Party In The Park
GRANT PARK’S SUMMER SHADE FESTIVAL RETURNS
Atlanta’s oldest public park celebrates its 14th annual event, the Grant Park Summer Shade Festival, August 27-28, drawing in local mainstays and emerging musicians.
Two outdoor stages will host performers of various genres, from singer-songwriters to folk and alternative rockers. This year, the festival’s celebrated artist market has doubled in size to nearly 200 vendors whose wares include statement jewelry, handmade personal care products, surrealistic paintings and landscape photography.
Saturday morning, the festival kicks off at 8 a.m. with the annual Adams Realtors Run for the Park 5K that starts and ends at Zoo Atlanta. Registration is available online at active.com or on race day.
New this year, the Grant Park Farmers Market, generally only open on Sundays, will be in business both Saturday and Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. In addition to locally made artisan fare at the farmers market, several food trucks will serve tasty creations throughout the day.
The Summer Shade Festival benefits the Grant Park Conservancy, the nonprofit that preserves, restores and enhances the park. Among its initiatives are increased lighting and restoration of the Erskine Memorial Fountain that dates to 1896. The festival is free and open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Sunday.
STORY: Alexa Lampasona
Photo: Courtesy Grant Park Conservancy
