Metro Atlanta’s spring festivals celebrate food, drink, music and fun. Here’s a list of upcoming or ongoing festivals to make the most of your week and weekend.
Taste of Alpharetta
Satisfy every epicurean whim with tasty bites from more than 50 Alpharetta restaurants.
The May 9 event, traditionally held on a Thursday evening, is billed as the largest “taste of” festival in the Southeast, and food booths will line Milton Avenue, Canton Street, Old Canton Street and Old Roswell Street, offering samples from such restaurants as Milton’s Cuisine and Cocktail, Sage Woodfire Tavern, 5 Seasons North and Wildflour. Cooking competitions, music, inflatables for kids and other entertainment.
Free entry, but vendors charge between 50 cents and $3 per sample. Pay with tickets sold in sheets of 10 for $5 each.
5-10 p.m. May 9. 2 S. Main St., Alpharetta. 678-297-6078, www.alpharetta.ga.us/index.php?p=195.
Sweet Auburn Springfest 2013
Join tens of thousands in a new location. This year, a streetcar is being built down Auburn Avenue, so organizers have moved the fun to John Wesley Dobbs Avenue, a block away.
This year’s festival features music from more than 30 performers, ranging from pop-rock to holy hip-hop. Highlights will include R&B singer Alix Lapri at 1:30 p.m. May 11 and Dunaire Elementary School’s Dynamic Dolphins, who performed recently at the White House, at 11 a.m. May 11. The festival includes food, arts and other vendors.
5-10 p.m. May 10; 11 a.m.-8 p.m. May 11; 2-8 p.m. May 12. Free. 678-683-5647, deneen@sweetauburn.com, www.sweetauburn.com/Springfest2013.html.
Barefoot in the Park Arts Festival
This Gwinnett County gathering boasts a primo site, the Duluth Town Green. More than 100 booths dotting the terraced lawn in the heart of Duluth will include artists, craftspeople and performers. Entertainment this year includes everything from Irish dancers to Taiwanese drummers, with many Gwinnett dance ensembles and community music groups represented.
In addition to the Juried Fine Arts Market, there will be a new folk art component this year, along with the Children’s Art Park, a beer garden, wine tastings, classes and demonstrations.
10 a.m.-6 p.m. May 11, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. May 12. Free. 3142 Hill St., Duluth. 678-677-0172, www.barefootinthepark.org.
Atlanta Jazz Festival, 31 Days of Jazz
The festival leads up to its big Memorial Day weekend with concerts scattered around the city and in neighborhood parks.
Kats Cafe Atlanta. Musicians and vocalists come together for live music. 9 p.m. May 9. Free. Complimentary valet parking, 970 Piedmont Ave. N.E., Atlanta.
The Mall at Peachtree Center hosts Atlanta jazz musicians for the Groovin’ at Noon Jazz Series. 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Free, every Friday in May, 231 Peachtree St. N.E., Atlanta.
Concert in Perkerson Park is a miniature jazz concert to provide cultural experiences in community backyards. 4-8 p.m. May 11. Free, 770 Deckner Ave. S.W., Atlanta.
Georgia Renaissance Festival
Costumed characters roam the 32-acre “kingdom” presided over by Henry VIII. The 28th Georgia Renaissance Festival runs through June 2 in Fairburn. Knights in shining armor and maidens fair, unique shows and rides, a petting zoo and a World Bazaar with treasures created by more than 150 artisans. Juggling, music, comedic storytelling and feats of physical skill and a jousting tournament.
10:30 a.m.-6 p.m. weekends and Memorial Day through June 2. $19.95; $17.95 senior citizens; $8.95 ages 6-12. Free parking. 6905 Virlyn B. Smith Road, Fairburn. 770-964-8575, www.garenfest.com.
Art-B-Que, May 11-12, Avondale Estates, http://www.artbque.com
Cherokee County Indian Festival & Mother's Day Pow Wow, May 11-12, Canton, www.rthunder.com/events.html, 770-735-6275
Buckhead Spring Arts and Crafts Festival, May 11-12, www.buckheadartsfestival.com
Dunwoody Art Festival, May 11-12, http://dunwoodyartfestival.splashfestivals.com/
Colors Festival of Arts, May 11-12, Roswell Town Square, http://www.visitroswellga.com/festival-arts.html
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