By Carlen Ruth Hultgren
The weekend started with an imminent hurricane; Helene? Atlanta? Yes! So while the rest of the city prepared their homes and businesses for extreme weather, the tireless Strut committee and volunteers, prepared for an event without power, with rain and potentially flooding on some of the festival streets, not to mention, fallout from sponsors, vendors, volunteers, and participants. It was with great trepidation, that Strut organizers woke on Friday morning, hoping the community fared well, hoping for electricity, and hoping no trees had fallen in an inconvenient place.
Thankfully, East Atlanta Village (EAV) was for the most part spared, our neighbors were fine, and the event preparation continued. Come Saturday morning, the Strut 5K went off as scheduled, a harbinger for the Strut itself and all the festivities to follow.
This was the first year since 2019 that the Strut closed down streets for the whole festival. Not only was the business footprint of Glenwood and Flat Shoals Avenues closed for the day, but Portland Avenue next to Brownwood Park was also closed. This, to make way for more vendors, sponsors, and a point of focus to the family area. Organized by the East Atlanta Kid’s Club and the Strut, booths and activities catering to families with young kids gave an amusement park feel in the middle of the neighborhood. The pet area resided there, including the ‘Past Pets’ wall, a memorial art project at the Pet Zone in Brownwood Park. Student artists led by teacher Dr. Loring Resler enhanced photos sent in by Strut fans.
The parade down Glenwood, the crowning jewel of the Strut, was the largest in years. It included several marching bands and floats from different organizations, schools, and neighbors. The Grand Winner was neighborhood elementary school, Burgess Peterson Academy. The Anything Goes! award went to the Krewe of Optical Delusions / East Atlanta Canopy Krewe. Best Band was awarded to Seed & Feed. Best Kid’s Band went to Atlanta School of Rock. Best Classic / Art Car or-truck went to Olio. Best Kid’s winner was the Parkside Elementary School Pandarettes. Best Pet was awarded to Park Pet Supply. The Best Street Strut went to the always creative Hass Avenue.
Two of our favorite contests from recent Struts, Leaf Blower Madness and the Strut Your Bake Rum Cake Bake-off, returned. With fierce competition in both, the winners for Leaf Blower Madness, where the contestants use a leaf blower to move a tissue box around an obstacle course, were announced.
The first place winner was Chris lamb, with Joey Shoenfeld coming in a close second in the final heat. The Rum Bake-Off’s tasters and judges were treated to rum-themed delicacies, paying homage to Miss Kathryn Carter, a longtime EAV resident who passed at 101 and was known for her spectacular rum cake. While every recipe was a winner, the judges managed to narrow it down to four. First place went to Sally Fuhrmeister for her French Apple Torte with Rum Sauce. Second place went to Julie Roughton for her Plum Cocktail Cake. Third prize was Sara Pruett for their Spice Pecan Rum Cake. The People’s Choice Award went to Lauren Horner for her Pumpkin Rum Cake. The special rum drink from Chairman’s reserve was a treat as well.
There were so many highlights of this year’s festival, it is hard to edit them to one small article for such a large event. Those lucky enough to be on Flat Shoals at just the right time were treated to an immersive theater experience by a troupe of actors highlighting the need to protect and preserve East Atlanta’s Madison Theatre. More than 40 bands played in Brownwood Park and on porches throughout the neighborhood. For those wanting a more ‘pop-up’ music experience, there were buskers throughout the footprint. There was food, drink, and fun in various parking lots and side streets, including the successful market on Metropolitan.
During the festival, murals were created at the epicenter of the footprint by artist Chris Wright and friends, while DJ’s broadcast from the roof of the building. Local businesses and non-profits lined Flat Shoals and Glenwood. And everyone was happy to see the beer boat back in front of the Christmas tree.
It was a Strut to be remembered and it couldn’t have been done without the unending work of the Strut Committee, the much appreciated businesses and sponsors, and the eager volunteers that showed up to keep this party going one more year.
