By Carlen Ruth Hultgren
On Saturday September 27, for the 27th year running, the East Atlanta Strut closed down the streets and took over the Village, bringing food, music and other entertainment, and general merriment to the neighbors and friends of EAV (East Atlanta Village). The business footprint of Glenwood and Flat Shoals closed making way for local vendor and non-profit booths and games, and Portland, at Brownwood Park, was closed to home food, vendors, music, and easy access to family activities at the East Atlanta Kids Club/Brownwood Park Recreation Center.
The morning started with the Strut 5K through the village, despite an early drizzle. At noon, the party officially began with the crowning jewel of the event, the Strut Parade. There were dancers and bands, pets, puppets, floats, and buses. Never disappointing, several prize winners were announced. The Grand Winner: Krewe of Optical Delusions; Anything Goes!: Haas Avenue; Best Band: The Ooopossums; Best Kid’s Band: Toomer Elementary School / Parkside Pandarettes; Street Strut: Unidos Atlanta Escola de Samba; and Battle of the Bands: Broadway on Bankhead’s B3.
Two favorite returning contests, which are exclusive to the Strut, are Leaf Blower Madness and the Rum Desert Bake-Off. There was fierce competition for the bragging rights to the Leaf Blower Madness trophy, where the contestants use a leaf blower to move an awkward item around an obstacle course. Hosted by Midway Pub, first place went to Ryan Gilbert, with a close second to Matt McIntyre.
The Rum Bake-Off’s tasters and judges indulged in rum themed deserts honoring a long-time resident of East Atlanta, Kathryn Carter known for her spectacular rum cake. This year’s winners, as hard as it was to choose, were as follows: 1st place: Adrienne Parks with the Pina Colada Parfait; 2nd place: Julie Roughton with a gingerbread cream pie; and 3rd place: Jerry Rigdon with rum fruit bars. The People’s Choice Award went to Andrew Sheppard.
The carnival at Brownwood Park, home of the East Atlanta Kid Club, were expanded this year, to include more for the younger set. A bouncy house was added, more games, the new playground was well utilized, and a new fan favorite, Georgia Herpetological Association & Rescue, offered live reptile petting.
There were bands and buskers and dogs that played frisbee. There were scooters and golf carts and strollers. Artwork was everywhere from ABV Gallery, The Past Pets art project, and vendors selling their wares. All while local artists were busy painting murals on the fences at the new playground.
The two newest competitions for the smallest of Strut attendees were the Baby Crawl and Toddler Trot; quick, but adorable, they were all winners.
Everywhere you looked was another slice of the vibrant and diverse community many of us call home, East Atlanta Village.
Did you, your family, your neighbors, your friends, all have a fun time? Then please consider volunteering for next year’s Strut. It is a 100% volunteer organization. It takes a lot of work to put together the best street festival in Atlanta, and the Strut could use your help. Most shifts on the day of the event are only 2 hours. Hate to miss one minute of Strut starting with the parade? Help with set up the day before or the morning before the party starts. You still get the free shirt, $50 donated to the local charity of your choice, and East Atlanta’s gratitude that you helped make this event successful for another year.
So, save the date for next year, Saturday, September 26, 2026, for a bigger, and always better, East Atlanta Strut.
