
Photograph by JD Harvill/Flickr
30. Spring Inman Park Festival
You can tour historic homes in Atlanta’s first “suburb,” take in bands, and see local art, but the real highlight is Saturday’s parade, complete with an attorney drill team, the Seed & Feed Marching Abominable, and the Trash Queen. April 26–28, inmanparkfestival.org
31. Summer BBQ, Blues & Bluegrass Festival
Those who think of Decatur’s Oakhurst as an established enclave will be surprised to know this festival started thirteen years ago when Oakhurst was struggling to revitalize. What’s remained constant? Good ’cue and great music. August 17, decaturbbqfestival.com
32. Fall Art in the Park
Marietta’s historic town square hosts this fine-art showcase that also includes a few whimsical events, like the sidewalk chalk art contest and parade of “art cars.” August 31–September 2, artparkmarietta.com
33. Winter Chomp and Stomp
Cabbagetown’s chili cook-off/bluegrass mashup is now a decade old. Sample concoctions from amateur and pro cooks (we’ve had squirrel, venison, vegetarian, and beer-soaked chilis), then settle in for stellar fiddle playin’ courtesy of bands like the Bibb City Ramblers and the Slackey Family. Also, you can bob for Brussels sprouts. Early November, TBA, chompandstomp.com
You can find all kinds of festivals—all year long—in our online calendar.
This article originally appeared in our April 2013 issue.