This is probably the largest and best festival in the state of Georgia and well worth visiting. The…read morefestival spans multiple closed streets around the park. It's also conveniently right off the crosswalk from the Inman Park MARTA station - don't bother looking for parking as there is very little. You can also walk to the festival using the Beltline. The vendors are mostly craft and include original art, pottery, handmade bags, the list is huge. There's also plenty of food vendors for even the picky eater. Make sure to bring plenty of filtered water or stick with beer. This is a must-attend show.

Did you know Inman Park was Atlanta's first suburb? That's why there's a Trolley Barn. The two-mile…read morecommute (in the 1800's) was more easily handled by trolley. (#publictransportation, ahem!) Since the 1970's, The Inman Park Festival is something of an Atlanta tradition. There's a tour of homes, a 5k run, a parade, and (of course) a big street market featuring all sorts of colorful, local arts and crafts, beauty & skin care, foods and spices, home accessories, woodworking and ceramics... This year, I picked up a few items to gift to my friends. There are hosts of things to try and do, including activities for kids, and a really cool Dance Festival where you'll see stellar dance expositions from Atlanta's best dance companies. The food scene is pretty much what you'd expect. All the standard offerings from frozen lemonade to corn dogs, funnel cakes to pretzels, all the "regulars" are there. Sometimes I wonder if there will ever be a way to make the street-fair food scene innovative and not just regular. Still, this is among Atlanta's best run, and well-organized Festivals. See you there next year.

Very packed, lots of food, vendors and good music and shuttles at the Suwanee location.read more

I had heard about this event from the earlier event locations - this is a "pop-up" style market…read morethat moves around Atlanta, typically over a holiday weekend. On this occasion, it was the Memorial Day weekend on 2018.10.5 - 2018.10.07 and the market took place at the North Point Mall at 1000 North Point Cir, Alpharetta, GA 30022, along the side facing the JC Penny's anchor store. This is an outdoor vendor-oriented market featuring imported goods and a huge assortment of food. In Asia markets like these are done at night to escape the heat of the day - typically they go on pretty much all night but of course this US market is a bit more pragmatic. I met a friend after work on the first night (Friday) right when it opened, about 5:00 PM. The market was just getting started so some of the food vendors weren't quite ready and some tents were unoccupied, but this was remedied by the time we left. Admission was $10 but could have been less if we'd bought online prior to the event day - we decided to just pay at the gate. Oh and most of these vendors were cash only so keep that in mind - there are several ATMs but you get to pay those fees. I'd say that the "International" aspect was very well represented by a super diverse assortment of vendors and a crowd to to match. There were the typical saree and handbag sellers plus one booth that had leather jackets. I saw many, many different ethnic groups from all over the world - lots of fun to be had. There's also a stage with music that continued for most of the night with some live local acts and a DJ spinning a broad-time-spanning assortment of well-mixed dance music. But of course the real reason I attended was to sample the food. The food ranged from near-local to far reaching Asian - there were at least two different Lao vendors, Snackboxe Bistro and a Thai/Viet/Lao vendor that served Pad Thai, Papaya Salad and skewers of meat. There were also several Indian vendors including the nearby Dekkan Spice (very good) so a good mix of local restaurants, caterers and food trucks. I saw a couple of Halal places including a whole BBQ goat. We settled on a mix of Thai and Island cuisines, the latter being a veggie and noodle stirfry with teriyaki chicken. I thought both were quite good and less than $10. The Hawaiian rotisserie looked amazing but wasn't quite ready or I def would have gotten the pork ribs or turkey leg. There was also a vegan section with many restaurants within if what I described above scared you. I think there was plenty to sample something unusual and come away full. There were many drink vendors selling lassies and other cold drinks including many fruity drinks. I only saw one beer vendor but it was large and well placed sith several local craft brews - I ended up with a Creature Comforts Tropicalia IPA but also say a Three Taverns sour and a Steady Hand Farmhouse Ale (Saisson) as options. Overall I liked the event but coudn't stay much more than the hour or so (commitments elsewhere) but did have fun while there. The people serving were really nice and accommodating and good about answering questions. It was starting to get crowded so that was my queue to get out anyway - I don't deal with the jostle of the crowds - when my beer gets bumped it's time to leave!

The Beltline Lantern Parade made its westside debut this year, and it was awesome. The parade went…read moredown the westside beltline, and ended at Lee and White. It was very well attended, and and I can tell that the participation will grow even larger next year. If you're a spectator, I recommend arriving early in order to score a good viewing spot.

I experienced my first Atlanta BeltLine Lantern Parade this past Saturday, September 10th, 2016. It…read morewas a lot of fun. The parade has existed since 2010, so 2016 was the parade's 7th year. According to the BeltLine website, more than 60,000 people showed up for the parade in 2015 (http://art.beltline.org/lantern-parade/). It's a big event. The parade took place on the BeltLine's Eastside Trail on an approximate 2-mile stretch that began at Irwin St (near Irwin Street Market and Krog Street Market) in Old Fourth Ward/Inman Park and ended at Monroe Dr (near Piedmont Park) in Midtown (northbound). We had dinner at Two Urban Licks, which is located directly on the Eastside Trail about halfway between the start and end points of the parade, and slipped into the parade from there. This is a completely free and casual event for both spectators and participants. Technically, you need a lantern to walk in the parade, but a couple of us tagged along with our friends who had lanterns, so we experienced this event from a marcher's point of view. While the parade officially begins at Irwin St, marchers can really hop on and hop off the parade route at any point so long as they're polite and don't disrupt the flow of the parade. There are workshops you can go to where they will teach you how to make your own original lantern for the event. Check out the lantern parade's website (link above) for more info and to sign up for these workshops. The lanterns I saw came in all shapes and sizes from giant, imposing Day of the Dead themed skeletons to cute little Pokemon. There were college-themed lanterns, fruits and vegetables (e.g. a bundle of purple grapes, a giant carrot), animals (e.g. sharks, phoenixes, unicorns), cartoon characters (e.g. the Powerpuff Girls), TV/movie themed lanterns (e.g. Stranger Things, Star Wars), and more. People also had fun with illuminated hats and clothing. Our friends made some awesome pineapple (very popular) and Kirby (Nintendo character) lanterns. To me, the parade was sort of like the Dragon Con parade, but with lanterns. You just had no idea what to expect. The creations ran the gamut and that's most of the fun of the parade in my opinion. Most lanterns appeared to be made of paper and illuminated with battery-operated lights. Both sides of the Eastside Trail were packed with spectators, especially around major BeltLine access points such as Ponce City Market and Piedmont Park. There was a concert going on at Piedmont Park afterwards. There were also porta potties located there. I valet parked at Two Urban Licks and after the parade ended (after 10:30pm), we walked back down the trail to the restaurant. By that time, the trail had mostly cleared of the masses. It was still busy, but not as packed and it was easy to walk in either direction. Note: If you take Uber or Lyft to the parade, be mindful of which side of the trail you want to be picked up or dropped off at. This can save you a lot of time since certain streets and intersections will be blocked off by the police.

SHADE on a hot day..It's dangerous to have to sit in the direct sun..how is that having concern for…read morepeople..

Continuing for three days in Atlanta's Piedmont Park, this is a gigantic art festival and music…read morestage. I went through on Friday for about three hours. It's amazing how many different artists are here. At least 200 tents set up along the concrete pathways of the park. Jewelry, paintings, sculptures, each one completely unique. I saw some neat wrist straps made from machine badges, sculptures made with lunch boxes, glass works that looked so beautifully delicate, amber necklaces and bracelets, coffee cups and mugs mde from clay, landscapes and portraits. One artist's format uses insects (not actual insects, reproductions) and the beautiful purple butterflies fill a 3-foot by 5-foot picture frame. That one was for sale for $5000! Food vendors included barbecue, pineapple drinks, noodles, turkey legs, Ben & Jerry's, chicken strips and "meat on a stick." Credit card payments accepted. The festival is free to enter and there was some security. An Atlanta police officer idled by on his motorcycle a couple of times. It started off crowded and then the rain seemed to chase a few people away but by early afternoon, the crowds were back. We parked on a side street in a completely legal space. Free. There is paid parking nearby. Note that pets are NOT allowed in the park during the festival and Atlanta regulations prohibit smoking in the park, too. [Review 19535 overall - 591 in Georgia - 505 of 2023.]

Technically, this is more of an event than a place you go to, but hey, you'll forgive me, right?…read moreThe parade itself goes from West Peachtree to Jesse Hill Jr. Drive. It normally takes place during Memorial Day Weekend. When I went to my first one in Atlanta is 2008, I was extremely disappointed. Why? I've been spoiled, I'm accustomed to going to the West Indian Day Parade in Brooklyn. In comparison, this one was pathetic. However, this year the parade took a step in the right direction. There was more spectators and participants in the Parade. If you've never been to a West Indian Parade, expect to hear loud music, people dressed in elaborate costumes, dancing, great food, and an all around good time. While many of the participants are of West Indian, African, and Latino descendant, all are welcome. After the parade you can go to Festival Village for a small fee. It's basically a section of the city that's blocked off. There's food vendors, live music from Caribbean artists, and plenty of knick knacks being sold. For a full out experience, go to one of the many parties that will be occurring during the weekend.

Way more conservative than some of the other cities that are known for Carnival, but that makes…read moreAtlanta Carnival a bit more fun and I enjoy it just the same. Always a decent crowd but never so overwhelming that you need to camp out the night before, the parade route was perfect this year. It danced down a tree lined street in downtown Atlanta that offered plenty of shade and areas to sit and enjoy the sights and sounds of Caribbean culture. Families and those who are easily offended be warned, the parade revelers are scantily clad and gyrating against each other; there are semi-trucks carrying generators and large arrays of speakers so that you can feel the rhythms. But it's all in fun and everyone has a wonderful time.

I had an amazing time at this event. I love going to the taste of, events because you get to try…read morerestaurant for that particular area. I was invited to go on a social media pass. And it just did not disappoint. The food was amazing. I was so stuffed by the time I left I had to just sit in my car and let it digest. I like that they have lots of tall tables for people to stand it and eat their food. There are also some seats that were closer up towards where the band was playing so it didn't feel too crowded and you didn't have anywhere to go. There were lots of different food choices. Sometimes when you go to these festivals there are more alcohol tents then food and that was not the case at this particular event. I love that there were so many food places to choose from and you were not over powered by the amount of alcohol tents. I will definitely go to this event again next year!

This was a great event. I can't wait to revisit in 2025. They had many vendors and the food was…read morevery good.

So certain people can park in the handicap parking but others can't. What a wonderful way to…read morepromote inclusiveness. Absolutely brilliant. We'll find another festival that will promote inclusion for all, regardless of ability or not.

Looks like this fall fest has been going on for quite some time now, according to reviews. I found…read moreit to be pretty easy to take the Marta here, since the Facebook event mentioned that finding parking might not be the easiest. There were two entrances, but I entered along the row with all the art booths. The booths were filled with local crafts and art and it was a great way to meet and see what's going on in the art community. Further along, there were some stalls selling locally made products, such as the candles you can use as lotion once burnt and melted. There was a stage with some live music going, although no one I had ever heard of. The food trucks were close by and I made sure to pick up a beer! Wasn't super hungry and didn't want to stand in some of the crazy lines... Next year I plan on coming again, but HUNGRY!

Good food, good atmosphere! I had the chicken & waffles & the hubby had a hot chicken wrap w/fries…read more The chicken was extremely good, juicy & tender & the breading was very good. The waffles were fluffy & extremely fantastic. The tray had granny smith sautéed apples & maple syrup I had 1/2 of my hubby's had Nashville chicken wrap the next day & it was awesome & heated up very well. The meal came out to 42 & change which considering how good the food was it was worth it. The atmosphere was very good you have to get in line to order then you get to sit at a table, there is full service waitress from then on. The service was great & we even had a waitress keep someone from taking our table! Highly recommend if you are in downtown Marietta.

This was my first Taste of Marietta! I had a wonderful time…read moresampling all the food at the many different restaurants. Now I have some kind of idea of how much fun this festival is.

I love everything about it. I think everyone who goes enjoy it. there are Fun shows, a huge petting…read morezoo, you can feed the animals and free parking. My favorite fair in the Atlanta Metro area. They have good food options, its well organized.

40+ MINUTES IN LINE JUST TO BE TOLD "I DON'T CARE"…read more Phones falling during rides!! A bird that appeared to to be dying, along with horrible treatment from staff. The fair itself felt extremely unprofessional. Earlier that night, we witnessed a bird from the exhibit fly down, hit the ground, and remain motionless with its legs in the air. It appeared to be dying. When my brother picked it up, it couldn't even lift its head. The employee had his back turned to the exhibit, so I had to speak to him from behind to get his attention. When I first told him what happened, he did not seem concerned. He eventually turned around and saw my brother holding the bird near the exit, where he could clearly see that the bird was completely motionless. He then took the bird, left the exhibit unattended, and returned without the bird as if nothing had happened. But the ride-line incident was ultimately the final straw for me. My younger brother is 11 years old and urgently needed to use the restroom, but he didn't know where one was. Why would an 11-year-old be expected to walk through a dark crowded fairground alone to find a restroom? So my adult brother took him to find one while I stayed in line and held our place. One of my other adult brothers also had a dead phone, so they had to find him as well especially with how easy it was to get separated or lost in a crowd that large. My brothers eventually returned together, and the employee saw them come back and rejoin me but said nothing. We continued waiting as the line moved closer to the ride. It wasn't until we got closer to the barricade leading to the ride that he stopped my brothers and told them they had to go to the back. We explained what happened and even showed him the dead phone. I had remained in line the entire time. My brothers weren't trying to cut in front of strangers -- they were returning to the family member who had stayed in the same spot in line. The employee then addressed the people behind me as though they would have a problem with my brothers returning. Instead, they said they had no issue with it and confirmed they had seen me remain in line the entire time. They were actually frustrated with the employee because they disagreed with how he was handling the situation. After they spoke up, he dismissed their input and said, "I don't care." He then ordered my brothers to the back. What made this even more frustrating was that my coworker had left the line in this same employee's view, sat at a nearby bench because his legs were hurting, returned to the line, later left to throw something away, and came back -- and was never told to go to the back. I also told the employee that I was an Animal Control Officer with Cobb County and was there with my family trying to enjoy our time together using the free admission provided through my job. He responded in a snarky tone, "you paid," and still ordered us to leave the line. As we were walking away, he smiled. Moments before we were told to leave the line, a group of girls who appeared to be unattended began looking around the ride area for a phone that had fallen during the ride that had just finished. There was a clear no-cellphone policy. The ride workers eventually began looking as well. This raised a serious safety concern, as someone could have been seriously injured. If you're planning to ride the Mantis, please be aware. The employee pictured in this review is the employee who was managing the Mantis ride line -- the green-and-purple roller coaster. He was extremely rude and dismissive throughout this interaction. Phones MAY NOT be secured!!! Fair staff directed me to the sheriff's officers to report the incident. I did, but no name or contact information was taken and I wasn't given a report number. I'm disappointed. I would not recommend this fair to anyone even as someone who works for the community.

What a fantastic funky festival. Found parking pretty fast too…read more Such eclectic wares and artists at every booth. Kid couldn't figure out why there were so many TALL women walking around the Queens were fabulous!

I never knew about East Atlanta Strut Festival until the Yelp Elite event. Man, it would suck when…read moreyou don't know about the Festival, try to come to EAV, and find out the roads are blocked off. You have to park on the other side of Moreland if you want to find parking. Even still, you would have to walk about 10-15 minutes to the actual festival. But you're going to be walking anyway at the festival. So be prepared with walking shoes. Naturally, there will be some heavy traffic in the area. There are a lot of booths and venders showing off creative works. It's cool to go around and see what the booths have. They also have many street entertainment like various bands and people dressed in weird costumes. As for food, there are a lot of vendors and restaurants nearby. So you have several choices on your food and beverage choices. Be aware that these restaurants will be packed because of the festival. Overall, It's a good place to walk around, have fun, people watch, and take pictures.