If the calendar of events is any indication, the residents of Snellville sure like to party. They crowd the town’s commons area and local parks throughout the year for all sorts of the events, themed and not.
Recently, residents crammed the annual Snellville Days celebration. In June, the city hosts Grillin’ on the Green that includes a half marathon and 5-K run. Popcorn in the Park brings free movies to Briscoe Park. Star-Spangled Snellville takes place in July, and the city’s first international festival is slated for September. Those events are followed by a fall party with hayrides and a scarecrow contest in October. The holiday season kicks off in November with a visit from Santa, carols, a tree lighting and activities that stretch over several weeks.
“The list goes on and on, but whatever we have, it’s usually packed,” said city council member Diane Krause. “We get thousands to come out. Last Fourth of July, there was not an inch of space that didn’t have people on it.”
All that activity didn’t deter Krause from adding one more event to the list. Next Saturday, the city will host its first Beach Blast, a summer celebration Krause cooked up to bring the seaside to Snellville.
“I’ve always liked the beach,” said the 27-year city resident who took office last November. “I remember going to a beach party that Decatur had years ago, and I thought it was such a cool thing to bring the beach to the city. When I was campaigning, I had two initiatives, and bringing the beach to Snellville was one.”
Krause presented the beach idea to the city’s tourism and trade division that was all for it.
“We thought this was a great way to kick off the summer and enjoy great family fun in the sand and sun,” said Kelly McAloon of the Tourism and Trade Association that is overseeing the transformation of the town green with more than 60 tons of white sand.
“It sounds like a lot, but it really isn’t,” said Krause. “It’s enough that people can have a good time, but not so much that it would be difficult to rid of.”
Plans are already in place to redistribute the sand to local ball fields. But before it’s moved, it will be the base for a day of hula dancing, limbo competitions, beach music, games and a few water rides.
“It’s just a great way to let people come out and relax,” said Krause. “There’s nothing like flip flops and your wildest Hawaiian shirt.”
The first event of the day kicks off at 7 a.m. May 19 with a Beach Blast 5K, 10K and Fun Run at Briscoe Park to benefit Snellville Citizen's Police Academy and the local Rotary Club. The beach party runs from 1 to 8 p.m. Admission is free, but there is a charge for rides, food and drinks. More information is online at snellvillepride.com.
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