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Atlanta’s Dogwood Festival ready to bloom again

Piedmont Park arts fest returns

The Atlanta Dogwood Festival, nicknamed the “Springtime Celebration of the South,” continues to be the pride of Atlanta. Like clockwork, the Dogwood Festival returns to Piedmont Park to celebrate its 69th year, and proves once again that the festival only gets better with age. Shop and browse at over 200 artist booths and listen to incredible live musical performances on two stages - this three-day festival has gradually become famous throughout the country for offering abundant exposure to amazing arts and culture. Recently named one of the “200 Best” shows in the nation by the Sunshine Artists Magazine, the Atlanta Dogwood Festival is a professionally juried arts festival that is one of the largest art destinations in the country.

At the festival you will find many of the country’s top painters, photographers, sculptors, leather and metal craftsmen, glass blowers and more. The festival is proud to be home to one of the most respected artist markets in the nation. As an exciting new twist for 2005, the Atlanta Dogwood Festival has partnered with the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences. This organization is the local arm to the National Grammy Awards you see each year on TV. The Recording Academy is supporting this year’s festival by kicking off the festival’s Turner South’s “My South Rocks” Main Stage on Friday night with a “Grammy Block Party.” The evening’s entertainment will feature Shawn Mullins, Sugarland, Gaelle and The Warm Gunns.

The music doesn’t stop Friday night. Amazing live music will continue Saturday from two main stages, the Pickin’ Parlor and roaming entertainment. Witness internationally known Bluegrass-Jazz legend, Vassar Clements with Joe Craven, Pete Grant and 15-year old master guitar player, J.P. Blues who will perform with Donna and the Joneses on the Turner South’s “My South Rocks” Main Stage. Come experience Jonell Mosser and see why she is considered a “Nashville vocal treasure”.

Patrons can also embrace the rich culture with acts such as Japanese Southern Rock guitarists Satoshi Ueda, the Drake School of Irish Dance and Ballet Mexicano de Lupita Sosa. And, don’t miss the African-influenced sounds of Count M’Butuor the 1930s Jazz-meets-cartoon-character-Popeye-on-a-steel-guitar, Baby Gramps on Stage Two.

In addition to a plethora of amazing art and music, the Dogwood Festival provides a smorgasbord of fabulous family entertainment. Test your strength on the 24-foot rock-climbing wall or take the kids to the Publix & Purina Kids Village. With so many new games and activities the kids will never want to leave! Remember to check out one of the all-time Dogwood favorites, the annual Disc Dog Southern Nationals presented by Frontline and Heartgard and hosted by the Greater Atlanta Dog & Disc Club. This awesome competition returns to once again mesmerize the crowds. Please note that per a City of Atlanta Ordinance, only canines that are pre-registered for this event will be allowed in the park during festival hours.

All this shopping and playing is bound to make you hungry and the Dogwood Festival’s food’s just the cure! From pizza, gyros, funnel cakes, kettle corn and crab cakes, tantalizing tasty treats are around every corner. Before heading home for the day, a visit to the Community Corner is a must! A non-profit organization, the Dogwood Festival realizes the importance of charities in the Atlanta community. The Community Corner provides many select charities the opportunity to showcase their organization by passing out information and recruiting volunteers. Guests can support local charities like Trees Atlanta by donating $2 for a Dogwood seedling.

The festival runs Friday from noon to 8 p.m.; Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday, noon to 7 p.m. Music stage, artist market and kids village times may differ from regular festival hours. Check the website for exact times and full schedule. For more information visit www.dogwood.org or phone 404-817-6642.