Sandy Springs Festival: What You Need To Know

SANDY SPRINGS, GA -- This weekend will mark the 31st annual Sandy Springs Festival, and Patch has all the information you need to know before you head out and enjoy this family friendly-event.

A major event drawing about 30,000 attendees each year, the festival will be held from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 18 at Heritage Green.

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.

Of course, all of this fun will mean implementing some road closures in the event area. Starting Friday, Sept. 16 and throughout the weekend, the following roads will be closed:

• Sandy Springs Place will be closed between Sandy Springs Circle and Blue Stone Road beginning at 10 a.m. Sept. 16.
• Hilderbrand Drive will be closed between Sandy Springs Circle and Blue Stone Road beginning at 5 p.m. Sept. 16.
• Sandy Springs Circle will be closed between Mt. Vernon Highway and Sandy Springs Place beginning at 2:00 p.m. Sept. 16.

The above roads will reopen by 10 p.m. Sunday. On Saturday, Mt. Vernon Highway will be closed from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. to accommodate the Doug Kessler 10k/5k Road Race.

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 is what you can expect to experience during the two-day event:

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 benefiting 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!

Heritage Green is located at 6075 Sandy Springs Circle. 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's Facebook page