Dogwood comes to Midtown

The only thing more depressing to a Tech student than looming finals is the inability to relax and unwind early in preparation for the end of the semester. So for those who missed out on the Dogwood Festival last weekend, make it a point to attend next year—your sanity will thank you. Held in Piedmont Park every year, the Dogwood Festival has been celebrating the blossoming of the dogwood trees in Georgia since 1936. Its cultural significance and importance to Atlanta extends beyond simple dendrology appreciation. The festival marks one of the earliest points every year when residents come out in droves to enjoy the spring weather and jubilant atmosphere. In addition to spearheading the spring and summer festivals in Atlanta each year, the Dogwood Festival stands as one of the premier events in the country. Sunshine Artist Magazine recently ranked the festival #16 out of the top 200 shows in the United States.

This year the Dogwood Festival took place on the weekend of April 7-9 and featured 27 food vendors, an artist market with over 200 vendors and live music on four stages. For those interested in more unique offerings, this year’s festival also showcased the “Rhythm and Blooms Party” and the U.S. Disc Dog Southern Nationals. The former was a pre-Grammy party celebration of the festival’s 70th anniversary. The party, which cost $35 in advance ($50 at the park), included complimentary food, drinks, spirits and music provided by the Atlanta Chapter of the Recording Academy. A ticket to the event also conferred VIP seating for the concert and an excuse to feel like royalty for a day.

For those who wanted to experience the festival on the cheap, the U.S. Disc Dog Nationals was the main attraction. It is the premier Frisbee Dog competition in the South, and winners from this contest are invited to the U.S. National Finals.

This year, the competition was held on both Saturday and Sunday, and I must admit that I spent a majority of my time at the festival relaxing and watching dogs catch Frisbees. For me, the dog competition combined the unintentional hilarity of Best in Show with the pure awe of witnessing skilled animal performances. On Saturday, the trainers competed in the Advanced Freestyle contest, during which dogs performed gravity-defying flips, Vaudeville-esque dances and Frisbee-related tricks. Sunday’s Toss and Fetch focused more on distance throws and dog stamina. The crowd adored the performances, although a number of dogs could be heard barking insults at their rivals throughout the day.

The staple drawing power of festivals such as these is the plethora of art vendors and concession stands. However, I did not spend an inordinate amount of time perusing the art; once you’ve seen one homemade rendering of a tribal scene you’ve seen them all. And unless you are a well-endowed, avid supporter of local art, I would recommend window shopping and saving your money for a poster of comparable art.

By the same token, there are only so many $6 funnel cakes you can eat before vomiting from moral indignation because of overpriced food. Or maybe that’s just indigestion. Still, it is impossible to go to festivals and not sample the foot-long corn dogs and roasted peanuts. Just remember to start fasting a day beforehand and prepare yourself for the long haul.

Aside from the canine competition, I spent the remainder of my time at the main stage of the Entertainment Village, which featured performances by the likes of Edwin McCain and the Cherry Poppin’ Daddies. Therein lays the beauty of the Dogwood Festival.

For a student like me, the festival is a weekend to escape the drudgery of Tech and celebrate life with friends and fellow Atlantans. And if you still think the festival has nothing to offer you, consider that beer stations are located every 50 feet.