Special Events Archives

Taste Of Atlanta – October 5-7, 2012 — A Midtown Atlanta Event!

September 23, 2012 by Thom Abbott

Hungry? Like checking out restaurants? Then why not check out E-I-G-H-T-Y, yes I said 80 of Atlanta’s BEST restaurants at Taste of Atlanta October 5-7, 2012 in Midtown Atlanta!

This exciting culinary and social experience “takes over” Technology Square as well as parts of Spring Street for a 3 day festival celebrating one of Atlanta’s best known features….FOOD! Restaurants are a big thing in Atlanta. I don’t know if the stat is still the same, but I once heard that the average Atlantan spends over half of their monthly food budget in restaurants. Wow!

I can’t even begin to touch on a list of 80 restaurants that will be participating in Taste of Atlanta…that is mind-boggling to me! But, it’s an incredible event (or so I’ve heard…I’ve yet to make it…but I think that will change this year!)

A word to the wise….if you live outside of Midtown Atlanta, use the limited mass transit we DO have, and take MARTA. You can exit at the Midtown Station, and you are just a couple blocks from the action!

Come on out, and sample the culinary delights of Atlanta at Taste of Atlanta! And scope out Midtown Atlanta while you are here! It’s a pretty cool place to live when you have these kinds of events in your back yard!

Click on the picture to head to Taste of Atlanta’s website where you can purchase tickets, get a list of the participating restaurants, and more info about the event!

Music Midtown Arrives in Midtown Atlanta – September 21-22, 2012

September 20, 2012 by Thom Abbott

Music Midtown makes its way back to Piedmont Park this weekend, Friday and Saturday. As with any major festival in Piedmont Park, there will be traffic, trash and LOTS of people!

As a former resident of Midtown, I know what parking, traffic and all is like. I’m just amazed when people do not make use of MARTA as a MUCH easier way to get in and out of Midtown Atlanta during large events like this. But, if you choose to drive, just be prepared as the Historic part of Midtown (East of Piedmont and South of 10th Street) will be on “lock down” and accessible ONLY to residents of the area.

Here is a map of the Music Midtown Street Closure and Neighborhood Traffic Plan.

Here is a site map of Piedmont Park and Music Midtown

You can get ticket information, and performance schedules at Music Midtown’s website.

From the Music Midtown Site:

Music Midtown 2012 will be taking place at the same location as the 2011 festival, on two stages in the 10th Street Meadow at Piedmont Park.

Parking will be very limited, all patrons are encouraged to use MARTA, walk, bicycle, or carpool.

There will be three entry gates into the festival.

Charles Allen Gate is located at the corner of 10th Street and Charles Allen Drive. The Charles Allen Gate is also the “main gate” for Music Midtown.
Park Drive Gate is accessible from Monroe and Park Drive. Patrons can enter the Park through the new expansion and enter the Festival from the north end of the 10th Street Meadow.
Lakeside Gate is accessible from the 12th Street and 14th Street entrances into Piedmont Park. Patrons can enter at the base of Oak Hill by the lake. This route is parallel to 10th Street when walking through the park.
Will Call will be located at the ticket booth at the corner of 10th Street and Charles Allen Drive, across from the Charles Allen Gate.

Guests with VIP or Super VIP tickets will enter through a separate gate on 10th Street. More details will be sent directly to these ticketholders.

The streets will be crowded, and there will be some great music! Enjoy Midtown Atlanta and Music Midtown 2012!

12th Annual Peachtree Latino Festival Piedmont Park Midtown Atlanta August 26

August 23, 2012 by Thom Abbott

The 12th Annual Festival Peachtree Latino will be in Piedmont Park in Midtown Atlanta, Sunday August 26 from 11am till 8pm.

What is the Festival Peachtree Latino?

Since 2000, the festival has been the largest family and multicultural event in the Southeastern U.S. Family activities, hundreds of exhibitirs, sporting events and arts and crafts are just some of the activites planned for the 1 day event at Piedmont Park. This year’s festival has an expanded lineup of muscial performances.

Culture and Entertainment

You’ll find the diversity of the Atlanta Latino community will be expressed from Africa to Asia and and Europe to Australia. And you will find that diversity in food, arts and crafts and entertainment!

Yunel Cruz, Chavana, Ana Barbara, El Cata and Widy will be some of the featured performers.

Getting There And Parking

This festival has been held in Centennial Olympic Park for the past few years. A majority of the attendees will be coming from all over the Metro Atlanta area, and may choose to drive, vs. taking MARTA. BAD IDEA! Parking in Midtown around the Piedmont Park area is always a challenge and with the addition of ParkATLANTA and their tickets, it could make for an expensive day if you get a ticket. I’d stronly suggest you drive to one of the outlaying MARTA stations, and take the train to the Midtown MARTA station.You can walk from there to the park and all the festivities. If you are driving, jsut make sure you park legally, and don’t block driveways and such.

We’ll be there and hope to share some follow up pictures of the days events!

DeKalb Commissioners Host Animal Fundraiser

May 8, 2012 by Thom Abbott

DECATUR – Animal lovers throughout metro Atlanta can lend a helping hand to DeKalb County’s troubled animal control services on Sunday, May 20th when three commissioners host the “Help DeKalb Animals” bowling fundraiser at Stars and Strikes in Stone Mountain.
Commissioners Elaine Boyer, Stan Watson and Sharon Barnes-Sutton will host the fundraiser from 5 to 7 p.m. Animal lovers can bowl and enjoy the company of animals available for adoption at Stars and Strikes at 1741 Mountain Industrial Boulevard in Stone Mountain.

Proceeds from the event will go to pay for spaying and neutering of animals in DeKalb.
The event is being co-hosted by LifeLine Animal Project, a multifaceted non-profit that works to save animals from euthanasia by promoting online adoptions, promoting low cost spay and neuter programs and offering low cost vaccinations. www.lifelineanimal.org
Tickets are $30 for adults and $20 for children and include bowling, a game package and light refreshments.
DeKalb has a beleaguered animal services department. A special task force recently highlighted problems including a 67 percent euthanasia rate at the shelter; a dark and dirty animal services facility; and significant lack of adoptions.
“This fundraiser is a first step toward raising awareness of our animals’ needs in DeKalb,” said Boyer. “So many four-legged creatures who cannot speak for themselves need care and our fundraiser will help make sure we stop the cycle of overpopulation.”
Those who attend the Help DeKalb Animals fundraiser are encouraged bring donations of dog leashes, collars and laundry detergent.
To purchase tickets to the event, go to www.helpdekalbanimals.com or contact ecboyer@dekalbcountyga.gov

PDK Annual Good Neighbor Day — Saturday May 12, 2012 12-5pm

April 22, 2012 by Thom Abbott

If you like airports and planes and such, then the PDK Annual Good Neighbor Day is just the place you need to be! It will be held Saturday, May 12th, 2012 from 12-5pm at the DeKalb Peachtree Airport in Chamblee!

This “little” private aircraft airport is actually the SECOND BUSIEST after the WORLD’s busiest….Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport! I’ve hung out at the end of the runway or at the Executive area, and I can tell you I’ve seen some pretty impressive planes take off from this airport. But now is your chance to get up close and personal with some vintage aircraft as well as even catch a helicopter ride ($40 per person) or a bi-plane ride!

The PDK Annual Good Neighbor Day features a long list of Exhibitors that you can check out, which include numerous DeKalb County Departments! Visitors may view booths and exhibits in the Epps Hangar, and buy food and soft drinks from Briarlake Baptist Church. Food will also be available in the on-site restaurant, The Downwind Restaurant and Lounge, located in the Administration Building. There will also be plenty of play activities for children provided by Jump ‘N Slide.

There is no admission fee to the PDK Annual Good Neighbor Day; parking is $5.00 per vehicle regardless of the number of occupants. All Good Neighbor Day access is through Airport Road via Clairmont Road.

I can honestly say I’ve never been to this event, but for sure will be checking it out this year!

Mingle in Midtown and Shining Light Walk – Tuesday, March 20 7-10PM

March 17, 2012 by Thom Abbott

Living in an urban area always requires you to be aware of your surroundings. It’s just a simple fact. Heck, I do it even in the burbs! I’m always watching if someone is walking behind me, close to me,standing around, etc. And it’s great to see when a neighborhood comes together for safety. Well, and an adult beverage can’t hurt, right? Welcome Midtown Neighbors’ Association’s (MNA) Mingle in Midtown and Shining Light Walk! This edition will take place THIS Tuesday, March 20 from 7-10pm at Cypress Pint and Plate, located at 6th and Cypress streets, just behind Cornerstone Village and Spire Midtown!

My friend and owner, Billy from Cypress Pint and Plate will do his usual finest with munchies and drink specials. Then, at 7:30pm the 2nd Shining Light Walk will commence. Beginning at 7:30 (not much time for an adult beverage…I’d arrive at 6:30pm myself) the walk will head to Myrtle Street, 4th Street and then back to Cypress Pint and Plate.

This type of event is designed for a couple of reasons. One, to bring the neighbors out of their condos and cottages of Midtown Atlanta to meet and two, to show anyone thinking about commiting a crime in Midtown Atlanta that you’re being watched!

I’ll be there and look forward to seeing you all there as well. Be sure to say Hello!

What is the Festival Peachtree Latino?

Culture and Entertainment

Getting There And Parking

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