night Out, which means it’s time to start thinking about your outfits & making plans with all your ghoulfriends!

On October 1, shops will be open late from 5–8 PM, restaurants will have specials, and there’ll be tricks & treats throughout downtown.

We’ll be sharing a list of all participating businesses and more as we get closer. For now, tag your favorite witches & start making plans! ✨🌙

08/29/2026

There’s a lot going on this morning downtown! Please check out info about road closures and parking.

🚧 Weekend Event & Traffic Advisory 🚧

Downtown Cartersville will be busy tomorrow, August 29th, with the Farmers Market and the 10th Annual Downtown Cartersville 5K! If you’re heading downtown Saturday morning, please be mindful of increased pedestrian traffic, runners, and temporary traffic impacts.

🥕 Cartersville Farmers Market
📍 Tabernacle Church Parking Lot
⏰ Saturday, August 29th, 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Stop by the Farmers Market Saturday morning to shop fresh produce, locally made goods, and more from local farmers and vendors.

🏃 Downtown Cartersville 5K
📍 Downtown Cartersville
⏰ Saturday, August 29th, 5K begins at 8:00 AM | 1K Fun Run begins at 9:00 AM
The race benefits the Backpack Buddies Program and will take runners through Downtown Cartersville and surrounding neighborhoods before finishing in Friendship Plaza.

Drivers should expect temporary road closures and delays along the race route Saturday morning and use extra caution around runners, volunteers, and pedestrians.

🚗 Race parking is available at several locations throughout downtown, including the Downtown Parking Deck. Please note that the Tabernacle Church Parking Lot will be reserved for the Farmers Market and is not available for race parking.

For full details on the race and it’s course, visit: https://runsignup.com/Race/GA/Cartersville/TheDowntownCartersville5K

Please allow a little extra time when traveling through Downtown Cartersville Saturday morning, watch for pedestrians, and follow the direction of officers and event personnel. We hope everyone has a great weekend in Cartersville!

08/27/2026

Less than 48 hours until Downtown’s biggest race of the year! 👟

The Downtown Cartersville 5K is celebrating 10 YEARS this Saturday! That’s 10 years of running & 10 years of supporting Backpack Buddies! 💚

If you're running, packet pickup is Friday from 10AM–6PM at the Cartersville City Schools Central Office.

Forget to sign up? You still can! Race-day registration is open from 6:30–7:30AM Saturday morning.

👟 5K | 8AM
🏃 Kids 1K Fun Run | 9AM
🏆 Awards | 9:25AM

Not running? Come celebrate 10 years with us! Grab a spot near the finish line in Friendship Plaza & help us cheer everyone in! There’ll be music, a chance to learn more about Backpack Buddies & their work, and more going on after the race!

Check the parking map before you head downtown Saturday! Parking will look a little different.