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I continue to have mixed feelings about the Dogwood Festival this weekend. Of course, there is the obvious failure of purpose that the DOGWOOD Festival has been moved this year to the Lenox Mall parking lot where there are no DOGWOODS. For me, one of the best perks about attending festivals in Atlanta is being able to enjoy the outdoors, in normally PARK settings.
So maybe I'm more against the move to Lenox Mall than I thought. At the same time, the Dogwood Festival tends to bring a more upscale crowd, those who might not otherwise venture into the city and who might actually be able to afford some of the art. In that case, maybe Buckhead is more fitting.
Drought was cited as the reason for the move. Ironically today is the second day of rain washing out the festival. Other spring festivals have found other homes this season as well due to drought concerns...so don't plan on heading to Piedmont Park unless for a personal picnic. The Atlanta Jazz Festival (May 24-26) has been moved to Woodruff Park downtown, while Atlanta Pride (July 4-6) is taking dibs at the Civic Center.
While I am sad about the state of the drought and state of the park...perhaps the exodus of festivals is the first tangible effect of the drought that will reach a large number of people. Still at times the city seems a bit too preoccupied to pay attention to environmental woes and I swear every time I walk out the door I see a new condo development around the corner.
Where is the urban planning? Let's hope the new comers to the new condos like parking lot festivals and short showers.
Read more:
Two Remaining Pieces to the Atlanta Drought
BBC covers the Atlanta drought