This time of year is undoubtedly festival season, with events of music, arts, dancing, food, wine, crafts–heck, even watermelons–going on all around the country–especially in the Southeast, making it a great time for a family vacation in these here parts. This is especially true if you’re going to be in the Atlanta area, because there’s one just around the corner. So rent a car, and head eastbound down the Atlanta highway for less than an hour to join the fun of AthFest 2009 in the ultimate college town of Athens, Ga.
Though best known for turning out rabid fanatics for college football (and hatred of all things Gators and Yellow Jackets), the city of Athens has a remarkable heritage for turning out some of the best known rock and alternative music acts around. The list includes R.E.M, the B-52’s, Indigo Girls, Widespread Panic, Matthew Sweet and the Georgia Satellites (I suppose you could add self-proclaimed redneck rapper Bubba Sparxxx to the list). Maybe it’s something in the water–whatever it is, that musical spirit along with a love for the other arts is celebrated at AthFest each year by attenders of all ages, and runs tomorrow through Sunday.
The great majority of AthFest is free and held outdoors (rain plans are in place though). While much of the emphasis is obviously placed on concerts with the city’s musical roots, there are also film festivals, artist markets, cook offs and events geared specifically to kids.
This year’s headlining acts include the Randall Bramblett Band, Nappy Roots, Bloodkin, Patterson Hood and Dead Confederate to name a few–bands with good followings who are looking to launch towards the big time like other Athens-based predecessors. There will also be a Mountain Music & Medicine Show as well as Outdoor Stages, a segment where continous acoustic and electric music is played on two stages throughout the festivities.
One of the most popular aspects of AthFest is Kidsfest, which runs all day during the weekend. It includes a carnival, a petting zoo, moonwalks, climbing walls, music, interactive games, crafts and dances, and more.
Everyday with Rachel Ray has called the occasion ”one of the country’s great indie music festivals,” and speaking of people who cook, there’s also the Iron AthChef, a special cook off between two chefs from the area’s favorite restaurants.
The open-air Artist Market is also a prominent part of AthFest, where fine arts and crafts, paintings, folk art, ceramics, drawings, watercolors, jewelry, photography, woodwork, and more are featured and for sale in over 40 different booths. Additionally, works will be judged for cash prizes.
It’s certainly four days worth of family fun–but just to be safe, don’t show up in colors that deviate too much from Bulldog red and black. For more info on the event, visit www.athfest.com.
