Atlanta, GA
Festival guide for metro Atlanta and Georgia | 2024
ATLANTA – The following is a list of festivals that are taking place in metro Atlanta and other parts of the state in 2024. This list will be updated as new information is received. If you would like to submit information to be added, send an email to joyce.lupiani@fox.com.
MARCH
The Spring Into Main Street Market is happening in Fayetteville from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on March 9. There will be shopping, live music, food trucks, and beverages.
The Atlanta Brunch Festival is happening on March 9 at Atlantic Station. Unfortunately, if you don’t have tickets, it is SOLD OUT. There will be brisket breakfast tacos, bourbon wings, Cajun rasta pasta, and much more for those who are attending.
The Forsythia Festival is taking place on March 9-10 in Forsyth. There will be arts and crafts, a 5K, sporting tournaments, mouth-watering foods, and activities for the whole family.
The Yule Forest Tulip Festival in Stockbridge is taking place on March 9 and 10. The festival features giant tulip fields, farm animals, food trucks, an artisan market, educational exhibits, and more.
The Fitzgerald Wild Chicken Festival is happening on March 15 and 16. The festival celebrates Fitzgerald’s Famous Wild Burmese chickens with a 5K run/walk, a crowing contest, live music, arts, crafts, food, and more.
Scottish Heritage Days are happening on March 15 and 16 in Darien. Visit Fort King George and witness a variety of Scottish living history demonstrations.
The International Cherry Blossom Festival in Macon is taking place on March 15-24, featuring multiple events including a dog show, sea lion splash, a performance by Nerveless Nocks, hot air balloon rides, and more.
The Lake Oconee Food & Wine Festival is happening on March 15-17 at The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, featuring more than 200 wines from around the world, creative chefs, culinary talent, live performances, and more.
The 16th annual Memories in Monroe Car Show is happening on March 16 in downtown Monroe with dozens of classic cars on display.
The Suwanee Beer Fest is happening on March 16 at the Town Center, featuring beer, games, food, and live entertainment.
The Fire Ant Festival is happening on March 22 and 23 in Ashburn. The festival is known for its wacky and off-the-wall activities, including a fire ant calling contest and the infamous Manty Hose contest.
The Georgia String Band Festival takes place on March 22 and 23 in Calhoun with performances by Hubby Jenkins and the Gordon County Fiddlers Convention.
The Georgia Food and Wine Festival in Marietta is happening on March 22-24, featuring wine, beer, spirits, live music, cooking demonstrations, an artisan market, and more.
The Wayne County Arts Council Dogwood Festival is happening on March 23 at the fairgrounds in Jesup with handmade crafts, food vendors, and activities for children.
The Taste of Suwanee will take place on March 23 with 25 local restaurants participating, a kids zone, artists market, and live entertainment starting at 11 a.m.
The Sweet Tooth Festival in Madison is happening on March 23 with a cake bake-off, cake sampling, arts and crafts, praise dancing, food, giveaways, and more.
Madyson Square Gardens in Jefferson is hosting Spring Fest ’24 on March 23 with small business vendors, food, live entertainment, raffles, and more.
The Brookhaven Cherry Blossom Festival at Blackburn Park is happening on March 23 and 24, featuring live entertainment, arts and craft vendors, a kids’ zone, food, and beverage vendors.
The Wing & Rock Fest in Canton is happening at Etowah River Park on March 23 and 24, with more than 60 types/flavors of chicken wings, a wing eating contest, live music, and more.
The Conyers Cherry Blossom Festival is happening on March 23 and 24 with multiple food courts, cultural performances, live music, unique arts and crafts, and a children’s play area.
The Sandy Springs Artsapalooza Spring Arts Festival is happening on March 30-31 with up to 125 arts and crafts participants, a children’s play area, interactive art stations, local musicians, food, and more.
APRIL
The Cherokee of Georgia annual Spring Powwow is happening on April 4-6 in St. George with children’s activities, demonstrations, flute players, storytellers, cultural displays, traders with arts, crafts, and supplies.
The 20th annual Swampfest is taking place on April 5-6 in Waycross with performers like Austin Lane, The Pine Box Dwellers, and Derrick Flowers.
The Williamson Wisteria Festival is happening on April 5-6 with arts and crafts, home decor, antiques, delicious baked and fried goods, other food and drinks, inflatables, ponies, and more.
The State Banana Pudding Festival of Georgia is happening on April 6 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Irwinton with a 20-mile Puddin’ Pedal, individual pudding contest, car show, banana carving contests, vendors, and a puddin’ path.
The Toccoa Ritz Bluegrass Festival is happening on April 5-7 in the Historic Ritz Theatre in Toccoa with various performers.
The Ball Ground BBQ and Brews Festival is taking place on April 6 with live music, food, and vendors.
The L5P Fest is scheduled for April 6 in Little 5 Points with multiple vendors, live entertainment, a hot dog eating contest, and more.
The Americus Hot Glass Craft Beer Festival is taking place on April 6 with craft beer, live glassblowing, live music, food, and more.
HauntFest 2024 is happening on April 6-7 at Southern Brewing Company in Athens with live music, art vendors, themed entertainment, and other activities.
The Spring Festival on Ponce is happening on April 6-7 at Olmsted Linear Park with more than 125 fine arts and crafts booths, a children’s area, and local food and beverages.
The Georgia Mountain Storytelling Festival is happening on April 12-13 at The Ridges Resort on Lake Chatuge with featured storytellers.
The Rhododendron Festival is happening on April 12 through May 12 at Hamilton Gardens in Hiawassee with food trucks, dessert vendors, ice cream, a wine and mimosa bar, musical performances, and more.
The 88th annual Atlanta Dogwood Festival is happening on April 12-14 at Piedmont Park with a juried Fine Artist Market, food, beverages, kids village, Mimosa 5K, Disc Dogs, and live entertainment.
The Amplify Decatur Music Festival is scheduled for April 13 with performers including Melissa Etheridge, Dawes, Blind Boys of Alabama, Run Katie Run, and many more.
The Wolf Creek 8th Annual Spring Festival is happening on April 13 at Wolf Creek Plantation in Americus with local food vendors, arts and crafts, wine and wine slushies, and more.
The Tallapoosa Dogwood Festival is scheduled for April 13 with music, food, arts and crafts, and a parade.
The National Grits Festival featuring a grits-eating contest, parade, corn shelling contest, live entertainment, food vendors, and arts and crafts is happening on April 13 in downtown Warwick.
The Summerville Spring Market is happening at Jr. Dick Dowdy Park in Summerville on April 13 with arts and crafts, jewelry, baked goods, body & hair care products, wooden items, food, live plants, live music, and more.
The Taste of Mableton is happening on April 13 with food trucks, arts and crafts, local business booths, and more.
The Perry Dogwood Festival is happening on April 13-14 with food trucks, an adult zone with beers, wines and cocktails, a kids zone, arts and crafts, and more.
The Acworth Art Festival will take place on Main Street on April 13 and 14 with multiple arts and crafts vendors, food trucks, and more.
The Georgia Renaissance Festival in Fairburn is happening on April 13 through June 2 with themed weekends, entertainment, multiple food vendors, an artisans market, and more.
The Alpharetta Wine Festival is scheduled for April 14 on the Town Green with wine samples from participating restaurants and businesses.
Taste of Camden 2024 is happening on April 21 at Orange Hall with seafood, BBQ, and more.
Lemonade Days is scheduled for April 17-21 at Brook Run Park in Dunwoody with carnival rides, live entertainment, and more.
The Thomaston Art & Soul Festival will take place on April 18 and 20 with music, art, food trucks, arts and crafts, a film festival, a spoken word competition, a photograph competition, and more.
The Valdosta Blueberry Festival at the Unity Park Amphitheater in Valdosta is happening on April 19 and 20 with live music, brews, and blues.
The Georgia Mountain Needle Arts Festival is taking place on April 26-28 in Ellijay with multiple vendors.
Music + Makers ’24 is happening on April 20 in downtown Washington with live music, food trucks, arts and crafts vendors, boutique shopping, and more.
The 41st National Mayhaw Festival in Colquitt is happening on April 20 with food, fun, music, exhibits, children’s activities, a parade, and more.
The Pondtown Festival is taking place on April 20 in Rhine with a street dance, Miss Pondtown Pageant, a festival, a car show, a parade, and a cook-off.
The Wings & Things Festival and Fly-In is happening on April 20 at Douglas Municipal Airport in Coffee County with antique military vehicles, food trucks, vendors, a car show, a hot wing cook-off, live entertainment, airplanes, and more.
The Flowery Branch Spring Festival is happening on April 20 in downtown Flowery Branch with food trucks, live music, vendors, games, and more.
The Old Fourth Ward Arts Festival will take place on April 20-21 with fine arts and crafts, a children’s area, local food and beverages, live music, and more.
The Bear on the Square Mountain Festival in Dahlonega is happening on April 20 and 21 with food, music, an artist market, and more.
The Sweetwater 420 Fest at Pullman Yards on April 20 and 21 will feature performances by Beck, Slightly Stoopid, Big Gigantic, Black Pumas, Gov’t Mule, Trombone Shorty, and many more.
The Big Shanty Festival in Kennesaw on April 20 and 21 will feature live music, food and beverages, over 250 arts and crafts booths, and more.
The Vidalia Onion Festival from April 25 to 28 features an air show by the Blue Angels, a concert, a carnival, and more.
The 37th annual Woodbine Crawfish Festival will take place on April 26 and 27 at the Satilla Waterfront Park with food, arts and crafts, live bands, a children’s area, and more.
The Georgia Strawberry Festival is happening April 27 in Reynolds. There will be a strawberry patch, antique tractor show, parade, 5K race, food vendors, arts and crafts, petting zoo, and more.
Madison Fest at Town Park in Madison is happening April 27. There will be more than 80 arts and crafts booths, garden plants, 6 live bands, festival food, icy cold beer and more.
The Kingston Spring Fling on Main Street in Kingston will feature arts and craft vendors, food trucks, music and more.
Spring in the Valley Festival in Rome is happening April 28 at the Coosa Valley Fairgrounds. There will be local bands, craft vendors, children’s activities, food and more.
The Atlanta Seafood Festival is happening April 27 at Atlantic Station. There will be seafood, beer, wine, mimosas, live music and more. Cost is $50 in advance.
Canton’s Upriver Music Fest & 5K is happening April 27 at The Mill on Etowah. There will be a 5K run/walk followed by a festival with local live music and fun for the whole family.
The Yellow Pollen Festival is happening April 27 in downtown Hampton. There will be artisans, homemade goods, food trucks, live music and more.
The Hornyhead Fish Festival and Tournament in Newborn is happening April 27 in Newborn. There will be homemade crafts, food, a car show, music and fishing tournament.
The Blue Ridge Trout & Outdoor Adventures Festival in Blue Ridge is taking place April 27. There will be multiple exhibitors offering wildlife art, outfitter gear, guide services/information and more; craft beer and food; and live entertainment.
The Cedar Valley Arts Festival is happening April 27 and 28 in Cedartown. There will be arts and crafts, food vendors, a 5K and 10K, and more.
The 9th annual Georgia Tiny House Festival is happening April 27 in Madison at the Lion’s Club Fairgrounds. There will be tiny houses, skoolies, vardos, DIYs, professional builds, and private-home owners.
The Summerville Porchfest in Augusta is scheduled for April 28. Local musical talent will play on some of the finest, historic porches in town.
The annual Taste of Marietta is taking place April 28 at the Historic Marietta Square. Multiple local restaurants will participate in the yearly event. There will also be live entertainment.
The Sassafras Artisan Market is taking place April 27-28 at the Rabun County Pavilions in Clayton. The market will feature the finest art and artisans of the region offering unique and original works of art.
The rest of the year is coming soon!!
Atlanta, GA
Post-Christmas Atlanta Falcons 7-Round Mock Draft
The Atlanta Falcons narrowly lead the NFC South with two weeks of the NFL regular season remaining. While it is not draft season in Atlanta, the front office already knows positions of need for 2025 and beyond.
General manager Terry Fontenot currently holds four draft picks, one each in the first, second, fourth, and seventh rounds of the 2025 NFL Draft. Atlanta sent its third-round pick to New England for Matt Judon. Their fifth-round pick was forfeited due to violating tampering rules when arranging travel for Kirk Cousins, Darnell Mooney, and Charlie Woerner during free agency.
Finally, the sixth-round pick was involved in the Van Jefferson pick swap. The Falcons have the Rams’ seventh-round pick, while their own currently is held by the Steelers.
Reminder, it’s December, and draft boards will evolve.
Round 1 – Pick 19 Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama
Campbell is an IMG Academy graduate and former 5-star recruit before committing to Alabama. The 6 foot 3, 244-pounder has been pro-prepped since early high school and has durable coverage ability in space and sideline-to-sideline speed.
The injury history of Troy Andersen and the lack of athleticism from Nate Landman and JD Bertrand make this a top-two need on this Falcons team. If you want a starter in a limited linebacker class, he’s the best.
Round 2 – Pick 51 Landon Jackson, DE, Arkansas
2023 first-team All-SEC and second team in 2024, Jackson had 6.5 sacks each of the last-two seasons. Throughout his top-100 high school recruitment and playing days at LSU and Arkansas, Jackson established inside/outside versatility on the line of scrimmage.
In the case of the Falcons, with his 96th-percentile height, 86th-percentile weight, and 80+ percentile vertical speed, Jackson projects well for a defensive end role in a 3-4 defensive scheme, similar to the role occupied by Calais Campbell in 2023.
Pick 51 would be Jackson’s draft floor for sure, but knowing Fontenot has made a second-round trade in every draft he’s led with the Falcons, he’ll go up and get Jackson if he wants him.
Round 4 – Pick 120 Quincy Riley, CB, Louisville
Preferably a zone corner, the 6-foot, 195-pound Riley is the sizable thump in the slot. The Falcons need to upgrade depth behind starter Dee Alford, who is a restricted free agent after this season.
Riley‘s speed is what he writes home about though, and oddly he times even faster than he looks on tape. With a verified 10.48 100-meter time, he’s got ideal size and speed.
Round 7 – Pick 237 Cam Jackson, NT, Florida
A 3-4 scheme ideally features a mammoth nose tackle in the middle. Jackson has lost over 25 pounds and was still listed at 342 pounds for the Gators in 2024.
Jackson’s immovable mass and ferocious motor can help contribute in Atlanta’s early down stunts and gap control, creating a niche role at a value late Day 3.
Four picks, four defensive players – Terry Fontenot has gone offensive skill in the first round in each of his first-four drafts as the Falcons general manager. However, this will be the first time the Falcons aren’t drafting in the top-10, and the idea of selecting the best prospect available should be able to fill needs on the defensive side of the ball in 2025.
Atlanta, GA
Atlanta outreach group serves up Christmas dinner with a side of hope
ATLANTA – Christmas is a time many of us spend with our loved ones. But many people don’t have families or even a place to call home. The nonprofit group Frontline Response celebrated the holiday with a special dinner for its residents.
This is a special Christmas for resident, Quaquela Lewis.
“I’ve been out of work for two years,” she admitted.
Lewis lost her job and times grew tough.
“I was actually on the street,” Lewis said. “You’re out there, and you’re struggling to exist.”
She now stays at Frontline Response, and this holiday, Lewis has a roof over her head and a place to celebrate Christmas.
“It’s a blessing. It’s a time of rest. Having a place like this takes that pressure off,” Lewis said.
The nonprofit rescues people from sex trafficking and helps people experiencing homelessness get back on their feet.
“This is a wonderful place,” said a resident, who only wanted to be known as Alexander. “I’m just thankful this place has a wonderful program.”
CEO Terry Tucker, his son Jabari and several volunteers cooked dinner and set up for dozens of people who may not have had anywhere else to go or anyone else to share Christmas.
“It’s really good to be able to not just give food, but spend that time and really commune with people,” Tucker said. “There are a lot of people who get caught in circumstances that are not of their own making. A lot of them may not have any kind of dinner, let alone Christmas dinner.”
Tucker says the residents are more like family and that on Christmas, the greatest gift you can give is love.
“We want to make it special, not just another meal. What we try to do is create a place where people feel like there’s some sort of joy they’ve had over the season,” he said.
Learn more about Frontline Response here.
The Source: FOX 5 Atlanta reporter Christopher King interviewed some of the people using Frontline Response’s services for this story.
Atlanta, GA
Israel's Atlanta consulate creates initiative where participants create ornaments for Gaza hostages
The Consulate General of Israel in Atlanta has created a new initiative in which participants can add names and photos of those still held captive in Gaza to create unique ornaments to raise awareness of and call for the release of the hostages.
“As Christmas approached this year, a time when families come together, we wanted to use the opportunity to raise awareness to the fact that there are still 100 hostages, among them seven Americans, who should also be home with their families”, Anat Sultan-Dadon, Consul General of Israel to the Southeastern United States, told The Jerusalem Post.
The consulate has reached out to several prominent churches in Atlanta who have agreed to display the special ornaments on their Christmas trees. In addition, they produced an explanatory sheet through which individuals can also print the ornaments and hang them on their Christmas trees.
Details of the ornaments
The ornaments include a photo of each of the 100 hostages still held captive by Hamas, which will be hung on the Christmas tree using a yellow ribbon associated with the struggle for their release.
“The First Baptist Church of Atlanta, a mega church, was the first to agree to the initiative,” Anat Sultan-Dadon told the Post.
“Israel is blessed with many supportive friends out there, and many of them don’t know how they can actively support Israel at this time. This tree is a way to encourage them to act and to use their voices for the hostages and for Israel.”
-
Technology5 days ago
Google’s counteroffer to the government trying to break it up is unbundling Android apps
-
News6 days ago
Novo Nordisk shares tumble as weight-loss drug trial data disappoints
-
Politics6 days ago
Illegal immigrant sexually abused child in the U.S. after being removed from the country five times
-
Entertainment7 days ago
'It's a little holiday gift': Inside the Weeknd's free Santa Monica show for his biggest fans
-
Lifestyle7 days ago
Think you can't dance? Get up and try these tips in our comic. We dare you!
-
Technology1 week ago
Fox News AI Newsletter: OpenAI responds to Elon Musk's lawsuit
-
Technology2 days ago
There’s a reason Metaphor: ReFantanzio’s battle music sounds as cool as it does
-
News3 days ago
France’s new premier selects Eric Lombard as finance minister