LOCAL
Written by Hally Joseph Infographic by Nikki Igbo
Georgia Renaissance Festival April – June Fairburn While the other festivals on this list might focus on local brews, crafts and companies, the Georgia Renaissance Festival is far from local. Each year the RenFest team creates a 16th century European village in Fairburn, featuring theater spaces for live shows, outdoor food courts and an artisan market. Events include jugglers, contortionists, birds of prey, hypnotists and the ever popular live jousting matches. In the food court, many of the treats are served on a stick (even as far as fried macaroni and cheese on a stick), but massive turkey legs are a fan favorite. Characters in full costume flood the park at all times, so at any moment the Queen might pass by with her robed entourage, or you could be chased down by lipstick’d kissing wenches. Adult tickets purchased in advance are $19, and it’s $22 at the gate. Learn more at garenfest.com.
Inman Park Festival April 25 – 27 Inman Park The 43rd Inman Park Festival celebrates the unique urban neighborhood with its mix of Victorian mansions and contemporary lofts. Duck into the arts and crafts market featuring jewelry, clothing, mixed media art and photography, and grab a snack as you walk from vendor to vendor. Besides street festival staples like barbecue, sandwiches and funnels cakes, local restaurants will be open for business. As Inman Park is one of Atlanta’s most loved foodie neighborhoods, with restaurants like Fritti, Parish and Barcelona, you’ll have plenty of mouthwatering choices. A parade will take the street at 2 p.m. on Saturday, running from Edgewood Avenue and Euclid Avenue to the edge of Little Five Points. Admission is free. Learn more at inmanparkfest.org. 12 |
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FESTIVAL GUIDE
hen flowers start blooming, all across Atlanta the bare legs and the turkey legs come out to enjoy the sunlight. Breweries throw weekend-long bashes and bands take outdoor stages across the city. In its all-out thrum of springtime weather, festival season is finally here in Atlanta, bringing with it entrance fees and brightly colored wristbands, freshly poured beers and one-stop food truck feasts. Celebrate the sunny weather with this checklist of festivals to attend this spring. Remember to pack cash, your ID and plenty of sunscreen.
Atlanta Jazz Festival May 23 – 25 Piedmont Park If you like your rhythms a little cooler, nothing is as smooth as the Atlanta Jazz Festival, one of the nation’s largest free jazz festivals. This three-day event will take place during Memorial Day Weekend at Piedmont Park, featuring three stages highlighting international and local jazz musicians. Pack a picnic, chairs and umbrellas, and camp out on the lawn — you’ll be in good company since the Atlanta Jazz Festival is produced by the City of Atlanta Office of Cultural Affairs, and is thus free and open to the public. Learn more at atlantafestivals.com.
Taste of East Point April 26, 2 – 9 p.m. 1612 West Cleveland Avenue, East Point Another festival to celebrate local flavor, Taste of East Point is a leisurely stroll through the South Metro town of East Point with wine and food tastes along the way. Listen to everything from blues to funk as local musicians play original music throughout the area, and enjoy an artist market of work by artisans from East Point, Hapeville and the College Park area. Be sure to check out the Custom Car Show. Learn more at downtowneastpoint.com/ tasteofeastpoint.
Shaky Knees Music Festival May 9 – 11 Atlantic Station For music lovers, this festival has it all. The three-day music fest moves locations to Atlantic Station this year, with large alternative headliners each day and myriad bands on smaller stages. On Friday check out The National, Spoon and the Gaslight Anthem and see Modest Mouse and the Replacements on Saturday. Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, Alabama Shakes and the Violent Femmes will perform Sunday. Between bands, wind down at the food trucks or merch tables. It’s every alternative rock band you could want, crammed into one ear-splitting weekend. Single day tickets are $84, and three-day passes are $169. Learn more and see the full list of bands at shakykneesfestival.com.
Atlanta Food & Wine Festival May 29 – June 1 12th Street and Peachtree Walk, Midtown Foodies will delight in the Atlanta Food & Wine Festival. This classy three-day affair combines high quality tastings, cooking demonstrations and classes on cooking techniques, wine pairings and the history of Southern cuisine. If you’ve ever wanted to know the best ingredients for a smoker, how whiskey is made or the fate of the Southern pastry (apparently it’s moving from the cupcake to more classic fare — who knew?), this festival will tease your tastebuds. Tasting tents will feature food prepared by award-winning Georgia chefs, with themed “tasting trails” to guide you through the experience. Tickets to the tasting tent are $100 per day, tickets to a full day including three learning experiences, the tasting tent, a gift bag and a subscription to Food & Wine Magazine are $185. Learn more at atlfoodandwinefestival.com.