The Atlanta BeltLine Partnership (ABP) has announced that this year’s Washington Park Jamboree and Play Day will take place Saturday, May 12, 2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. This is ABP’s fourth year hosting the free, family-oriented health and fitness festival at this popular park located in Atlanta’s historic Westside. This year’s event has special meaning as the park sits at the northern end of the 3-mile Atlanta BeltLine Westside Trail, which opened to the public last year.
Washington Park Jamboree is a springtime celebration of the Partnership’s 2018 Free Fitness Class Series, featuring live fitness demonstrations from professional instructors. Trained coaches – provided by ABP’s Play Day partner Atlanta ContactPoint – will offer instruction to kids on a variety of sports including soccer, golf, lacrosse, kickball and dodgeball. Mobile health vans from Kaiser Permanente of Georgia and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta will be on hand to conduct mobile health screenings and there will be a marketplace of food trucks, local businesses and nonprofits.
This year’s Jamboree includes two fun new components. The Atlanta Opera (TAO) will get the afternoon started with a 2:00 pm performance of Mozart’s The Magic Flute. The performance is part of Belting on the BeltLine, a new collaboration between ABP and TAO to provide free operatic performances at locations along the Atlanta BeltLine and in parks and schools along the trail. The partnership is funded by a Collaborative Innovation Grant from The Home Depot Foundation and the Georgia Center for Nonprofits awarded earlier this year.
There’s another musical treat in store for Jamboree attendees when the Atlanta Jazz Festival’s Neighborhood Jazz Series presents a free live jazz performance in Washington Park – sponsored by Atlanta City Councilmember Ivory Lee Young – from 4:00 – 8:00 pm.
“With the Westside Trail now open to the public, the Atlanta BeltLine Partnership is excited to return to Washington Park for the fourth straight year to provide this free, fun festival,” said ABP Executive Director Rob Brawner. “Adding the musical components is another great way to connect people to the Atlanta BeltLine through artistic performances, and we thank The Atlanta Opera and the Atlanta Jazz Festival for supporting us in this effort.”
“Performing on the BeltLine is an important part of our mission as we seek to expand our footprint across the city and break down the traditional barriers to opera,” said Tomer Zvulun, General and Artistic Director of The Atlanta Opera. “We thank The Home Depot Foundation and the Georgia Center for Nonprofits for this generous donation, and look forward to working with our partners at The Atlanta BeltLine Partnership.”
“The family-friendly Neighborhood Jazz Series is part of the 31 Days of Jazz events leading up to the Atlanta Jazz Festival on Memorial Day weekend, Saturday, May 26 and Sunday, May 27,” said Camille Russell Love, Executive Director – City of Atlanta Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs. “We’re excited to have Washington Park’s participation in making sure amazing cultural events are available to the people of Atlanta. We know attendees will love the free performance by Latrese Bush and Lil John Roberts and Friends on May 12.”
- What: 2018 Washington Park Jamboree and Play Day
- When: Saturday, May 12, 2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
- Where: Washington Park, 102 Ollie St. NW, Atlanta, Georgia 30314
- Cost: Free
- Parking: There is limited free parking available at Washington Park and on the surrounding side streets, but attendees are encouraged to walk or bike to the festival using the new Westside Trail. Washington Park is a short walk from MARTA’s Ashby Train Station.
ABP appreciates the generous support of 2018 Jamboree Platinum Sponsors Kaiser Permanente of Georgia and Morgens West Foundation and Bronze Sponsor Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. The Partnership is proud to partner again with Atlanta ContactPoint, a nonprofit that engages children and adults through the power of play. Additional sponsorship inquiries should be directed to Salisha Evans at 404-446-4408 or salisha@atlblp.org. If your organization is interested in participating in our vendor market, contact Alice Weston at 404-446-4410 or alice@atlblp.org.
