Johns Creek Gets Ready for Arts Festival

As Johns Creek gets ready for its first annual Arts Festival, the city's Communications Manager Grant Hickey and Chief of Staff Patty Hansen took time to tell Patch what's in store for the some 20,000 visitors expected to attend.

Taking place over the Oct. 27-28 weekend, the city has partnered with Arts on the Creek, the Johns Creek Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Atlanta Athletic Club to build on the arts festival previously produced by Arts on the Creek that took place on Perimeter Church grounds.

"We were looking for a way to take it to the next level, and make this a regional event," said Hansen. So the city and its partners have hired Splash, which produces festivals in Dunwoody, Norcross and Acworth, to produce the event, which will move to the Atlanta Athletic Club fields.

The festival is also moving from Labor Day weekend to October, which will ensure that more folks are in town and the weather will be cooler.

"It will be an event for the entire family," said Hickey, pointing to not only the 100-plus artists scheduled to present their wares, but an extensive children's area, live entertainment and large TVs that will be airing the Georgia-Florida game. Hansen pointed out that the art vendor tents will make for great early holiday shopping.

Also on tap are a performance by the Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra followed by fireworks that Saturday night, a Jazz brunch on Sunday, more live entertainment, a pet parade and a children's costume contest.

Hickey and Hansen say they are grateful to the Atlanta Athletic Club for offiering its fields for the festivities and parking. As of Oct. 8 the event was still in need of about 100 more volunteers. 

"We have a strong arts community, and we're bringing it all together," Hansen said. We're "ready to show off what we can do here."

The festival takes place Saturday, Oct. 27, 10 a.m to 6 p.m. followed by the symphony's concert at 7, and Sunday, Oct. 27 and 28, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., on the fields across from the Atlanta Athletic Club. 

Here are some links to help you get ready:

• General Information
• Register for the Children’s Costume Parade
• Register for the Pet Parade 
• Adult Volunteer Sign-Up 
• Student Volunteer Sign-Up