The 74th annual Atlanta Dogwood Festival returns to Piedmont Park April 16-18, where attendees will enjoy fine art, live entertainment ranging from music to comedy, a variety of food offerings and more.
Hundreds of artists from around the southeast will have their wares for sale and exhibit, ranging from painting and sculpture to jewelry and accessories.
The High School Art Exhibit, which presents the best works created by high school art students, is back this year and the festival will be awarding scholarships. Last year, the festival raised and awarded students from more than 50 Georgia schools nearly $30,000 in scholarships and supplies.
There will be musical entertainment all weekend, a children’s activity, a Friday night comedy show area and the Dog Disc Exhibition, where owners and their four-legged friends amaze with Frisbee tricks.
Foodies aren’t forgotten with the “Friends of Dogwood Pavilion,” a ticketed event on Saturday and Sunday that pairs fare from top local restaurants with wines and beers to show the upscale side of the city’s longest-running outdoor festival. Tickets to Friends of Dogwood can be purchased in advance at www.dogwood.org or at the door.
Hours for this year’s festival are Friday, noon to 9 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Parking is limited and there will be strict “no festival parking” enforcement in the surrounding neighborhoods. Organizers are encouraging visitors to take MARTA.
SweetWater 420 Fest
The sixth annual festival is set for Saturday, April 17, from noon to 10 p.m. and Sunday, 12:30 to 8 p.m. in Candler Park.
Admission is free and there will be live music, activities for kids, food and education about protecting the environment. Festival-goers who are 21 and up with a valid ID can purchase a $5 wristband to responsibly enjoy beer. Portion of Proceeds from wristband sales are donated to Candler Park Neighborhood Organization.
The music line up this year includes George Porter, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Stanton Moore Trio featuring Anders Osborne, The Pimps of Joytime, The Packway Handle Band, The Sundogs, Deep Blue Sun featuring Yonrico Scott and many more.
The annual 5K Race/Walk is on Saturday at 11 a.m. Registration is $25, with all proceeds benefiting the Candler Park Neighborhood Association. Sign up online at www.cprunningclub.com.
For more information and a full listing of events, visit www.sweetwater420fest.com.