The stages will be lit, and Arts in the Heart is bringing the celebration Sept. 18-20 to the Augusta Exchange Club Fairgrounds.
This year’s festival features three dynamic national headliners and hundreds of performers with music, dance, cultural performances and author readings filling five stages throughout the weekend. The juried Fine Arts and Fine Crafts Market will showcase over 100 artists from Augusta and across the country with original paintings, pottery, photography, jewelry, sculpture, fiber art and mixed media, according to a news release.
“We’ve heard the questions about the move, and our answer has been to keep building,” said Denise Tucker, Greater Augusta Arts Council, executive director”. “The artists are coming. The performers are ready. Twenty cultures are cooking. The stages will be lit. Downtown businesses are open. And now we’re giving you more ways to connect all of it. We want people to make a weekend of Augusta.”
The Global Village brings together 20 cultures, giving Festival guests the opportunity to eat their way around the world while experiencing the traditions and people that make our region beautifully diverse.
Families will also discover a fully activated indoor Family Area and Young Artist Market, with young creatives, interactive activities and performances throughout the weekend. There will be art to discover, food to taste, music to hear, people to meet and something happening around every corner.
While this year’s festival has a new footprint, the arts council has worked to ensure the community has plenty of ways to get there with transportation options that connect downtown parking and activity directly to the festival grounds.
“We knew moving the Festival meant we couldn’t simply give people a new address and expect them to figure out the rest,” said Tucker.. “Access has been part of our planning from the beginning. We want people to enjoy downtown, park responsibly, hop on a ride and come experience one of the biggest and best Arts Festivals in the South.”
On Saturday and Sunday, Arts in the Heart has partnered with Pedal Pub Augusta to turn the trip to the festival into part of the fun. Festival-goers can board at designated downtown pickup points and ride to the festival grounds. The Arts in the Heart badge or ticket purchase provides access for the ride.
Festival parking is available at the fairgrounds lot, Craig Houghton Elementary School and Old Jail Lot, former 401 Walton Way. No street parking on 4th Street between Laney-Walker Blvd. and Hale Street. This area needs to remain clear for traffic flow.
Augusta Public Transit shuttle locations include Augusta Marriott Parking Garage, Richmond County BOE Parking Deck, and the Municipal Building parking lot. Augusta Public Transit will operate two dedicated festival buses approximately every 30 minutes from noon to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Pedal Pub pickup locations include the Cotton Exchange Lot, Pedal Pub, 710 Broad St. and Affordable Dentures on Greene Street.
While downtown, festival patrons can shop at local businesses that are still open while construction continues.
For tickets, go here.
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