Sandy Springs Festival Kicks Off Next Weekend

SANDY SPRINGS, GA -- The 31st annual Sandy Springs Festival will return to the heart of the city in just one week.

The event, set for Sept. 17-18, will offer two days of art, entertainment, culture and family-friendly fun for Sandy Springers.

The Sandy Springs Festival has grown from a small picnic to a major event drawing 30,000 attendees. As the primary fundraiser for Heritage Sandy Springs - the nonprofit organization that saved the original “sandy springs” and is dedicated to promoting history, stewarding a community park, and enhancing the cultural identity of Sandy Springs - this celebrated community tradition has something for everyone.

“We are thrilled to once again present the Sandy Springs Festival to our friends and neighbors," said Sarah Poland, director of marketing and community events at Heritage Sandy Springs. “The 2016 festival event will honor beloved traditions like the Sandy Springs Lightning 10k/5k and annual Pet Parade, which is hosted by Angels Among Us Pet Rescue this year. In keeping with the progress and change happening all around us in Sandy Springs, we are excited to make a few upgrades of our own. Festival-goers will enjoy a streamlined festival footprint – complete with an interactive online map, an enhanced entertainment schedule with local favorites like Banks & Shane, and a new area tailor-made for the guys – the Man Cave.”

Festival hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 18.

Tickets are $5 for adults (age 18 and older) and $2 for youth (ages 6 to 17). Free entry for children ages 5 and under, as well as Heritage Sandy Springs members. Two-day passes are also available for adults ($7) and youths ($3). Tickets are not pre-sold, and are available only at the festival gates.

No smoking or outside beverages; leashed pets are allowed inside the festival.

The Sandy Springs Festival is held at Heritage Green at 6075 Sandy Springs Circle and the surrounding area. The community should be aware of the following road closures:

Sandy Springs Place

• From Sandy Springs Circle to Blue Stone Road
• From 10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 16 to 10 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 18

Sandy Springs Circle

• From Mt. Vernon Hwy to south of Sandy Springs Place
• From 2 p.m. Friday, Sept. 16 to 10 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 18

Hilderbrand Drive

• From Sandy Springs Circle to Blue Stone Road
• From 10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 16 to 10 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 18.
• Access to businesses will still be permitted from Roswell Road until 6 p.m.

Blue Stone Road

• Both lanes of Blue Stone Road will remain open, with traffic calming measures in place to protect pedestrians.

Free parking, with shuttle service provided by Cooper Global & the city of Sandy Springs, will be available at the following locations (look for color coded banners). Parking at City Walk (Kroger) is strictly prohibited and towing will be enforced.

Red Lot:

• Pick-up location: Century Springs East/West, 6000-6100 Lake Forrest Dr. NW
• Drop off-location: Gate 4 (Sandy Springs Circle at Sandy Springs Place)

Blue Lot:

• Pick-up location: Lake Forest Elementary School, 5920 Sandy Springs Circle
• Drop-off location: Gate 1 (Sandy Springs Circle at Mt. Vernon Hwy)

Yellow Lot:

• Pick-up location: Northside Tower Parking Deck*, 6065 Roswell Road (behind Signature Bank)
• Drop-off location: Gate 2 (Hilderbrand Drive at Blue Stone Rd)
• *This shuttle will pick up and drop off on the back lower level of the parking deck on the Boylston Road side.

The closest MARTA stop is the Dunwoody Station, which is 1.6 miles away. Passengers can take the #5 Sandy Springs or the #76 Roswell Road MARTA bus. Both drop passengers at Hilderbrand Drive and Roswell Road, one block east of the Festival entrance on Hilderbrand Drive and Blue Stone Road.

Here's what you can expect at this year's festival:

Juried Artist' Market

The Artists’ Market features work and exhibits from 100 of the best artists in the southeast and beyond, in a variety of media including painting, clay, jewelry, photography, printmaking, wood, and mixed media.

Entertainment Stage

The Sandy Springs Society Entertainment Lawn and RBM of Atlanta Main Stage will feature two full days of live music, dance, and entertainment. Attendees will be entertained by local musicians and area schools as well as professionals acts like Highbeams, Sam Burchfield, Banks & Shane, Zach Seabaugh, and AJ Ghent Band.

Sandy Springs Lightning 10K/5

The USATF-certified road race serves as the official kick-off to the Sandy Springs Festival with its 7:30 a.m. start time on Saturday, Sept. 17. The fast-paced races are held on a beautiful, tree-lined residential course along Mt. Vernon Highway, with prizes awarded to top finishers in various categories. A Peachtree Road Race qualifier.

Pet Parade

Pets of all shapes and sizes will parade through the Festival Saturday morning, sporting creative and crazy costumes. A Festival tradition since 1987, the Pet Parade is free to enter, with prizes awarded in a variety of categories including “most unusual pet”, “owner/pet lookalike”, and “celebrity impersonator”! This year’s parade is hosted by Angels Among Us Pet Rescue.

ArtSS Chalk Walk

Watch the chalk fly as Art Sandy Springs presents the annual ArtSS Chalk Walk. Debuting in 2012, the Chalk Walk is an art competition for individual or team artists. Artists may register in advance online or in person the day of. There is a $10 per square registration fee. All chalk provided at no charge.

Children's Park

Children will delight in their designated areas with special activities chosen especially for them, including inflatables, classic rides, hands-on crafts, face painting, a petting zoo, and pony rides. Some rides and activities are ticketed.

Teen Territory

The Teen Territory features more adventurous options for the very brave, such as the bungee jump and rock climbing wall. Some activities are ticketed.

Man Cave

We are excited to introduce a new area within the Festival, tailor-made just for guys – the Man Cave! Featuring a Bud Light bar truck, tv screens for football, bourbon tastings from JR Revelry, smoked treats from Williamson Bros BBQ, lawn games from Atlanta Sport & Social Club, video games from Battle & Brew, and car display from Caffeine & Octane, the Man Cave is THE place to be.

Business and Civic Expo

The Sandy Springs community is thriving and bustling! Browse through booths from local businesses and civic organizations that showcase their services.

Heritage Sandy Springs Museum

A new museum exhibit, Sandy Springs Gazette LIVE!, will open for the 31st anniversary of the Sandy Springs Festival. We will also present educational programs and demonstrations to tie in the new exhibit.

Food Court

Choose from a variety of offerings by local restaurants and traditional festival fare from regional vendors. Beer, wine, soda, and water will also be available for purchase, with proceeds benefitting Heritage Sandy Springs.

City of Sandy Springs Zone

The City Zone introduces Festival attendees to our Police, Fire, Hospitality and Tourism, and Recreation departments. Kids will delight in exploring emergency service vehicles, and a friendly rivalry ensues between Police and Fire as to who has the best giveaways!

Silent Auction

One of the most popular attractions at the Festival, the Silent Auction provides festival-goers the opportunity to bid on services, merchandise, and gift certificates. Merchants who donate to the Silent Auction are recognized as community supporters and have the opportunity to advertise their business. Come browse the deals and steals!

For more information on the Festival, visit the event's website, Facebook page or email events@heritagesandysprings.org.

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Image via Sandy Springs Festival/Heritage Sandy Springs