Each fall for nearly a dozen years, thousands of visitors and residents of the City of Norcross have streamed into the charming historic downtown area to attend the wildly popular Norcross Art Fest. While the city streets will still be filled to overflowing with attendees and talented artists and craftsman will continue to showcase their work to adoring fans, this year will mark one very significant change. In commemoration of its 12th birthday, this fall festival dedicated to all things artistic gets a new name (and colorful new logo) – the Norcross Art Splash.
Expected to draw 50,000 festival goers this year, Norcross Art Splash festivities will commence on Oct. 3 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and continue on Oct. 4 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. At the heart of the festival is the artist market – showcasing folk art, ceramics, paintings, photography, mixed media, fiber art, metalwork, jewelry and more. The Kidz Zone is sure to be a hit with pint-sized patrons thanks to face painting, sand art, inflatables and rides.
Throughout the day, live entertainment on the Thrasher Park stage will present a different kind of art form. Featuring a variety of music styles, performers for Norcross Art Splash 2015 include:
Saturday, Oct. 3: 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Kara Claudy; 1-2 p.m. Tullamore Road; 2:15-3:15 p.m. Presley Sullivan; 3:45-4:45 p.m. Stephen Lee Band; and 5-6 p.m. Nick and The Grooves
Sunday, Oct. 4: Noon-1 p.m. Julie Gribble; 1:15-2:15 p.m. Undercurrent; 2:30-3:30 p.m. Story of A Life; and 4-5 p.m. Soulhound
As with any respectable fall festival in the South, it goes without saying that food will play a major role. Food vendors participating in Norcross Art Splash 2015 include Johnsonville Brats, Bruster’s Real Ice Cream, Ken Chase Concessions, Roly Poly, Williamson Brothers BBQ, Skewers, SnoBayou, Jack’s Roasted Nuts, Granny’s Fresh Squeezed Lemonade, Paw Paw’s Kettle Corn, Dippin’ Dots, King of Pops, Norcross Lions Club, Emily G’s and Popcorn Palooza.
Kudzu Art Zone, a local nonprofit arts group, will be sponsoring Chairs for Charity. Be on the lookout for a collection of whimsically decorated chairs near the train tracks. Painted by artists from local schools, these chairs will be auctioned off during Art Splash and 100% of the proceeds will go back to the art departments of participating schools to help foster a new generation of artists.
“Our festivals are all about whimsy and fun,” said Frances Schube, Founder of Splash Festivals – the producer of Norcross Art Splash. “It’s our goal that attendees at the Norcross Art Splash have a magical time and leave happy. Norcross proves an idyllic backdrop for a festival – with its historic buildings and twinkling lights in the trees. Of course, none of this would be possible without our 400 amazing volunteers, many of whom are from the Norcross area and love where they live and work. We often set up for this event as early as 4:30 a.m. Our volunteers come out in the darkness, but bring with them an energy that carries right on through the day.”
Admission to Norcross Art Splash is FREE. Parking and shuttle services are available at no charge from the following locations:
•West Rock (formerly Rock Tenn) – 504 Thrasher St. – Shuttles run Saturday from 9:30 a.m. – 7 p.m., Sunday from 10:30 a.m. – 6pm.
•Jefferson Plaza – 3169 Holcomb Bridge Road – Shuttles run Saturday from 9:30 a.m. – 7 p.m., Sunday from 10:30 a.m. – 6 p.m..
•Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church – 182 Hunter Street – Shuttles run Saturday from 9:30 a.m. – 7 p.m., Sunday from 10:30 a.m. – 6 p.m..
•Norcross First United Methodist Church – 2500 Beaver Ruin Road – Shuttles run Saturday from 9:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m., Sunday from 12:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m..
Free parking is also available at the following locations, with no shuttle service. All lots are within one-half mile of Art Splash:
•One Heart Church – 706 N Peachtree St. – Park ‘n Walk – Saturday from 9am – 6pm, Sunday from 12:30pm – 5pm.
•Christ Church Episcopal – 400 Holcomb Bridge Road – Park ‘n Walk – Saturday ONLY from 9 a.m. – 6pm.
Parking for visitors with motor scooters or wheelchairs is available at 65 Lawrenceville St. next to the Norcross Police Department. For more information, visit www.norcrossartsplash.com.
ABOUT THE CITY OF NORCROSS: Incorporated in 1870, the City of Norcross has been very busy securing a solid standing as both an eco-conscious community and world-class art district in the nearly century and a half since. Voted Gwinnett County’s “Best Arts & Cultural Scene” by Gwinnett Magazine, Norcross has become well-known for its unconventional public arts projects. In addition to earning both Gold and Silver Level awards as a “Green Community” from the Atlanta Regional Commission, Norcross has been recognized as a “Best Green Government” by Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful and “Tree City USA” by The Arbor Day Foundation. The Sustainable Norcross Commission has earned regional applause for its efforts to spearhead the City’s local pro-environment practices. The city’s famed tree canopy, 11 parks and more than 31 acres of beautifully maintained public green space serve as popular gathering spaces for residents and visitors alike. A jam-packed calendar of events and eclectic collection of shops and restaurants serve to keep the historic downtown area bustling year-round. Creative souls from all walks of life are encouraged to “come unwind” and enjoy the positive energy that earns Norcross its reputation as “a place to imagine.”
