Three free city events land in Sandy Springs parks Oct. 17, 18 and 24, starting with a dog party and a Bavarian festival Saturday, Oct. 17.

Paws & Pastries returns for its seventh year at Morgan Falls Dog Park, 100 Morgan Falls Road, from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday. The city is offering pastries for owners, treats and tennis balls for dogs, and fenced play areas with separate sections for small and large breeds, according to the city's event page.

Dog owners who want to enter the costume contest must register their pups by 12:30 p.m. Judging starts at 1 p.m. and will not be repeated later. Three size categories compete: under 25 pounds, 25 to 60 pounds and 60-plus pounds, with a Best of Show award for the top costume overall. Owners can dress up alongside their dogs. The city asks attendees to bring their own water bowls to limit sharing between dogs, and advance registration is required.

The third annual OktoberFEAST opens at City Green, 1 Galambos Way, at 3 p.m. Saturday, running through Sunday, Oct. 18. Admission is free both days, with festivities from 3 to 7 p.m. The festival features Bavarian food available for purchase, including pretzels with beer cheese dip, German sausages, chicken schnitzel and spätzle, according to Rough Draft Atlanta.

The Swinging Bavarians return to the City Green stage with polka music and crowd favorites. Guests 21 and older can buy specialty beers with a wristband, and families can join an Ice Cream Parade and other kid-friendly activities, according to the city's OktoberFEAST page. Tent seating is open to all, and the event is rain or shine.

Anna Nikolas, who leads the Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center's (PAC) Signature Events Department, produces OktoberFEAST and other free outdoor events in the city, according to a May PAC blog post.

Spooky Springs takes over Abernathy Greenway Playable Art Park, 70 Abernathy Road, on Saturday, Oct. 24, from 5 to 7 p.m. The free Halloween event for young trick-or-treaters includes candy stations, face painting, fog machines, music and food vendors, according to the city's Spooky Springs page.

Parking is limited. The Abernathy Greenway lot closes Oct. 24 for event setup, and on-site spots are reserved for ADA access only. Overflow parking is available at Sandy Springs Christian Church, 301 Johnson Ferry Road.

The city encourages nearby residents to walk and asks anyone parking on side streets to use one side only to keep lanes clear for emergency vehicles.

Upcoming Sandy Springs community events

  • Saturday, Oct. 17: Paws & Pastries, noon-3 p.m., Morgan Falls Dog Park, 100 Morgan Falls Road
  • Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 17-18: OktoberFEAST, 3-7 p.m., City Green, 1 Galambos Way
  • Saturday, Oct. 24: Spooky Springs, 5-7 p.m., Abernathy Greenway Playable Art Park, 70 Abernathy Road