Grant Park’s Summer Shade Festival

Saturday, August 29, 2015

Each year at the end of August, Grant Park hosts its Summer Shade Festival. Part art festival, part concert and part family friendly, get to know your neighbor, take the kids to the park event. Summer Shade has some of my favorite artists selling their wares which makes it hard to keep my money in my wallet.

For the first time in a few years, the temperature has cooperated making Summer Shade a very enjoyable experience over the last weekend in August. Grant Park connects with Zoo Atlanta and the Cyclorama making it a great spot to hold a festival of any kind but Summer Shade stands out as music echoes off the trees from the live bands performing and people enjoying the day in the sun and the shade.

Trace Burks (left), Michelle Krengel and Scarlett Burks lay in a hammock listening to music during the 13th annual Grant Park Summer Shade Festival on Saturday, August 29, 2015.

Trace Burks (left), Michelle Krengel and Scarlett Burks lay in a hammock listening to music during the 13th annual Grant Park Summer Shade Festival on Saturday, August 29, 2015.

The Paulines' Ben Robinson (left), Kevin Hill, Don Wallace and Laura Wells perform during the 13th annual Grant Park Summer Shade Festival on Saturday, August 29, 2015.

The Paulines’ Ben Robinson (left), Kevin Hill, Don Wallace and Laura Wells perform during the 13th annual Grant Park Summer Shade Festival on Saturday, August 29, 2015.

Artist Donna DiGiorgio presses holes into caps at her booth during the 13th annual Grant Park Summer Shade Festival on Saturday, August 29, 2015.

Artist Donna DiGiorgio presses holes into caps at her booth during the 13th annual Grant Park Summer Shade Festival on Saturday, August 29, 2015.

Gordon Eilen (center) and his son Alex walk by the rows of artist booths  during the 13th annual Grant Park Summer Shade Festival on Saturday, August 29, 2015.

Gordon Eilen (center) and his son Alex walk by the rows of artist booths during the 13th annual Grant Park Summer Shade Festival on Saturday, August 29, 2015.

Avery Freiman (center) chooses a few piece of art at Sarah Marks' booth  during the 13th annual Grant Park Summer Shade Festival on Saturday, August 29, 2015.

Avery Freiman (center) chooses a few piece of art at Sarah Marks’ booth during the 13th annual Grant Park Summer Shade Festival on Saturday, August 29, 2015.

Lyn Choi (right) and Grey Garrett work on crafts during the 13th annual Grant Park Summer Shade Festival on Saturday, August 29, 2015.

Lyn Choi (right) and Grey Garrett work on crafts during the 13th annual Grant Park Summer Shade Festival on Saturday, August 29, 2015.

Jim Straehla paints at his booth as people pass by during the 13th annual Grant Park Summer Shade Festival on Saturday, August 29, 2015.

Jim Straehla paints at his booth as people pass by during the 13th annual Grant Park Summer Shade Festival on Saturday, August 29, 2015.

Jowaune McKenzie (center) helps make a custom designed silk scarf at the Shibumi Silks booth during the 13th annual Grant Park Summer Shade Festival on Saturday, August 29, 2015.

Jowaune McKenzie (center) helps make a custom designed silk scarf at the Shibumi Silks booth during the 13th annual Grant Park Summer Shade Festival on Saturday, August 29, 2015.

Arlene Klostermann walks through H.C. Warner's booth during the 13th annual Grant Park Summer Shade Festival on Saturday, August 29, 2015.

Arlene Klostermann walks through H.C. Warner’s booth during the 13th annual Grant Park Summer Shade Festival on Saturday, August 29, 2015.

Artist Jason Albin Thomas (right) signs a book for Lee and Steve Fincher's grandson during the 13th annual Grant Park Summer Shade Festival on Saturday, August 29, 2015.

Artist Jason Albin Thomas (right) signs a book for Lee and Steve Fincher’s grandson during the 13th annual Grant Park Summer Shade Festival on Saturday, August 29, 2015.

Haley Apte (right), her father Stephen and sister Anna watch a performance during the 13th annual Grant Park Summer Shade Festival on Saturday, August 29, 2015.

Haley Apte (right), her father Stephen and sister Anna watch a performance during the 13th annual Grant Park Summer Shade Festival on Saturday, August 29, 2015.