Perry's annual Dogwood Festival returns with vendors, hot air balloons and crazy canines
For the 28th year, the Perry Chamber of Commerce is bringing together more than 100 vendors selling all manners of one-of-a-kind crafts, food and other delights, entertainers featuring a variety of music and a whole host of kids activities that will cater to families of all sizes and people of all ages.
This year's Dogwood Festival begins Saturday morning with fun activities happening throughout the weekend.
"The Dogwood Festival has grown from just arts and crafts to include a variety of activities," said Darlene McLendon, president of the Perry Chamber of Commerce. "Those include performance by the Ultimate Air Dogs, which is a competition where dogs perform a variety of feats to the applause of the crowd. We're pretty excited to watch that and think that everyone will enjoy the performance. The community is also invited to bring their own dogs and participate in the Canine Costume Mutt Strut, which begins at 9:45 a.m. Saturday."
Entrance to the arts and crafts festival is free, but there is a fee for the Kids Zone. A $10 wristband will allow for unlimited rides. The Kids Zone will be located at the same intersection as the dog performances.
"The Kids Zone will have a variety of bounce-houses, swings and other little kids' fair attractions," McLendon said. "It's always a big hit and definitely one of the favorite parts of the Dogwood Festival."
"We have over 100 vendors coming into town," McLendon said, explaining why the Dogwood Festival was named one of the Top 20 Events in the Southeast by the Southeast Tourism Society. "There's a food court, too, and we have a community stage for young performers, including dance groups, ventriloquist Cliff Patton and more. Our Dogwood Queen will make an appearance as well."
McLendon said the festival is a chance for the chamber to tout all that Perry has to offer.
"The festival itself functions as an opportunity for us to show off Perry as a fantastic place to live and play. We also have the chance to invite guests to come and see the community we love," she said.
A highlight of the festival, the Hot Air Balloon Rally, will take place from 5-9 p.m. Saturday night at the west gate of the Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter. Admission to the rally is $5; and tethered balloon rides are $10 each.
"This is a great chance to see crowds and take in the beauty of the whole event. We invite everyone to bring a picnic dinner, although there also will be food catered," she said, adding that no alcohol or pets are allowed.
"There will also be another Kids Zone and we are pleased to featured entertainment by Backwoodz Branded, a country rock-inspired group that will get everyone dancing," she said. "The band members are all Georgia born and raised. Each member has a different background musically, all growing up inspired by different genres of music. That's what makes this band so unique."
For more information, including a downloadable brochure with a detailed schedule, visit www.perrygeorgiachamber.com/dogwoodfestival.
Dogwood Festival
Arts and Crafts Festival: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. April 9 and noon-5 p.m. April 10, downtown Perry; free admission
Hot Air Balloon Rally: 4-9 p.m. April 9, Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter's west gate; $5 admission
Information: www.perrygeorgiachamber.com/dogwoodfestival
This story was originally published April 7, 2016 at 7:17 PM with the headline "Perry's annual Dogwood Festival returns with vendors, hot air balloons and crazy canines ."