One didn’t quite know where to look upon entering the lot to the Atlanta Area School for the Deaf. The first Clarkston Community Festival was in full swing with bounce houses; football, soccer, and basketball games; local vendors; and a full talent stage.
On April 26th, walkers and runners started the day’s festivities with the Atlanta Area School for the Deaf’s (AASD) annual 5K. Members of Clarkston High School’s cross country team took the prize for fastest time, contributing to the local spirit of the day.
The Festival kicked off with the national anthem sang by another Clarkston local and a welcome from Festival co-chair, Kim Ault. Ault noted that the festival was about Appreciating, Educating and Celebrating. “Today, we are going to show all the assets that we have here in Clarksotn, Georgia,” she said.
Children darted from bounce house to bounce house and enjoyed making art or dancing. Others gathered on the activity field for pick up games of soccer and football. Local vendor showed their wares ranging from handmade jewelry, to dresses and shoes. Inside the AASD local performance groups, dancers, and choirs entertained audiences.
Adam Nykamp, president of the Indian Creek PTA, said, “We couldn’t be happier with the planning that has been going on for the past year.” Nykamp was one of more than 25 community members led by chairs Ault and Angela Moore in the planning of the festival.
“This is a beautiful day and I am so happy I was able to be a part of it,” said resident Betty Hassan Amin. “I hope that there are more.”
Hassan Amin’s wish will be granted as the planning has started for the 2015 festival. To join the festival committee, contact jeremy@cdfaction.org
The Clarkston Community Festival was generously funded in part by the Neighborhood Fund of the Community Foundation of Greater Atlanta.