Community
The Peachtree Corners Festival Gears Up for Another Great Year
The Peachtree Corners Festival is no doubt one of the greatest traditions in the city of Peachtree Corners because of its continual improvement and growth year after year. Filled with music, food, arts and crafts — and much more — the family-friendly festival continues to be a symbol and trademark of our community’s excellence.
Located in and around the Town Center, the Peachtree Corners Festival will be hosted on September 22 through 24, with times on Friday, 7:30 to 10:30 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Sunday, 12 to 5:00 p.m.
As the festival celebrates its 12th year of continuation, Peachtree Corners Festival brings something new to the table this year. With the recent passing of long-time Peachtree Corners resident, First Lady of Peachtree Corners and Peachtree Corners Festival Vice President Debbie Mason, the festival plans to commemorate Mason this year and the legacy she not only left with the festival but with the community.
Dave Huffman, Peachtree Corners Festival President, has been heavily involved in the festival for over a decade and worked closely with Mason for many years. To bring light to the lasting impact Mason left on the city of Peachtree Corners, the organizing committee of the festival has many plans in store for the upcoming weekend.
Celebrating Debbie Mason
Huffman shared that the professed theme of this year’s festival is “Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Debbie Mason.”
“Normally we don’t have a theme to our festival, but this year is special,” said Huffman. “In addition to all of her many activities and contributions to our community, Debbie was a co-founder of the festival and its Vice-President until her death from cancer earlier this year.”
Within the festival, to celebrate Mason’s legacy during the festival kickoff, there will be a tribute to Mason in the opening speech, the festival t-shirts will have Mason mentioned on them, and on the festival booths, there will be mention of Mason, too.
Even before the festival, Peachtree Corners Festival worked to install the Debbie Mason Drama Scholarship at Norcross High School (NHS) to celebrate Mason’s love for the NHS drama department.
Aside from these meaningful attributions, the Peachtree Corners Festival has many other plans in store to make this year special.
Foremost, with the festival set to take place in the middle of September rather than mid-summer, the cooled weather will surely create an enjoyable setting for the festival. Huffman and his team also have worked to improve the festival and its dynamics for this year’s event.
“Each year we try to improve a little bit on the previous year,” said Huffman. “I know people — organizers like myself — will always say, ‘Oh this is going to be the greatest festival we’ve ever had.’ But when we do a process like that, that’s actually true because each festival, we try to improve on it a little bit, take our lessons learned.”
“We’ve got more arts and crafts booths than we’ve ever had, and the music is always a plus,” Huffman continued. “We’re one of the few festivals in this area that pays our bands. So, we do get, I think, a higher quality of band. Our car show is always fun, and I think that’s something that makes our festival stand out, I believe, from some of the other ones in the area.”
Music
Becky Lyon, Entertainment Coordinator, and Huffman have worked to create three nights full of unforgettable entertainment.
On Friday night, two show-stopping bands will take the stage. At 7:30 p.m., a Peter Frampton tribute band, Tommy Lee Thompson and the Network will get the evening off to a rocking start.
Following the opening, headliner Back N Black, an AC/DC tribute band, will start around 8:30 p.m. Performing top AC/DC hits such as “Highway to Hell,” “Thunderstruck” and “You Shook Me All Night,” the band will keep the energy high on the Town Green all night.
The musical lineups for Saturday and Sunday are still being firmed up at press time, but Huffman did share some of the bands that are scheduled to appear. The list includes Bulletproof, Casual Cadenza, The New Bridge Band and Sonic Alley.
The Whiskey Angels will also hit the stage, making their first-time appearance at the Peachtree Corners Festival.
Automobiles and more
Got a hot rod to show off? On both Saturday, September 23, and Sunday, September 24, Peachtree Corners Festival will be hosting both a Classic Car Show and an exhibition by Georgia’s Concours d’Elegance.
During the Classic Car Show, Saturday 10 a.m.-3 p.m., anyone who wishes to participate can enter their car or bike with a $15 registration fee. Make sure to bring your vehicles and cameras as this is surely an event all car show lovers will not want to miss.
Judges will scope out the fierce competition during the show and two top-class trophies will be given out to the top car and top bike entered.
And the fun doesn’t end on Saturday.
On Sunday, from 12 to 4 p.m., Georgia’s Concours d’Elegance will host an exhibition with cars on display. Admission is free to view many rare and luxurious vehicles. This invitation-only event will showcase luxury cars, ensuring an impressive line-up of classic cars.
Make sure to come out and see the collection of vintage and collectible cars that be showcased on Sunday afternoon. The cars on display aren’t merely vehicles. Rather, they are pieces of art with eccentric history and aesthetic upkeep, making them quite a sight.
Arts, crafts and knick knacks
This year, the Arts & Crafts Row will be jam-packed with local artisans and businesses offering more unique products and crafts than ever before. Bring your family and friends to check out the one-of-a-kind goods for sale. There surely will be something for everyone.
Rock My Zen: Started back in 2013, these Reiki-infused bracelets, necklaces, pendants and earrings have been made with crystal combinations to help with stress, anxiety and depression relief, negative energy protection, love and abundance. Rock My Zen was born out of a love for crystals and their properties. Visit the website at rockmyzen.com.
Seatree Studio: These handcrafted ornaments are both beautiful and eco-friendly. Through Seatree Studio, what once was an ordinary can is turned into a vibrant and whimsical ornament. All ornaments are hand-painted to perfection and take on curious shapes of nature. View the collection at seatree.studio.
Akayati Craft: Founded over 20 years ago in Ghana by brothers Joseph and Kwesi Akayati, Akayati Craft brings Ghana tradition to the U.S. with their famous Bolga baskets and other authentic African crafts. Purchasing products from Akayati Craft helps pay for educational fees for children and keeps this cultural craft alive. Check out akayaticraft.com to see their crafts.
Alchemy Deodorant: Support a local Duluth-based natural deodorant small business this year by stopping by Alchemy Deodorant. This small business has an emphasis on being a plastic-free, vegan and budget-friendly business, while still having exclusive and powerful scents to offer. Visit the shop at alchemydeodorant.com.
Almash Pieces: If you are looking for fashionable yet life-enriching pieces of jewelry, Almash Pieces is surely a place to visit. Offering distinctive bracelets, earrings, necklaces and rings, this small business crafts its pieces with love and good energy. Check out the shop at almashpieces.com.
Emmerse: Want relaxation in a jar? Visit Emmerse’s stand this year to enjoy artisan-crafted products such as candles, bar soaps, body butters and lip balms. Any of Emmerse’s products are sure to create the perfect spa night. Find more at getemmersed.com.
Melty Way Studio: This local small business crafts exceptional and mystical candles which take on many different shapes. Melty Way Studio crafts candles in shapes such as succulents, teddy bears, desserts and so much more. Visit etsy.com/Shop/Firstbreathshop for more information.
My Little World: Based out of Duluth, My Little World Plant & Flowers is a family-owned business that sells live plants, colorful flowers and allows customers to create their own terrariums. Explore the shop at mylittleworldplantsflowers.com.
Peace Love Soul: Founder Joy turned puzzles into a gateway for peace in 2021 among turmoil. Peace Love Soul is a puzzle shop that strives to illustrate and convey diversity, culture and unity by celebrating women artists of color. To view more, visit piecelovesoul.com.
Rainy Day Studio: Allie Benoit is the artist who creates the pieces at Rainy Day Studio. Benoit crafts ceramic home décor, dinnerware, drinkware and sculptures, among other things. The art Benoit creates helps soothe her soul and bring light into darkness. Check out rainydaystudiollc.com for more details.
Rainy Day Studio art
Rhapsody Handcrafted: Based right around the corner in Norcross, Rhapsody Handcrafted is a small business that centers its crafts around music and travel. Rhapsody Handcrafted sells earrings, car fresheners, aromatic candles and much more. Visit rhapsodyhandcrafted.com for more information.
Food and beverage vendors
Looking for a little bit of everything to taste? This year, the Peachtree Corners Festival will have five food trucks and 12 food booths and carts, allowing visitors to enjoy many different cuisines and tastes all in one place.
Just among the food trucks, there is something for everyone, whether it be sweet, like Kona Ice, or savory, such as Chew on Chuan, a Latino-Asian fusion food truck. Visit their Facebook page at chewonchuan.
Additionally, among other options, PONKO Chicken will be present with their award-winning Japanese-American chicken. View their food selections at ponkochicken.com.
However, the flavor-filled fun does not stop with the food trucks. On the savory side, anyone can experience remarkable BBQ at the Moe’s Original BBQ food booth which will offer pork, chicken sandwiches and delicious bowls. View their website at moesoriginalbbq.com.
If BBQ isn’t your desire, check out some incredible Greek bites at Gyro Chef Mediterranean. This food booth will serve authentic Greek and Mediterranean cuisine along with their specialty gyros. Check out their selection on their Instagram @gyrochefatlanta.
However, if savory is not up your alley, there are plenty of sweet treats on offer at the Peachtree Corners Festival. Look out for Jeremiah’s Italian Ice in its distinctive booth, where you can grab a tasty and authentic treat of Italian ice. Visit their website at jeremiahsice.com.
Last, but surely not least, for a nostalgic and sugary indulgence, stop by Yummi Kotton, a food booth with a rare take on cotton candy. Yummi Kotton serves distinctively flavored cotton candy, such as blue raspberry and birthday cake, among their selections. Make sure to learn more at yummikotton.com.
Request for volunteers
Want to lend a helping hand for this year’s festival? Volunteering to help run the Peachtree Corners Festival is a great way to get some service hours completed, give back to your local community or even spend an afternoon.
The Peachtree Corners Festival is always run by amazing volunteers and the festival needs volunteers this year. With so many different opportunities to volunteer at the event, there will be no problem finding a way to have a great time while also giving back.
Volunteers must either be aged 18 or older or have parental permission to serve. Additionally, all volunteers will receive t-shirts to celebrate the event. Sign up to volunteer at peachtreecornersfestival.com.
Sponsors
Sponsors continue to be the driving force behind making Peachtree Corners Festival happen year after year. There are not enough words to express the gratitude the festival and community feels toward those who continue to support the Peachtree Corners Festival.
This year’s sponsors can be found under the Sponsor tab of peachtreecornersfestival.com. Clicking a sponsor’s logo will redirect you to their website for more information.
The City of Peachtree Corners is the 2023 Title sponsor, and Peachtree Corners Magazine continues to be a silver sponsor.
If you drive a ‘Little Deuce Coup,’ a ‘Little Red Corvette’ or nothing at all, the Ride Lounge in Peachtree Corners may be the club for you.
If you’re someone who’s so fascinated with automobiles that casual conversations often turn into treatises about torque, transmission overdrive, throttle linkage and tread squirm, the Ride Lounge, set to open this year in Peachtree Corners, might be your utopia.
Founders Dave Codrea and Josh Friedensohn have envisioned the spot as a unique car storage facility and social club designed for car enthusiasts and their families.
Once complete, the 18,000-square-foot building will have indoor storage for about 65 cars as well as lounge areas, a conference room/presentation area for members to do group events, a car detailing area and a bar.
“There will be plenty of room for social events and stuff,” said Codrea.
Pre-opening fundraiser
Even though the establishment’s interior wasn’t completed at the time, the guys kicked off the first weekend in February with the first charity fundraiser of many to come. Pedal Fest took place on Saturday, February 1, with proceeds going to the Gwinnett County Public Schools Foundation.
Teams of three competed in pedal-powered drift trike races around a track set up in the parking lot.
“This is the kind of family-friendly stuff we like to do,” said Codrea. “We’ll probably have about one event a week — mostly related to different car events.”
The concept behind the Ride Lounge is more than just your old man’s garage. According to design firm Archie Bolden, the club will have “strategically integrated focal lighting throughout to enhance specific areas and create captivating visual focal points that invite visitors to explore highlighted zones or admire showcased feature cars.”
The look is described as masculine luxe with industrial accents.
Just a couple of gearheads
Codrea and Friedensohn don’t have anything to do with autos in their day jobs. They are partners in Greenleaf, a real estate company that buys, rehabilitates and manages long-term low-income residential properties and small business commercial properties to provide advancement opportunities for its residents, tenants, investors and communities.
“I started getting into cars when I was about 13 or 14 years old and as a little boy growing up with Hot Wheels,” Codrea said. “I got my first car, and I always enjoyed working on it. I took the whole engine apart and put in a turbo system. I’ve always loved cars.”
And he’s come across other “gearheads” who like to talk about cars, hang out around cars and work on cars as well.
So why a car club?
“You can do whatever you want to do with cars and it doesn’t matter what kind of car you have as long as it’s something you’re passionate about and like talking about it with other car people,” he said. “It’s a really good way to bring people together.”
Why here?
“That’s easy. I live in Peachtree Corners and I like it,” he said.
Building community
Codrea added that there’s so much diversity and growth that it’s kind of a no-brainer that there are many people who’d gravitate to the concept.
“Atlanta is a big city, but that also means there’s all sorts of interest in a lot of little segments,” he said. “You know what’s out there in cars and there’s definitely interest. As the area grows, we’re trying to bring people that like cars and their kids and families together.”
The storage spaces will allow owners to keep their prize possessions out of the elements or out the home garage in an environmentally-controlled area. But owning a car is not a requirement for membership in the club. There’s a level for just communing with like-minded individuals.
With so many “reality” shows based on restoration and enhancement, there’s no doubt that the interest is there. There’s a big screen ready for 24 hours of Le Mans, F1 races and anything else with a motor.
It looks like those with a passion for automotive performance have found their tribe.
To learn more about Ride Lounge or for early member access, visit ride-lounge.com.
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