Historic Downtown Duluth • Rain or Shine • Free Admission • Complimentary Shuttles • www.DuluthFallFestival.org Saturday, September 30th and Sunday, October 1st 40th Annual 2023 An Advertising Supplement to the Gwinnett Daily Post gwinnettdailypost.com Sunday, September 24, 2023
Source:
Welcome to the 40th Duluth Fall Festival
Wow! In a few days, the Duluth Fall Festival celebrates 40 years. We are so excited to welcome you to this year’s Festival. We have worked this entire year planning a fantastic event for our guests, vendors, sponsors, entertainers, and volunteers. As you walk the streets of Downtown Duluth, we hope you enjoy the sights, sounds, smells and tastes that you experience. We know the memories you make will last a lifetime.
How can a festival be “more than a festival”? We give back all year to our local community through support, participating in other events, creating an environment that welcomes both newcomers and longtime residents to Duluth. We create long-lasting friendships while helping vendors unload, decorating the streets of Duluth, helping a lost parent find their child, and so much more. These relationships last a lifetime, and it happens all while putting together the Duluth Fall Festival.
Please take time to look through these pages and see all that the Festival is bringing to Downtown Duluth on September 30-October 1. Take a look at our amazing sponsors who help fund the Festival and, in turn, enable us to support our local non-profits. When you see our sponsors at the Festival, please thank them for their participation, and support their businesses whenever you can.
We cannot wait to see you this year, and every year to come on the last weekend in September!
2 DULUTH FALL FESTIVAL • September 2023 • Gwinnett Daily Post • gwinnettdailypost.com www.DuluthFallFestival.org 40th Annual 2023 Then and Now photos illustrate the stunning evolution of the Duluth Fall Festival over its 40-year history, and its contributions to the development of downtown Duluth.
Duluth Fall Festival
website
Herb and Beth Hoffman, 2023 Co-Chairpersons
2 Welcome To The 40th Duluth Fall Festival About The Cover 3 Come See Gwinnett’s Largest Parade! Volunteering For The Festival 4 A Partnership: Duluth Fall Festival & The City of Duluth Thank You Mayor Nancy 5 Opening Ceremony Worship On The Green Information Booth First Aid 6 Grand Marshal: Monica Kaufman Pearson Honorary Grand Marshal: Brooks Coleman 7 Special Thanks 8 The Festival As Seen Through The City Administration 10 Festival Sponsor Program & Sponsor List 12 Shuttles, Ride-Shares & Parking, Oh My! 13 Festival Map 14 Festival Entertainment Schedule 16 2023 Committee Chairpersons 18 Food Petting Zoo About The Festival T-Shirt Duluth Depot 19 Tribute To Duluth’s Own Elvis: Mark Pitt 20 Kidz Korner Festival Night Out Duluth Donut Dash Festival Concert 21 Arts & Crafts Community Luncheon Setting Up & Taking Down The Big Event 22 Looking Back Forty Years About the Cover
Herb and Beth Hoffman, 2023 Co-Chairpersons
Table of Contents
Volunteering for the Festival
Do you ever long for roots and a hometown? Have you ever wanted to improve your community, but you don’t know where to get started? Would you like to make 300+ new friends in an instant? If you answered “Yes,” to any of these questions: We Want You to join our amazing group of Festival volunteers!
You may have seen our tagline: More than Just a Festival. We say that because we work and play year-round to make Duluth a great place to live. Of course, the Festival is our biggest event, but we also host recruiting events, monthly meetings, monthly nights out at local restaurants, sponsorship events, the Taste of Duluth, and so much more. For more information, visit the Volunteer Information page on our website at www.duluthfallfestival.org.
Come See Gwinnett’s Largest Parade!
award-winning marching bands and orchestras, martial arts groups, scouts, Santa Claus and much more!
The Parade starts on Main Street (near Coleman Middle School), continues to Highway 120, turns south on Buford Hwy, and ends at Truist bank. Come early to get a good spot along the route. Once you are settled, you’re in for a treat—or several, if you’re quick enough to catch the candy that participants throw your way!
gwinnettdailypost.com • Gwinnett Daily Post • September 2023 • DULUTH FALL FESTIVAL 3 www.DuluthFallFestival.org 40th Annual 2023 Join us at 10 a.m. Saturday morning to kick off the Duluth Fall Festival with the largest parade in Gwinnett County. Our Parade celebrates the people, schools, organizations, and businesses that make Duluth EVERYONE’S HOMETOWN. With 3,000+ participants, the Parade includes classic cars,
www.DuluthFallFestival.org
Thank You Mayor Nancy
Duluth Fall Festival thanks Mayor Nancy for 16 wonderful years under her leadership! For many years, Nancy has been involved with the Festival-sometimes as a volunteer and several times as a Chairperson or Co-Chairperson.
Over the years, we have seen many mayors, but Nancy has topped them all. Duluth is a different place than the little country town we remember and hear about. Nancy and the City Administration have changed it into a vibrant, up-to-date, thriving little city that is beyond anything our parents (or we) could have even dreamed of.
Last summer, she announced that she would not seek a fifth term, so this will be her last Fall Festival as Mayor Nancy. We wish her all the best, as she enters this new phase of her life, which will hopefully still be in Downtown Duluth!
A Partnership: Duluth Fall Festival & the City of Duluth
3208 Duluth Hwy 120 • 770.476.3776
www.duluthumc.org
Join us for worship on the Town Green at 10 a.m. on Sunday, September 25th
Join
Sunday Services and Programs:
Sunday Services and Programs:
• 8:30 a.m. - Traditional Worship service, including weekly Communion, in the Sanctuary.
• 8:30 a.m.
Traditional Worship service, with Communion, in the Sanctuary.
• 11:00 a.m. - Contemporary Worship service in Hinton Hall
• 11:00 a.m
Contemporary Worship service in Hinton Hall
• 11:00 a.m. - Traditional Worship service in the Sanctuary.
• 11:00 a.m.
Traditional Worship service in the Sanctuary.
Childcare is available for all worship services.
Childcare is available for all worship services.
Sunday Night Youth: 5:30 p.m. in the Youth Center
Sunday Night Youth: 5:30 p.m. in the Youth Center
Wednesday Evening Programs:
Wednesday Evening Programs:
• Dinner at 5 p.m. with Studies and Ministries for Children, Youth and Adults until 7:00 p.m.
• Dinner at 5 p.m. with Studies and Ministries for Children, Youth and Adults until 7:00 p.m.
This year’s Duluth Fall Festival will add a new chapter to a long and impressive story about volunteerism and partnership. For forty years, the Duluth Fall Festival volunteers have worked tirelessly to raise money for projects in Downtown Duluth. As we work to make our historic downtown a destination for both locals and visitors, we realize the strong and significant impact the Festival has made.
amenities enjoyed by all ages. For a list of the projects that the DFF has funded, see the Festival Project List.
• DuluthKids (K- 5th Grade) 6:00 p.m.
• DuluthKids (K- 5th Grade) 6:00 p.m.
• Book Bunch Story Time for 3 and 4 Year Olds: 6:15 p.m.
• Book Bunch Story Time for 3 and 4 Year Olds: 6:15 p.m.
• Youth Group Bible Study: 6:00 p.m.
• Youth Bible Study (grades 6-12): 6:00 p.m.
• Parenting Town Hall Discussions: 6:00 p.m.
• Parent Connection Group: 6:00 p.m.
• “Learn a Little” Classes for Adults: 6:00 p.m.
The City of Duluth has a vision to bring the types of amenities and services that are attractive to all generations, with a focus on young professionals. A strong downtown is the heartbeat of a city and this success spreads across city limits like a pebble thrown in a pond.
The partnership between Duluth Fall Festival and the City of Duluth works because we collaborate as partners sharing a single vision for our City. Through the years, the Festival Executive Board listened to the City. As I speak across the state, people are surprised to learn that the Festival is comprised of more than 400 volunteers and is operated in conjunction with the City. The Festival has become one of the premier festivals in the Southeast and we’re enormously proud of this success.
• Adult Small Group Studies: 6:00 p.m.
• Chancel Choir Rehersal: 7:00 p.m.
• Chancel Choir Rehersal: 7:00 p.m.
Because the mission of the Festival is to give back to downtown projects, the City of Duluth has been able to implement unique
Thank you Duluth Fall Festival!
Nancy Harris
Mayor, City of Duluth Georgia
4 DULUTH FALL FESTIVAL • September 2023 • Gwinnett Daily Post • gwinnettdailypost.com
40th Annual 2023
for worship on the Town Green at 10 a.m. on Sunday, October 1st
us
Nancy Harris Mayor, City of Duluth Georgia
TRAIN WAS DESIGNED AND BUILT BY THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT TO USE IN THE PARADE EVERY YEAR FOR THE CITY COUNCIL TO BE TRANSPORTED ON
Opening Ceremony
Information Booth
At 11:30 a.m. on Saturday (after the Parade ends), grab a bite to eat and get a good spot in front of the Festival Center to enjoy our Opening Ceremony, where we’ll pay tribute to our Parade Marshals, sponsors, and other local dignitaries.
Worship on the Green
If you need help while you are visiting the Festival or if you lose an item, stop by our Information, Lost & Found booth with the Duluth Fall Festival logo (located on Main Street).
First Aid
SPONSORED BY NORTHSIDE HOSPITAL
On Sunday, at 10 a.m., we welcome everyone to join us for Worship on the Green, a community devotional service led by Duluth First United Methodist Church’s (DFUMC) Reverends Terry Tippens and David Burchett. The service includes live inspirational music performed by the church’s Contemporary Worship team. Originally, Calvary Christian Fellowship (located in Downtown Duluth) held the outdoor service. The City purchased their building, which has since transitioned to the Red Clay Theatre. DFUMC church has provided the outdoor Festival worship service since then.
Though we hope that you don’t need it, the Duluth Fall Festival probably has the most professional First Aid station of any festival anywhere. For minor injuries or bee stings, visit the tent (located near the railroad tracks), which is staffed by registered nurses from Northside Hospital. For more serious injuries, bicycle-riding Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) from Gwinnett Fire Services will treat you on the spot! Cheryl MacMillan, Director of Nursing and Patient Care At Northside Hospital Duluth coordinates the services. Joan Glancy Hospital started this partnership since the very first Festival 40 years ago.
gwinnettdailypost.com • Gwinnett Daily Post • September 2023 • DULUTH FALL FESTIVAL 5 www.DuluthFallFestival.org 40th Annual 2023
Grand Marshal of the 40th Fall Festival Parade is journalist Monica Pearson. In 1975, Pearson was the first woman and first minority to anchor a daily evening TV news program in Atlanta. She’s become one of Atlanta’s most recognizable faces, having held the anchor role at WSBTV for 37 years, until 2012. After 10 years of retirement, she was lured back to the spotlight as the host of WPCH-TV’s “Monica Pearson One on One” and a new show for the AJC where she interviews a variety of Georgians.
Pearson has received 33 Emmy Awards as well as numerous other awards for her reporting and her “Monica Peason Closeups” segments. She is also a humanitarian who assists in charitable, non-profit, and community causes.
Pearson is a native of Louisville, KY, and holds a B.A. from the University of Louisville and an M.A. from the University of Georgia, where she graduated Mana Cum Laude at the age of 67. She is married to John E. Pearson , Sr., and has a daughter and bonus son.
Our own Brooks Coleman is Duluth Fall Festival's Honorary Grand Marshal for 2023. He has done so much for the Festival, for Duluth, for Gwinnett County and for Georgia that we could fill this entire tabloid with his accomplishments. However, no matter what offices and honors he has held, he was never too busy to do whatever was needed for the Festival and Duluth for all of these 40 years.
Brooks is an educator of the first rank, receiving his PHD in 1978. He served as principal of two Duluth schools and advanced to second in command of the entire Gwinnett County School System as administrative assistant to the superintendent. Coleman Middle School, the first Gwinnett County STEAM School was named for him.
From 1992-2018, Brooks served as State Representative of Georgia District 97, doing much for Duluth, Gwinnett County, and Georgia. He served in leading positions in organizations such as Rotary, Lions Club, Jaycees, Duluth First Baptist Church, and, of course, Duluth Fall Festival.
Just as he was the Voice of the Wildcats, he has long been the Voice of the Festival. For many years, he was our announcer and spokesperson for every event, including the Festival Parade. Not only did he do an excellent job, but he took time to train others to carry on his traditions. So, today we still have only the absolute best as our Festival emcees. We (and all of Gwinnett County) are lucky to have had Brooks Coleman leading the way for all 40 years!
6 DULUTH FALL FESTIVAL • September 2023 • Gwinnett Daily Post • gwinnettdailypost.com www.DuluthFallFestival.org 40th Annual 2023
Grand Marshal: Monica Kaufman Pearson
Honorary Grand Marshal: Brooks Coleman
Special Thanks from Duluth Fall Festival! Special Thanks
Working with our community is a top priority for Duluth Fall Festival. Our mission is to improve our hometown, Duluth’s beauty, and community spirit. All listed on this page are ardent Festival and Duluth Supporters and help us in a variety of ways. The amount of support we get is amazing and enables us to do much more than we could without them!
Red Clay Music Foundry – Eddie Owen
Restaurants of Taste of Duluth
Signs by Tomorrow - – Mike and Eve Johnson
Laura Heck
Hooch Beverage
McClellan & Associates, CPA – Warren McClellan
Northside Hospital Duluth – Jay Dennard
Payne-Corley House – Mike & Krista
Ganley
Printing Trade Company – Mark Williams
Smilin’ Mark McKay, “The Voice of the Festival”
Suzanna’s Kitchen – Brad Howard
Top Job Beverage and Events – Scott Harb
Vendors, Arts & Crafts and Food
WP Wolfepress – Kerry Wolfe
2023 Chairpersons – Herb and Beth Hoffman AND…our 400 community volunteers!
gwinnettdailypost.com • Gwinnett Daily Post • September 2023 • DULUTH FALL FESTIVAL 7 www.DuluthFallFestival.org 40th Annual 2023 Senior care shouldn't leave you guessing... neither should the cost. The all-inclusive cost of Delmar Gardens of Gwinnett independent, assisted living, or memory care community is crystal clear. One monthly check gives you the care, services, amenities, and accommodations you deserve. No tiered costs for levels of care, no buy-in, no community fees, no non-refundable fees...no guessing. ndepend nt L ving As i ted L v ng Memory care The all-inclusive cost of Delmar Gardens of Gwinnett independent, assisted living, or memory care community is crystal clear One monthly check gives you the care, services, amenities, and accommodations you deserve No tiered costs for levels of care, no buy-in, no community fees, no non-refundable fees... no guessing. Senior care shouldn't leave you guessing... neither should the cost. (877) 607-4550 DelmarGardens.com SPECIAL RATES AVAILABLE NOW! Contact us to find out more no community ( Del SPECIAL RA Contact Independent Living | Assisted Living Memory care y of care, no buy-in, n-refundable fees... ng. 550 ns.com ILABLE NOW! out more. SPECIAL RATES AVAILABLE NOW! Contact us to find out more. (877) 607-4550 | DelmarGardens.com TOP-LEVEL SPONSORS 95.5 WSB 104.7 The Fish AGCO Corporation Casteel Heating, Cooling, Plumbing and Electrical Dreamland BBQ Duluth Rexall Grill Georgia's Best Roofer Gwinnett Daily Post J.O. King Northside Hospital Payne-Corley House String & Story Suzanna’s Kitchen The Little Gym of Johns Creek The Piedmont Bank Tiger Tails Animal Hospital MEDIA PARTNERS 95.5 WSB—Smilin’ Mark McKay 104.7 The Fish Gwinnett Daily Post Gwinnett Forum Southwest Gwinnett magazine
INVOLVEMENT Andersen, Tate, & Carr, P.C. – Matt Reeves Atlanta Ad Graphics – Cindi Dowdle and Tammy Dills City of Duluth – Employees, Mayor and Council Corporate Expressions – Andy & Carolyn Kite Courtyard by Marriott, Duluth – Donna McHugh and Melissa Sloan Entertainers and Parade Participants Festival Newspaper Advertisers Formetco – John Gibb Georgia Power Good Word Brewing & Public House –Todd di Matteo Gwen Tajz Wine Bar – Tiffany Dillon Heck Design Group –
COMMUNITY
The Festival as seen through the City Administration
By Chris McGahee, Economic Development City of Duluth
For 40 years the last weekend in September and Downtown Duluth have had a unique relationship. A group of volunteers, merchants, residents, and city staff welcome tens of thousands of visitors over two days to a celebration of fall and of place. Nancy Harris has been involved in the Duluth Fall Festival for many years as volunteer, sometimes as Chair or Co-Chair, and for the last 16 years she has been the Mayor of her hometown Duluth, Georgia. She announced over the summer she would not seek a fifth term, and so this will be her last Fall Festival as Mayor Nancy. “I have lived in the Duluth area my whole life” she reflected recently. “The city is in a good place. I heard a wise person say once, leave while they are clapping.” The citizens, visitors, and the City government of Duluth are clapping indeed!
The current setting for the Festival is a vibrant downtown of
restaurants, shops, greenspace, and places to live. “I think I am most proud of the city council members with their courage to actively encourage people to live downtown in enough numbers to support our businesses, Nancy said recently. We turned Duluth into a great place to live, plus we invite all residents to sit awhile in their downtown. What we are is a people keeping the best and changing the rest.”
That change continues as Festival visitors will get to see the new Activity Lawn, the new LR Burger restaurant, our now completed wonderful library, and no construction fences. What does not change is the invitation to participate in a 40-year ritual of fall in a small Georgia town by the railroad tracks. We hope to see all of you at Duluth Fall Festival!
8 DULUTH FALL FESTIVAL • September 2023 • Gwinnett Daily Post • gwinnettdailypost.com www.DuluthFallFestival.org 40th Annual 2023
Chris McGahee
The Story of Atlanta Flooring Design Centers
by Donny Phillips
I moved to Duluth, GA 38 years ago. I could not have found a better town to live in and to have our initial launch of Atlanta Flooring Design Centers. We started in what is now the dining area of the Family Restaurant which is still there today. I was incredibly blessed to have found Duluth, where my small-town upbringing blended well with the local folks and the previous slogan of Duluth, “Pride in the old and the new”.
I loved the closeness of the Duluth community, and I was graciously accepted by local leaders like Kathryn Willis and the Parsons family, with all of their Duluth roots. The community was growing rapidly, and AFDC had the desire to grow right along with Duluth! With the support of the Duluth community, we outgrew 3 locations inside the city limits. In 2007, we relocated 5 miles north to a larger facility and have since added 3 buildings to our campus. We now operate in 6 states with 15 locations!
I constantly tell people that AFDC started very small, and my dream became a reality because God blessed me with starting in and getting to know the wonderful folks of Duluth! I noticed recently that Duluth now has a new slogan, “Capture the Spirit of Good Living” and that fits right in with where we are today!
Not only does my company owe its beginnings to Duluth, I lived there during the beginning years, and still attend church, shop, and eat there regularly. I agree it is a fabulous place to live or visit because of the inviting nature of the people and it is still a solid place for businesses to locate.
I owe the Duluth community a HUGE THANK YOU for all that Atlanta Flooring Design Centers and I have accomplished over the years! I wish the Duluth Fall Festival continued success, and look forward to the excitement it always brings to OUR COMMUNITY!
BUFORD • SUWANEE • CHATTANOOGA • BIRMINGHAM • OPELIKA • PENSACOLA • CHARLOTTE • GREENSBORO • RALEIGH/DURHAM • WILMINGTON • MYRTLE BEACH • NORTH CHARLESTON 3665 Swiftwater Park Drive « Suwanee, GA 30024 770-476-8306 « info@atlantaflooringdesign.com WWW.ATLANTAFLOORINGDESIGN.COM
FESTIVAL SPONSOR PROGRAM
During our 40 years, the Festival has donated more than four million dollars to improve downtown Duluth! Have you ever wondered where the money comes from? In the beginning, the proceeds were small—after all of the expenses to host the Festival, not much money was left. But, more than 20 years ago, a volunteer suggested allowing commercial, or “Sponsor” booths in addition to our traditional arts & crafts and food booths. Thus, our Sponsor program was born.
Over time, levels of sponsorship have developed (from $200 to $10,000), each level with more and more perks. We now have about 165 sponsors each year, averaging a total of around $170,000 in sponsorships!
We give our heartfelt thanks and appreciation to our sponsors of every level, who support us year after year. We could not begin to do all that we do for Downtown Duluth without their support.
2023 DULUTH FALL FESTIVAL SPONSORS
KEYSTONE
104.7 The Fish
WWW.THEFISHATLANTA.COM
Northside Hospital
WWW.NORTHSIDE.COM
The Piedmont Bank
PIEDMONT.BANK
CORNERSTONE
95.5 WSB WSBRADIO.COM
AGCO Corporation
WWW.AGCOCORP.COM
Gwinnett Daily Post
GWINNETTDAILYPOST.COM
Tiger Tails Animal Hospital
WWW.TIGERTAILSANIMALHOSPITAL.COM
SPECIAL AREA SPONSORS
Arts and Crafts
String & Story on Main
WWW.STRINGANDSTORY.COM
Community Lunch
Suzanna’s Kitchen
WWW.SUZANNASKITCHEN.COM
Duluth Depot J.O. King
WWW.KINGFASTENER.COM
Entertainment
The Piedmont Bank
PIEDMONT.BANK
Festival Concert
Georgia’s Best Roofer
WWW.GEORGIASBESTROOFER.COM
First Aid
Northside Hospital
WWW.NORTHSIDE.COM
Food Court
Duluth Rexall Grill-Buttermilk Biscuits
WWW.REXALLGRILL.COM
Kidz Korner
Casteel Heating, Cooling, Plumbing and Electrical
WWW.CASTEELAIR.COM
Parsons Alley
Dreamland BBQ
DREAMLANDBBQ.COM/LOCATIONS/DULUTH/ Shuttles
The Little Gym of Johns Creek
WWW.THELITTLEGYM.COM/ALPHARETTAJOHNSCREEKGA
Taste of Duluth Payne-Corley House
WWW.PAYNECORLEYHOUSE.COM
PLATINUM
Avonlea Apartments
WWW.AVONLEAAPARTMENTS.COM
Courtyard Duluth
WWW.MARRIOTT.COM/ATLCH
Duluth Animal Hospital
WWW.DULUTHANIMALHOSPITAL.COM
Duluth Dog Depot
WWW.DULUTHDOGDEPOT.COM
Hexis Energy
WWW.HEXIS-ENERGY.US
Northside Diagnostic Clinic- Duluth
WWW.NGDC.COM
Pella Window and Door of Georgia PELLASE.COM
Purifi IV PURIFIIV.COM
Southeast Restoration SOUTHEASTRESTORATION.COM
Southwest Gwinnett Magazine SOUTHWESTGWINNETTMAGAZINE.COM
T-Mobile T-MOBILE.COM
Thomas Eye Group THOMASEYE.COM
EMERALD
Andersen, Tate & Carr
WWW.ATCLAWFIRM.COM
Drake House Construction & Design DRAKEHOUSECONSTRUCTION.COM
First Option Mortgage
WPOLACK.FOP-POS.COM/PORTAL Formetco
WWW.FORMETCO.COM/ABOUT
GFS GetFastShirt
GETFASTSHIRT.COM/DESIGN_AT_GET_FAST_SHIRT/SHOP/HOME
Heck Design Group
HECKDESIGNGROUP.COM
Mark and Linda Wettlauffer
McClellan Accountants & Advisors
WWW.MCCLELLANCPA.COM
Michael Carroll Law
WWW.MICHAELCARROLLATTORNEY.COM
North Atlanta Kids Dentistry
WWW.NAKIDSDENTISTRY.COM
Perimeter Church
WWW.PERIMETER.ORG
PetSuites
JOHNSCREEK.PETSUITESOFAMERICA.COM
Printing Trade Company
WWW.PRINTINGTRADECO.COM
AKA Tree Service
WWW.AKATREESERVICE.COM
All America Gutter Protection
WWW.ALLAMERICANGUTTERPROTECTION.COM
Andretti Indoor Karting & Games Buford ANDRETTIKARTING.COM/BUFORD
Appalachian Growers
APPALACHIANGROWERS.COM/ Arrow Exterminators
WWW.ARROWEXTERMINATORS.COM
Atlanta Falcons
ATLANTAFALCONS.COM
Atlanta Flooring Design Centers, Inc.
WWW.ATLANTAFLOORINGDESIGN.COM
Atlanta University of Health Science/College Clinic
ATLANTAUNIV.ORG
Bath Planet Atlanta
WWW.BATHPLANET.COM
Budget Blinds BUDGETBLINDS.COM/DULUTH-GA
Cain Injury Law CAININJURYLAW.COM
Capital Vacations
WWW.CAPITALVACATIONS.COM
Cutco Cutlery
WWW.CUTCO.COM
Flossophie Children’s Dentistry KIDSFLOSSOPHIE.COM
Georgia Insulation, LLC
WWW.GEORGIAINSULATION.COM
GNR Public Health
WWW.GNRHEALTH.COM
Gutter Helmet by Lednor Home Solutions LEDNORHOME.COM
Gwinnett Stripers
WWW.MILB.COM/GWINNETT
Harlem Legends/Michael Douglas WWW.HARLEMLEGENDS.COM
Hexis Energy
WWW.HEXIS-ENERGY.US
Home Craft Gutter Protection HOMECRAFTGUTTERPROTECTION.COM
Inspire Ob/Gyn WWW.INSPIREOBGYN.COM/
Klean Sonrisas Dental Care
WWW.KLEANSONRISAS.COM
LasikPlus
LASIKPLUS.COM
LeafFilter Gutter Protection
WWW.LEAFFILTER.COM
Todd Lemoine Team LEMOINETEAM.COM
WWW.AETNA.COM
LifeLink of Georgia LIFELINKFOUNDATION.ORG
Lily Texidor Realtor WWW.TEXIDORREALTY.COM
Make It Loud Web Design & Digital Marketing
WWW.MAKEITLOUD.NET
Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta ROADATLANTA.COM
Miller’s Youth Sports DULUTHSBESTAFTERSCHOOL.COM
Notre Dame Academy
WWW.NDACADEMY.ORG
Parc at Duluth
WWW.PARCATDULUTH.COM
Peachtree Pest Control WWW.PEACHTREEPESTCONTROL.COM
Pestban, LLC
WWW.PESTBAN.COM
Phoenix Chiropractic PHOENIXFORHEALTH.COM
Platinum Elite Roofing PLATINUMELITEROOFING.COM
PNC WWW.PNC.COM
Puppy Haven Pet Resort PUPPYHAVEN.COM
Quality Ortho Care WWW.QUALITYORTHOCARE.COM
Robbins Nest Recording Studies
WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/MICHAEL.ROBBINS.750
Terry Chambers/Realtor ReMax Center TERRYCHAMBERS@REMAX.COM
Renasant Bank
WWW.RENASANTBANK.COM
Renewal By Andersen
WWW.RENEWALBYANDERSEN.COM
SavATree
WWW.SAVATREE.COM
Scenthound of Johns Creek & South Forsyth WWW.SCENTHOUND.COM
Seven Oaks Academy
SEVENOAKSACADEMY.ORG
Shepherd Animal Hospital
SHEPHERDANIMALHOSPITAL.COM
Southeastern Railway Museum
WWW.TRAIN-MUSEUM.ORG
The Epoch Times
WWW.THEEPOCHTIMES.COM
The Trusted Toolbox WWW.THETRUSTEDTOOLBOX.COM
Top Job Beverage and Events WWW.TOPJOBBEVERAGEANDEVENTS.COM
Tropic Bowls Café TROPICBOWLSCAFE.COM
True Source Family Chiropractic TRUESOURCECHIROPRACTIC.COM
Virtual Imaging
WWW.VIRTUALIMAGINGATL.COM
Wellroot Family Services WELLROOT.ORG
GOLD
Atlanta AdGraphics
WWW.ATLANTAADGRAPHICS.COM
First Citizens Bank
WWW.FIRSTCITIZENS.COM
Lail Family Dentistry
DRLAIL.COM
WP Wolfe Press
WPWOLFEPRESS.COM
SILVER
Bill Head Funeral Homes and Crematory
Capital City Bank
District at Duluth
Duluth Driving School
Findley Commercial Properties
Gold Stars Roof
Gwinnett Forum
Duluth Co-Op
Peachtree Christian Health
Primerica
Rainbow Village
Sports & Imports Collision Inc.
Storey Custom Homes
The Local Pantry Tower Sealants
FRIENDS OF THE FESTIVAL
Alana Moss
Alexis Server and Holly Rotalsky
Annette McIntosh
Carol Hitchcock
Carolyn Herbig
David Gentry
Dorothy Rainey
Gina Yapit
Hall Family
Herb and Beth Hoffman
Jean Daniel
Jim and Kathy Orcutt
Jim and Terrie Adkins
John and Jean Howard
JW and Jena Mozley
Kathryn Willis
Kathy and Ralph Mumme
Kimberly Kelkenberg
Linda Tonge and Richard LaScala
Lisa and Ken Thompson
Marsha Anderson Bomar
Marty and Debbie Bush
Mary Buck
Matt and Cindy Morris
Matt and Suzette Reeves
Mike and Kay Montgomery
Richard and Margaret Middleton
Scott Henderson and Jennifer Freeman
Sheldon and Janet Greenwald
Steve and Teresa Lynn
10 DULUTH FALL FESTIVAL • September 2023 • Gwinnett Daily Post • gwinnettdailypost.com
AARP AARP.ORG Above Ground Aerial
DIAMOND
WWW.ABOVEGROUNDAERIAL.ORG Aetna
gwinnettdailypost.com • Gwinnett Daily Post • September 2023 • DULUTH FALL FESTIVAL 11 ANNIVERSARY 40TH congratulations to the DULUTH FALL FESTIVAL for 40 incredible years. burgers • fries • shakes • bar 3151 Main St. Duluth • lrburger.com • @lrburgerga BURGER Veiga State Farm Agency See how we can be your top choice for all your Insurance and Financial Service Needs 770-476-4121 www.leoveigasf.com 2715 Buford Hwy., Ste 800, Duluth, GA Leo Viega-Sotelo Agent AUTO HOME LIFE BANK Come in and taste our great flavors in artisan oils, vinegars and gourmet foods. We have a nice selection of spices and wine. 3131A Main St., Duluth, GA • 770-2991765 • vomfassusa.com VIOLAS’ SPICES AND GOURMET FOODS Great for Gifting. Premade or make your own. Plan a private holiday event with us. MATT REEVES PROUD TO CALL DULUTH HOME! WWW.ATCLAWFIRM.COM
SHUTTLES, RIDE-SHARES & PARKING, OH MY!
Because parking in Historic Downtown Duluth is limited, save yourself the frustration of looking for a parking space. Use our FREE shuttle service; have your ride-sharing service drop you off at our dedicated ride-sharing stop or take a short hike to downtown.
PARK AND RIDE: Our deluxe, air-conditioned shuttle service lets you relax in comfort and drops you off at the Festival’s front door. Shuttles run continuously during the Festival (except during Saturday’s Parade).
SHUTTLE LOCATIONS
Chattahoochee Elementary School
2930 Albion Farm Road Duluth Middle School 3200 Pleasant Hill Road Mason Elementary 3030 Bunten Road
SHUTTLE PICKUP LOTS: FESTIVAL STOP:
Coleman Middle School, 3057 Main Street - Downtown Duluth
SHUTTLE HOURS
DAY FROM TO 7:45 a.m.*
*Important: Service is suspended from 9:45 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. due to street closures during the Parade. If you plan to attend the Parade or Opening Ceremony, we suggest that you arrive at the Shuttle Lot by 9 a.m.
Sunday
6:30 a.m. (Chattahoochee)
7:45 a.m. (Duluth Middle, Mason Elementary)
WHEELCHAIR ACCESS: Buses can accommodate passengers who are partially mobile. Drivers will assist passengers on and off the bus and storage is available for wheelchairs, strollers and other mobility items.
PETS: Except for service animals, pets are not allowed on shuttle buses.
RIDE AND DROPOFF
Eliminate parking worries and have Uber® or Lyft® drop you off at the Festival’s ridesharing lot, behind Coleman Middle School.
PARK AND WALK
If you want to “get your steps in,” many parking spaces are available near downtown.
• First Citizen’s Bank: 2775 Buford Hwy, Duluth
• Designated lots along Buford Hwy: Look for “Park and Walk” signs.
9:00
7:00
7:00
Saturday
p.m.
p.m.
p.m.
SPONSORED BY THE LITTLE GYM
Festival Entertainment
Sunday, October 1
Festival Center Stage SPONSORED BY THE PIEDMONT BANK
PERFORMER
Opening Ceremony
Wildcat Cheerleaders
Duluth High School Drumline
All Stars Performing Arts Academy
Six Degree Tilt
New Bridge
The Muckers
Five Long Years
Maggie Clement Band
FROM
TO
Donut Dash Road Race
Worship on the Green
(Duluth First United Methodist Church)
Working From Home
City Limits Band
Over the Influence
Metro Jazz
Parsons Alley Entertainment SPONSORED BY DREAMLAND BAR-B-QUE
PERFORMER
Brett Ryder
Saturday, September 30 FROM 12:00
Steve McElroy
Blackfoot Daisy
Phil Griffin Duo
Surly Trolls
The Bea Arthurs
12:00 1:00 2:00 3:00 4:00 TO 12:45 1:45 2:45 3:45 5:00
PERFORMER
Harm’s Way
Foster Greene
Church of Gray
Yao Lu and Xiaodan chen
Stone Mountain Chorus
14 DULUTH FALL FESTIVAL • September 2023 • Gwinnett Daily Post • gwinnettdailypost.com
40th Annual 2023
www.DuluthFallFestival.org
12:35 1:15 2:15 3:15 4:15 5:15
12:15 12:30 1:00 2:00 3:00 4:00 5:00 6:15
FROM 11:15 12:20
TO
1:00 2:00 3:00 4:00 5:00 6:00
12:45 1:45 2:45 3:45 4:45 5:45 6:45
TO
8:00 10:00 12:00 1:00 2:00 3:00 4:00
Jackson Tiberghien 9:30 11:30 12:45 1:45 2:45 3:45 4:45
PERFORMER
Dance Mexicano FROM
2023 FESTIVAL CO-CHAIRPERSONS
Beth Hoffman
Herb Hoffman
2024 FESTIVAL
CO-CHAIRPERSONS
Beth Hoffman
Herb Hoffman
ARTS & CRAFTS
Beth Parmer
Kimberly Reed
CHRISTMAS PARTY
Cheri Lawson
Beth Ann Woodruff
Kay Montgomery
CITY OF DULUTH
LIAISON
Crystal Huntzinger
COMMUNITY LUNCH (FRIDAY OF FESTIVAL)
Alexis Nash
Linda Tonge
Beth Bell (Food) CONCERT
Kay Montgomery
DECORATIONS
Kelly Willoughby
DECORATIONS
AUCTION
Mark McKay
DIRECTORY
Laura Heck
Mark Williams
Manfred Graeder
Kathryn Willis
2023 COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSONS
DULUTH DEPOT
Beth Hoffman
Janet Greenwald
Melanie Sheldon EMCEES
Mark McKay
Jerry Bignotti
Brad Hench
Johnny Phelps
Doug Turnbull
Veronica Harrell
ENTERTAINMENT
FESTIVAL CENTER
STAGE:
Laura Godfrey
PARSONS ALLEY
STAGE:
Michael Robbins
FESTIVAL LAYOUT
Mary Buck
Brenda Ehly
Alexis Server
FESTIVAL NIGHT OUT
Beth Hoffman
Linda Storey
FESTIVAL SHUTDOWN
Denisha Scott
FIRST AID
Cheryl MacMillan
FOOD VENDORS
Aaron Blake
Doug Harmony
Mell Robinson
INFORMATION, LOST & FOUND
Bryan Johnson
Carol Vidyasagar
KIDZ KORNER
Beth & Herb Hoffman
MINUTES
Jean Harrival
NAME TAGS
Pam Jones
NEWSPAPER INSERTS
Laura Heck
Alana Moss
Kathryn Willis
OPENING CEREMONY/ GRAND MARSHAL
Kay Montgomery
Linda Storey
OPERATIONS
Wayne Herman
Herb Hoffman
PARADE
Debbie Bush
CONVERTIBLES:
Kelly Willoughby
MONITORS:
Pam Jones
Marla Krohn
POSTERS:
Kay Montgomery
PARKING
Slade Lail
John Martin
Ed Welborn
PHOTOGRAPHY
Dustin Grau
Mary Buck
REFRESHMENTS
(MONTHLY MEETINGS)
Cindy Morris
Darbra Mahoney
ROAD RACE
Greg Whitlock
Gavin Maguire
Randy Sutt
Gary Jenkins
(coordinator)
SHUTTLE SERVICE
John Martin
Sheila Harmony
SIGN DESIGN AND ORDERING
Wayne Herman
Herb Hoffman
SIGN INSTALLATION AND REMOVAL
Josh Shapiro
SOCIAL MEDIA
Kay Montgomery
FACEBOOK:
Michael Hopkins
SOUND PRODUCTION
FESTIVAL CENTER
STAGE:
Mark Wettlaufer
Earl Griffith
www.DuluthFallFestival.org
PARSONS ALLEY
STAGE:
Michael Robbins
Javiar Santossil
SPONSORSHIP
Beth Hoffman
Linda Storey
(Events)
Krystal Ware
(Logistics)
SUNSHINE, SCARECROW & HOSPITALITY
Jean Harrivel
T–SHIRTS
DISTRIBUTION:
Kim Craig
PRODUCTION:
Kathy Orcutt
Kay Montgomery
TASTE OF DULUTH
Cindy Morris
Avery Shapiro
Krista Ganley
Annette Summerour
TECHNOLOGY
WEBSITE:
Kay Montgomery
IVOLUNTEER:
Manfred Graeder
EVENTENY:
Alana Moss
TELEPHONE:
Wayne Herman
TRAFFIC & SECURITY
Jim Dugan
VENDOR ASSISTANCE (UNLOAD/LOAD)
Steve Lynn
Mariam Mirzoyan
VENDOR CHECK-IN/ CHECK-OUT
Emily MacKenzie
VENDOR TRAFFIC
Philip Parmer
VOLUNTEER
RECRUITMENT
Beth & Herb Hoffman
Teresa & Steve Lynn WORSHIP SERVICE
Min Lee
ZONE COORDINATORS
Adam Davidson
Deb Schmid
DULUTH FALL
FESTIVAL, INC.
PRESIDENT:
Kay Montgomery
SECRETARY:
Jean Harrivel
TREASURER:
John Martin
16 DULUTH FALL FESTIVAL • September 2023 • Gwinnett Daily Post • gwinnettdailypost.com
40th Annual 2023
Proudly Serving Our Duluth Community for Over 50 years.
Printing Trade Company is a true family business and partner to the Duluth community.
Ted Williams started Printing Trade Company in the basement of his family home with Mark and Mike working along side their father as they grew up in the business. They eventually grew it into the company that you know today. In 2001 Printing Trade Company absorbed Ted’s wife Audrey’s typography business to make it what it is today.
Mark’s son James also grew up working in the business and he is bringing a new focus to the company.
Printing Trade Company is very proud to play a big part in our community. After 53 years, Duluth is family to us.
Congratulations to the Duluth Fall Festival on their celebration of 40 years of the best festival in the country.
770-441-0945 • 2790 Simpson Circle
Duluth Fall Festival would like to thank Mark Williams for sponsoringandsupporting usincountlessways throughtheyears.
About the Festival T-Shirt
You can track the history of the Festival through its T-shirts. The first shirts were thanks to Tom Martin of (then) Citizens Bank of Gwinnett. None of us could believe that Tom was willing to pay for shirts for every one of us! In the beginning, the shirt had a unique design each year. Then, in 2005, Cindy Sutt and Kay Montgomery created a logo for the Festival, and it has been the primary design on the shirt ever since. The current year’s Festival Chairpersons choose the shirt color. Over the years, 37 different shirt colors have been selected and tens of thousands of shirts have been printed. Would you like your own, Festival T-shirt? Simply become a volunteer or a sponsor of the Festival and next year you, can start your own collection!
Food
SPONSORED BY REXALL GRILL
Come hungry! We have all kinds of fare to satisfy your appetite, including new vendors from across the country and favorites that return year after year. Here’s a list of some of sweets and treats you’ll find:
Atlas Arel LLC—Real Gyros (lamb/beef), Greek Salad, Cheesecake
B & D Catering—Turkey Legs
Bonz & Gristle's—Fried Fish, Cajun Turkey wings
Egg Roll Boyz—All types of Egg Rolls Island Noodle—Hawaiian yakisoba stir-fry
Jalapeno Corndog Concession
Kona Ice Trucks
Old West Soda
Pico's Hot Dogs
AW Shucks--Roasted corn (in the husk) and boiled peanuts
Food booths are located in the “Food Court” by the railroad tracks. Food carts are located throughout the Festival. Mell Robinson has been the DFF Food Chairperson for more than 12 years and involved with the Festival since 1988!
Petting Zoo
New this year is a FREE mobile petting zoo, hosted by Lozano Farms. You can find the petting zoo on Main Street near City Hall.
Duluth Depot
SPONSORED BY J.O.
KING
Festival-goers can purchase souvenir items with the Duluth Fall Festival logo, such as T-shirts, baseball caps, tote bags, stainless steel tumblers, and many other items at the Festival’s new Duluth Depot. If you’re feeling lucky, purchase raffle tickets for prizes. You can also purchase Jaemor apples and specialty pumpkins at the Depot.
• Raffle Tickets: $5 each or 5 for $20
• Raffle Drawing: Sunday at 4:30 p.m. (following the auction of the Festival decorations). You do not have to be present to win.
18 DULUTH FALL FESTIVAL • September 2023 • Gwinnett Daily Post • gwinnettdailypost.com www.DuluthFallFestival.org 40th Annual 2023
QUILT MADE FROM PREVIOUS FESTIVAL T-SHIRTS
Tribute to Duluth’s Own Elvis:
Mark Pitt
Sadly, this year Duluth Fall Festival Entertainment will start very differently than it has for the last 28 years. Long-time Elvis impersonator, Mark Pitt, recently passed away. He died unexpectedly on the exact date, August 16, that Elvis died in 1977.
Mark started the Entertainment for every Festival as the first act on the Festival Center Stage, immediately following the Opening Ceremony. Crowds of fans would already be there waiting for the first sight of Duluth's own, Elvis!, determined not to miss a minute of his show.
Soon they would be screaming, crowding as close to the stage as they could get, hoping Elvis would notice them and toss a keepsake scarf or teddy bear their way. His show always outdrew all others at the Festival.
Not only did Mark sound more like Elvis than Elvis himself, but Mark was also a genuinely nice guy. He was devoted to Duluth, where he grew up, and to us at Duluth Fall Festival. Our hearts go out to his wife, Lisa, and the entire family.
We thought Mark would always be here the last weekend in September and are heartbroken now to realize that Our Elvis has left the building!
There’s a new route in town
Travel through Duluth, Lilburn, and Stone Mountain with Ride Gwinnett Route 25!
Route 25 begins at the Gwinnett Place Transit Center in Duluth, travels down Pleasant Hill Road and Lawrenceville Highway towards Lilburn City Hall, and travels through Mountain Park before ending in Stone Mountain.
Visit RideGwinnett.com to see the bus schedule and start riding!
gwinnettdailypost.com • Gwinnett Daily Post • September 2023 • DULUTH FALL FESTIVAL 19 www.DuluthFallFestival.org 40th Annual 2023
Kidz Korner
BY CASTEEL HEATING, COOLING, PLUMBING AND ELECTRICAL
If you’re looking for inflatables and kidfriendly games, check out Kidz Korner, located near City Hall and Taylor Park.
Festival Night Out
To get to know each other better, we invite all Festival volunteers to dinner at a local restaurant. On the last Thursday of each month, we choose a restaurant where we sit together, enjoy delicious food and socialize with other volunteers. Attendees are responsible for their own drinks and dinner, but the Festival provides appetizers. Sign up online and get to know each other better!
www.DuluthFallFestival.org
Duluth Donut Dash
On 8:00 a.m. Sunday morning (October 1st), we invite you to participate in the Duluth Donut Dash 5K. This AJC Peachtree Road Race Qualifying Event includes a long-sleeved T-shirt, chip timing, and concludes with delicious donuts, coffee and an awards ceremony. As you run/ walk through beautiful Downtown Duluth, you will also be supporting Wellroot Family Services (www.wellroot.org). This local non-profit nurtures happy, healthy families. Wellroot’s programs keep families together whenever possible, provide short-term foster care when needed, and nurture and educate young adults to break the cycle of trauma in their lives. Register or learn more at duluthdonutdash5k.org.
• Registration Fees : $35 until September 30, and $45 on October 1 (race day).
• Important: To guarantee that you get a T-shirt, you must pre-register. To pre-register online, go to the Festival website: www.duluthfallfestival.org/5k-road-race.html.
Festival Concert
SPONSORED BY GEORGIA'S BEST ROOFER
Platinum Band Atlanta provided a fantastic concert on Saturday, September 23rd at the Duluth Festival Center. Sponsored by Georgia’s Best Roofer, the concert was a fun, dancing, party event that was free and entertaining. It was also the showcase for the 2024 T-shirt reveal. The music was from the 70's to today and everyone really enjoyed it. For more information, check out platinumbandatlanta.com.
20 DULUTH FALL FESTIVAL • September 2023 • Gwinnett Daily Post • gwinnettdailypost.com
40th Annual 2023
Arts & Crafts
SPONSORED BY STRING & STORY
Each year, more than 150 Arts and Crafts vendors participate in the Duluth Fall Festival. Local and regional artists display work in visual, tactile and even edible formats. For the home or office, the show features paintings, photographs, wood crafts, pottery, ironwork, and barware. There are also many decorative accessories, such as plants, candles, soaps, wreaths and baskets. For personal decoration, jewelry, leatherwork and clothing (for adults, children, dolls and dogs!) can be found. And for food cravings, there are satisfying sauces, honeys, teas, sweets and more.
Our Arts and Crafts artisans are a mix of returning and new vendors who create or hand-decorate their merchandise, presenting everything from traditional to trending items. The artisans are primarily local or from the Southeast. When possible, we place returning vendors in the same location. But be sure to look around and take in the new vendors too!
Artisans interested in participating in next year, can apply on our website in early 2024.
Community Luncheon
SPONSORED BY SUZANNA’S KITCHEN
How do we express appreciation to hundreds of volunteers, Festival sponsors, City of Duluth employees, police, firefighters and all who organize and work together to host the Duluth Fall Festival?
Through a generous partnership with Suzanna’s Kitchen (formerly led by the late Barbara Howard), we invite everyone to share barbeque, Brunswick stew, and all the trimmings. Festival volunteers provide homemade desserts.
Just a few years after the Festival’s debut in 1983, we decided to hold a community luncheon on the Friday setup day, and this continues today.
Setting Up & Taking Down the Big Event
You probably haven’t ever thought about the logistics of preparing downtown Duluth for the Festival. It’s practically an event of its own. In the weeks before the Festival, volunteers measure and mark off booth spaces to make sure that space is allocated for all of the booths.
Early Friday morning, volunteers start setting up the Festival infrastructure, signage and decorations. The Check-In committee greets vendors and sponsors and directs them to their booth locations. We even spend time assisting people unload and set up their wares—we’re often told by vendors that the Duluth Fall Festival is the only show that they participate in that has volunteers who assist them.
Sunday night, starting at 5 p.m., we work quickly to remove everything to do with the Festival. By Monday morning, Duluth is back to "normal" and we start planning for the next year.
gwinnettdailypost.com • Gwinnett Daily Post • September 2023 • DULUTH FALL FESTIVAL 21 www.DuluthFallFestival.org 40th Annual 2023
Looking Back Forty Years
Reaching a milestone anniversary of 40 years has us nostalgic for years gone by. The first festival (October, 1983) was rainy, cold, and netted only $300. Despite these setbacks, the decision was made to make it an annual event and we’ve been going strong ever since.
Looking back at the Festival’s numerous changes and accomplishments fills us with sense of pride. Take a minute to reminisce along with us as we share highlights from over the years.
Festival Partial Project List
• 2023: Duluth Co-op/Hands of Christ, Spectrum Autism Support Group, Duluth Historical Society fund, Duluth Cluster Schools, Southeastern Railway Museum, Rainbow Village, $50,000 to City of Duluth
• 2022: Rainbow Village, Duluth Co-op/Hands of Christ, Duluth Historical Society fund, $50,000 to City of Duluth
• 2021: Southeastern Railway Museum fund, $50,000 to City of Duluth
• 2020: Duluth Festival Center refurbishment, Duluth Church Cemetery, and Bunten Road Park kitchen improvements
• 2019: Festival Center remodel and HVAC, Landscaping for Town Green, Christmas Tree enhancements
• 2018: Taylor Park playground equipment, Gazebo improvements, new HVAC for the Festival Center, Christmas Tree enhancements
• 2017: Christmas Trees for Town Green and Parsons Alley, Mosaic for Parson’s Alley, Bike Racks, Wall for Dreamkeepers sculpture, Surveillance camera for Town Green
• 2016: AGCO Tractor for the City, Red Clay and Parsons Alley performances
• 2015: Parsons Alley, Red Clay Music Foundry marquees
• 2014: City parking lot improvements, Festival Center renovation
• 2013: Red Clay Music Foundry improvements, Festival Center hardwood
floors
• 2012: Final payment for Festival Center (total $1,300,000.00)
• 2011: Eastern Continental Divide Monument
• 2009: Sponsor Board and Taylor Park Entrance sign, Festival Center plantation shutters
• 2008: Taylor Park public restrooms
• 2006: Festival Courtyard Bricks and Landscaping
• 2000: Festival Center construction
• 1997: Sponsor committee, Festival expands to 2 days
• 1996: Taylor Park acquisition
• 1993-1995: Trees, Shrubs, Planters, Lampposts, Sidewalks, Building Renovations
Besides these visible achievements, we’ve donated more than one million dollars to Duluth non-profits.
Since 1983, the Festival has grown in both numbers and scope: Committees have grown from one to more than 50. Volunteers have increased from a handful to more than 400. Booths (Arts & Crafts, Food and Sponsors) are close to 400, limited only by space constraints.
For the last several years, Gwinnett Daily Post readers have selected Duluth Fall Festival as Best Festival in Gwinnett and several National publications selected it as the best in the southeast, but we’re not slowing down. The 2023 Festival promises to be the very best in our 40-year history! The Festival has been held every year since 1983 except for 2020 when COVID was at its peak. We encourage you to come to our 40th Anniversary Festival.
22 DULUTH FALL FESTIVAL • September 2023 • Gwinnett Daily Post • gwinnettdailypost.com
Presented by Top 5 Ways to Support Paint Gwinnett Pink: Be a sponsor 1 Put together a team 2 Participate by walking or running 3 Set up a vendor booth 4 Make a donation 5 October 14th, 2023 Coolray Field Scan to register for this amazing event! Find out more at Support.PaintGwinnettPink.com! COMM UNI TY of Str ength PAINT GWINNETT PINK 5K WALK/RUN 2023
Duluth Town Green & Downtown
Saturday, September 30 & Sunday, October 1
FREE Admission • FREE Shuttles duluthfallfestival.org
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 30
9:00 A.M. Booths Open
10:00 A.M. Parade (roads closed; shuttle suspended)
11:30 A.M. Opening Ceremony
12:30 P.M. Entertainment Begins
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 1
8:00 A.M. Road Race (roads closed)
9:00 A.M. Booths Open
10:00 A.M. Worship on the Green
11:30 A.M. Entertainment Begins
Duluth Fall Festival Committee would like to thank Tom and John Martin and Citizens Bank of Gwinnett Gwinnett Community Bank
The Piedmont Bank for being our Overall Top Sponsors for the last 40 years!
Satu
As a member of this com Ente successful an celeb your
7:00 P.M. Booths Close
The Duluth Fall Festival thanks Piedmont Bank for sponsoring our schedule page, being our Entertainment sponsor and, also, our overall top sponsor for 2023!
3:00 P.M. Decorations Auction (Duluth Depot)
5:00 P.M. Festival Closes
The Duluth our s 3112 Main St., Suite 100, Duluth, GA www.piedmont.bank
Historic Downtown Duluth • Rain or Shine • Free Admission • Complimentary Shuttles • www.DuluthFallFestival.org Saturday, September 30th and Sunday, October 1st 40th Annual 2023 An Advertising Supplement to the Gwinnett Daily Post gwinnettdailypost.com Sunday, September 24, 2023
Source:
Welcome to the 40th Duluth Fall Festival
Wow! In a few days, the Duluth Fall Festival celebrates 40 years. We are so excited to welcome you to this year’s Festival. We have worked this entire year planning a fantastic event for our guests, vendors, sponsors, entertainers, and volunteers. As you walk the streets of Downtown Duluth, we hope you enjoy the sights, sounds, smells and tastes that you experience. We know the memories you make will last a lifetime.
How can a festival be “more than a festival”? We give back all year to our local community through support, participating in other events, creating an environment that welcomes both newcomers and longtime residents to Duluth. We create long-lasting friendships while helping vendors unload, decorating the streets of Duluth, helping a lost parent find their child, and so much more. These relationships last a lifetime, and it happens all while putting together the Duluth Fall Festival.
Please take time to look through these pages and see all that the Festival is bringing to Downtown Duluth on September 30-October 1. Take a look at our amazing sponsors who help fund the Festival and, in turn, enable us to support our local non-profits. When you see our sponsors at the Festival, please thank them for their participation, and support their businesses whenever you can.
We cannot wait to see you this year, and every year to come on the last weekend in September!
2 DULUTH FALL FESTIVAL • September 2023 • Gwinnett Daily Post • gwinnettdailypost.com www.DuluthFallFestival.org 40th Annual 2023 Then and Now photos illustrate the stunning evolution of the Duluth Fall Festival over its 40-year history, and its contributions to the development of downtown Duluth.
Duluth Fall Festival
website
Herb and Beth Hoffman, 2023 Co-Chairpersons
2 Welcome To The 40th Duluth Fall Festival About The Cover 3 Come See Gwinnett’s Largest Parade! Volunteering For The Festival 4 A Partnership: Duluth Fall Festival & The City of Duluth Thank You Mayor Nancy 5 Opening Ceremony Worship On The Green Information Booth First Aid 6 Grand Marshal: Monica Kaufman Pearson Honorary Grand Marshal: Brooks Coleman 7 Special Thanks 8 The Festival As Seen Through The City Administration 10 Festival Sponsor Program & Sponsor List 12 Shuttles, Ride-Shares & Parking, Oh My! 13 Festival Map 14 Festival Entertainment Schedule 16 2023 Committee Chairpersons 18 Food Petting Zoo About The Festival T-Shirt Duluth Depot 19 Tribute To Duluth’s Own Elvis: Mark Pitt 20 Kidz Korner Festival Night Out Duluth Donut Dash Festival Concert 21 Arts & Crafts Community Luncheon Setting Up & Taking Down The Big Event 22 Looking Back Forty Years About the Cover
Herb and Beth Hoffman, 2023 Co-Chairpersons
Table of Contents
Volunteering for the Festival
Do you ever long for roots and a hometown? Have you ever wanted to improve your community, but you don’t know where to get started? Would you like to make 300+ new friends in an instant? If you answered “Yes,” to any of these questions: We Want You to join our amazing group of Festival volunteers!
You may have seen our tagline: More than Just a Festival. We say that because we work and play year-round to make Duluth a great place to live. Of course, the Festival is our biggest event, but we also host recruiting events, monthly meetings, monthly nights out at local restaurants, sponsorship events, the Taste of Duluth, and so much more. For more information, visit the Volunteer Information page on our website at www.duluthfallfestival.org.
Come See Gwinnett’s Largest Parade!
award-winning marching bands and orchestras, martial arts groups, scouts, Santa Claus and much more!
The Parade starts on Main Street (near Coleman Middle School), continues to Highway 120, turns south on Buford Hwy, and ends at Truist bank. Come early to get a good spot along the route. Once you are settled, you’re in for a treat—or several, if you’re quick enough to catch the candy that participants throw your way!
gwinnettdailypost.com • Gwinnett Daily Post • September 2023 • DULUTH FALL FESTIVAL 3 www.DuluthFallFestival.org 40th Annual 2023 Join us at 10 a.m. Saturday morning to kick off the Duluth Fall Festival with the largest parade in Gwinnett County. Our Parade celebrates the people, schools, organizations, and businesses that make Duluth EVERYONE’S HOMETOWN. With 3,000+ participants, the Parade includes classic cars,
www.DuluthFallFestival.org
Thank You Mayor Nancy
Duluth Fall Festival thanks Mayor Nancy for 16 wonderful years under her leadership! For many years, Nancy has been involved with the Festival-sometimes as a volunteer and several times as a Chairperson or Co-Chairperson.
Over the years, we have seen many mayors, but Nancy has topped them all. Duluth is a different place than the little country town we remember and hear about. Nancy and the City Administration have changed it into a vibrant, up-to-date, thriving little city that is beyond anything our parents (or we) could have even dreamed of.
Last summer, she announced that she would not seek a fifth term, so this will be her last Fall Festival as Mayor Nancy. We wish her all the best, as she enters this new phase of her life, which will hopefully still be in Downtown Duluth!
A Partnership: Duluth Fall Festival & the City of Duluth
3208 Duluth Hwy 120 • 770.476.3776
www.duluthumc.org
Join us for worship on the Town Green at 10 a.m. on Sunday, September 25th
Join
Sunday Services and Programs:
Sunday Services and Programs:
• 8:30 a.m. - Traditional Worship service, including weekly Communion, in the Sanctuary.
• 8:30 a.m.
Traditional Worship service, with Communion, in the Sanctuary.
• 11:00 a.m. - Contemporary Worship service in Hinton Hall
• 11:00 a.m
Contemporary Worship service in Hinton Hall
• 11:00 a.m. - Traditional Worship service in the Sanctuary.
• 11:00 a.m.
Traditional Worship service in the Sanctuary.
Childcare is available for all worship services.
Childcare is available for all worship services.
Sunday Night Youth: 5:30 p.m. in the Youth Center
Sunday Night Youth: 5:30 p.m. in the Youth Center
Wednesday Evening Programs:
Wednesday Evening Programs:
• Dinner at 5 p.m. with Studies and Ministries for Children, Youth and Adults until 7:00 p.m.
• Dinner at 5 p.m. with Studies and Ministries for Children, Youth and Adults until 7:00 p.m.
This year’s Duluth Fall Festival will add a new chapter to a long and impressive story about volunteerism and partnership. For forty years, the Duluth Fall Festival volunteers have worked tirelessly to raise money for projects in Downtown Duluth. As we work to make our historic downtown a destination for both locals and visitors, we realize the strong and significant impact the Festival has made.
amenities enjoyed by all ages. For a list of the projects that the DFF has funded, see the Festival Project List.
• DuluthKids (K- 5th Grade) 6:00 p.m.
• DuluthKids (K- 5th Grade) 6:00 p.m.
• Book Bunch Story Time for 3 and 4 Year Olds: 6:15 p.m.
• Book Bunch Story Time for 3 and 4 Year Olds: 6:15 p.m.
• Youth Group Bible Study: 6:00 p.m.
• Youth Bible Study (grades 6-12): 6:00 p.m.
• Parenting Town Hall Discussions: 6:00 p.m.
• Parent Connection Group: 6:00 p.m.
• “Learn a Little” Classes for Adults: 6:00 p.m.
The City of Duluth has a vision to bring the types of amenities and services that are attractive to all generations, with a focus on young professionals. A strong downtown is the heartbeat of a city and this success spreads across city limits like a pebble thrown in a pond.
The partnership between Duluth Fall Festival and the City of Duluth works because we collaborate as partners sharing a single vision for our City. Through the years, the Festival Executive Board listened to the City. As I speak across the state, people are surprised to learn that the Festival is comprised of more than 400 volunteers and is operated in conjunction with the City. The Festival has become one of the premier festivals in the Southeast and we’re enormously proud of this success.
• Adult Small Group Studies: 6:00 p.m.
• Chancel Choir Rehersal: 7:00 p.m.
• Chancel Choir Rehersal: 7:00 p.m.
Because the mission of the Festival is to give back to downtown projects, the City of Duluth has been able to implement unique
Thank you Duluth Fall Festival!
Nancy Harris
Mayor, City of Duluth Georgia
4 DULUTH FALL FESTIVAL • September 2023 • Gwinnett Daily Post • gwinnettdailypost.com
40th Annual 2023
for worship on the Town Green at 10 a.m. on Sunday, October 1st
us
Nancy Harris Mayor, City of Duluth Georgia
TRAIN WAS DESIGNED AND BUILT BY THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT TO USE IN THE PARADE EVERY YEAR FOR THE CITY COUNCIL TO BE TRANSPORTED ON
Opening Ceremony
Information Booth
At 11:30 a.m. on Saturday (after the Parade ends), grab a bite to eat and get a good spot in front of the Festival Center to enjoy our Opening Ceremony, where we’ll pay tribute to our Parade Marshals, sponsors, and other local dignitaries.
Worship on the Green
If you need help while you are visiting the Festival or if you lose an item, stop by our Information, Lost & Found booth with the Duluth Fall Festival logo (located on Main Street).
First Aid
SPONSORED BY NORTHSIDE HOSPITAL
On Sunday, at 10 a.m., we welcome everyone to join us for Worship on the Green, a community devotional service led by Duluth First United Methodist Church’s (DFUMC) Reverends Terry Tippens and David Burchett. The service includes live inspirational music performed by the church’s Contemporary Worship team. Originally, Calvary Christian Fellowship (located in Downtown Duluth) held the outdoor service. The City purchased their building, which has since transitioned to the Red Clay Theatre. DFUMC church has provided the outdoor Festival worship service since then.
Though we hope that you don’t need it, the Duluth Fall Festival probably has the most professional First Aid station of any festival anywhere. For minor injuries or bee stings, visit the tent (located near the railroad tracks), which is staffed by registered nurses from Northside Hospital. For more serious injuries, bicycle-riding Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) from Gwinnett Fire Services will treat you on the spot! Cheryl MacMillan, Director of Nursing and Patient Care At Northside Hospital Duluth coordinates the services. Joan Glancy Hospital started this partnership since the very first Festival 40 years ago.
gwinnettdailypost.com • Gwinnett Daily Post • September 2023 • DULUTH FALL FESTIVAL 5 www.DuluthFallFestival.org 40th Annual 2023
Grand Marshal of the 40th Fall Festival Parade is journalist Monica Pearson. In 1975, Pearson was the first woman and first minority to anchor a daily evening TV news program in Atlanta. She’s become one of Atlanta’s most recognizable faces, having held the anchor role at WSBTV for 37 years, until 2012. After 10 years of retirement, she was lured back to the spotlight as the host of WPCH-TV’s “Monica Pearson One on One” and a new show for the AJC where she interviews a variety of Georgians.
Pearson has received 33 Emmy Awards as well as numerous other awards for her reporting and her “Monica Peason Closeups” segments. She is also a humanitarian who assists in charitable, non-profit, and community causes.
Pearson is a native of Louisville, KY, and holds a B.A. from the University of Louisville and an M.A. from the University of Georgia, where she graduated Mana Cum Laude at the age of 67. She is married to John E. Pearson , Sr., and has a daughter and bonus son.
Our own Brooks Coleman is Duluth Fall Festival's Honorary Grand Marshal for 2023. He has done so much for the Festival, for Duluth, for Gwinnett County and for Georgia that we could fill this entire tabloid with his accomplishments. However, no matter what offices and honors he has held, he was never too busy to do whatever was needed for the Festival and Duluth for all of these 40 years.
Brooks is an educator of the first rank, receiving his PHD in 1978. He served as principal of two Duluth schools and advanced to second in command of the entire Gwinnett County School System as administrative assistant to the superintendent. Coleman Middle School, the first Gwinnett County STEAM School was named for him.
From 1992-2018, Brooks served as State Representative of Georgia District 97, doing much for Duluth, Gwinnett County, and Georgia. He served in leading positions in organizations such as Rotary, Lions Club, Jaycees, Duluth First Baptist Church, and, of course, Duluth Fall Festival.
Just as he was the Voice of the Wildcats, he has long been the Voice of the Festival. For many years, he was our announcer and spokesperson for every event, including the Festival Parade. Not only did he do an excellent job, but he took time to train others to carry on his traditions. So, today we still have only the absolute best as our Festival emcees. We (and all of Gwinnett County) are lucky to have had Brooks Coleman leading the way for all 40 years!
6 DULUTH FALL FESTIVAL • September 2023 • Gwinnett Daily Post • gwinnettdailypost.com www.DuluthFallFestival.org 40th Annual 2023
Grand Marshal: Monica Kaufman Pearson
Honorary Grand Marshal: Brooks Coleman
Special Thanks from Duluth Fall Festival! Special Thanks
Working with our community is a top priority for Duluth Fall Festival. Our mission is to improve our hometown, Duluth’s beauty, and community spirit. All listed on this page are ardent Festival and Duluth Supporters and help us in a variety of ways. The amount of support we get is amazing and enables us to do much more than we could without them!
Red Clay Music Foundry – Eddie Owen
Restaurants of Taste of Duluth
Signs by Tomorrow - – Mike and Eve Johnson
Laura Heck
Hooch Beverage
McClellan & Associates, CPA – Warren McClellan
Northside Hospital Duluth – Jay Dennard
Payne-Corley House – Mike & Krista
Ganley
Printing Trade Company – Mark Williams
Smilin’ Mark McKay, “The Voice of the Festival”
Suzanna’s Kitchen – Brad Howard
Top Job Beverage and Events – Scott Harb
Vendors, Arts & Crafts and Food
WP Wolfepress – Kerry Wolfe
2023 Chairpersons – Herb and Beth Hoffman AND…our 400 community volunteers!
gwinnettdailypost.com • Gwinnett Daily Post • September 2023 • DULUTH FALL FESTIVAL 7 www.DuluthFallFestival.org 40th Annual 2023 Senior care shouldn't leave you guessing... neither should the cost. The all-inclusive cost of Delmar Gardens of Gwinnett independent, assisted living, or memory care community is crystal clear. One monthly check gives you the care, services, amenities, and accommodations you deserve. No tiered costs for levels of care, no buy-in, no community fees, no non-refundable fees...no guessing. ndepend nt L ving As i ted L v ng Memory care The all-inclusive cost of Delmar Gardens of Gwinnett independent, assisted living, or memory care community is crystal clear One monthly check gives you the care, services, amenities, and accommodations you deserve No tiered costs for levels of care, no buy-in, no community fees, no non-refundable fees... no guessing. Senior care shouldn't leave you guessing... neither should the cost. (877) 607-4550 DelmarGardens.com SPECIAL RATES AVAILABLE NOW! Contact us to find out more no community ( Del SPECIAL RA Contact Independent Living | Assisted Living Memory care y of care, no buy-in, n-refundable fees... ng. 550 ns.com ILABLE NOW! out more. SPECIAL RATES AVAILABLE NOW! Contact us to find out more. (877) 607-4550 | DelmarGardens.com TOP-LEVEL SPONSORS 95.5 WSB 104.7 The Fish AGCO Corporation Casteel Heating, Cooling, Plumbing and Electrical Dreamland BBQ Duluth Rexall Grill Georgia's Best Roofer Gwinnett Daily Post J.O. King Northside Hospital Payne-Corley House String & Story Suzanna’s Kitchen The Little Gym of Johns Creek The Piedmont Bank Tiger Tails Animal Hospital MEDIA PARTNERS 95.5 WSB—Smilin’ Mark McKay 104.7 The Fish Gwinnett Daily Post Gwinnett Forum Southwest Gwinnett magazine
INVOLVEMENT Andersen, Tate, & Carr, P.C. – Matt Reeves Atlanta Ad Graphics – Cindi Dowdle and Tammy Dills City of Duluth – Employees, Mayor and Council Corporate Expressions – Andy & Carolyn Kite Courtyard by Marriott, Duluth – Donna McHugh and Melissa Sloan Entertainers and Parade Participants Festival Newspaper Advertisers Formetco – John Gibb Georgia Power Good Word Brewing & Public House –Todd di Matteo Gwen Tajz Wine Bar – Tiffany Dillon Heck Design Group –
COMMUNITY
The Festival as seen through the City Administration
By Chris McGahee, Economic Development City of Duluth
For 40 years the last weekend in September and Downtown Duluth have had a unique relationship. A group of volunteers, merchants, residents, and city staff welcome tens of thousands of visitors over two days to a celebration of fall and of place. Nancy Harris has been involved in the Duluth Fall Festival for many years as volunteer, sometimes as Chair or Co-Chair, and for the last 16 years she has been the Mayor of her hometown Duluth, Georgia. She announced over the summer she would not seek a fifth term, and so this will be her last Fall Festival as Mayor Nancy. “I have lived in the Duluth area my whole life” she reflected recently. “The city is in a good place. I heard a wise person say once, leave while they are clapping.” The citizens, visitors, and the City government of Duluth are clapping indeed!
The current setting for the Festival is a vibrant downtown of
restaurants, shops, greenspace, and places to live. “I think I am most proud of the city council members with their courage to actively encourage people to live downtown in enough numbers to support our businesses, Nancy said recently. We turned Duluth into a great place to live, plus we invite all residents to sit awhile in their downtown. What we are is a people keeping the best and changing the rest.”
That change continues as Festival visitors will get to see the new Activity Lawn, the new LR Burger restaurant, our now completed wonderful library, and no construction fences. What does not change is the invitation to participate in a 40-year ritual of fall in a small Georgia town by the railroad tracks. We hope to see all of you at Duluth Fall Festival!
8 DULUTH FALL FESTIVAL • September 2023 • Gwinnett Daily Post • gwinnettdailypost.com www.DuluthFallFestival.org 40th Annual 2023
Chris McGahee
The Story of Atlanta Flooring Design Centers
by Donny Phillips
I moved to Duluth, GA 38 years ago. I could not have found a better town to live in and to have our initial launch of Atlanta Flooring Design Centers. We started in what is now the dining area of the Family Restaurant which is still there today. I was incredibly blessed to have found Duluth, where my small-town upbringing blended well with the local folks and the previous slogan of Duluth, “Pride in the old and the new”.
I loved the closeness of the Duluth community, and I was graciously accepted by local leaders like Kathryn Willis and the Parsons family, with all of their Duluth roots. The community was growing rapidly, and AFDC had the desire to grow right along with Duluth! With the support of the Duluth community, we outgrew 3 locations inside the city limits. In 2007, we relocated 5 miles north to a larger facility and have since added 3 buildings to our campus. We now operate in 6 states with 15 locations!
I constantly tell people that AFDC started very small, and my dream became a reality because God blessed me with starting in and getting to know the wonderful folks of Duluth! I noticed recently that Duluth now has a new slogan, “Capture the Spirit of Good Living” and that fits right in with where we are today!
Not only does my company owe its beginnings to Duluth, I lived there during the beginning years, and still attend church, shop, and eat there regularly. I agree it is a fabulous place to live or visit because of the inviting nature of the people and it is still a solid place for businesses to locate.
I owe the Duluth community a HUGE THANK YOU for all that Atlanta Flooring Design Centers and I have accomplished over the years! I wish the Duluth Fall Festival continued success, and look forward to the excitement it always brings to OUR COMMUNITY!
BUFORD • SUWANEE • CHATTANOOGA • BIRMINGHAM • OPELIKA • PENSACOLA • CHARLOTTE • GREENSBORO • RALEIGH/DURHAM • WILMINGTON • MYRTLE BEACH • NORTH CHARLESTON 3665 Swiftwater Park Drive « Suwanee, GA 30024 770-476-8306 « info@atlantaflooringdesign.com WWW.ATLANTAFLOORINGDESIGN.COM
FESTIVAL SPONSOR PROGRAM
During our 40 years, the Festival has donated more than four million dollars to improve downtown Duluth! Have you ever wondered where the money comes from? In the beginning, the proceeds were small—after all of the expenses to host the Festival, not much money was left. But, more than 20 years ago, a volunteer suggested allowing commercial, or “Sponsor” booths in addition to our traditional arts & crafts and food booths. Thus, our Sponsor program was born.
Over time, levels of sponsorship have developed (from $200 to $10,000), each level with more and more perks. We now have about 165 sponsors each year, averaging a total of around $170,000 in sponsorships!
We give our heartfelt thanks and appreciation to our sponsors of every level, who support us year after year. We could not begin to do all that we do for Downtown Duluth without their support.
2023 DULUTH FALL FESTIVAL SPONSORS
KEYSTONE
104.7 The Fish
WWW.THEFISHATLANTA.COM
Northside Hospital
WWW.NORTHSIDE.COM
The Piedmont Bank
PIEDMONT.BANK
CORNERSTONE
95.5 WSB WSBRADIO.COM
AGCO Corporation
WWW.AGCOCORP.COM
Gwinnett Daily Post
GWINNETTDAILYPOST.COM
Tiger Tails Animal Hospital
WWW.TIGERTAILSANIMALHOSPITAL.COM
SPECIAL AREA SPONSORS
Arts and Crafts
String & Story on Main
WWW.STRINGANDSTORY.COM
Community Lunch
Suzanna’s Kitchen
WWW.SUZANNASKITCHEN.COM
Duluth Depot J.O. King
WWW.KINGFASTENER.COM
Entertainment
The Piedmont Bank
PIEDMONT.BANK
Festival Concert
Georgia’s Best Roofer
WWW.GEORGIASBESTROOFER.COM
First Aid
Northside Hospital
WWW.NORTHSIDE.COM
Food Court
Duluth Rexall Grill-Buttermilk Biscuits
WWW.REXALLGRILL.COM
Kidz Korner
Casteel Heating, Cooling, Plumbing and Electrical
WWW.CASTEELAIR.COM
Parsons Alley
Dreamland BBQ
DREAMLANDBBQ.COM/LOCATIONS/DULUTH/ Shuttles
The Little Gym of Johns Creek
WWW.THELITTLEGYM.COM/ALPHARETTAJOHNSCREEKGA
Taste of Duluth Payne-Corley House
WWW.PAYNECORLEYHOUSE.COM
PLATINUM
Avonlea Apartments
WWW.AVONLEAAPARTMENTS.COM
Courtyard Duluth
WWW.MARRIOTT.COM/ATLCH
Duluth Animal Hospital
WWW.DULUTHANIMALHOSPITAL.COM
Duluth Dog Depot
WWW.DULUTHDOGDEPOT.COM
Hexis Energy
WWW.HEXIS-ENERGY.US
Northside Diagnostic Clinic- Duluth
WWW.NGDC.COM
Pella Window and Door of Georgia PELLASE.COM
Purifi IV PURIFIIV.COM
Southeast Restoration SOUTHEASTRESTORATION.COM
Southwest Gwinnett Magazine SOUTHWESTGWINNETTMAGAZINE.COM
T-Mobile T-MOBILE.COM
Thomas Eye Group THOMASEYE.COM
EMERALD
Andersen, Tate & Carr
WWW.ATCLAWFIRM.COM
Drake House Construction & Design DRAKEHOUSECONSTRUCTION.COM
First Option Mortgage
WPOLACK.FOP-POS.COM/PORTAL Formetco
WWW.FORMETCO.COM/ABOUT
GFS GetFastShirt
GETFASTSHIRT.COM/DESIGN_AT_GET_FAST_SHIRT/SHOP/HOME
Heck Design Group
HECKDESIGNGROUP.COM
Mark and Linda Wettlauffer
McClellan Accountants & Advisors
WWW.MCCLELLANCPA.COM
Michael Carroll Law
WWW.MICHAELCARROLLATTORNEY.COM
North Atlanta Kids Dentistry
WWW.NAKIDSDENTISTRY.COM
Perimeter Church
WWW.PERIMETER.ORG
PetSuites
JOHNSCREEK.PETSUITESOFAMERICA.COM
Printing Trade Company
WWW.PRINTINGTRADECO.COM
AKA Tree Service
WWW.AKATREESERVICE.COM
All America Gutter Protection
WWW.ALLAMERICANGUTTERPROTECTION.COM
Andretti Indoor Karting & Games Buford ANDRETTIKARTING.COM/BUFORD
Appalachian Growers
APPALACHIANGROWERS.COM/ Arrow Exterminators
WWW.ARROWEXTERMINATORS.COM
Atlanta Falcons
ATLANTAFALCONS.COM
Atlanta Flooring Design Centers, Inc.
WWW.ATLANTAFLOORINGDESIGN.COM
Atlanta University of Health Science/College Clinic
ATLANTAUNIV.ORG
Bath Planet Atlanta
WWW.BATHPLANET.COM
Budget Blinds BUDGETBLINDS.COM/DULUTH-GA
Cain Injury Law CAININJURYLAW.COM
Capital Vacations
WWW.CAPITALVACATIONS.COM
Cutco Cutlery
WWW.CUTCO.COM
Flossophie Children’s Dentistry KIDSFLOSSOPHIE.COM
Georgia Insulation, LLC
WWW.GEORGIAINSULATION.COM
GNR Public Health
WWW.GNRHEALTH.COM
Gutter Helmet by Lednor Home Solutions LEDNORHOME.COM
Gwinnett Stripers
WWW.MILB.COM/GWINNETT
Harlem Legends/Michael Douglas WWW.HARLEMLEGENDS.COM
Hexis Energy
WWW.HEXIS-ENERGY.US
Home Craft Gutter Protection HOMECRAFTGUTTERPROTECTION.COM
Inspire Ob/Gyn WWW.INSPIREOBGYN.COM/
Klean Sonrisas Dental Care
WWW.KLEANSONRISAS.COM
LasikPlus
LASIKPLUS.COM
LeafFilter Gutter Protection
WWW.LEAFFILTER.COM
Todd Lemoine Team LEMOINETEAM.COM
WWW.AETNA.COM
LifeLink of Georgia LIFELINKFOUNDATION.ORG
Lily Texidor Realtor WWW.TEXIDORREALTY.COM
Make It Loud Web Design & Digital Marketing
WWW.MAKEITLOUD.NET
Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta ROADATLANTA.COM
Miller’s Youth Sports DULUTHSBESTAFTERSCHOOL.COM
Notre Dame Academy
WWW.NDACADEMY.ORG
Parc at Duluth
WWW.PARCATDULUTH.COM
Peachtree Pest Control WWW.PEACHTREEPESTCONTROL.COM
Pestban, LLC
WWW.PESTBAN.COM
Phoenix Chiropractic PHOENIXFORHEALTH.COM
Platinum Elite Roofing PLATINUMELITEROOFING.COM
PNC WWW.PNC.COM
Puppy Haven Pet Resort PUPPYHAVEN.COM
Quality Ortho Care WWW.QUALITYORTHOCARE.COM
Robbins Nest Recording Studies
WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/MICHAEL.ROBBINS.750
Terry Chambers/Realtor ReMax Center TERRYCHAMBERS@REMAX.COM
Renasant Bank
WWW.RENASANTBANK.COM
Renewal By Andersen
WWW.RENEWALBYANDERSEN.COM
SavATree
WWW.SAVATREE.COM
Scenthound of Johns Creek & South Forsyth WWW.SCENTHOUND.COM
Seven Oaks Academy
SEVENOAKSACADEMY.ORG
Shepherd Animal Hospital
SHEPHERDANIMALHOSPITAL.COM
Southeastern Railway Museum
WWW.TRAIN-MUSEUM.ORG
The Epoch Times
WWW.THEEPOCHTIMES.COM
The Trusted Toolbox WWW.THETRUSTEDTOOLBOX.COM
Top Job Beverage and Events WWW.TOPJOBBEVERAGEANDEVENTS.COM
Tropic Bowls Café TROPICBOWLSCAFE.COM
True Source Family Chiropractic TRUESOURCECHIROPRACTIC.COM
Virtual Imaging
WWW.VIRTUALIMAGINGATL.COM
Wellroot Family Services WELLROOT.ORG
GOLD
Atlanta AdGraphics
WWW.ATLANTAADGRAPHICS.COM
First Citizens Bank
WWW.FIRSTCITIZENS.COM
Lail Family Dentistry
DRLAIL.COM
WP Wolfe Press
WPWOLFEPRESS.COM
SILVER
Bill Head Funeral Homes and Crematory
Capital City Bank
District at Duluth
Duluth Driving School
Findley Commercial Properties
Gold Stars Roof
Gwinnett Forum
Duluth Co-Op
Peachtree Christian Health
Primerica
Rainbow Village
Sports & Imports Collision Inc.
Storey Custom Homes
The Local Pantry Tower Sealants
FRIENDS OF THE FESTIVAL
Alana Moss
Alexis Server and Holly Rotalsky
Annette McIntosh
Carol Hitchcock
Carolyn Herbig
David Gentry
Dorothy Rainey
Gina Yapit
Hall Family
Herb and Beth Hoffman
Jean Daniel
Jim and Kathy Orcutt
Jim and Terrie Adkins
John and Jean Howard
JW and Jena Mozley
Kathryn Willis
Kathy and Ralph Mumme
Kimberly Kelkenberg
Linda Tonge and Richard LaScala
Lisa and Ken Thompson
Marsha Anderson Bomar
Marty and Debbie Bush
Mary Buck
Matt and Cindy Morris
Matt and Suzette Reeves
Mike and Kay Montgomery
Richard and Margaret Middleton
Scott Henderson and Jennifer Freeman
Sheldon and Janet Greenwald
Steve and Teresa Lynn
10 DULUTH FALL FESTIVAL • September 2023 • Gwinnett Daily Post • gwinnettdailypost.com
AARP AARP.ORG Above Ground Aerial
DIAMOND
WWW.ABOVEGROUNDAERIAL.ORG Aetna
gwinnettdailypost.com • Gwinnett Daily Post • September 2023 • DULUTH FALL FESTIVAL 11 ANNIVERSARY 40TH congratulations to the DULUTH FALL FESTIVAL for 40 incredible years. burgers • fries • shakes • bar 3151 Main St. Duluth • lrburger.com • @lrburgerga BURGER Veiga State Farm Agency See how we can be your top choice for all your Insurance and Financial Service Needs 770-476-4121 www.leoveigasf.com 2715 Buford Hwy., Ste 800, Duluth, GA Leo Viega-Sotelo Agent AUTO HOME LIFE BANK Come in and taste our great flavors in artisan oils, vinegars and gourmet foods. We have a nice selection of spices and wine. 3131A Main St., Duluth, GA • 770-2991765 • vomfassusa.com VIOLAS’ SPICES AND GOURMET FOODS Great for Gifting. Premade or make your own. Plan a private holiday event with us. MATT REEVES PROUD TO CALL DULUTH HOME! WWW.ATCLAWFIRM.COM
SHUTTLES, RIDE-SHARES & PARKING, OH MY!
Because parking in Historic Downtown Duluth is limited, save yourself the frustration of looking for a parking space. Use our FREE shuttle service; have your ride-sharing service drop you off at our dedicated ride-sharing stop or take a short hike to downtown.
PARK AND RIDE: Our deluxe, air-conditioned shuttle service lets you relax in comfort and drops you off at the Festival’s front door. Shuttles run continuously during the Festival (except during Saturday’s Parade).
SHUTTLE LOCATIONS
Chattahoochee Elementary School
2930 Albion Farm Road Duluth Middle School 3200 Pleasant Hill Road Mason Elementary 3030 Bunten Road
SHUTTLE PICKUP LOTS: FESTIVAL STOP:
Coleman Middle School, 3057 Main Street - Downtown Duluth
SHUTTLE HOURS
DAY FROM TO 7:45 a.m.*
*Important: Service is suspended from 9:45 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. due to street closures during the Parade. If you plan to attend the Parade or Opening Ceremony, we suggest that you arrive at the Shuttle Lot by 9 a.m.
Sunday
6:30 a.m. (Chattahoochee)
7:45 a.m. (Duluth Middle, Mason Elementary)
WHEELCHAIR ACCESS: Buses can accommodate passengers who are partially mobile. Drivers will assist passengers on and off the bus and storage is available for wheelchairs, strollers and other mobility items.
PETS: Except for service animals, pets are not allowed on shuttle buses.
RIDE AND DROPOFF
Eliminate parking worries and have Uber® or Lyft® drop you off at the Festival’s ridesharing lot, behind Coleman Middle School.
PARK AND WALK
If you want to “get your steps in,” many parking spaces are available near downtown.
• First Citizen’s Bank: 2775 Buford Hwy, Duluth
• Designated lots along Buford Hwy: Look for “Park and Walk” signs.
9:00
7:00
7:00
Saturday
p.m.
p.m.
p.m.
SPONSORED BY THE LITTLE GYM
Festival Entertainment
Sunday, October 1
Festival Center Stage SPONSORED BY THE PIEDMONT BANK
PERFORMER
Opening Ceremony
Wildcat Cheerleaders
Duluth High School Drumline
All Stars Performing Arts Academy
Six Degree Tilt
New Bridge
The Muckers
Five Long Years
Maggie Clement Band
FROM
TO
Donut Dash Road Race
Worship on the Green
(Duluth First United Methodist Church)
Working From Home
City Limits Band
Over the Influence
Metro Jazz
Parsons Alley Entertainment SPONSORED BY DREAMLAND BAR-B-QUE
PERFORMER
Brett Ryder
Saturday, September 30 FROM 12:00
Steve McElroy
Blackfoot Daisy
Phil Griffin Duo
Surly Trolls
The Bea Arthurs
12:00 1:00 2:00 3:00 4:00 TO 12:45 1:45 2:45 3:45 5:00
PERFORMER
Harm’s Way
Foster Greene
Church of Gray
Yao Lu and Xiaodan chen
Stone Mountain Chorus
14 DULUTH FALL FESTIVAL • September 2023 • Gwinnett Daily Post • gwinnettdailypost.com
40th Annual 2023
www.DuluthFallFestival.org
12:35 1:15 2:15 3:15 4:15 5:15
12:15 12:30 1:00 2:00 3:00 4:00 5:00 6:15
FROM 11:15 12:20
TO
1:00 2:00 3:00 4:00 5:00 6:00
12:45 1:45 2:45 3:45 4:45 5:45 6:45
TO
8:00 10:00 12:00 1:00 2:00 3:00 4:00
Jackson Tiberghien 9:30 11:30 12:45 1:45 2:45 3:45 4:45
PERFORMER
Dance Mexicano FROM
2023 FESTIVAL CO-CHAIRPERSONS
Beth Hoffman
Herb Hoffman
2024 FESTIVAL
CO-CHAIRPERSONS
Beth Hoffman
Herb Hoffman
ARTS & CRAFTS
Beth Parmer
Kimberly Reed
CHRISTMAS PARTY
Cheri Lawson
Beth Ann Woodruff
Kay Montgomery
CITY OF DULUTH
LIAISON
Crystal Huntzinger
COMMUNITY LUNCH (FRIDAY OF FESTIVAL)
Alexis Nash
Linda Tonge
Beth Bell (Food) CONCERT
Kay Montgomery
DECORATIONS
Kelly Willoughby
DECORATIONS
AUCTION
Mark McKay
DIRECTORY
Laura Heck
Mark Williams
Manfred Graeder
Kathryn Willis
2023 COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSONS
DULUTH DEPOT
Beth Hoffman
Janet Greenwald
Melanie Sheldon EMCEES
Mark McKay
Jerry Bignotti
Brad Hench
Johnny Phelps
Doug Turnbull
Veronica Harrell
ENTERTAINMENT
FESTIVAL CENTER
STAGE:
Laura Godfrey
PARSONS ALLEY
STAGE:
Michael Robbins
FESTIVAL LAYOUT
Mary Buck
Brenda Ehly
Alexis Server
FESTIVAL NIGHT OUT
Beth Hoffman
Linda Storey
FESTIVAL SHUTDOWN
Denisha Scott
FIRST AID
Cheryl MacMillan
FOOD VENDORS
Aaron Blake
Doug Harmony
Mell Robinson
INFORMATION, LOST & FOUND
Bryan Johnson
Carol Vidyasagar
KIDZ KORNER
Beth & Herb Hoffman
MINUTES
Jean Harrival
NAME TAGS
Pam Jones
NEWSPAPER INSERTS
Laura Heck
Alana Moss
Kathryn Willis
OPENING CEREMONY/ GRAND MARSHAL
Kay Montgomery
Linda Storey
OPERATIONS
Wayne Herman
Herb Hoffman
PARADE
Debbie Bush
CONVERTIBLES:
Kelly Willoughby
MONITORS:
Pam Jones
Marla Krohn
POSTERS:
Kay Montgomery
PARKING
Slade Lail
John Martin
Ed Welborn
PHOTOGRAPHY
Dustin Grau
Mary Buck
REFRESHMENTS
(MONTHLY MEETINGS)
Cindy Morris
Darbra Mahoney
ROAD RACE
Greg Whitlock
Gavin Maguire
Randy Sutt
Gary Jenkins
(coordinator)
SHUTTLE SERVICE
John Martin
Sheila Harmony
SIGN DESIGN AND ORDERING
Wayne Herman
Herb Hoffman
SIGN INSTALLATION AND REMOVAL
Josh Shapiro
SOCIAL MEDIA
Kay Montgomery
FACEBOOK:
Michael Hopkins
SOUND PRODUCTION
FESTIVAL CENTER
STAGE:
Mark Wettlaufer
Earl Griffith
www.DuluthFallFestival.org
PARSONS ALLEY
STAGE:
Michael Robbins
Javiar Santossil
SPONSORSHIP
Beth Hoffman
Linda Storey
(Events)
Krystal Ware
(Logistics)
SUNSHINE, SCARECROW & HOSPITALITY
Jean Harrivel
T–SHIRTS
DISTRIBUTION:
Kim Craig
PRODUCTION:
Kathy Orcutt
Kay Montgomery
TASTE OF DULUTH
Cindy Morris
Avery Shapiro
Krista Ganley
Annette Summerour
TECHNOLOGY
WEBSITE:
Kay Montgomery
IVOLUNTEER:
Manfred Graeder
EVENTENY:
Alana Moss
TELEPHONE:
Wayne Herman
TRAFFIC & SECURITY
Jim Dugan
VENDOR ASSISTANCE (UNLOAD/LOAD)
Steve Lynn
Mariam Mirzoyan
VENDOR CHECK-IN/ CHECK-OUT
Emily MacKenzie
VENDOR TRAFFIC
Philip Parmer
VOLUNTEER
RECRUITMENT
Beth & Herb Hoffman
Teresa & Steve Lynn WORSHIP SERVICE
Min Lee
ZONE COORDINATORS
Adam Davidson
Deb Schmid
DULUTH FALL
FESTIVAL, INC.
PRESIDENT:
Kay Montgomery
SECRETARY:
Jean Harrivel
TREASURER:
John Martin
16 DULUTH FALL FESTIVAL • September 2023 • Gwinnett Daily Post • gwinnettdailypost.com
40th Annual 2023
Proudly Serving Our Duluth Community for Over 50 years.
Printing Trade Company is a true family business and partner to the Duluth community.
Ted Williams started Printing Trade Company in the basement of his family home with Mark and Mike working along side their father as they grew up in the business. They eventually grew it into the company that you know today. In 2001 Printing Trade Company absorbed Ted’s wife Audrey’s typography business to make it what it is today.
Mark’s son James also grew up working in the business and he is bringing a new focus to the company.
Printing Trade Company is very proud to play a big part in our community. After 53 years, Duluth is family to us.
Congratulations to the Duluth Fall Festival on their celebration of 40 years of the best festival in the country.
770-441-0945 • 2790 Simpson Circle
Duluth Fall Festival would like to thank Mark Williams for sponsoringandsupporting usincountlessways throughtheyears.
About the Festival T-Shirt
You can track the history of the Festival through its T-shirts. The first shirts were thanks to Tom Martin of (then) Citizens Bank of Gwinnett. None of us could believe that Tom was willing to pay for shirts for every one of us! In the beginning, the shirt had a unique design each year. Then, in 2005, Cindy Sutt and Kay Montgomery created a logo for the Festival, and it has been the primary design on the shirt ever since. The current year’s Festival Chairpersons choose the shirt color. Over the years, 37 different shirt colors have been selected and tens of thousands of shirts have been printed. Would you like your own, Festival T-shirt? Simply become a volunteer or a sponsor of the Festival and next year you, can start your own collection!
Food
SPONSORED BY REXALL GRILL
Come hungry! We have all kinds of fare to satisfy your appetite, including new vendors from across the country and favorites that return year after year. Here’s a list of some of sweets and treats you’ll find:
Atlas Arel LLC—Real Gyros (lamb/beef), Greek Salad, Cheesecake
B & D Catering—Turkey Legs
Bonz & Gristle's—Fried Fish, Cajun Turkey wings
Egg Roll Boyz—All types of Egg Rolls Island Noodle—Hawaiian yakisoba stir-fry
Jalapeno Corndog Concession
Kona Ice Trucks
Old West Soda
Pico's Hot Dogs
AW Shucks--Roasted corn (in the husk) and boiled peanuts
Food booths are located in the “Food Court” by the railroad tracks. Food carts are located throughout the Festival. Mell Robinson has been the DFF Food Chairperson for more than 12 years and involved with the Festival since 1988!
Petting Zoo
New this year is a FREE mobile petting zoo, hosted by Lozano Farms. You can find the petting zoo on Main Street near City Hall.
Duluth Depot
SPONSORED BY J.O.
KING
Festival-goers can purchase souvenir items with the Duluth Fall Festival logo, such as T-shirts, baseball caps, tote bags, stainless steel tumblers, and many other items at the Festival’s new Duluth Depot. If you’re feeling lucky, purchase raffle tickets for prizes. You can also purchase Jaemor apples and specialty pumpkins at the Depot.
• Raffle Tickets: $5 each or 5 for $20
• Raffle Drawing: Sunday at 4:30 p.m. (following the auction of the Festival decorations). You do not have to be present to win.
18 DULUTH FALL FESTIVAL • September 2023 • Gwinnett Daily Post • gwinnettdailypost.com www.DuluthFallFestival.org 40th Annual 2023
QUILT MADE FROM PREVIOUS FESTIVAL T-SHIRTS
Tribute to Duluth’s Own Elvis:
Mark Pitt
Sadly, this year Duluth Fall Festival Entertainment will start very differently than it has for the last 28 years. Long-time Elvis impersonator, Mark Pitt, recently passed away. He died unexpectedly on the exact date, August 16, that Elvis died in 1977.
Mark started the Entertainment for every Festival as the first act on the Festival Center Stage, immediately following the Opening Ceremony. Crowds of fans would already be there waiting for the first sight of Duluth's own, Elvis!, determined not to miss a minute of his show.
Soon they would be screaming, crowding as close to the stage as they could get, hoping Elvis would notice them and toss a keepsake scarf or teddy bear their way. His show always outdrew all others at the Festival.
Not only did Mark sound more like Elvis than Elvis himself, but Mark was also a genuinely nice guy. He was devoted to Duluth, where he grew up, and to us at Duluth Fall Festival. Our hearts go out to his wife, Lisa, and the entire family.
We thought Mark would always be here the last weekend in September and are heartbroken now to realize that Our Elvis has left the building!
There’s a new route in town
Travel through Duluth, Lilburn, and Stone Mountain with Ride Gwinnett Route 25!
Route 25 begins at the Gwinnett Place Transit Center in Duluth, travels down Pleasant Hill Road and Lawrenceville Highway towards Lilburn City Hall, and travels through Mountain Park before ending in Stone Mountain.
Visit RideGwinnett.com to see the bus schedule and start riding!
gwinnettdailypost.com • Gwinnett Daily Post • September 2023 • DULUTH FALL FESTIVAL 19 www.DuluthFallFestival.org 40th Annual 2023
Kidz Korner
BY CASTEEL HEATING, COOLING, PLUMBING AND ELECTRICAL
If you’re looking for inflatables and kidfriendly games, check out Kidz Korner, located near City Hall and Taylor Park.
Festival Night Out
To get to know each other better, we invite all Festival volunteers to dinner at a local restaurant. On the last Thursday of each month, we choose a restaurant where we sit together, enjoy delicious food and socialize with other volunteers. Attendees are responsible for their own drinks and dinner, but the Festival provides appetizers. Sign up online and get to know each other better!
www.DuluthFallFestival.org
Duluth Donut Dash
On 8:00 a.m. Sunday morning (October 1st), we invite you to participate in the Duluth Donut Dash 5K. This AJC Peachtree Road Race Qualifying Event includes a long-sleeved T-shirt, chip timing, and concludes with delicious donuts, coffee and an awards ceremony. As you run/ walk through beautiful Downtown Duluth, you will also be supporting Wellroot Family Services (www.wellroot.org). This local non-profit nurtures happy, healthy families. Wellroot’s programs keep families together whenever possible, provide short-term foster care when needed, and nurture and educate young adults to break the cycle of trauma in their lives. Register or learn more at duluthdonutdash5k.org.
• Registration Fees : $35 until September 30, and $45 on October 1 (race day).
• Important: To guarantee that you get a T-shirt, you must pre-register. To pre-register online, go to the Festival website: www.duluthfallfestival.org/5k-road-race.html.
Festival Concert
SPONSORED BY GEORGIA'S BEST ROOFER
Platinum Band Atlanta provided a fantastic concert on Saturday, September 23rd at the Duluth Festival Center. Sponsored by Georgia’s Best Roofer, the concert was a fun, dancing, party event that was free and entertaining. It was also the showcase for the 2024 T-shirt reveal. The music was from the 70's to today and everyone really enjoyed it. For more information, check out platinumbandatlanta.com.
20 DULUTH FALL FESTIVAL • September 2023 • Gwinnett Daily Post • gwinnettdailypost.com
40th Annual 2023
Arts & Crafts
SPONSORED BY STRING & STORY
Each year, more than 150 Arts and Crafts vendors participate in the Duluth Fall Festival. Local and regional artists display work in visual, tactile and even edible formats. For the home or office, the show features paintings, photographs, wood crafts, pottery, ironwork, and barware. There are also many decorative accessories, such as plants, candles, soaps, wreaths and baskets. For personal decoration, jewelry, leatherwork and clothing (for adults, children, dolls and dogs!) can be found. And for food cravings, there are satisfying sauces, honeys, teas, sweets and more.
Our Arts and Crafts artisans are a mix of returning and new vendors who create or hand-decorate their merchandise, presenting everything from traditional to trending items. The artisans are primarily local or from the Southeast. When possible, we place returning vendors in the same location. But be sure to look around and take in the new vendors too!
Artisans interested in participating in next year, can apply on our website in early 2024.
Community Luncheon
SPONSORED BY SUZANNA’S KITCHEN
How do we express appreciation to hundreds of volunteers, Festival sponsors, City of Duluth employees, police, firefighters and all who organize and work together to host the Duluth Fall Festival?
Through a generous partnership with Suzanna’s Kitchen (formerly led by the late Barbara Howard), we invite everyone to share barbeque, Brunswick stew, and all the trimmings. Festival volunteers provide homemade desserts.
Just a few years after the Festival’s debut in 1983, we decided to hold a community luncheon on the Friday setup day, and this continues today.
Setting Up & Taking Down the Big Event
You probably haven’t ever thought about the logistics of preparing downtown Duluth for the Festival. It’s practically an event of its own. In the weeks before the Festival, volunteers measure and mark off booth spaces to make sure that space is allocated for all of the booths.
Early Friday morning, volunteers start setting up the Festival infrastructure, signage and decorations. The Check-In committee greets vendors and sponsors and directs them to their booth locations. We even spend time assisting people unload and set up their wares—we’re often told by vendors that the Duluth Fall Festival is the only show that they participate in that has volunteers who assist them.
Sunday night, starting at 5 p.m., we work quickly to remove everything to do with the Festival. By Monday morning, Duluth is back to "normal" and we start planning for the next year.
gwinnettdailypost.com • Gwinnett Daily Post • September 2023 • DULUTH FALL FESTIVAL 21 www.DuluthFallFestival.org 40th Annual 2023
Looking Back Forty Years
Reaching a milestone anniversary of 40 years has us nostalgic for years gone by. The first festival (October, 1983) was rainy, cold, and netted only $300. Despite these setbacks, the decision was made to make it an annual event and we’ve been going strong ever since.
Looking back at the Festival’s numerous changes and accomplishments fills us with sense of pride. Take a minute to reminisce along with us as we share highlights from over the years.
Festival Partial Project List
• 2023: Duluth Co-op/Hands of Christ, Spectrum Autism Support Group, Duluth Historical Society fund, Duluth Cluster Schools, Southeastern Railway Museum, Rainbow Village, $50,000 to City of Duluth
• 2022: Rainbow Village, Duluth Co-op/Hands of Christ, Duluth Historical Society fund, $50,000 to City of Duluth
• 2021: Southeastern Railway Museum fund, $50,000 to City of Duluth
• 2020: Duluth Festival Center refurbishment, Duluth Church Cemetery, and Bunten Road Park kitchen improvements
• 2019: Festival Center remodel and HVAC, Landscaping for Town Green, Christmas Tree enhancements
• 2018: Taylor Park playground equipment, Gazebo improvements, new HVAC for the Festival Center, Christmas Tree enhancements
• 2017: Christmas Trees for Town Green and Parsons Alley, Mosaic for Parson’s Alley, Bike Racks, Wall for Dreamkeepers sculpture, Surveillance camera for Town Green
• 2016: AGCO Tractor for the City, Red Clay and Parsons Alley performances
• 2015: Parsons Alley, Red Clay Music Foundry marquees
• 2014: City parking lot improvements, Festival Center renovation
• 2013: Red Clay Music Foundry improvements, Festival Center hardwood
floors
• 2012: Final payment for Festival Center (total $1,300,000.00)
• 2011: Eastern Continental Divide Monument
• 2009: Sponsor Board and Taylor Park Entrance sign, Festival Center plantation shutters
• 2008: Taylor Park public restrooms
• 2006: Festival Courtyard Bricks and Landscaping
• 2000: Festival Center construction
• 1997: Sponsor committee, Festival expands to 2 days
• 1996: Taylor Park acquisition
• 1993-1995: Trees, Shrubs, Planters, Lampposts, Sidewalks, Building Renovations
Besides these visible achievements, we’ve donated more than one million dollars to Duluth non-profits.
Since 1983, the Festival has grown in both numbers and scope: Committees have grown from one to more than 50. Volunteers have increased from a handful to more than 400. Booths (Arts & Crafts, Food and Sponsors) are close to 400, limited only by space constraints.
For the last several years, Gwinnett Daily Post readers have selected Duluth Fall Festival as Best Festival in Gwinnett and several National publications selected it as the best in the southeast, but we’re not slowing down. The 2023 Festival promises to be the very best in our 40-year history! The Festival has been held every year since 1983 except for 2020 when COVID was at its peak. We encourage you to come to our 40th Anniversary Festival.
22 DULUTH FALL FESTIVAL • September 2023 • Gwinnett Daily Post • gwinnettdailypost.com
Presented by Top 5 Ways to Support Paint Gwinnett Pink: Be a sponsor 1 Put together a team 2 Participate by walking or running 3 Set up a vendor booth 4 Make a donation 5 October 14th, 2023 Coolray Field Scan to register for this amazing event! Find out more at Support.PaintGwinnettPink.com! COMM UNI TY of Str ength PAINT GWINNETT PINK 5K WALK/RUN 2023
Duluth Town Green & Downtown
Saturday, September 30 & Sunday, October 1
FREE Admission • FREE Shuttles duluthfallfestival.org
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 30
9:00 A.M. Booths Open
10:00 A.M. Parade (roads closed; shuttle suspended)
11:30 A.M. Opening Ceremony
12:30 P.M. Entertainment Begins
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 1
8:00 A.M. Road Race (roads closed)
9:00 A.M. Booths Open
10:00 A.M. Worship on the Green
11:30 A.M. Entertainment Begins
Duluth Fall Festival Committee would like to thank Tom and John Martin and Citizens Bank of Gwinnett Gwinnett Community Bank
The Piedmont Bank for being our Overall Top Sponsors for the last 40 years!
Satu
As a member of this com Ente successful an celeb your
7:00 P.M. Booths Close
The Duluth Fall Festival thanks Piedmont Bank for sponsoring our schedule page, being our Entertainment sponsor and, also, our overall top sponsor for 2023!
3:00 P.M. Decorations Auction (Duluth Depot)
5:00 P.M. Festival Closes
The Duluth our s 3112 Main St., Suite 100, Duluth, GA www.piedmont.bank
