With the flip of a calendar page, spring festivals begin blooming on cue. We plucked a bouquet of suggestions, some well-known and some fresh as a spring chicken.
MIDTOWN
Atlanta Dogwood Festival at Piedmont Park
This perennial three-day event chalks up three quarters of a century this year. More than 260 artists from across the country and Canada showcase their work amid a sprawling market. You can stumble across art created from various mediums including wood, glass and leather. Paintings, sculpture, photography and more serve as both a virtual museum and shopping experience. Music is always a big part of the festival, and this year remains the same. Main stage acts perform across the three days. Popular locals plug in including Ken Ford, Blair Crimmins & The Hookers, Stokeswood, Nathan Angelo and a host of others. Younger visitors can invade the Kid’s Village loaded interactive games and projects, and inflatable jumping attractions. Staying in step with Dogwood’s old school roots, guests can climb about a vintage Ferris wheel and carousel from Seattle, Wash. As usual, a popular portion of the festival goes to the dogs. The Disc Dog Tournament barks into view Saturday and Sunday and runs continuously throughout both days. Only participating dogs can set their paws on festival grounds, so make sure and leave your pooch at home. Special ticketed events include Friday night’s La Fête International Wine Tasting. The Friends of Dogwood Pavilion houses a restaurant tasting and wine sampling refuge open both Saturday and Sunday afternoons. Tickets are $30 in advance or $35 at the door. If you hear laughter wafting through the air Friday night, it’s probably coming from the Comedy SUMIT. The latter initials stand for stand up meets improv theater. Laughing Skull Lounge wrangles some of the best comedians in town to join forces with the Relapse Theater Improv Troupe. Tickets are $18 and seating is limited.
Noon-9 p.m. April 15; 10 a.m.-9 p.m. April 16; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. April 17. Free. Piedmont Park, 400 Park Drive N.E., Atlanta. 404-817-6642, www.dogwood.org.
CANDLER PARK
SweetWater 420 Fest features overflow of music
The locally-based SweetWater Brewing Company taps the figurative festival keg, which overflows with an admirable musical line up. Fans of the jam genre will be able to appreciate luminaries including Galactic, Rusted Root and 7 Walkers featuring Bill Kreutzmann of Grateful Dead fame. Yet it gets eclectic with the likes of ’90s hip-hoppers Arrested Development, the rock solid Dead Confederate and others. A sold-out 5K road race takes place, and vendors shill a host of green-themed arts and crafts. Those looking to tip back beer must buy a $5 wristband.
4:20-10 p.m. April 15; noon-10 p.m. April 16; 12:30-7 p.m. April 17. Free. Candler Park, 1500 McLendon Ave. N.E., Atlanta. www.sweetwater420fest.com.
ALPHARETTA
Alpharetta Arts Streetfest offers fun for entire family
Peruse an outdoor art gallery featuring more than 80 juried artists. Some of these creators are local, while others are coming from as far as Texas, Ohio and New Jersey. You’ll find paintings, mixed media, photography, pottery and other works for sale. A total of 10 acts entertain the crowd including acoustic guitarist Bill Kahler, traditional Irish and Celtic outfit The Ballybeg Band and Sunday headliners Laura Monk and High Cotton with its brand of Americana. Festival grub for sale includes bites and beverages from Smokejack: A Southern Grill, Carmine’s Restaurant & Pizzeria, Element Coffee Company, Jilly's Cupcakery and others. Kids keep busy by whipping up their own art projects and earth-friendly crafts.
10 a.m.-6 p.m. April 16 and 17. Free. Milton Avenue between Main Street and Roswell-Canton Street, Alpharetta. 678-297-6000, www.alpharetta.ga.us.
CANTON
Easter Egg Hunt and Festival at Cannon Park
Kids clamor at this massive Easter egg hunt armed with more than 4,000 eggs. The hunt starts at 1:15 p.m. and the Easter Bunny hops on the scene, too. While the tots scramble for eggs, their pops can ogle at the cars in the Corvette Cruise-In. An Easter bonnet contest, live music, kiddie activities, inflatable jumping attractions and more round out the event.
1-4 p.m. April 23. Free. Cannon Park, 130 E. Main Street, Canton. 770-704-1548, www.cantonhdl.com.
INMAN PARK
Inman Park Festival will include tour of homes
The ever-popular event never fails to draw throngs with its street market and focus on arts and crafts. Throw in a parade, live music, home show and dancing, and it’s a multi-faceted gateway to spring. A thick musical line-up on three stages runs the genre gamut and includes comic rocker Darryl Rhoades, The Usual Suspects, Falcon Lords, Yonrico Scott and the jazzy Gwen Hughes. The endearing tour of homes returns with 11 dwellings including turn-of-the-century Victorians and the Inman Park United Methodist Church. Tickets to the home show, which takes place April 29-May 1, are $15 online.
11 a.m.-8:30 p.m. April 30; 11 a.m.-7 p.m. May 1. Free. Euclid Avenue N.E. and Elizabeth Street N.E., Atlanta. 770-635-3711, www.inmanparkfestival.org.
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