Whether in the south of France, or south in the USA, we all love an art festival.

Dogwood Festival in Atlanta Geo

Last weekend was the 79th Annual Dogwood Festival in Atlanta, Georgia. There, among thousands of art lovers and onlookers, I was struck by how much the event reminded me of a Saturday Market in France. Especially now that tourists must be arriving.

Imaginative and real-life paintings 

Paintings at the Dogwood Art Festival

Pottery galore 

Handmade pottery and clay figures

Strange and beautiful glass sculptures, flowers and things made of wood 

Lots of favorite foods from the South and beyond

Maryland crab cakes

Fried chicken, barbecue and tacos

Like in France, funnel cakes are a crowd pleaser

… and “straight from France” …

There is entertainment for kids 

Kid’s painting classes

Puppeteers

… and ducks 

Body oils and scrubs with hot butter grits!??!

My favorite “best of show” was a creation called “Fair Hair” beautifully modeled below.

When I asked the young ladies and their parents if I could take their picture for a blog about France, they were thrilled.

“We’re going to be famous!” I heard them say as they walked away. 

“Fair Hair”

So, now that you’ve spent the day seeing Atlanta’s take on art festivals, what do you think? Are we more alike? or Different? 

Check out these posts on market days in France:

Saturday Market, Uzes

Uzes

Christmas, Uzes

Pezanas, France