Atlanta area residents and visitors will enjoy a new regional arts event this fall when the debut Midtown Festival of the Arts opens Sept. 25-26. The event will close down five blocks of Peachtree Street between 5th Street and 10th Street and feature 100 visual artists as well as stages for performing arts, literary arts offerings, and a culinary arts area featuring chef demonstrations, special tastings and retail booths from more than 25 outstanding restaurants.
Created by Midtown Festival of the Arts, Inc., the event also includes a family friendly kid zone, Midtown Mile Road Race, a public art display and auction, a planned beer garden and other festival attractions such as street performers, spoken word events and film presentations.
“Our goals are to showcase the best of Midtown Atlanta while celebrating the Southeast as a destination for arts, culture and entertainment,” said Leslie Johnson, president of Midtown Festival of the Arts. “The time is right to strengthen Midtown’s already vibrant neighborhood.”
The Midtown Festival of the Arts will be a free event accessible by MARTA’s Midtown and North Avenue stations. Festival hours are Saturday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. A festival kickoff event is planned for Friday, Sept. 24, with an Art Auction featuring 30 bar stools created by Midtown artists. On the morning of Saturday, Sept. 25, the Midtown Mile Road Race will take place from Colony Square to the Fox Theatre (with access to the starting line via the MARTA Arts Center Station). A Saturday evening outdoor film event on Peachtree Street at 10th is planned with a start time of dusk on Saturday.
Follow the progress of the festival at Facebook.com, Twitter (@MidtownFestival) or www.MidtownFestivalOfTheArts.org.
