Sandy Springs, GA — The Sandy Springs Festival opens for its 34th year on September 28 and 29, once again giving Sandy Springs residents and visitors an opportunity to enjoy fine art, diverse food, education, a silent auction, and live entertainment. The Sandy Springs Festival is offered to the community free of charge. Saturday, September 28, Festival hours will be 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, September 29, Festival hours will be 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Hosted by the nonprofit organization Heritage Sandy Springs Museum and Park (HSSMP) and held on the HSSMP Museum and Park grounds, as well as the streets surrounding the Museum and Park, this annual event regularly attracts 20,000+ attendees during its two days.
“We’re working hard this year to give Sandy Springs a bigger and better Festival than we’ve had in the Festival’s 34-year history,” said Carol Thompson, Executive Director of Heritage Sandy Springs Museum and Park. “We are enhancing many of our traditional features, including attracting 50, or more, fine art artists booths in our Art District, as well as a bigger global presence that includes entertainment from around the world in the Cultural District along with DJs J&M Sound Design, great bands on the stage on the Sandy Springs Society Lawn, and, of course, entertainment for the whole family, including the kids area. There will be something for everyone at the Sandy Springs Festival.”
Districts at the Sandy Springs Festival will include: Art District with the Artist Market consisting of more than 50 fine art artists juried by Atlanta Foundation for Public Spaces, Entertainment District with live music on the Sandy Springs Society Lawn, as well as Battle of the Bands showcasing local talent, competing for prizes, the Cultural District with entertainment, demonstrations and businesses from at least 10 countries from around the world, the Historic District in partnership with The Homestead Atlanta will have live demonstrations and instruction on heritage skills of yesterday that are useful even today, the Chalk Walk District where young and younger create artistic chalk drawings and have the opportunity to win cash prizes, Civic and Business Districts represent the many non-profits and businesses in the community, Children’s District with inflatables, rides, crafts and activities for kids of all ages, and the Food District with a variety of foods for visitors to choose.
A new feature to the Sandy Springs Festival is the Sandy Springs Wine Festival, September 28, Noon to 5 p.m. In partnership with the Atlanta Sport and Social Club, this is a ticketed event within the free Sandy Springs Festival. Tickets for the Sandy Springs Wine Festival include complimentary wine and craft beer tastings with over 75 varieties, wine-themed activities, like wine bingo, as well a souvenir Sandy Springs Wine Festival tasting glass, and Live Music Performances. For tickets: http://bit.ly/2XPKOwg
The Pet Parade, a tradition since 1987, in partnership with Angels Among Us, will be September 28, with registration beginning 9:30-10 a.m. Animals of all shapes and sizes parade through the Sandy Springs Festival, sporting creative costumes. A yearly contest is held for: Most Unusual Pet, Owner/Pet Lookalike, Best Group Costume and Best of Show. Registration of $5 benefits Angels Among Us. For more information: http://bit.ly/2XXB1zt
During the Sandy Springs Festival, visitors will also have a chance to visit the newest exhibit at the Sandy Springs Museum, Grit, Gumption, and Grace: The Women of Sandy Springs. The new exhibit highlights the roles and accomplishments of women in the community and salutes the many contributions of women to the city of Sandy Springs, including their roles as settlers, educators, activists, doctors, philanthropists, and more. During the Festival, the exhibit will be free of charge and open to the public September 28-29, with extended hours Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
In addition to the Sandy Springs Festival, Heritage Sandy Springs Museum and Park also hosts the Sandy Springs Lightning 10K/5K on Saturday, September 28 beginning at 7:30 a.m. In its 28th year, the road race is a Peachtree Road Race Qualifier (10K only). Special guest, Jeff Galloway will join the race this year. Galloway, a Sandy Springs resident, is the winner of the first Peachtree Road Race, he competed in the Munich Olympics, and has run all over the world. His 31 books have been best-sellers in the running/walking category for decades. Millions of runners and walkers have been coached by Jeff Galloway through his Galloway Training Programs and his PHIDIPPIDES run/walk store in Sandy Springs. To Register: http://bit.ly/2LmdIgQ
The Sandy Springs Festival is the largest event of the year for Heritage Sandy Springs Museum and Park and requires hundreds of volunteers. Those interested in volunteering, contact: volunteer@heritagesandysprings.org or visit the website: http://bit.ly/2Jz4j3h
Partners and Presenting Level Sponsors of the Sandy Springs Festival are The City of Sandy Springs, Visit Sandy Springs, Fulton County, The Sandy Springs Society, Q99.7, Kicks 101.5FM. Rock 100.5 FM, The Homestead Atlanta, Northside Hospital, Champion Windows, Indoor Billboard Network of Georgia, Sandy Springs Reporter, Atlanta Sport and Social Club, and Elite Event Rental.
For more information, visit www.heritagesandysprings.org or email events@heritagesandysprings.org.
