Squeeze the Most Out of Summer with These Outdoor Festivals (1/3)

August is known for many things, including National Watermelon Day, National Smile Week and the “dog days of summer” – not because of pet pooches, but from the star Sirius, also known as the dog star, which legend says rose at the same time as sunrise during the month of August in ancient Roman times. It is also synonymous, at least in the South, with the start of the school year. Always an exciting and busy time, August sees stores bursting at the seams with the latest back-to-school supplies, kids eagerly awaiting their homeroom assignments and class schedules, school buses once again becoming a familiar sight in our neighborhoods and on our roadways and it signals the start of a new chapter for those heading off to college.   

But just because the kids are back at school doesn’t mean summer is over. In fact, there are plenty of things happening in and around Atlanta this month to carry you through the “dog days” and keep those summertime vibes going strong. In this month’s blog series, we will highlight some great ideas for squeezing out the most from the last of the summer months. And we cannot think of a better way to do that than highlighting some of the most popular outdoor festivals taking place in Atlanta over the next few weeks. So mark your calendar, grab your lawn chairs and load up the cooler because these festivals are going to be hot!

• Piedmont Park Arts Festival – A two-day outdoor event being held August 19 and 20 in historic Piedmont Park, the Piedmont Park Arts Festival is all about the visual arts and family fun. Named one of the Top 100 Arts Festivals in the Nation by Sunshine Artist Magazine, it was created as a way to give back to the community and bring an arts festival to Midtown – one of the city’s largest and most enthusiastic art-buying communities in Atlanta. Featuring outstanding artists from all over the country, plus many from right here in Georgia, this popular annual event is presented by the Atlanta Foundation for Public Spaces and is geared toward people of all ages, customs and interests that have an appreciation for the arts and enjoy a great time. This year the event will feature up to 250 painters, photographers, sculptors, leather, metalwork, glass blowers, jewelers and crafters. The festival will also offer artist demonstrations, live acoustic music, a children’s play area, plus an array of delicious festival foods and beverages.

• Grant Park Summer Shade Festival – For more than two decades, Atlanta art and music lovers have flocked to Grant Park to bid adieu to summer at the Grant Park Summer Shade Festival. This two-day Intown event will take place August 26 and 27 in Grant Park and brings together a variety of regional and local artists, food vendors and musical entertainment. Organized by the Grant Park Conservancy, a non-profit, membership-based organization committed to the restoration, renovation, beautification and maintenance of historic Grant Park, this thriving festival has an Artists Market with 150+ artists from all over the country offering everything from handmade bath and body products to original oil paintings to leather goods to statement jewelry. You can also expect to find traditional festival fare such as corn dogs and funnel cakes but also expect healthier options like salads and frozen yogurt. You will be able to choose from several food vendors serving up everything from BBQ and desserts to tacos and fried fish. Whatever you’re craving, you’ll most likely find something to satisfy your hunger. There will be live entertainment at multiple venues featuring some of the best local talent in Atlanta. This is one you will not want to miss!

• BeREGGAE Music & Arts Festival – If you enjoy the laid-back, hypnotic beats of reggae music, head to the largest reggae festival in the South. Being held August 11-13 at Atlanta’s Piedmont Park, BeREGGAE Music and Arts Festival is returning for its 9th Annual event. Featuring a stellar lineup of artists, musicians, deejays, food, vendors and more, this three-day celebration of music, arts, culture and business brings together the Afro-Caribbean and the African Diaspora in a free, family fun-filled environment. This year’s lineup includes Wayne Wonder, Tito Puente Jr., DJ Kizzy Rock, John Wayne Movements, Diamond D and more to be revealed. This is an annual fundraiser for the Hand Over Fist Foundation and its programs, centered around education and economic empowerment of Black families. BeREGGAE is more than just music. Come to enjoy the arts, food and a celebration of international Black culture. And if you are interested in taking the experience to the next level, there are cabana tentals and VIP experience passes available that will get you the royal treatment.

• AgLanta Eats Festival – Returning to the Atlanta Botanical Garden on the evening of August 21 is AgLanta Eats. Showcasing the people, places and benefits of our local food system, this hyper-local food festival offers a variety of tastings prepared by top local chefs utilizing the freshest ingredients from AgLanta growers and metro Atlanta farms. Attendees can meet local growers, visit the chefs and restaurants using their produce and learn about methods used to reduce food waste or divert it from landfills. As an added bonus, attendees have full access to the Atlanta Botanical Garden while enjoying farm-fresh food tastings, a selection of beverages, live music, garden tours and more. This event requires tickets and is open to all ages! 

• Pigs & Peaches BBQ Festival – If you are up for some fun outside of Atlanta city limits, give the Pigs & Peaches BBQ Festival a try at Adams Park in Kennesaw on August 18 and 19. From its humble beginnings, Pigs & Peaches has grown into one of the region’s most beloved festivals, attracting an estimated 60,000 attendees each year. Its roots trace back to the historic train depot in Downtown Kennesaw, where in 2000, the city of Kennesaw’s Parks and Recreation Department held a blues concert and barbeque cook-off for a handful of amateur grillers. Over the years, the event has taken off and continues to grow. Now in its 22nd year, the festival features two days of non-stop music, great eats, cold beer, interactive family fun and a fireworks show planned for Saturday night.

• Atlanta Wine Festivals – Looking for some adult fun? Get tickets for the 7th Annual Atlanta Summer Wine Festival. Being held August 12 at the Guardian Works, located at 775 Echo Street NW in Atlanta’s trendy Westside, this 21+ event is sure to be a hit. Offering both afternoon and evening sessions, you can get tickets for one or both sessions and enjoy live music, DJ Q Tip and samples of over 50 different wines, beers, ciders and seltzers all day and into the night. There is also food for sale, so be sure to come hungry. There will be free bottled water for designated drivers. 

A Few New Listings this Week