The Atlanta Dogwood Festival was created by Walter Rich of Rich’s Department Store to rejuvenate peoples’ spirits during the Great Depression in 1936. With HOPE scholarship concerns, rising gas prices and the worry of rising debt, students may be going through a miniature depression of their own.
The 75th anniversary of the Atlanta Dogwood Festival takes place this weekend, April 15-17, at Piedmont Park. The event might be the perfect getaway from early spring quarter assignments and deadlines.
“It is the oldest and largest social gathering of the year and it has deep-rooted family memories and traditions,” said Brian Hill, executive director of the festival. Hill says the festival is successful because it celebrates the beginning of spring when Atlanta is at its most beautiful.
Every year, the festival incorporates fresh attractions to keep the event timely. For example, one of the highlights of this weekend will be the International Stage, showcasing artists from the Philippines, Ghana and Turkey. Their talents range from singing and dancing to Capoeira, a Brazilian art form that combines martial arts and music. A complete list of the performances can be found online here.
The Artist Market will feature 265 diverse artists from all over the country, who enter their jewelry, paintings and other mixed media to be judged by a panel. It’s too late to enter this year’s competition, but the guidelines for next year can be found here.
Hill hopes that attendees will experience “a feeling of community, great memories and a personal feeling of warmth and love for the festival and all it does.”
SCAD will provide a shuttle to the festival on Friday, April 15, from Spring House at 1 p.m. and ACA at 1:15 p.m. The shuttle will return at 3:30 p.m. The Atlanta Dogwood Festival is free and open to the public. For more information on tickets for special events, click here.
