Grant Park Summer Shade Festival

Saturday, August 23, 2014

Saturday was hot and so I felt lucky to cover the Grant Park Summer Shade Festival even if the shade part was only in my mind. Thousands of people came out for the 12th annual event which featured loads of artists, food, and three stages worth of live music throughout the weekend. Grant Park itself is beautiful with winding trails through meadows and woods plopped next to Zoo Atlanta and what used to be the Cyclorama. A lot of families were out as there were plenty of things to entertain the kids. The event also kicks off the fall festival circuit around the city so if you missed this weekend you should have plenty of opportunities to find unique and awesome art over the next two months.

Mavis Butcher (left) rides on her mother Emily's back as they pass artist booths during the Grant Park Summer Shade Festival in Atlanta on Saturday, August 23, 2014.

Mavis Butcher (left) rides on her mother Emily’s back as they pass artist booths during the Grant Park Summer Shade Festival in Atlanta on Saturday, August 23, 2014.

Luke Bartis explores a ravine during the Grant Park Summer Shade Festival in Atlanta on Saturday, August 23, 2014.

Luke Bartis explores a ravine during the Grant Park Summer Shade Festival in Atlanta on Saturday, August 23, 2014.

Lila Teras (left) watches her sister Sadie fill a glass bottle with colored sand during the Grant Park Summer Shade Festival in Atlanta on Saturday, August 23, 2014.

Lila Teras (left) watches her sister Sadie fill a glass bottle with colored sand during the Grant Park Summer Shade Festival in Atlanta on Saturday, August 23, 2014.

Charlie Thompson (left), Eden Luse and Nayeli Fedullo create their own works of art during the Grant Park Summer Shade Festival in Atlanta on Saturday, August 23, 2014.

Charlie Thompson (left), Eden Luse and Nayeli Fedullo create their own works of art during the Grant Park Summer Shade Festival in Atlanta on Saturday, August 23, 2014.

Keyvious Avery performs on one of three stages during the Grant Park Summer Shade Festival in Atlanta on Saturday, August 23, 2014.

Keyvious Avery performs on one of three stages during the Grant Park Summer Shade Festival in Atlanta on Saturday, August 23, 2014.

Shoko DeSutter (center) pushes her daughter Amelia in a stroller as they pass by artist booths during the Grant Park Summer Shade Festival in Atlanta on Saturday, August 23, 2014.

Shoko DeSutter (center) pushes her daughter Amelia in a stroller as they pass by artist booths during the Grant Park Summer Shade Festival in Atlanta on Saturday, August 23, 2014.

Sawai McLaughlin (left) and her husband George cut out material on shirts during the Grant Park Summer Shade Festival in Atlanta on Saturday, August 23, 2014.

Sawai McLaughlin (left) and her husband George cut out material on shirts during the Grant Park Summer Shade Festival in Atlanta on Saturday, August 23, 2014.

The Paulines perform on one of three stages during the Grant Park Summer Shade Festival in Atlanta on Saturday, August 23, 2014.

The Paulines perform on one of three stages during the Grant Park Summer Shade Festival in Atlanta on Saturday, August 23, 2014.

Clementine Boyer (left) hands a stuffed animal to her mother Monika at one of the artist booths during the Grant Park Summer Shade Festival in Atlanta on Saturday, August 23, 2014.

Clementine Boyer (left) hands a stuffed animal to her mother Monika at one of the artist booths during the Grant Park Summer Shade Festival in Atlanta on Saturday, August 23, 2014.

Don Wallace (left) and Kevin Hill play guitar as The Paulines perform on one of three stages during the Grant Park Summer Shade Festival in Atlanta on Saturday, August 23, 2014.

Don Wallace (left) and Kevin Hill play guitar as The Paulines perform on one of three stages during the Grant Park Summer Shade Festival in Atlanta on Saturday, August 23, 2014.

Jimmy Straehla (right), better known as the cap man, creates a painting during the Grant Park Summer Shade Festival in Atlanta on Saturday, August 23, 2014.

Jimmy Straehla (right), better known as the cap man, creates a painting during the Grant Park Summer Shade Festival in Atlanta on Saturday, August 23, 2014.

Rickie Charvat looks at jewelry as she passes by one of the artist booths during the Grant Park Summer Shade Festival in Atlanta on Saturday, August 23, 2014.

Rickie Charvat looks at jewelry as she passes by one of the artist booths during the Grant Park Summer Shade Festival in Atlanta on Saturday, August 23, 2014.