After being told last month by the city that 72nd Atlanta Dogwood Festival could not take place at its usual venue, Piedmont Park, organizers have announced the location for 2008 will be the outdoor forecourt of Lenox Square. The festival is planned for April 4, 5 and 6.
The new location allows the event to remain in Atlanta and the Buckhead site is adjacent to MARTA and has plenty of space for the hundreds of thousands of visitors the festival brings to the city.
Lenox has a history of handling very large successful events such as the July 4th fireworks and Rich’s/Macy’s tree lighting. The MARTA connections very close by will help cut down on traffic and keep the event ‘green,’ which was one of the festival’s original intentions this year. Also, since the festival is staying in town, it will still be close to its audience. And, as in the past 71 years, the event remains free to the public.
Sam Massell, president of the Buckhead Coalition, Inc. explained that during the Dogwood’s early years, events were held throughout the city, including in Buckhead. “We’re glad to welcome the Dogwood Festival back to Buckhead,” said Massell. “It will be a pleasant experience for visitors, not just from Atlanta, but from throughout the country. I also add my compliments and appreciation to Simon and Lenox Square in particular for their continued demonstration of civic service.”