Atlanta Dogwood Festival Kicks Off Friday

The Atlanta Dogwood Festival kicks off at noon on Friday at . The 75th annual event runs through Sunday and will feature an artist market, kid zone, music performances and food, among other activities.  

In honor of the festival's 75th anniversary, there will be a nine-story, circa-1963 Seattle ferris wheel for visitors to enjoy. There also will be a 1965 vintage carousel.

During the festival,  the Atlanta History Center will provide history and literary activities, such as Poetry Out Loud performances. In addition, the in Midtown -- to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the publishing of "Gone With The Wind" -- will offer free museum admission on April 16 and 17. 

Festival organizers suggest people take MARTA to the Arts Center Station near the Woodruff Arts Center, or the Midtown Station on 10th Street. Click here for more information on taking MARTA to the Dogwood Festival. 

Atlantic Station will launch the operation of new hybrid shuttles during the Dogwood Festival. The shuttles -- which lower CO2 emissions by 30 percent from previous shuttles -- will transport people for free from MARTA (Arts Center Station and Midtown Station) to the festival. The shuttles will operate Saturday, April 16, from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday, April 17, from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Atlantic Station also will send street performers to the festival. They will perform Saturday, from 3 to 8 p.m. Any tips the performers receive will be donated to the festival. 

For people who wish to drive to the festival, you can park at:

• Campanile Parking Deck, 1155 Juniper Street. There is a parking fee, but you can ride a free shuttle to the park. 
• Sage Parking Facility at the off Piedmont Avenue. Multi-visit parking passes are available. 
• Click here for other parking options. 

For complete details on the Dogwood Festival, click here.