One of Atlanta’s most popular festivals, the two day event will take place on Saturday October 1st from noon to 10 p.m. and Sunday October 2nd from noon until 9 p.m. This year’s “Revival” theme promises old fashioned festival fun with a hyper local twist and a “small town heart in the big city.”
“We want to provide a festival experience that directly aligns with the Candler Park spirit,” says Drew Jackson, head of fundraising with The Candler Park Neighborhood Organization (CPNO). “That means emphasizing local businesses and music while playing to the proximity and ties we have to the heart of the city. We are seeing a revival of “city living” and Candler Park is one neighborhood in Atlanta that is truly at the heart of that. You can stroll through tree-lined streets and know all your neighbors but still easily hop on Marta or bike and walk to some of the best attractions of the city. Atlanta is a city that truly allows you to “have it all” and we want festival visitors to see what “city living” can be, while experience the amazing talents that this city has to offer.
This year the CPNO decided to expand the festival beyond its usual location in Candler Park. Throughout the weekend, a few blocks adjacent to the park, on McLendon Ave. will be blocked off. The expanded area provides more space for attendees to stroll around, visit and get to know the retail area of Candler Park. It also provides more space for this year’s Artist’s Market that will feature more than two hundred booths. Sponsored by Indie Craft Experience (ICE)http://www.ice-atlanta.com, whose home studio is located in Candler Park, the market will feature hand-picked and highly curated local indie craft and vintage art vendors and many of Atlanta’s own fine artists.
This year’s music offerings will also focus on “revival” and “local.” Saturday will feature tribute bands playing the music of popular throwback groups like Fleetwood Mac, Devo, Beatles, Nirvana, Bowie, Clash and the Doors. Sunday will feature only local bands including: Ex Wives, Rocket 88, Deja Blue Grass, Cassanovas and Bumpin the Mango. This year’s biggest musical draw with be Atlanta’s own “Queen of the Blues,” Francine Reed. Her appearance at the festival will be her only local show in Atlanta for 2016. Festival planners urge fans to get to the festival early to see the legendary singer.
Kidlandia will also stay with this year’s theme providing fun and entertainment for festival-going children and their grown-ups. Evoking a feeling from yesteryear, the area will provide a carnival style atmosphere with live shows, roving entertainers, and sweet treats. Thanks to the generous support and sponsorship of Edgewood Retail District, the entrance, and all shows in Kidlandia will be free.
This year’s festival food will be a salute to local as well with the food trucks Atlanta’s foodies love to follow and support. Featured food offerings will include trucks from 5 Finger Philly, Blaxican, Tex’s Tacos, The Fry Guy, Urban Taali, Field Dog Kitchen, The Muenster Truck, Mix’d Up, King of Pops, Hutchinson’s Finest Biscuits, Queen of Cream, Cult Carts and many more! Participating trucks will be added to the festival website www.fallfest.candlerpark.org on an ongoing basis.
This year’s Annual Tour of Homes (Oct 1st from 12-6pm) will also offer a unique twist. Not only will it feature restored historic homes, it will also feature several BACKYARD FARMS, CHICKEN COOPS, and other imaginative and enchanting garden spaces with an emphasis on urban farming. You can find tickets available for pre-sale on the Fall Fest website or directly at EventBrite.https://www.eventbrite.com/e/
Each year, Fall Fest in Candler Park also features a 5K Run sponsored by Piedmont Healthcare and a 1 Mile Fun Run (or walk). Registration is currently open on the festival website and individuals, businesses and entire families are encouraged to sign up as soon as possible. More information about the races along with registration links can be found here http://fallfest.candlerpark.
Last, but not least, returning to the origins of the one of the first Candler Park Neighborhood Festivals in 1979, we will be offering hot air balloon rides on Saturday and Sunday thanks to our sponsors Uncle Bob’s Self-Storage. Tickets will be available on-site and are first come, first serve.
Sponsorship opportunities are still available for those looking to support this year’s Fall Fest in Candler Park. Details on sponsorship and all other event activities can be found on the website www.fallfest.candlerpark.org.
Social Media accounts include: Instagram @FallFestinCandlerPark, Twitterhttps://twitter.com/
