79th annual Atlanta Dogwood Festival

Saturday, April 11, 2015

It is officially Spring! You can always tell when that particular season comes to Atlanta because it is usually heralded in by the annual Atlanta Dogwood Festival. For 79 years, thousands upon thousands of people living in the city are treated to a weekend long festival filled with art, food, music, games and yes even more art. Hundreds of artists from across the country try out for the honor, one of the biggest festivals in the city for the entire year.

The weather was perfect, nice and sunny with bright blue skies as people descended upon Piedmont Park to check out everything there was to behold under the white tents that lined the pathways around the park. Rhonda Thomas started the music lineup for Saturday and crooned to the crowd with the help of her band. For the past 25 years The Disc Dog Southern Nationals are held in conjunction with the festival. Dogs and their owners competed for the title as frisbees flew and dogs leaped into the air.

If you live in Atlanta, and I can’t see how this is possible, but you’ve never been to the Dogwood Festival before definitely add it to the list for next year!

Dean Werts and his border collie Limit compete in The Disc Dog Southern Nationals during the 79th annual Atlanta Dogwood Festival at Piedmont Park on Saturday, April 11, 2015.

Dean Werts and his border collie Limit compete in The Disc Dog Southern Nationals during the 79th annual Atlanta Dogwood Festival at Piedmont Park on Saturday, April 11, 2015.

Dean Werts and his border collie Limit compete in The Disc Dog Southern Nationals during the 79th annual Atlanta Dogwood Festival at Piedmont Park on Saturday, April 11, 2015.

Dean Werts and his border collie Limit compete in The Disc Dog Southern Nationals during the 79th annual Atlanta Dogwood Festival at Piedmont Park on Saturday, April 11, 2015.

Dean Werts and his border collie Limit compete in The Disc Dog Southern Nationals during the 79th annual Atlanta Dogwood Festival at Piedmont Park on Saturday, April 11, 2015.

Dean Werts and his border collie Limit compete in The Disc Dog Southern Nationals during the 79th annual Atlanta Dogwood Festival at Piedmont Park on Saturday, April 11, 2015.

Blakely Ross (left), Daniel Opdycke and his sister Claire watch The Disc Dog Southern Nationals during the 79th annual Atlanta Dogwood Festival at Piedmont Park on Saturday, April 11, 2015.

Blakely Ross (left), Daniel Opdycke and his sister Claire watch The Disc Dog Southern Nationals during the 79th annual Atlanta Dogwood Festival at Piedmont Park on Saturday, April 11, 2015.

Kouske Hirai gives his border collie Jake some attention before they compete in The Disc Dog Southern Nationals during the 79th annual Atlanta Dogwood Festival at Piedmont Park on Saturday, April 11, 2015.

Kouske Hirai gives his border collie Jake some attention before they compete in The Disc Dog Southern Nationals during the 79th annual Atlanta Dogwood Festival at Piedmont Park on Saturday, April 11, 2015.

Kouske Hirai and his border collie Jake compete in The Disc Dog Southern Nationals during the 79th annual Atlanta Dogwood Festival at Piedmont Park on Saturday, April 11, 2015.

Kouske Hirai and his border collie Jake compete in The Disc Dog Southern Nationals during the 79th annual Atlanta Dogwood Festival at Piedmont Park on Saturday, April 11, 2015.

Kouske Hirai and his border collie Jake compete in The Disc Dog Southern Nationals during the 79th annual Atlanta Dogwood Festival at Piedmont Park on Saturday, April 11, 2015.

Kouske Hirai and his border collie Jake compete in The Disc Dog Southern Nationals during the 79th annual Atlanta Dogwood Festival at Piedmont Park on Saturday, April 11, 2015.

Kouske Hirai and his border collie Jake compete in The Disc Dog Southern Nationals during the 79th annual Atlanta Dogwood Festival at Piedmont Park on Saturday, April 11, 2015.

Kouske Hirai and his border collie Jake compete in The Disc Dog Southern Nationals during the 79th annual Atlanta Dogwood Festival at Piedmont Park on Saturday, April 11, 2015.

William Moore (left) and his grandfather Mark Noble ride the teacups during the 79th annual Atlanta Dogwood Festival at Piedmont Park on Saturday, April 11, 2015.

William Moore (left) and his grandfather Mark Noble ride the teacups during the 79th annual Atlanta Dogwood Festival at Piedmont Park on Saturday, April 11, 2015.

Rhonda Thomas performs on the main stage during the 79th annual Atlanta Dogwood Festival at Piedmont Park on Saturday, April 11, 2015.

Rhonda Thomas performs on the main stage during the 79th annual Atlanta Dogwood Festival at Piedmont Park on Saturday, April 11, 2015.

Sean Michael Ray (left) and Tyrone Jackson perform on the main stage during the 79th annual Atlanta Dogwood Festival at Piedmont Park on Saturday, April 11, 2015.

Sean Michael Ray (left) and Tyrone Jackson perform on the main stage during the 79th annual Atlanta Dogwood Festival at Piedmont Park on Saturday, April 11, 2015.

Rebekah Speiser (left) holds her son Abram as they check out John Hung Ha's artwork during the 79th annual Atlanta Dogwood Festival at Piedmont Park on Saturday, April 11, 2015.

Rebekah Speiser (left) holds her son Abram as they check out John Hung Ha’s artwork during the 79th annual Atlanta Dogwood Festival at Piedmont Park on Saturday, April 11, 2015.

Lauren Ducharme (center), Katie Day and her son Ellis walk across the bridge at Piedmont Park during the 79th annual Atlanta Dogwood Festival on Saturday, April 11, 2015.

Lauren Ducharme (center), Katie Day and her son Ellis walk across the bridge at Piedmont Park during the 79th annual Atlanta Dogwood Festival on Saturday, April 11, 2015.

Steve Puett (left), his wife Susan, George Brusick and Ken and Sandy Levy take a break from shopping at the 79th annual Atlanta Dogwood Festival at Piedmont Park on Saturday, April 11, 2015.

Steve Puett (left), his wife Susan, George Brusick and Ken and Sandy Levy take a break from shopping at the 79th annual Atlanta Dogwood Festival at Piedmont Park on Saturday, April 11, 2015.

Leila Wright (left) weaves using a loom during the 79th annual Atlanta Dogwood Festival at Piedmont Park on Saturday, April 11, 2015.

Leila Wright (left) weaves using a loom during the 79th annual Atlanta Dogwood Festival at Piedmont Park on Saturday, April 11, 2015.

Bruce Graham checks out Shanti Yard's artwork during the 79th annual Atlanta Dogwood Festival at Piedmont Park on Saturday, April 11, 2015.

Bruce Graham checks out Shanti Yard’s artwork during the 79th annual Atlanta Dogwood Festival at Piedmont Park on Saturday, April 11, 2015.

Will Chester (left) checks out Jack Valentine's artwork during the 79th annual Atlanta Dogwood Festival at Piedmont Park on Saturday, April 11, 2015.

Will Chester (left) checks out Jack Valentine’s artwork during the 79th annual Atlanta Dogwood Festival at Piedmont Park on Saturday, April 11, 2015.

Janice Gober (left) and her husband Tim check out the inside of a Kenny Chesney bus during the 79th annual Atlanta Dogwood Festival at Piedmont Park on Saturday, April 11, 2015.

Janice Gober (left) and her husband Tim check out the inside of a Kenny Chesney bus during the 79th annual Atlanta Dogwood Festival at Piedmont Park on Saturday, April 11, 2015.

Isabel Chamberlain (left), Dorian Majied and Kazi Horne check out David Burton's artwork during the 79th annual Atlanta Dogwood Festival at Piedmont Park on Saturday, April 11, 2015.

Isabel Chamberlain (left), Dorian Majied and Kazi Horne check out David Burton’s artwork during the 79th annual Atlanta Dogwood Festival at Piedmont Park on Saturday, April 11, 2015.

Ellen Monen (left) and Jillian Wagenheim look through Kathlenn Hunt's kaleidoscope during the 79th annual Atlanta Dogwood Festival at Piedmont Park on Saturday, April 11, 2015.

Ellen Monen (left) and Jillian Wagenheim look through Kathlenn Hunt’s kaleidoscope during the 79th annual Atlanta Dogwood Festival at Piedmont Park on Saturday, April 11, 2015.

Dan Horton checks out Vince Pompei's artwork during the 79th annual Atlanta Dogwood Festival at Piedmont Park on Saturday, April 11, 2015.

Dan Horton checks out Vince Pompei’s artwork during the 79th annual Atlanta Dogwood Festival at Piedmont Park on Saturday, April 11, 2015.

David Eason (left) checks out Vince Pompei's artwork during the 79th annual Atlanta Dogwood Festival at Piedmont Park on Saturday, April 11, 2015.

David Eason (left) checks out Vince Pompei’s artwork during the 79th annual Atlanta Dogwood Festival at Piedmont Park on Saturday, April 11, 2015.