Final Day for the 80th Annual Atlanta Dogwood Festival

ATLANTA. Ga. - Atlanta's longest running festival kicked off Friday afternoon. 

The 80th Atlanta Dogwood Festival takes place April 8-10 in Piedmont Park, continuing the grand tradition with a weekend full of activities for families. 

Notable events over the weekend include the 2016 artists market (featuring dozens of artists), music performances on the Main and International Stages, and the Atlanta Dogwood Festival Mimosa 5K, which is an AJC Peachtree Road Race Qualifier. 

The very first Atlanta Dogwood Festival happened in April of 1936, with organizers hoping to make the city famous for its annual blooming dogwoods.  A lot has changed in 80 years, but those dogwoods still bloom, and so does the festival in their honor.

Over the years, the festival has garnered many honors, including being named a Top 10 Spring Festival in 2012 by the Society of American Travel Writers and making the 2013 list of the Top 25 Fine Art Festivals in the county from the Art Fair Sourcebook. 

Saturday, April 9: 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday, April 10: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Special features today include:

* Mimosa 5K, presented by Publix at 8 a.m.

* “Income Property” HGTV host Scott McGillivray in the Owners.com area from 1 to 3 p.m.

* Chair Hack design competition, presented by MODA from 1 to 4 p.m.

* Backyard Barbecue & Brews tasting event from 1 to 5 p.m.

* 26th Annual Disc Dog Southern Nationals throughout the afternoon

* The Biggest 80s Party in Atlanta Since the 80s with Electric Avenue and Members Only beginning at 7 p.m. on the Coca-Cola Main Stage