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No Matter What, You’ve Gotta Strut!


By Michelle Rice
Come rain or come shine, the East Atlanta Strut will be walking the walk and running the run on Saturday, September 27, from 10:00am until 9:00pm. In its 17th year, the Strut just keeps stepping up its game. EAV Runfest brings racing back to the festival and kicks off the day’s fun with 5K and 1-mile races in the morning. The artists’ market, free kids area, live music, a wide variety of food and drink, and the incomparable Strut Parade round out the day.
Athletic ‘strutters’ can race over to EAV Runfest starting with a 5K at 8:00am. Runfest is one of the only running events in Atlanta that allows participants to race multiple times and be part of an overall competition. The 1-mile race will also have a separate start time for runners with special needs. In addition to great age-group awards, cash prizes will be awarded for certain events. The race benefits Burgess-Peterson Academy, East Atlanta’s neighborhood public school. For more information, go to www.runeav.com.
At 2:00pm. the crowd will march over to Glenwood Avenue for the Strut Parade which will feature two marching bands from Baltimore, Maryland, in addition to our wild and wonderful Seed & Feed Marching Abominables, the fabulous Atlanta Freedom Band, and East Atlanta’s own Maynard Jackson High School Band. The parade also is challenging folks to “take their street to the Strut” by marching with neighbors from their street or block. In addition to a coveted Strut Parade trophy, one winning group will receive $100 in gift certificates to East Atlanta businesses. The parade starts at Glenwood and Patterson Avenues. In addition to the bands, it will feature floats, costumed marchers, scooters, art cars, and the beautiful Queen of the Strut. If watching the parade isn’t enough, sign up to march. It’s a fun way to promote your group or business, to mark an event, or just to celebrate life! Join the parade at www.eastatlantastrut.com/entertainment/parade.
This year the Strut adopts Sang Bu, the East Atlanta dragon, as its mascot. The kid’s area honors the dragon with a medieval theme. Knights, princesses, princes, and, of course, dragons will gallop through the kids area for various activities and games sponsored by serfs from the local schools. Zoo Atlanta will also bring some special visitors.
Shoppers can stroll the artists market in search of unique crafts, clothing and art. The artists’ market will feature more than 100 local artists with handmade goods plus about 30 community booths that add to the festive atmosphere by bringing together local businesses and festival-goers through games and attractions. If you are interested in being part of the community area, please complete the online application at www.eastatlantastrut.com/booths/community-area.
Music lovers can shuffle to the beat of great local bands at three stages throughout the festival grounds. Food and beer lovers can choose among a wide variety of food booths and trucks sponsored by local restaurants and area vendors. Keep an eye on the Strut website, Twitter feed, and the Strut’s Facebook page for the music and food lineup at www.facebook.com/EAVstrut/info.
The Strut is run by more than 100 volunteers and raises money for neighborhood nonprofit organizations. Volunteering is a great way to have fun with friends, meet your neighbors, and give back to the community. Volunteers receive two drink tickets and a fantastic staff T-shirt. There are volunteer opportunities at beer stations, helping food vendors, in the artists market, with festival setup and break-down, the parade, and kids area. Sign up at www.eastatlantastrut.com/volunteers.
The Strut also wouldn’t be possible without its generous sponsors including AM1690, Greyhound, Paces Properties, One Eared Stag, Biscuit Studio, and Big Daddy Biscuits.
 
Photos: EA Strut
All photos courtesy of Krissy Venneman and are from the 2013 Strut except the Maynard Jackson Band, which is from 2011.


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