5 things to do this weekend: Hispanic Heritage Fest, PrideFest, September Days and more

Each week, the Banner-Herald will publish a list of five options for things to do in the Athens area.

Though there's never a shortage of festivals, markets and other cultural happenings in the Classic City, we've chosen to spotlight these events for the weekend of Sept. 29-Oct. 1.

Hispanic Heritage Month Festival

WHERE: Downtown Athens (College Ave. between Clayton Street and Broad Street)

WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 30 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Free admission)

DETAILS: The first annual Hispanic Heritage Month festival will feature live music, folkloric dancing, and food from Peru, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Dominican Republic, Brazil, Venezuela, Columbia and Cuba. Performing artists include La Flor De Jalisco, Victor Oporto, Sarah Zúñiga, Trvy and the Enemy, and Domino787.

Cardynal album release party

WHERE: work.shop (160 Winston Dr. #9)

WHEN: Sunday, Oct. 1 at 9 p.m. ($5 admission)

DETAILS: As one of Athens' most original and gifted hip-hop artists, Cardynal was one of the finalists for the 2023 Vic Chesnutt Songwriter of the year awards. The release party for his 15-song album "Bebop" will feature performances by Cardynal and 2021 Chesnutt award-winning singer-songwriter Cassie Chantel.

PrideFest 2023

WHERE: Terrapin Beer Company (265 Newton Bridge Rd.)

WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 30 from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. (Free admission)

DETAILS: This year's PrideFest celebration will feature vendor booths, food trucks, and live entertainment that will include stars from long-running local troupe Athens Showgirl Cabaret. Be there to find out who will be crowned Mx. Athens Pride 2023. To lean more about Athens Pride + Queer Collective, visit athenspride.org.

September Days Festival

WHERE: Southern Brewing Company (231 Collins Ind Blvd.)

WHEN: Friday, Sept. 29 at 5 p.m. and Saturday, Sept. 30 at 1 p.m. ($25 admission, $40 for 2-day pass, free for ages 12 and under)

DETAILS: Now in its third year, the September Days music festival will begin on Friday with performances by Nicholas Mallis, Thayer Sarrano, Modern Skirts and more. Saturday's lineup will include Wonderland Rangers, Monsoon, Shehehe, Upchuck and more. For tickets and passes, visit eventbrite.com.

'Perfect Arrangement'

WHERE: Town & Gown Players (115 Grady Ave.)

WHEN: Friday, Sept. 29 through Sunday, Oct. 8 ($20 admission)

DETAILS: Atlanta-based playwright Topher Payne's "Perfect Arrangement" was inspired by the early gay rights movement in the 1950s and is performed in a "madcap classic sitcom-style." that gives way to drama that is reflective of contemporary American life. For tickets and show times, visit townandgownplayers.org.

This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Five things to do in the Athens area this weekend (Sept. 29-Oct. 1)