Q: With spring around the corner, I’m looking for an outdoor festival (different) I can take my old college roommates to while they are visiting later this month. I’m hoping you can help me.
A: You should consider the Third Ormewood Park Makers Festival on Saturday, March 23 (11 a.m.-6 p.m.), Atlanta.
Hannah Thompson loves throwing parties. Six years ago she created the “porch crawl” on Halloween in her neighborhood. Fast forward to a wine and cheese party that packed 600 in her backyard.
From a family of artists, particularly her grandfather and father, art resonated with her - particularly, handmade local quality crafts.
“The festival is about the identity and spirit of the ‘maker’,” said Thompson, founder of the festival and social chair of the Ormewood Park Neighborhood.
The festival is free and kid-friendly, according to the group’s website.
All “makers” participating in this festival must be 90-100 percent handmade and local (from the Southeast).
The festival has about 162 artists, 10 local food vendors/food trucks, including Eventide beer, local wine and spirits.
The event starts at 11 a.m. with the neighborhood ballet (small group of 7-year-old girls).
Local music lineup includes reggae, jazz, classical American, rock ‘n roll. The stage sits in the middle of three magnolia trees overlooking a grass lawn. Perfect place to set up lawn chairs or blankets and hang out.
Thompson said there are lots of new things for kids to do and learn, including activities at the park behind the Ormewood Park Church.
New this year, they have partnered with the Atlanta Bicycle Coalition and Whole Foods launching a bike valet funded by Whole Foods. You can bike to the festival, enjoy the fresh air, park and valet your bike.
A notable change from the past two years are the workshops. They have been moved to this summer (mid-June to mid-July).
“It’s a nostalgic type of environment where everyone is having a great time. I value the whole environment overall,” said Thompson.
The park is located between Grant Park and East Atlanta Village (at the intersection of Delaware and Woodland Avenue)
Address: 1071 Delaware Avenue, Southeast, Atlanta 30316
For more information, visit www.ormewoodpark.org
Follow: FB (@ormewoodparkmakersfestival), IG (@ormewoodpark), and Twitter (@OPMakersFest).
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