The month of October is filled with more than a dozen events for all ages and lifestyles, many of which have been posted on the new Lake Lanier Convention & Visitors Bureau Community Calendar at www.LakeLanierCVB.com.

As part of the bureau’s service to the community, it has created a separate listing section for community groups to post their events at no charge.

“Now there’s one website that includes major events and serves as a one-stop location for planning fun, family activities,” said Stacey Dickson, president of the Lake Lanier Convention & Visitors Bureau. “We’re encouraging community groups to list their events and the public to use the calendar to choose from the many happenings right here at home.”

The biggest entertainment day of the month is Saturday, October 4, with four events scheduled, including Art in the Square arts festival, the downtown Flowery Branch Fall Festival and two events at Elachee Nature Center . The Petit Le Mans is also taking place at Road Atlanta.

”With the current state of gasoline prices and availability, now is the perfect time to enjoy all that Gainesville and Hall County have to offer to our residents,” Dickson said. “You can stay close to home, plan to visit several events in one day and have quality time with family and friends.”

Many of the events are free; there are admission charges for others. The bureau is offering the service to the community and encouraging groups to list their events early with complete details.

“It’s very easy to add your event to the calendar, and it’s a great way to ensure that everyone is working together to avoid conflicts,” Dickson said. “Plus members of the community have already started using the calendar at our website for planning, and as tourism increases in this area, even more people will have access to everything exciting in our area.”

The Lake Lanier Convention & Visitors Bureau was founded in 1992 and serves the hospitality and travel industry. With more than 1,500 hotel rooms, Gainesville and Hall County are major destinations for travelers to Northeast Georgia . Lake Lanier is well-known throughout the United States and attracts nearly 8 million visitors annually to boat, fish, swim, camp and otherwise enjoy the 39,000-acre lake.

The bureau is governed by a 22-member board of directors, comprised of representatives from the hotel, attraction, restaurant and business community. The bureau markets Gainesville , Oakwood, Lake Lanier Islands and other areas of Hall County throughout the Southeast and supports marketing of major events by its members.

Betsy Adams of AdMark Strategies and Rick Burnette of Holiday Inn Lanier Centre Hotel are this years co-chairs of the board.

The bureau is housed at 117 Jesse Jewell Parkway in downtown Gainesville . It can be reached at 770-536-5209, ext. 2, or toll-free at 1-888-536-0005. For information about tourism in Gainesville and Hall County , visit www.LakeLanierCVB.com.

October Events in and Around Hall County and Gainesville

5th Annual Art in the Square Festival – Saturday, October 4, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Free admission,  art show and sale featuring local artists, also to increase awareness in the community of all the wonderful artists in Hall County . Historic Downtown Square , Gainesville , GA.

Elachee's First Saturday Hike - Fall Bird Migration – Saturday, October 4, 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.  Adult $5; Child (2-12), $3. Investigate local and migrating species of birds on a naturalist-guided hike in the Chicopee Woods Nature Preserve. Elachee Nature Science Center , Chicopee Woods Aquatic Studies Center . Calvary Church Road , Gainesville , GA 30504 . 770-535-1976. www.elachee.org

2008 Flowery Branch Fall Festival – Saturday, October 4, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Free admission, fun, food, games, arts, crafts, and entertainment behind the Depot Flowery Branch, GA, exit 12 off of I-985/Spout Springs Road. Follow the signs to downtown.

Inspired By Nature - Elachee's Safari Benefit Dinner and Auction, Saturday, October 4, 6 to 10 p.m., 75 per person, $125 for two, $225 for four, and sponsor tables are available. A casual evening of cocktails, dinner, jazz music, and live and silent auctions featuring unique artwork, trips, entertainment activities, and items from local merchants. Elachee Nature Science Center , 2125 Elachee Drive , Gainesville , GA 30504 . 770-535-1976. www.elachee.org.

3rd Annual Dogs of Hall Dog Show – Sunday, October 5, 2 to 4 p.m., Humane Society of Hall County, Lakewood Baptist Church Soccer Field, 2235 Thompson Bridge Rd NW, Gainesville, GA 30501 Pre-registration is $20 per dog, with all proceeds benefiting the Humane Society of Hall County. Forms are available at the shelter with registration limited to the first 150 dogs. Fee for registration the day of the show will be $25 per dog, starting at 1 p.m. 770-532-6617

HealthSmart: Interactive Health and Wellness EXPO, Wednesday, October 8, 1 to 5 p.m., free admission, Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce’s Second Annual HealthSmart: Health and Wellness EXPO, featuring an estimated 75 booths providing services that will range from flu shots to advice on healthy eating habits. Georgia Mountains Center , 301 W Main Street, Gainesville, GA 30501

21st Annual Dog Day Afternoon Golf Tournament, Monday, October 13, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Chattahoochee Golf Course, 301 Tommy Aaron Dr. Gainesville , GA 30506 Hall County Humane Society’s largest fundraiser of the year. 770-532-6617

Voices of North Georgia Fall Concert, Friday, October 17, and Sunday, October 19, Adults, $15; students and seniors, $12, children 11 and under, $5. 40th anniversary season, Voices of North GA , a 50-voice community chorus, will present Let's Go to the Movies! Lakewood Baptist Church , 2235 Thompson Bridge Road in Gainesville on Friday , October 17, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, October 19 at 3 p.m.

Elachee's Backyard Conservation Workshop, Saturday, October 18, 10 a.m. to noon, free admission. Explore recycling yard debris and rainwater to make your yard cleaner and greener. Elachee Nature Science Center , 2125 Elachee Drive , Gainesville , GA 30504 . 770/535-1976. www.elachee.org.

Extreme Fight Night VIII, Saturday, October 8 p.m., doors open 7 p.m. Georgia Mountains Center , admission  $40 to $15 in advance; add $5 day of event. Ultimate Style Fighting & Kickboxing, well-trained fighters from reputable gyms. 13 fights: 9 mixed martial arts and 4 are kickboxing. Fights are in a ring, no cages. 770-534-8420 www.extremefightnight.tv.

Elachee's NightFall Halloween Festival, Saturday, October 24, adults, $5, children 11 and under $5. Enter the nighttime forest for a non-scary adventure. Elachee Nature Science Center , 2125 Elachee Drive , Gainesville , GA 30504 . 770-535-1976. www.elachee.org. 

For complete details and information, visit the Lake Lanier Convention & Visitors Bureau at www.LakeLanierCVB.com.