Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service

The Acworth MLK Celebration and Day of Service will be held on Monday, January 15, 2024. The community is welcome to join us for a light welcome breakfast at 8:30 a.m. at the Roberts School Community and Education Center. Following the welcome breakfast, the Unity Walk will begin at 9:15 a.m. and leave from the Roberts School and finish at the Acworth Community Center. Our program honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. will take place at 10:00 a.m. in the Tanyard Creek Overlook of the Acworth Community Center. After the program concludes, we will begin our service project helping an organization in our community. MLK Day of Service merchandise will be for sale at the Acworth Community Center leading up to and on the day of the event. All proceeds will go towards the Acworth Expanding Horizons and Acworth Achievers programs. For more information on the Acworth Expanding Horizons and Acworth Achievers programs, please visit www.acworthexpandinghorizons.org visit: www.acworthparksandrecreation.org.

Special Olympics Polar Plunge

The Special Olympics Polar Plunge, hosted by the Law Enforcement Torch Run For Georgia, will take place again at Acworth Beach at Cauble Park will return on Saturday, February 24, 2024. The purpose behind the Polar Plunge is to support and spread awareness for the 27,115 Special Olympics Georgia athletes. The Polar Plunge is the largest fundraising effort benefiting Special Olympics. Many states across the nation participate in this annual event through the efforts of their Law Enforcement Torch Run program. The Polar Plunge is an official Law Enforcement Torch Run event. Anyone with a little guts and a warm heart wanting to support the athletes of Special Olympics Georgia is welcome to participate! Participants collect pledges from friends and family in exchange for the opportunity to jump into icy waters in the middle of winter. All proceeds collected by "plungers" will benefit the athletes of Special Olympics Georgia. Prizes will be awarded in several categories, including best costume, highest individual fundraiser, highest team fundraiser, and many more. Visit www.specialolympicsga.org for more information on Special Olympics Georgia. www.acworthparksandrecreation.org

Horizon Ability Gala

The Special Needs Development Group is in the process of planning the 2024 Horizon Ability Gala, and we would love for you to join us. The Gala will be held on Friday, March 1, 2024, at the Tanyard Creek Overlook (Acworth Community Center) and includes a unique fine dining experience, silent auction, live auction, and jazz ensemble. Proceeds from the Gala go directly to the Horizon League and will help us continue to keep registration costs down and offer quality programs. Within the last several years, businesses and residents of Acworth have donated over $300,000 to this cause. Since 2007, the Special Needs Development Group has provided children and adults with physical, social, and cognitive disabilities the opportunity to participate in athletic, social, and cultural programs. Throughout the years, we’ve served more than 500 participants and continue to grow. Please consider attending the event or donating to the auction. For more information or to buy tickets visit www.horizonabilitygala.org or please call Lauren Ham at 770-917-1234 or lham@acworth.org. The Horizon Ability Gala not only raises funds to advance its mission (to strive for a better quality of life for children and adults with special needs) but also raises awareness for our cause. On behalf of the athletes, parents, and the Special Needs Development Group, we would like to thank the community for helping improve the quality of life for our children and adults with special needs.

Community Classes

BSD Taekwon-Do

This is a traditional Taekwon-Do class for adults. Students will learn balance, focus, self-control, and grow their confidence. Traditional skills are designed to promote health, lower stress levels, and develop the whole body without the use of weapons. Come kick, punch, and destress with us so that you can become your best. Saturday mornings 8:45 a.m. – 9:45 a.m. at the Acworth Community Center. www.acworthparksandrecreation.org

BUILD Yoga

Join Marlo from Backbends and Brews in this great fitness class! BUILD is a very dynamic class using yoga postures, plyometrics, hand weights, and calisthenics to BUILD strength, flexibility, balance, and endurance. Marlo donates 20% of class fees to charity! Classes are held on Wednesdays from 9:05 a.m. to 9:50 a.m. Monthly and drop-in rates are available. www.acworthparksandrecreation.org

Bend & BreatheYoga

Join Marlo for a yoga class that targets your deep connective tissues, like your fascia, ligaments, joints, and bones. It’s slower and more meditative, giving you space to turn inward and tune into both your mind and the physical sensations of your body. Marlo donates 20% of class fees to charity! Classes are held on Wednesdays from 8:15 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. Monthly and drop-in rates are available. www.acworthparksandrecreation.org

Zumba

Zumba fitness combines high-energy Latin music and international rhythms with unique and easy to follow moves and combinations that allow participants to dance away their worries. This effective, exhilarating, and calorie-burning program features exotic rhythms such as salsa, merengue, cumbia, samba, and more! You'll not only have a great time, but you'll experience a great workout as well! All fitness and skill levels are welcome. Tuesdays or Thursdays at the Acworth Community Center from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monthly and drop-in rates are available. www.acworthparksandrecreation.org

Athletics

Acworth Adult Winter Basketball League

The Acworth Parks, Recreation and Community Resource Department is happy to announce another season of the Acworth Adult Winter Basketball League! The Recreation Division will be held in the Acworth Community Center on Mondays with start times beginning between 6:30 PM and 9:30 PM. The league will begin on Monday, February 12. The Competitive Division will be held in the Acworth Community Center on Wednesdays with start times beginning between 6:30 PM and 9:30 PM. The league will begin on Wednesday, February 14. Both will have a single elimination tournament starting the week of April 8 and Championship Night on Wednesday, April 17. The fee for this league is $500 per team for both City residents and non-residents. If you do not have a team, come out and participate in our Free Agent Day on Wednesday, January 17 at the Acworth Community Center at 8:00 PM. Free Agent registration is $65 for both City residents and non-residents. The deadline to register is Wednesday, February 7. To register, or for more information, please visit acworthparksandrecreation.org.

Acworth Adult Spring Flag Football League

The Acworth Parks, Recreation and Community Resource Department is happy to announce another season of the Acworth Adult Spring Flag Football League! Game play is 7 on 7 and teams may have a roster of up to 17 players. The league will be held on Tuesday nights and located at the football fields at the Acworth Sports Complex. Games will run with start times beginning between 6:30 PM and 9:30 PM. Games will begin on March 12 with a single elimination tournament being held on Tuesday, May 14 and Tuesday May 21. The fee for this league is $575 per team for both City residents and non-residents. This program is open to anyone over the age of sixteen. The deadline to register for the Acworth Adult Spring Flag Football League is Wednesday, March 6. To register, or for more information, please visit acworthparksandrecreation.org.

Youth Programs

Special Warriors Tae Kwon-Do

Special Warriors Tae Kwon-Do is a great program for the young community with special needs. The traditional skills of Tae Kwon-Do have been adapted to teach focus, balance, hand-eye coordination, and effective self-defense. This class is instructed by Omar Welch who is a third-degree black belt and instructor certified by the United States Tae Kwon-Do Federation. Classes will meet monthly at the Acworth Community Center on Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. www.acworthparksandrecreation.org

BSD Tae Kwon-Do

This class is designed to teach young people (ages 6+) balance, hand to eye coordination, and self-control using traditional Tae Kwon-Do exercises. This is a traditional Tae Kwon-Do class. Using proven techniques to teach confidence, self-control, balance and self-defense, certified instructor Omar Welch will help students sharpen their minds and learn to use their hands and feet to protect themselves and loved ones. This class meets at the Acworth Community Center on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Monthly sessions are available. www.acworthparksandrecreation.org.

Little Dragons Tae Kwon-Do

This class is designed to teach young people (ages 4-7) balance, hand to eye coordination, and self-control using traditional Tae Kwon-Do exercises. Parents are welcome to take the class with their children, but it is not required. This class meets at the Acworth Community Center on Saturdays from 10:45 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. Monthly sessions are available. www.acworthparksandrecreation.org

Bricks 4 Kidz (Ages 5-13): Wednesdays 6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.

Learn, build, and play with LEGO bricks.

Active Adult Programs

Senior Warriors Gentle Movements

Senior Warriors is designed for Acworth's amazing Active Adult (55+) population. Join our instructor, Omar Welch, as we use traditional Korean movements to increase balance, mental focus, and movement. The goal is to help students continue to be the best they can be in all things! Mondays and Wednesdays from 10:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the Acworth Community Center www.acworthparksandrecreation.org

Chair Yoga

Learn stretching and strengthening exercises, breathing techniques and much more during this class. Classes will be at the Acworth Community Center every Tuesday. Classes will be held at the Acworth Community Center (4361 Cherokee Street Acworth 30101).

Cardio

Elevate your metabolism by moving rhythmically to music. Strengthen and tighten muscles using free weights. Classes will be at the Acworth Community Center every Thursday. Classes will be held at the Acworth Community Center (4361 Cherokee Street Acworth 30101).

Core Strength

Work on improving core strength and balance, for beginners. Classes will be at the Acworth Community Center every Thursday. Classes will be held at the Acworth Community Center (4361 Cherokee Street Acworth 30101).

Senior Steppers

Get your steps in and join us for a 30-minute walk once a month on Wednesdays at 10:00 a.m. Walking location will vary based on weather but will always be held at Logan Farm Park or at the track inside the Community Center. Make sure to wear good walking shoes and bring water.

City of Acworth’s Senior Luncheon

Join us every third Wednesday of the month for the City of Acworth’s Senior Luncheon. Come join us for lunch and Bingo. Location: Acworth Community Center (4361 Cherokee Street Acworth, Ga 30101) RSVP: (770) 917-1234 Acworth Community Center (1 week prior to the luncheon) Time: Lunch is served at noon. After lunch, we will have rounds of bingo