Kennesaw/Big Shanty Festival Around the Corner

Patch Staff Report

All are invited to come enjoy the 38th annual Kennesaw/Big Shanty Festival during the April 12-13 weekend.

The downtown Kennesaw area will be transformed into a giant family-friendly festival, as there will be a variety of activities to entertain all ages.

Sponsored by Superior Plumbing, the Kennesaw/Big Shanty Festival will be an opportunity to take time to wander through more than 250 booths featuring a vast array of one-of-a-kind and homemade crafts. The festival has grown through the years to become one of the largest arts and crafts shows in North Georgia.

The location of the festival plays up the rich heritage of Kennesaw and its important role in the Civil War. The Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History sits at the center of the festival. This Smithsonian-affiliated Museum is home to the famous “General” locomotive. 

In addition to the Civil War Encampment, an enormous Academy Roofing Kid’s Zone with inflatables big and small for kids of all ages will entertain all the kids.

The LOUD Security Wildlife Wendy Tropical Bird Show will be entertaining all the festival goers with its educational and funny shows. Stop by and see Brian Ruth- Master of the Chainsaw Show, presented by Top Dog Pet Boutique, as he transforms a four-foot log in to a work of art using only his chainsaws in less than an hour.

Bring the kids to the free Marietta Recycling Trout Fishing Pond, but don’t plan to take one home, it is a catch-and-release policy here, but the kids will have a blast either way.

Of course it wouldn’t be a festival without outstanding local entertainment and all your favorite “festival foods.” Entertainment will include some of Kennesaw’s most talented residents performing, Little General Cloggers, ETO Demo team, Kennesaw Mountain Cloggers, members of Great Gig Dance Studio and many more community groups. 

The two entertainment stages will also feature performances by many of our area schools including Baker, Chalker, Pickett’s Mill, Big Shanty and Hayes Elementary, as well as Awtrey, McClure and Barber Middle School.

To kick off the festivities – A PARADE – will start at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 12. The Parade features fabulous floats and proud marchers – more than 2,000 youngsters alone representing every sport association and school in the area, plus winners of many pageants along with Allatoona, Kell, Kennesaw Mountain and North Cobb High School Bands. 

The Parade will start at Adams Park and continue down Main Street through downtown Kennesaw.