Get Out: The Weekend Planner

Easter is still more than a week away, but there are many holiday-related festivities kicking in this weekend.

Even if you don't celebrate the bunny holiday or not ready for it, we have some other suggestions, too.

When/Where: Saturday, April 16, 9:30 a.m., Smoke Rise Baptist Church, 5901 Hugh Howell Rd, Stone Mountain.

Why Go: The Women's Ministry at Smoke Rise Baptist is having a women-only spring event to strengthen that feminine side. Benefitting health, beauty and wellness, attendees can participate in the following activities, with experts to guide in each section: yoga for beginners, nutritious changes to diet, and makeup tips and tricks. Women of all ages are welcome. 

Pricing: $10. 

When/Where: Sat., April 16, 11 a.m., Hairston Crossing Library, 4911 Redan Road, Stone Mountain.

Why Go: The Hairston Crossing Library is finally opening its doors again after 20 months of renovations and delays caused by budget cuts. This Saturday's dedication ends National Library Week for DeKalb County, so check out the building's new look: They've expanded from 4,000 to 18,000 square feet, with more computers, parking, meeting and conference rooms, a youth and teen area, and of course, volumes and volumes of books. The library will be officially open for business Monday, April 18.

TASTE OF SHILOH AND ART FESTIVAL

When/Where: Saturday, April 16, 7 a.m.-4 p.m., Shiloh High School, 4210 Shiloh Road, Snellville. 

Why Go: Festival-goers will be able to choose food tastings from more than 40 Gwinnett County restaurants, enjoy live entertainment, check out art and watch a motorcycle show. And, the Shiloh Shopping Mall will be open from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., the kids can find goodies in the Easter egg hunt, and a 5K walk/run is open to all parents, teenagers, kids and even babies in strollers. 

Pricing: Tickets are $10 for eight samples, and registration for participating in the 5K walk and run is $25 on the day of the run. 

When/Where: Saturday, April 16, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., Tucker First Baptist Church, 5073 Lavista Road, Tucker.

Why Go: The church has a few activities in store for the Tucker community. Starting promptly at 8 a.m. and hosted by the Tucker Historical Society, the Annual Plant Swap and Share welcomes the public to bring a plant or two to swap with others who bring who bring their own plants. The church's yard sale will also be opening shop around the same time, and will run until 4 p.m. Birdhouses will be available, along with barbecue for $8 by the pound. All proceeds from the 'cue and the yard sale will benefit Blake and Bekah Hart's Chilean Mission Fund.

Pricing: Free. 

When/Where: Saturday, April 16, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Zoar United Methodist Church, 3895 Zoar Church Rd, Snellville.

Why Go: Is Easter just not coming quickly enough for the kids? Luckily, parents can give the little ones a chill pill and let the festivities begin a weekend early. Families are invited to enjoy crafts, bingo, kids games, a bunny petting area and of course, three Easter egg hunts, all divided and according by the age of the egg hunters. A community-wide yard sale kicks off the morning, too, along with a bake sale of delicious desserts and steak burgers.

Pricing: Free.

When/Where: Saturday, April 16, 9 a.m.-6 p.m., The Park Pet Retreat, 3516 Lawrenceville Highway, Tucker.

Why Go: The first-ever Romp & Run will have a number of activities to gain awareness and raise funds for cancer research and treatment for dogs, cats and other pets. With music and food, enjoy a Saturday with the Romp's yard sale, amateur dog show, microchip clinic and adoptable pets brought by rescue groups. The Park Pet Retreat event will recognize cancer-striken pets, cancer survivors and those who have lost pets to cancer.  

Pricing: Free.

When/Where: Saturday, April 16, 10 a.m.-noon, All Saints Lutheran Church, 722 Rockbridge Rd SW, Lilburn.

Why Go: Bring on the egg hunts. All Saints Lutheran Church is having three of them, separated by age group, but that's not all: games, snacks, special prizes and a costumed Mother Goose and Easter Bunny will be available to kids at this annual event, too. Remember: The bigger the basket, the more eggs it can hold. 

Pricing: Free. 

When/Where: Sun., April 17, 11 a.m. and 6 p.m., Lilburn Christian Church, 314 Arcado Road, Lilburn. 

Why Go: Celebrating Palm Sunday, the choir and orchestra of the church are presenting to the public "It is Finished." A performance named after the famous biblical phrase, watch as a normal man who celebrated Easter in the commercial fashion of eggs and a bunny is changed when he watches the life of Jesus Christ rising and being resurrected.

Pricing: Free.