The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Fall into fun festivals
There’s everything from flowers to chalk drawings to chili cooking around town.
It’s fall festival season, a time when communities come together to celebrate heritage, art, music and the quest to be dubbed best chili maker or jam preserver in town.
Not to mention eating so much deep fried food!
Here’s an AJC guide to upcoming festivals.
SEPTEMBER Yellow Daisy Festival
More than 500 skilled artisans, live music and a f lower show featuring the festival’s namesake blossom. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday; early bird hours 8 a.m.-10 a.m. daily. Through Sept. 9. $20 per vehicle (early bird tickets: $5 daily or $10 for entire festival). www. stonemountainpark.com
Roswell Arts Festival
The two-day event features arts and crafts for sale, sand art, balloon animals, local musicians and dancers, and food trucks. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. S ept.15-16.Free. Historic Town Square, Roswell. www.roswellartsfestival.com
Music Midtown
Kendrick Lamar, Imagine Dragons, Kacey Musgrave, Gucci Mane and nearly 30 other top acts will be there. Will you? Sept. 15-16 (Doors open at noon both days.) $155-$1,250 for two-day tickets. Piedmont Park, Atlanta. www. musicmidtown.com
Suwanee Fest
Saturday’s parade kicks off two days of celebration in Town Center Park. Fifteen entertainment acts, plus nearly 200 vendors and exhibitors, and a feast of food options. 9 a.m.-7 p.m. (Parade starts at 9 a.m.) Sept. 15; noon-5 p.m. Sept. 16. Free. 330 Town Center Ave., Suwanee. No parking allowed at the park, see website for the location of parking and free shuttle. www.suwaneefest.com
Japan Fest
The largest Japanese cultural festival in the Southeast with more than 120 vendors, performers street food, an anime village and more. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sept. 15 and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 16. $10-$12. Infinite Energy Center, 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth. www.japanfest.org
Fall Folklife Festival
Explore Southern history, food, crafts and folklore with handson demonstrations, music, artists market and a special focus on barbecue traditions of Native Americans, African-Americans and European Americans. Honored guests thi s ye arar e members of the Cherokee Nation of Okla- homa returning to their ancestral lands. 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Sept. 22. Festival is included with admission: $9-$21.50. Atlanta History Center, 130 W. Paces Ferry Road, Atlanta. www.atlantahistorycenter.com
Sandy Springs Festival
Includes a 5K/10K run, pet parade, artists market and a children’s pla yar ea. Plus live musical performances, a Chalk Walk and a tricked out “Tailgate Zone.” 9a .m.-6 p.m. Sept. 22 and 10 a.m.-5p.m. Sept. 23. Free. Heritage Green, 6075 Sandy Springs Circle, Sandy Springs. www.heritagesandysprings.org
Atlanta Greek Festival
Dance performances and dance lessons, choral singing and live bands, cooking demonstrations and great food. There’s even a food drive-through for moussaka, souvlaki, pastries and more. 5-11 p.m. Sept. 28; 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Sept.29; 11a.m.-7p.m. Sept.30. Drive-through-open 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Sept. 27-29; 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sept. 30. Free-$5 (see website for info on ticket packages). Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 2500 Clairmont Road, Atlanta. www. atlantagreekfestival.org
Duluth Fall Festival
A Festival concert (Sept. 22) and carnival (Sep t. 27- 30) lead into the weekend’s parade, road race, live music, puppeteers and more. 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Sept. 29 and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 30 (Road race begins at 8 a.m.) Free. Duluth Festival Center ,3 142 Hill St., Duluth. www.duluthfallfestival.org
Fall Fest in Candler Park
The annual celebration includes a tour of homes, sprawling artists market, “Kidlandia” and live music. Plus a 5K fun run, group yoga and food trucks. Race starts at 9 a.m. Saturday, artists market opens at 11 a.m. both days. Sept. 29-30. Free. Candler Park and Mclendon Avenue NE, Atlanta. fallfest. candlerpark.org
Also in September:
Gold Rush Festival. 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sept. 8. Free. Downtown Villa Rica; music at The Mill, 106 Temple St., Villa Rica. www.downtownvillarica.com
Frog Toss Festival .9 a.m.-6 p.m. Sept. 15. Free, but some contests have entry fees. Louise Suggs Memorial Park, 6040 Spring St., Austell. www.sweetwatermission.org
41st Annual Shakerag Arts & Crafts Festival .10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sept. 15 and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 16. Free. McIntosh Trail Recreation Complex, 191 McIntosh Trail, Peachtree City. www.peachtree-city.org
Alpharetta Art in the Park. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 22. Free. Corner of Main Street and Milton Avenue, Alpharetta. www.awesomealpharetta.com
Rock’n Ribville. Noon-8 p.m. Sept. 22. Free. Lawrenceville Lawn, 210 Luckie St., Lawrenceville. www. rocknribville.com
OCTOBER Atlanta Pride Festival
The largest Pride festival in the Southeast features live entertainment, exhibits and vendors. Plus Friday’s kickoff party at the Georgia Aquarium ($30-$90) and the Pride Parade at noon on Sunday. Oct. 12-14. Free. Piedmont Park, Atlanta. www.atlantapride.org
Historic Dallas Fall Fest
Enjoy arts and crafts, entertainment on two stages, food trucks, kids activities and more. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 13. Free. Main St. and Courthouse Square, Dallas. www.pauldingfinearts.org
Chalktoberfest Chalk and Beer Festival
Sidewalk artists chalk the streets, great food and music abound, and craft beer and wine are available for sampling at this event in and around Marietta Square. General festival: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 13 and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 14. Free. Craft Beer and Wine Festival: noon-5 p.m. Oct. 13 only. $40-$45. 30 Atlanta St., Marietta. www. chalktoberfest.com
Little 5 Points Halloween Festival and Parade
Food vendors, an artist market and an outrageously fun parade take over L5P’s streets. Noon-11 p.m., Oct. 20. Free. Little Five Points (Moreland and Euclid avenues), Atlanta. Free. www. l5phalloween.com
Decatur Craft Beer Festival
Live bands and a D J and unlimited sips from more than 80 breweries. Plus, your admission ticket gets you a souvenir glass. Note: You must be 21 or older to attend. Noon-5 p.m, Oct. 20. $50 (limited number of $100 VIP tickets available). Decatur Square, Decatur. www. decaturbeerfestival.com
Also in October:
Taste of Chamblee. 4-8 p.m. Oct. 6. Free admission, $1 for tasting tickets. Corner of Peachtree Road and Broad Street, Chamblee. www.tasteofchamblee.net
Oakhurst Porchfest. Noon-7 p.m. Oct. 13. Free. Decatur’s Oakhurst neighborhood (see website for all participating locations). www.oakhurstporchfest.org
Taste of Acworth. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Oct. 13. Main Street, Acworth. Free. www. acworthtourism.org
Taste of Atlanta. 6:30-11 p.m. Oct. 19, noon-6 p.m. Oct. 20-21. Kickoff party (ages 21 and older only) $85; $25-$75. Historic Fourth Ward Park, 680 Dallas St. NE, Atlanta. www.tasteofatlanta.com
Festival on Ponce. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 20 and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 21. Free. Olmstead Linear Park, 1451 Ponce de Leon Ave., Atlanta. www.festivalonponce.com
Chastain Horse Park Fall Family Spectacular. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 20. Free. 4371 Powers Ferry Road, Atlanta. www.chastainhorsepark.org
NOVEMBER
Cabbagetown Chomp & Stomp Chili Cookoff and Bluegrass Festival
5K at 8 a.m., followed by teams and restaurants competing for chili supremacy, live music and an artists market. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Nov. 3. Tickets: Chili $5 cash, $6 credit; Beer $6; Liquor $8. Cabbagetown neighborhood (abutting Oakland Cemetery) in East Atlanta. www.chompandstomp.com
Chastain Park Arts Festival
Arts and crafts, gourmet food trucks, acoustic musicians, all in a beautiful park setting. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Nov. 3 and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Nov. 4. Free. 4469 Stella Drive NW Atlanta. www.chastainparkartsfestival.com
Suwanee Wine Festival
Enjoy unlimited samples of 150 different wines from around the world, live music, art vendors and more. 1-4:30 p.m. Nov. 3 (noon entry for VIP ticket holders). $45-$99. Town Center Park, 330 Town Center Ave., Suwanee. www. suwaneewinefest.com