By Carlen Ruth Hultgren
“…Let’s Strut again, like we did last autumn,…let’s Strut again, like we did last year…”
The East Atlanta Strut, the favorite festival of most East Atlantans, returns for the 28th year in a row, including a couple of COVID years, on September 26. Bigger and better than ever, always the goal, this year’s festival promises a full day of fun, music, food, and competitions (with prizes), that are near, dear, and exclusive to the Strut.
New last year, sponsored by Midway Pub, is EAV’s version of the wing toss, a test of appetite and athleticism. Contestants race to eat wings and properly dispose of the bones. Sound simple? Now include Atlanta’s rickety sidewalks and the fun begins! If you like wings and aren’t (too) clumsy, register on the website under the Strut Games tab.
The madness returns this year with the ever-popular Leaf Blower Madness. Are you obsessed with tidy sidewalks and driveways? Contestants use their leaf blowers to propel an awkward object through an obstacle course. This is a test of skill, not power or decibels. The Strut is still looking for weekend warriors to join, so tune up your battery-powered blower and sign up for a spot on the tournament bracket. Registration for this can be found on the website under the Strut Games tab, as well.
The littlest Strutters get in on the games on Strut day afternoon, at the Brownwood Park playground. It starts with the young ‘uns on hands and knees and then graduate to tots on two feet, age two and under. No need to register; just show up after nap time.
Atlanta’s most eclectic parade starts the festival at noon on the corner of Patterson and Glenwood avenues then heads west on Glenwood to Joseph Avenue. Whether you are a club, a street, an organization, a band, a business, or just a bunch of friends who like to dress up and march, spread the EAV joy by Strutting the parade. Register to have a float, car, or marchers in the parade on the Join the Strut tab on the website. Deadline to register is August 31. Questions? Contact John Reed or Ruth Cameron at parade@eastatlantastrut.com.
The Strut continues to energize the local community and its partners while giving back to the neighborhood. Approximately 15,000 attendees come to the festival each year to celebrate and support the Village. Proceeds benefit community non-profits. Over the last 28 years the festival has re-invested more than $100,000, made possible by our volunteers, partners, and sponsors who support the event every year. To confirm your sponsorship or to discuss customizable opportunities, please contact Rick Kern, Mixit Marketing, rick@mixitmarketing.com.
For neighbors on a budget, join the Friend of the Strut community sponsorship. For $250, you receive, two collectible Strut T-shirts, two Strut wristbands, two Strut drink tickets (21 and up), and the undying gratitude of the all-volunteer Strut committee. One lucky sponsor will be randomly selected to receive a prize package with the best of East Atlanta. Are you short on cash but long on contacts? Send us a sponsorship lead. If it results in a sponsorship of $1,000 or more, your name will be included in the prize package pool.
Maybe you have more time than money and want to join in the work of Strut, for a couple of hours. The festival is completely volunteer run and sponsor/donation financed, so the day-of volunteer corps is key to the success of this event. With the festival bigger than ever, more volunteers are needed. For as little as two hours of your time, you can help the Strut Organization put on the best festival of the year.
Each Strut volunteer shift earns the coveted and collectable Strut t-shirt, and a donation to a local nonprofit of $50, or $100 if you sign up for the shutdown shift. Go to the Volunteer tab on the website to sign up.
Volunteers make it all happen, every year, so consider joining the Strut this year.
All the above-mentioned tabs and more information can be found on the website
at: eastatlantastrut.com. You can follow the Strut on Facebook, and Instagram. The Strut is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and tax-deductible donations are gratefully accepted.
