It doesn't matter in what temperature they come: hot, cold, or somewhere pleasantly in between. In Georgia, and particularly the city of Atlanta, we love our annual festivals. Music, food, locations, cultures and even comic book characters have been inspirations to launch and anchor a weekend of food trucks, exhibits, parades, drinks and festivities.
You've likely been to the Dogwood Festival, Music Midtown, Comic Con, the Atlanta Pride Festival, or the Taste of Atlanta. This year you want to broaden your horizons and add something new to the calendar. Choose one, or many, and see if they make the cut as a time-honored festival of Atlanta. Whether it's their first season or fifth, these selections still hold a little in reserve. From the "I didn't know" to the "wow, that could grow," it is time to try something new.
Walker Stalker Con - Atlanta
With support from a Kickstarter campaign, 2013 brought the first installment of what is now the largest zombie con in the world. It seems only fitting considering how the walkers, and stalkers, have taken over parts of the state. Just in its third year, the 3-day Halloween weekend event brings zombie lovers en masse to Atlanta. If vampires are more your thing, they are here too. Fans can get up close with meet-and-greets of some of their favorite, less-than-living stars, such as Ian Somerhalder, David Morrissey, Paul Wesley and more. Not sure what to wear? Anything goes here. Come as your best dead, undead or more rosy self. This festival is only going to continue to get bigger, so go now while you can. The Walker Stalker machine has already grown into an international, multi-city event, and even has its own special cruise.
One of the convention's founding Kickstarter supporters, Atlanta Movie Tours, can get you primed for the experience between now and then.
For more information on the 2015 Walker Stalker Con, see accessatlanta/walkerstalker.
Atlanta Beltline Lantern Parade - Atlanta
Although it has been around since 2010 and is already drawing big crowds, 20,000 strong in 2014, the Beltline expansion and continued development of the area poise this one to grow exponentially in the coming years, and position itself as one of Atlanta's cornerstone annual events.
As the number of participants increases, so too will the creativity and profoundness of the lantern-lit parade. Happening the first Saturday after Labor Day, it is the official launch of the fall exhibition: Art on the Beltline. Lantern kits are available for purchase and instructional workshops will be posted closer to the event.
For more information, see accessatlanta.com/lanternparade.
Wood and Wire Songwriters Festival - Alpharetta
Take three days of nationally recognized singer-songwriter performance, including a hyped kickoff party, for an outstanding start. Lump on its recognition, from the Southeast Tourism Society, as one of the "Top 20 Events in October 2015" and the ball will really start rolling. This more intimate music experience gets down to the craft and talent of both local and national songwriters. Learn the stories behind the songs as these musicians take the stage to sing their original works. The three-day festival in historic downtown Alpharetta will celebrate its third year in 2015.
For more information, visit accessatlanta.com/songwritersfestival.
Chattahoochee River Music Festival - Douglasville
This family-friendly 3-day festival, debuting in July of 2015, boasts 24 country artists, including: Brian Collins, Corey Smith, Bubba Sparxxx, Cowboy Troy, Deana Carter, Jessie Keith Whitley and even country-classic Lorrie Morgan. On location will be a carnival midway, fireworks and a championship barbecue competition. Tailgating-central will be located at the Greek Village. The festival site, the Fox Hall Resort & Sporting Club, also offers opportunities for fishing, canoeing, kayaking and horseback riding. The kid's area is 4-acres that includes inflatables, rock walls, zip lines and obstacle courses.
CRCMF co-owner, Jason Benson, explains why the festival was created; "My partner, Andy Turner, and I wanted to create a country music festival that offered something for every age group. Chattahoochee River Country Music Festival will provide the perfect setting for families to bond and for music-lovers to gather with friends to create great memories. It's three vacations in one."
For ticket and up-to-date lineup information, see crcmf.com.
Atlanta Cheese Festival - Atlanta
Sample, celebrate and purchase artisan cheeses and specialty food products at the Atlanta Cheese Festival. Hosted at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens, the 2015 event will also feature the Doppled Grays, named by Creative Loafing Magazine as "Atlanta's best bluegrass band." Children are welcome and ages 12-and-under get in free. VIP tickets are available, and include a vote in the annual Meltdown & Macdown competition of local restaurants.
For more information, see accessatlanta.com/cheesefestival.
If you love food, be sure to check out Georgia's ultimate food festivals.
Tunes from the Tombs - Atlanta
Grab your blankets and beach chairs and head to the cemetery. Yes, you heard that right. Tunes from the Tombs is an afternoon music festival hosted for one day each June, at the Historic Oakland Cemetery. Instead of the usual festival upgrade, here you can purchase a "R.I.P" package that includes perks such as private bathrooms, drink tickets, food, parking, commemorative t-shirts and a membership to the Historic Oakland Foundation. Mark your calendar for next year's haunting trip through southern music history.
Shaky Boots Festival - Kennesaw
Making its 2015 debut at the KSU Sports and Entertainment Park, Shaky Boots launched its inaugural year as the younger, country-infused sibling to the Shaky Knees Festival, an indie-rock music experience harkening back to Music Midtown's younger days. Choosing not to tiptoe onto the Southeast music scene, Shaky Boots served up a powerhouse of country music headliners, including Blake Shelton, Brad Paisley, Dierks Bentley, The Band Perry, Rascal Flatts and The Whiskey Gentry. Only unsettled in name, it looks like the Shaky music festivals are solidly entrenched in the annual music scene in Atlanta.
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