Your 2015 Piedmont Park Arts Festival survival guide

ajc.com

Credit: Sher Pruitt

Credit: Sher Pruitt

The 6th annual Piedmont Park Arts Festival will feature up to 250 painters, photographers, sculptors, leather and metalwork, glass blowers, jewelers and crafters as part of two days of family-friendly fun.

Festival Dates: August 15-16, 2015
Festival Hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Location
The Piedmont Park Arts Festival takes over the southeast corner of Piedmont Park from the Charles Allen Gate to Park Tavern then north along Charles Allen Drive.

Parking
If you've ever been to Piedmont Park you know that parking can be a nightmare. Add into that equation a festival and it's better to walk, ride your bike or take MARTA.

Taking MARTA
By rail, take the Red or Gold line to the Midtown MARTA station. Piedmont Park is a 10 minute walk from the station. If you don't want to walk, you can hop Bus 36 or Bus 99 to the festival at the Midtown MARTA station.

Traffic Impact
Traffic around the southern end of Piedmont Park will be busier than usual on Saturday and Sunday. Drivers should pay special attention to the new-ish pedestrian crossing zones which are expected to be heavily utilized.

Food
This year's festival will have a variety of food vendors including Ocean Market, Roly Poly, Urban Taali, GENKI To-Go Food Truck, Mixed Up Burgers, Mobile Marley, Williams Bros. BBQ, Jalapeño Corn Dog, Sunshine Sammie's-- Ice Cream truck, King of Pops

Break a World Record
Will they do it? Will you help? Festival attendees are invited participate in the Atlanta Foundation of Public Spaces' third attempt at breaking the Guinness World Record for the Longest Chain of People to Pass through a Hula Hoop.

Attendees can register to participate from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Georgia Ovarian Cancer Alliance tent on both festival dates. The attempt, held in the Piedmont Park Meadow by the Charles Allen Gate, will be held on Saturday and Sunday at 4 p.m. Participants much be aged 8 or older to participate.

Music

There will be live music on both days of the festival. This year's lineup includes:

Saturday, August 15
Noon - Rachel Wiggins
1 pm - Andy Buccarelli
2 pm - The Mosleys
3 pm - Kalliope Ray
4 pm - Megan Fowler
5 pm - TBA

Sunday, August 16
12 pm - In Sonitus Lux
1 pm - TBA
2 pm - Reverend Justin Hylton
3 pm - Kim Bates & Keena Graham
4 pm - Professor John

For the Kids
Hotel Transylvania's Drac Pack will be on hand in addition to the Chick-fil-A Atlanta Herd of Cows who will be at the event passing out coupons, mini plush cows, taking photos and interacting with guests. There will also be a bounce house for children.

Payment Options
Many of the vendors accept credit cards but be sure to have plenty of cash on you in case you find something you want. For larger purchases, some vendors also accept PayPal.

Man's Best Friend
Dogs are welcome at the Piedmont Park Arts Festival.

Expert Advice
Plan on wearing comfortable shoes. You'll be on paths and grass throughout the day and probably standing most of the time.

Because the festival is held at Piedmont Park, you're able to bring a backpack to the event. Take advantage of the landscape and pack a blanket for a picnic, a water bottle and a few napkins/paper towels. If you're bringing along your dog, be sure to pack a container to use as an on-the-go water dish.