The Brookhaven MARTA station parking lot was packed with festival goers Friday night who wanted to sing along to “Jessie’s Girl” and experience a large event for the first time in more than a year.
Hundreds of people quickly grew to thousands by the time Rick Springfield and Collective Soul took the stage at the Brookhaven Cherry Blossom Festival — the largest festival metro Atlanta has seen since the pandemic began. The free, two-day festival aims to be a coming-back celebration for big events, Mayor John Ernst previously told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Roughly a dozen food and dessert vendors alongside several booths selling alcohol created a border around the parking lot. Sawyer Williamson, vice president of Williamson Bros. Bar-B-Q, said the pandemic was devastating for restaurants that rely on setting up booths for events and festivals. His business normally caters 100 events like this each year, but it only did about six in 2020, he said.
“This is the first true hospitality recession,” he said, standing next to his vendor booth at the festival. “Being able to come out of (the pandemic) on the other side, it was tough. It’s the first time we thought we might not be able to make it.”
Friday’s event was also a return to normalcy for many residents. Aside from a few people, most of the attendees didn’t wear face masks and crowded around the event’s main stage. Whether they traveled from out of state or walked from nearby Brookhaven homes, most people said they enjoyed being out again and seeing others have a good time.
Jodi Frankel, who was at the event with some friends, was one of the few mask wearers. She said one of the friends in her group had a family member who wasn’t feeling well, so they were wearing masks to be safe.
“I’m just trying to be extra careful,” Frankel said. “I put it on when we’re mingling around more people.”
Carrie Budd, a member of Frankle’s group, knew exactly why she decided to spend her Friday evening in Brookhaven.
“Because of Rick Springfield,” she said enthusiastically. “We’re women of the 80s.”
When Springfield took the stage around 7:45 p.m., he also lamented how COVID-19 affected his ability to be on stage. He joked, “I’m sick of sitting on my couch watching Netflix.”
Despite some light rain and a few lightning strikes in the distance, the crowd didn’t shrink by the time Collective Soul, the first night’s headliner, took the stage at 9:30 p.m.
The second day of the festival will begin with a noontime hero’s parade Saturday led by the Budweiser Clydesdales. Several bands, including headlining act The Revivalists, will perform from noon to 11 p.m.
Brookhaven Councilman John Park, who was among the crowd Friday evening, encouraged people to come Saturday and said what’s effectively become the city’s mantra for the festival: “Come out, enjoy yourself and stay safe.”
The outdoor event is at the MARTA parking lot on Apple Valley Road and Dresden Drive. There is no on-site parking, so attendees are encouraged to take MARTA, one of the city’s shuttles or use a rideshare service. Masks are required on MARTA trains and buses. Coolers are not allowed, but free water is available. Only clear bags will be permitted. For more information on the Cherry Blossom Festival, visit brookhavenga.gov/festival.
