Let’s Get This Party Started
By Dana Fowle, president@candlerpark.org
It’s Fall Fest time folks. A few housekeeping notes to get out of the way. This event brings in 95 percent of Candler Park Neighborhood Organization’s funds. It’s a big deal. We need volunteers. Sign up here: fallfest.candlerpark.org. Seriously.
OK, let’s look at what’s happening Oct. 5 and 6. The food is off the charts: saucy BBQ, healthy noodle bowls, hot chicken, vegan dishes, Cuban fare, Texas tacos….. In my house we call this lunch and dinner for two days. I get what I want. My picky fourth grader gets what she will eat. And, my husband, grabs something for himself.
I love the energy in the neighborhood when I hear the music waft through the park and down the side streets. Grab a Sweetwater and head into the park for Tribute Saturday. It’s kind of a tradition now because, well, folks love it. Personally, I really like knowing the words to all of the songs. Nostalgia, I guess. Locals Sunday will feature Atlanta blues legends. And the high energy band Bumpin the Mango will close out the two-day party. (Do you also smile every time you say Bumpin the Mango?)
The artists’ market this Fall Fest has been carefully curated to include more than 200 booths. I plan to knock out some holiday shopping myself. There will be handmade pottery, jewelry and children’s clothing. The imported textiles from Turkey and Morocco are gorgeous. Look for quirky and serious tie collections. Stained glass. Wood art. Paintings. Photography. You want it; we’ve got it.
But as you know there’s even more than music, food and crafts. There are just plain fun spots, too. A big feature is the ever popular Kidlandia. Hometown favorites King of Pops is sponsoring the bounce houses. The $5 for all-day fun on three inflatables goes to help support Mary Lin Elementary. The hamster balls are always fun for a few laughs. And there will be Circus Camp performances. Soccer. Science. Irish dance. Basketball. Football. Frisbee. Yoga.
Adults can work out, too, with Rally Health’s activation tent. Sit down on equipment and learn to row with Midtown’s new gym City Row. Start the weekend with the Fall Fest 5K & Fun Run then post those cool ‘We are a fun, fit family’ #fallfestcandlerpark #cpno #exercise #fitness photos.
Believe it or not there’s more, so check out the website when you sign up to volunteer. Oh, and a reminder that volunteers get a Fall Fest t-shirt with that crazy cool retro logo. I love it! See you there.