Monday’s lethal Boston Marathon explosions will lead to increased security at many of this weekend’s festivals in the metro Atlanta area, organizers say.
Nearly 500,000 people are expected to attend the unofficial kick-off to festival season, with large events planned in midtown Atlanta, Candler Park, Sandy Springs and Kennesaw.
The 77th annual Atlanta Dogwood Festival will lure an estimated 250,000 people to Piedmont Park, where multiple points of entry present a unique security challenge.
“Although we are not at liberty to divulge security specifics, our security coordinator is a professional with the APD who has been involved in developing the security plans for most of the larger events in Atlanta,” Brian Hill, the festival’s executive director, said in a statement. “I can assure you, our entire team is very aware of the concerns of the public, and we are working closely with all emergency services and the mayor’s office to ensure the public’s safety at the festival.”
Officials with the Sweetwater 420 Fest said security will be heightened at the three-day event at Candler Park, located less than 4 miles from the site of the Dogwood Festival.
“We have been, and will continue to remain in close communication with law enforcement and other public safety representatives as we prepare for the festival this weekend,” read a statement from organizers, who anticipate crowds of up to 50,000 people.
Elsewhere, officials say they’ve reviewed security protocols and feel confident they are adequately staffed.
“Obviously, everyone’s very sensitive to the fact that the tragedy happened, and so unexpectedly and in such a very public way,” said Patrick Dennis, director of Sandy Springs Artsapalooza, which will be held Saturday and Sunday along Lake Forrest Drive in Sandy Springs. “We have a huge team of Sandy Springs police officers who will be on duty throughout the festival.”
He said festival organizers go through a vetting process in the selection of arts and crafts vendors.
“When they arrive, we know exactly who they are and we know exactly what they brought,” Dennis said. “That helps a great deal to keep our security as tight as possible.”
Security doesn’t pose quite as big a challenge to organizers of the Georgia Renaissance Festival in Fairburn, a ticketed event with controlled entrance points.
“We feel we have adequate security already,” said director Jack Sias, adding “there’s no protection that’s foolproof.”
Officials with the Big Shanty Festival in Kennesaw, which typically draws around 70,000 people, did not respond to requests for comment.
—Staff writer Mike Morris contributed to this article.
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