Yee-Haw! Rodeo Returns to Fairgrounds' Arena Labor Day Weekend
Staying in town this Labor Day weekend? The Cumming Fairgrounds has you covered with the IPRA World Championship Rodeo.
The fun begins at 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 2 and continues at 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 3 and at 7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 4. Tickets are $15 for adults, and $10 for children age 5-12 and seniors 65 and up. Kids 4 and under are free. Tickets go on sale two hours prior to the show each night.
The rodeo includes plenty of rootin', tootin' family fun with various events for both cowboys and cowgirls, a patriotic opening ceremony, and special performances from the rodeo clowns and other entertainers.
Fairgrounds Director Dave Horton says the rodeo is one of his favorite events of the year. "It's more than two hours of fast-paced entertainment and competition each night," he said. "You can't beat the level of entertainment for the cost."
For more information about the IPRA World Championship Rodeo, click here!
Did you know? All eight rodeo events are presented every night of the IPRA World Championship Rodeo, barring the rare instance of a lack of competitors. The events are: Bull Riding, Bare Back Riding, Barrel Racing, Cowgirl Breakaway Roping, Calf Roping, Steer Wrestling, Team Roping and Saddle Bronc Riding.
WANTED: Your Feedback and Opinions!

The City of Cumming is in the midst of a process that will be used to create an update to the comprehensive plan, which serves as a planning guide for the City's next 20 years. A steering committee was recently appointed by the Mayor and City Council. This committee will be working over the next several months to provide recommendations for the plan update. An important part of this process is gathering feedback from the public. Two public hearings have already been held to provide one opportunity for feedback, and a second hearing will be held at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 27 at City Hall (100 Main Street) in the third floor Council Chambers. Anyone interested in providing feedback, which will be used to guide the future of the City of Cumming, is encouraged to attend. But those unable to attend the public hearing can still provide feedback by completing an online community questionnaire, which is accessible at the link below. The questionnaire only takes about 10 minutes to complete. Thank you in advance for helping to shape the future of the City of Cumming!
 
Community Questionnaire 
City Council "Lights" the Way During August Meeting
During the August meeting of the Cumming City Council, lights were a big topic of discussion.
 
Council voted unanimously, after some discussion of alternatives, to replace all of the City's Christmas lights prior to the 2016 holiday season. The current lights, which are displayed all over town on street lamps, have been in use for some 20 years and are in disrepair. Council voted to replace all of the approximately 270 lamp displays with new LED lights at a cost of $60,000, rather than continue to repair the older displays.  
 
Also in regards to lighting, Council later voted unanimously to take over operation and maintenance of all street lights in Ventura Industrial Park. The industrial park area was annexed into the City several years ago and the businesses in that area, rather than the City, have been paying costs associated with the street lights. Typically the City covers street light costs for any annexed areas.
 
Also during the August meeting, the Cumming City Council:
  • Approved updates to an intergovernmental agreement with Forsyth County regarding 911 Services.
  • Asked to have staff bring back a report and recommendations in September regarding a proposed intergovernmental agreement with Forsyth County relating to maintenance of annexed roads that border the county line.
  • Approved road improvements, including sidewalk, curb and gutter, to Brooks Farm Road, which will be paid for by homeowner contributions.
  • Approved placement of a new sign for the Forsyth County Juvenile Court on Lanier 400 Parkway per a request by the court.
  • Approved an annexation of approximately 15 acres for Northside Hospital-Forsyth at the request of hospital leaders.
  • Honored former Forsyth County Schools Superintendent, teacher and coach Almon C. Hill by voting to rename a portion of Elm Street. The roadway, now known as Almon C. Hill Drive, runs from Hwy. 20 to Tribble Gap Road by Forsyth Central High School and the Almon C. Hill Educational Center. Hill's family requested the road name change.
  • Approved the following items for the Utilities Department: A bid for construction of the Twin Branches wastewater pump station; a bid for construction of a water booster station at Hughes Drive and Mountain Road; a request to advertise for bids for painting of Sawnee Mountain water tank; two requests to begin condemnation proceedings, if necessary, for two 10-foot-wide properties needed for waterline projects on Canton Highway.

 

Click here to view meeting videos.
Clients and community guests enjoyed an open house of Creative Enterprises Forsyth on Aug. 17.
Creative Enterprises Forsyth Now Open
A new resource for special needs adults officially opened on Sept. 1 in the City of Cumming. Creative Enterprises Forsyth, a satellite of the Lawrenceville-based nonprofit, leases the old City Recreation and Parks Office on Pilgrim Mill Road for $1 per year. The Forsyth site is now providing services to 10 adults with intellectual and physical disabilities, and will add another 10 in about six weeks. Creative Enterprises Forsyth held a community open house event on Aug. 17, where guests were able to see the renovated lower level spaces that are used for activities such as art, music and exercise classes, as well as socalization and meals. Creative Enterprises also hopes to partner with businesses in the area to provide outside work opportunities for its clients. Additionally, leaders of the organization hope to secure funding to renovate the upper level of the building to secure the capacity to reach a total of about 50 special needs adults in the future. For more information about Creative Enterprises, click here.  
 
 "Smoke on the Mountain" runs Sept. 22-Oct. 16 at the Cumming Playhouse.
Beloved "Smoke on the Mountain" Returns to Cumming Playhouse
One of the most beloved shows in the Cumming Playhouse's history is returning to the stage this fall. "Smoke on the Mountain" takes audiences into the Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church sanctuary for a Saturday night gospel sing in 1938. With the zany Sanders Family Singers and their beautiful harmonies, the show's numerous gospel standards take on new life. For the second year in a row, multi-generational Georgia bluegrass band, The Skillet Lickers, rejoins the show, bringing magical accompaniments to every song. "Smoke on the Mountain" remains one of the few Cumming Playhouse shows to typically sell out every performance, so get your tickets soon! Shows run Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. from Sept. 22 through Oct. 16. Tickets are $27.50 or $25 for seniors age 60+, students 18 and under, veterans, or groups of 25+. Click here to order tickets!
Honor Cumming Police and Street Department Employees
Through the Cumming City Stars Program, the City is accepting nominations for outstanding Cumming Police and Street Department employees for its third quarter City Star Awards. If you know an outstanding member of the Police or Streets Department, please nominate him or her today!

Click here to learn more and nominate!
Coming Soon
To the Cumming Fairgrounds
  • IPRA World Championship Rodeo - Sept. 2 & 3 at 8 p.m., Sept. 4 at 7 p.m.
  • Farmers' Market - Every Saturday and Wednesday beginning at 6:30 a.m. (Fairgrounds Parking Lot #3)

 To the Cumming Playhouse
  • "Smoke on the Mountain" - Sept. 22 - Oct. 16; 8 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays

Labor Day Closures and Hours
  • City Hall - Closed
  • Cumming City Park & Dobbs Creek Facilities - Closed
  • Cumming Aquatic Center - Open 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. 
     
Meetings
  • Planning & Zoning Board - 5 p.m. Sept. 20
  • City Council - 6 p.m. Sept. 20

Both meetings are open to the public and held in the third-floor Council Chambers at City Hall, 100 Main Street. For all meetings after 5 p.m., please enter through the rear parking lot entrance. Click here for previous meeting videos. 
Thank you for reading!

Sincerely,   
City of Cumming
Division of Public Information