Sandy Springs Festival Returns This Weekend

SANDY SPRINGS, GA — The Sandy Springs Festival offers two days of art, live music, cultural performances, children’s programming, classic rides, gourmet and festival food options, and much more.

While the festival is free to attend, some activities require a ticket or fee to participate. For more information visit the Heritage Sandy Springs website.

Here's a look at some of this year's events:

Sandy Springs Lightning 5K & 10K: Sept. 28

• 6:30 a.m. Race Day Registration
• 7:30 a.m. 10K Start
• 7:50 a.m. 5K Start
• 9 a.m. Awards

Doug Kessler was a Sandy Springs resident who, 28 years ago, created a “fun run” for his community. He called it the Lightning Race because he wanted runners and walkers to run like lightning while they were racing. This ultimately became what it is today, the Sandy Springs Lightning 5K/10K. Kessler passed away in 2005, but he left a lasting legacy for all Sandy Springs residents to enjoy. The Sandy Springs Lightning 5K/10K is a flat course and is one of the most popular Peachtree Road Race Qualifiers.

Register for the Sandy Springs

Lightning 5K& 10K

Art Sandy Springs Chalk Walk: Sept. 28

• Competition from 9 - 3 p.m.
• Judging 3 - 4 p.m.

Don't miss the 8th Annual Chalk Walk. Individuals or teams are eligible to register for a sidewalk square for $10. 1st, 2nd and 3rd place prizes will be awarded in categories for Adult, High School, Middle School and Family!

Register for a sidewalk square

Pet Parade: Sept. 28

• Registration 9-9:30 a.m.
• Parade 10 a.m.

A tradition since 1987, the Pet Parade provides limitless entertainment as animals of all shapes and sizes parade through the Sandy Springs Festival, sporting creative and crazy costumes. NEW in 2019! There is a $5 (tax-deductible) fee to participate in the Pet Parade. Proceeds from the Pet Parade benefit Angels Among Us Pet Rescue, which is a 501(c)(3) organization.

Register for the Pet Parade

Sandy Springs Wine Festival: Sept. 28 from noon to 5 p.m.

The second annual Sandy Springs Wine Festival is back!

Tickets include: Souvenir Sandy Springs Wine Festival Tasting Glass, Complimentary Wine, and Craft Beer Tastings (75+ varieties), DJ and Live Music Performances add to the festive atmosphere. Food Available for Purchase from Local Vendors. Advance tickets: $48 / Day of the event tickets: $60

Find Tickets

Last Weekend for the Splash Pad

The splash pad will be open to help the little ones and their chaperones cool off, but Sunday, Sept. 29 will be the last day before it closes for the fall/winter season. Thank you to all of our little splashers and their families who made this attraction so popular!

GETTING TO THE FESTIVAL:

Free Parking with shuttle service at the Red Lot (Century Springs East/West), Blue Lot (Lake Forest Elementary School), and the Yellow Lot ( Northside tower Parking Deck)
Paid Parking is available at the Centre Court Shopping Center and the United Methodist Church Activities Center. Parking is strictly prohibited at City Walk (Kroger) and the underground deck at City Springs is reserved for guests of the Performing Arts Center only.

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 bus. Both drop passengers at Hilderbrand Drive and Roswell Road, one block east of the Festival entrance on Hilderbrand Drive and Blue Stone Road.

City Green Free Concert Series, Friday, Sept. 27

Shawn Mullins, an American singer-songwriter specializing in folk-rock, instrumental rock, adult alternative, and Americana music, is best known for the 1998 single "Lullaby", which hit number one on the Adult Top 40 and was nominated for a Grammy Award. Festivities begin at 6:30 p.m., and the music starts at 7:30 p.m. Pack a picnic or purchase food from event food trucks or local restaurants. Only alcohol purchased on-site is allowed.

Grammy-nominee Shawn Mullins ends the work week and kicks off the Sandy Springs Festival weekend as City Green Live continues Friday, September 27! City Green Live is funded in part through a generous grant from the Sandy Springs Arts Foundation. Sponsors include United-Coca-Cola, Scofflaw Brewing, ASW Distillery, Fever Tree, Old Fourth Distillery, and Savannah Vodka.

An Encore Presentation of City Green Live to Feature Joe Gransden and his Big Band on Friday, Oct. 4

Join Joe Gransden and his big band for an evening on the Green, under stars, as performs hits from the Sinatra songbook along with with other memorable tunes. Tables are available for purchase for this encore presentation of City Green Live.