County to host 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony

Join us for the 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony on Friday, September 11 at 10:00am as we honor the lives lost on September 11, 2001, and recognize the courage and sacrifice of first responders. The ceremony will feature a keynote address by District 3 Commissioner Jasper Watkins III, who assisted in the placement of wounded personnel during the attacks on the Pentagon that day. All are welcome as we gather to remember, reflect, and honor those who serve.

The ceremony will be held at the Gwinnett Fallen Heroes Memorial, located on the grounds of the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center at 75 Langley Drive in Lawrenceville.

Apply to be a poll official

Get involved in the electoral process and give back to your community! Gwinnett Voter Registrations and Elections is seeking citizens of all backgrounds, especially bilingual Spanish speakers, to become poll officials for upcoming elections. It’s a great opportunity to see how elections work, gain valuable work experience, and earn up to $440 per election. Interested citizens are encouraged to apply at GwinnettCountyJobs.com.

Join the fun at the Public Safety Fall Festival

Gwinnett’s annual Public Safety Fall Festival is returning to Gwinnett Field (formerly Coolray Field) on Saturday, September 12. Come out to this free event from 11:00am to 3:00pm to meet our first responders and enjoy food, giveaways, demonstrations, and displays. Kids can also enjoy a touch-a-truck with a SWAT personnel carrier, fire trucks, and other specialized vehicles.

Email PDCommunityAffairs@GwinnettCounty.com for more information. Gwinnett Field is located at 2500 Buford Drive in Lawrenceville.

Join us for the Hispanic Latino Heritage Celebration

Explore the vibrant intersections of Hispanic heritage, culture, and influence at Gwinnett's 2026 Hispanic Latino Heritage Month Celebration! This event will take place on Friday, October 9 at 6:30pm on the lawn located behind the parking deck at the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center at 75 Langley Drive in Lawrenceville.

The evening will feature an evening of authentic Hispanic cuisine, captivating performances, and community spirit. Register to attend this free celebration by visiting GwinnettCounty.com/CelebrateHLHM.

What's New in District 1

The Korean Festival returns to Gwinnett Sep. 19 & 20

The Korean Festival offers residents and visitors a front-row seat to a lively, culture-filled weekend of traditional and modern music, culinary experiences and performing arts at Gwinnett Place Mall in Duluth. The celebration starts at 11:00am on Saturday, September 19 and Sunday, September 20.

Gwinnett is home to approximately 30,000 Korean Americans, which is one of the most concentrated populations in the United States. Korean culture and businesses have blossomed over the decades in Gwinnett and continue to thrive in what is now known as the “Seoul of the South.” To learn more about the 2026 Korean Festival, view the full event schedule, or explore vendor listings, visit the Korean Festival Foundation website.

High school calendar art contest ends September 30

Gwinnett County high school students can submit original artwork for the Drops of Color Calendar Art Contest! Selected artwork will be featured in the 2027 Drops of Color calendar, with one of the pieces appearing on the cover. The artwork must highlight the importance of safe, clean, reliable water and environmental stewardship in Gwinnett County. The focus is on tap or natural water in our local lakes, rivers, and streams.

Visit GwinnettCounty.com/DropsOfColor for eligibility requirements and to apply. The application closes Wednesday, September 30 at 4:00pm.

Property tax bills coming in September

Property tax bills should arrive in your mailbox in September and are due in November. If you have an escrow account, your property tax information will be made available to your mortgage company. However, it is the homeowner's responsibility to ensure taxes are paid. For more information or to pay online, visit GwinnettTaxCommissioner.com/Pay.

Consumer Education Workshop: Understanding Medicare

Learn how to make informed decisions about your healthcare with guidance from a Certified Medicare Counselor with the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). Learn how to prevent, detect, and report Medicare and Medicaid fraud, error, and abuse.

This information session will take place Tuesday, September 29 from 1:00pm to 2:00pm at the Gwinnett County Public Library Peachtree Corners Branch. Caregivers of aging family members are also welcome to attend. Registration is requested.

Harvest Moon Camp Out

Saturday, September 25 from 5:30pm to Sunday, September 26 at 9:00am

Enjoy a unique overnight camp! We will have fun making s'mores, telling stories, and learning about astronomy under the Harvest Moon. Dinner and light breakfast provided. Camping gear not provided. Price is per person attending, all members in your party must be registered to attend. Leashed dogs are welcome to join us. Open to all ages. Register online. Jones Bridge Park, 4901 E Jones Bridge Road, Peachtree Corners. Event cost: $15.00/person

Kids Night: Craft Factory

Saturday, September 25 from 6:00pm to 9:00pm

No parents allowed! This special Thanksgiving-themed evening is packed with fun activities just for kids — crafts, music, and games that celebrate the joy of fall and the spirit of giving thanks. Pizza and drinks will be provided. Open to ages 7-12. Register online. Shorty Howell Park Activity Building, 2750 Pleasant Hill Road, Duluth. Event cost: $12.00/person

Resale Market

Saturday, October 3 from 10:00am to 2:00pm

Enjoy bargain hunting and hunting for unique finds? Come out and enjoy a day of shopping in the fresh air to browse a wide selection of items from local sellers — all in one place! Open to all ages. Register online. Shorty Howell Park, 2750 Pleasant Hill Road, Duluth. Entry cost: Free!

Voting Preparation Essentials

Thursday, September 10 from 1:00pm to 2:00pm

Make your plan to vote! Learn how to register, different ways to cast your vote, and what's on the ballot. Join this program for easy-to-understand, nonpartisan election information and resources to help you vote with confidence in upcoming elections. Open to ages 19 and up. Gwinnett County Public Library Peachtree Corners Branch, 5570 Spalding Drive, Peachtree Corners. Event cost: Free!

Mid-Autumn Festival

Tuesday, September 22 from 5:00pm to 6:00pm

Join us for this unique Asian cultural experience by celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival. This is when families gather to sample autumn harvests, light lanterns, and admire the fullest moon of the year. Open to ages 6-11. Gwinnett County Public Library Norcross Branch, 5735 Buford Highway, Norcross. Event cost: Free!

Author Talk: Lo Patrick

Thursday, October 1 from 6:30pm to 7:30pm

Acclaimed author Lo Patrick discusses her Southern mystery, The Sins of Summer Daughters, where long-buried secrets resurface and a woman must confront a summer she tried to forget, but the Georgia land remembers. Open to ages 19 and up. Registration is requested. Gwinnett County Public Library Duluth Branch, 3180 Main Street, Duluth. Event cost: Free!

Last month, I had the opportunity to connect with the Rotary Club of Peachtree Corners to share updates on what's happening in District 1, including within the city.

They have been a fixture of this community for decades, and the work they do — bringing together residents, business leaders, and community members around a shared commitment to service — is something I have a great deal of respect for. I always appreciate the opportunity to engage with groups like this one.

It was a true honor to join Peachtree Christian Health for its recent Founders Day celebration. For 27 years, this organization has delivered vital therapeutic and clinical care programs to our community, and its legacy of compassion speaks for itself.

It was also my privilege to present a proclamation to Reverend Thomas Bristow Sr., a District 1 resident and beloved member of the Peachtree Christian Health community, as well as a documented original Tuskegee Airman. Rev. Bristow is just weeks away from his 98th birthday, and it was wonderful to be able to recognize him and his service in both WWII and the Korean War.

I also had the opportunity to speak at the recent Fire and Emergency Services Graduation and Promotion Ceremony. I'm proud to extend my congratulations once again to these amazing and courageous individuals.

Gwinnett is growing, and so is our capacity to protect it. Each new recruit and newly promoted officer means more coverage, more skill, and more resilience for every neighborhood, business, and resident we serve. To the graduates and their families — the Board of Commissioners is proud of you and grateful for your commitment to this county.