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By Darryl Woods

April 28, 2008 1:06 PM | Link to this

The festivals are one of the reasons we moved to Atlanta, specifically the Jazz Festival. Loved it in Grant Park, and had absolutely wonderful time at it last year in Piedmont. Also, the Dogwood and the Black Arts Festival (when it was held at Piedmont) are favotites. The City government anti-festival? Maybe. Crowds, security, traffic, and what I think is behind it all, Neighborhood Alliances. Since there’s such a large influx of affluent in-town residents that are very aggressive in voicing their concerns, I believe they have the city’s ear.

By Jeff

April 28, 2008 2:49 PM | Link to this

To the region??

To that, I’d say Piedmont means very little. I’ve never been there, nor have 99% of the people I know in North GA.

Overall, festivals can be used to promote a community awareness, maybe raise money for various causes and various small businesses (and even big businesses… wouldn’t mind getting half of what Coke is probably making off of many of these festivals!).

But are they overly important, to the tune that they merit favor over the actual function of the local governments? Not at all. Keep them if you can, but if you can’t, so be it.

By Steve

April 28, 2008 3:21 PM | Link to this

Come to Decatur for our community festivals ! The Arts Festival will be 20 years old in few weeks. Our Book Festival (thanks AJC!) was an instant success and will making it third appearance over Labor Day weekend. The Beer Tasting Festival has raised over a quarter of a million $$ for the community over the years. Don’t forget the festivals in our Oakhurst section, the Beach Party, fireworks for the 4th….

By Benjamin

April 28, 2008 3:54 PM | Link to this

When this was first brought to the public’s attention, and we learned that the big festivals would be ousted, I immediately thought, this is a slippery slope. (I hate that term BTW)

I have read the reason’s why it was decided in the first place, and I do understand them. However, I was left with several questions.

-How is it decided that the events can return?

-Who can predict the amount of rain that will fall on Piedmont Park between the time that the ordinance was passed, and the time that the events are scheduled?

-Is this an attempt to make the park a backyard only, and not a space for public events that have long been associated with it, and contributed to its success?

-Would it be the worst thing that could happen if there were a few brown spots, or a worn path? I love Piedmont Park, and it is my most favorite thing about Atlanta. However, I go to other parks, and I see that they are just as attractive as Piedmont and there are just as many people having a great time, but there are a few imperfections. And guess what? It is OK!

Those are my 2 cents. I feel better now.

Thanks!

By CJ

April 28, 2008 4:11 PM | Link to this

Most, if not all of my friends in the gay and lesbian community have vocalized their intentions to NOT attend this year’s Pride celebration.

Not only has the date moved to July 4th weekend, which conflicts with holiday plans, it is now located in a less safe area of Atlanta (the Civic Center). We lived near the Civic Center in a “transitional” neighborhood that never quite transitioned. The area is unsafe, especially at night. We regularly saw police helicopters circling the area 2 to 3 times weekly.

Besides safety, there is no appeal to strolling around a hot asphalt parking lot to look at tent vendors (Lenox Dogwood Festival anyone?). Festival organizers should have used any of the other area parks (Chastain, Stone Mountain, etc.). There is no place to escape the heat at the Civic Center because there are no trees and no lawn on which to set up a tent for shade.

The lack of attendance will hurt the local economy. It would have been less of a financial hit to replace sod on Piedmont Park’s lawns than to relocate to an undesirable area.

By Dan

April 28, 2008 4:27 PM | Link to this

The city should consider only using the “meadow” area at 10th and Monroe for the festivals….confine them to this area, which was perfect for the Dave Matthews concert, and maybe this compromise would satisfy the neighborhood ?

By John Tackett

April 29, 2008 9:02 AM | Link to this

For the first time in 10 years I have not attended the Dogwood Festival. Weather was not an issue, it was the location. A parking lot is not a good location for a “outdoor festival” especially one based on a tree.

The city and the Park Conservancy have never publicly stated that the the events will be able to return once the drought has ended. This is what is frightening to me. I mean if it is temporary, as they state, then why is it so difficult for them to make such a public statement?

Sounds like me that the City and Park Conservancy got the benefits (and money) from these events and now they are just discarding them. I mean the Atlanta Track Club built the running track in the park, but now they cannot even use the Park for the Peachtree? (Oh please support us with money and assistance. Thanks, now get out!!!)

Also how about the city cutting some slack in regards to the fees that these festivals/events are having to pay because of the move. They moved because the city made them, not because they wanted to.

By Marty

April 29, 2008 11:56 AM | Link to this

My wife and I live in Stone Mountain and attended the French Quarter Festival in New Orleans two weeks ago. There were over half a million people all over the Quarter over a 3 day festival. I am confident that well over 10 million dollars was dropped into the local economy, probably a lot more than that. I have attended many festivals at Piedmont Park but you could not pay me to go if they will be held at Lenox or the Civic Center.

By Phil Bush

April 29, 2008 12:18 PM | Link to this

You raise the bigger question:

What is Atlanta “Known” for when it comes to Public Events?

I am a Crew Chief with the Peachtree Road Race, and we have had to go through rework of our Start area as we were kept out of the Park this year. While it made sense for one year, I read your article and am concerned about where the City of Atlanta is going!

What is the master plan for how Atlanta is seen? “Every Day is an Opening Day,” but shouldn’t some days be “Special Opening Days?” What are the signature events that make Atlanta special? We seem to lose more than we keep/add!

Great article, thanks for bringing this up!

By Marty

April 29, 2008 2:14 PM | Link to this

Wanted to add some thoughts to my earlier post about French Quarter Festival. First, we encountered very many people from out of state which means they were all staying in local hotels. Also, how can Stone Mountain have thousands of people every night congregate on the big lawn and not have severe damage to the grass? All it would take would be for the city to plant zoysia or some other very hardy grass that could take the abuse and then spend whatever it costs to maintain it. The argument about killing the grass is almost certainly not the real reason these events have been forced to relocate.

By Woody

April 29, 2008 6:03 PM | Link to this

Piedmont Park is NOT a SHRINE or a MUSEUM! It is a park. For festivals, for walks, to have a picnic in and just to plain enjoy nature. It is an oasis! I have watched it become more and more sterile and cold over the years and now you want to take it away all together. Shirley has no business being the Mayor if she is willing to destroy the very character and ambiance of the city she is serving. What a JOKE!

By George Petkovich

May 1, 2008 11:30 AM | Link to this

Thank you so much for bringing attention to this issue. I cannot believe a small group of people have destroyed our traditions and have used false pretenses to stifle debate. If we do not fight back, we will never see another event at Piedmont Park again. I love nature, but city parks are for people to enjoy.

The first step in this fight is to tell the truth. Let’s be honest and have a real debate without hiding behind lies. Unfortunately, the Piedmont Park Conservancy and City do not want this debate because they know the people are against them. Thank you again for bringing this out in the open.

By Kathi Johnson

May 5, 2008 10:20 AM | Link to this

I hope this is a forum that will reach the politicians and their appointees with the opinions of the people of Atlanta. It is our park, we fund it, we pay their salaries but we don’t get a say in how things are run. Let’s bring back the big 4 and let the smaller festivals find a new home. Limit the number of big events like they do at Centennial Olympic Park but don’t bannish them to parking lots to die a slow death. Centennial has a lot of events but stays green and is available for daily usage. Why can the state run parks do it right but the city run ones can’t?