Crews are preparing for the 90th annual Atlanta Dogwood Festival at Piedmont Park this weekend, featuring major changes to the event's historic structure.
As one of the largest arts festivals in the Southeast and one of the oldest in the country, the event draws crowds from across the region. "We're expecting people to come from all over. Not just from Atlanta but from all over," said Brian Hill, executive director of the Dogwood Festival.
For the first time in its 90-year history, the festival is requiring a nominal entry fee for attendees. Hill stated that the decision was necessary for the event to survive as costs have surged between 25% and 35%.
"Without a nominal entry fee the festival would cease to exist and so many other festivals across the county have been faced with the same situation," Hill said. "Without some kind of entrance fee, we would have to do like others and close our doors."
The festival runs Friday through Sunday, featuring fine art, live music, the signature dog Frisbee competitions, and local food vendors. Residents living near the park are preparing for the influx of visitors.
For a festival that has weathered economic downturns, pandemics, and changing tastes over nine decades, the entry fee marks a new chapter in ensuring its survival for the next generation.
