OLD FOURTH WARD FALL FEST
SEPTEMBER 22
STORY: Claire Ruhlin
Photo: Courtesy Atlanta BeltLine Partnership
This fall, the Atlanta BeltLine will glow with thousands of lights during the annual Lantern Parade, which in 2017 featured a procession of more than 70,000 participants. In celebration of the parade, which first debuted in 2010, the Historic Fourth Ward Skate Park hosts the Old Fourth Ward Fall Fest, a free outdoor festival that offers the best seats in the house for front-row access to parade festivities.
Held from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., the festival, now in its fourth year, is produced by Atlanta BeltLine Partnership and Rival Entertainment. Among the festivities are live music, an assortment of local food trucks and a craft beer festival, as well as lantern-making workshops for those interested in participating in the parade. New this year, the event will include performances by Art on the Atlanta BeltLine artists as part of the music program.
“Fall Fest gives people a place to meet, grab a beer and some food, and venture out on the BeltLine to watch or be part of the parade,” says Danielle Sudderth, marketing manager for Rival Entertainment. “We love being that destination for onlookers and artists alike. It’s hard to describe the parade to someone. It’s colorful, bright, inviting, diverse and ingenious. Who wouldn’t want to throw a party next to it?”
