The Old Fourth Ward Business Association is excited to announce the return of the Fire in the 4th Festival taking place Saturday, May 21, 2016 from 3 – 11 p.m. Paying homage to the historic Great Atlanta Fire of 1917, which devastated the Old Fourth Ward, the festival celebrates its heritage with over 30 live, local performances by musicians, dancers, and artists; fire games, sculptures, and performers; history presentations; food, drink and more.
Open to all ages and free to attend, all proceeds from Fire in the 4th will benefit the Old Fourth Ward Business Association.
Raising $10,000 in its inaugural year, Fire in the Fourth funded four new City of Atlanta trashcans and an O4W mural at Glen Iris and North Avenue. Proceeds also funded public safety initiatives that included: a graffiti task force, and a collaboration with City of Atlanta District 2 Councilmember Kwanza Hall’s ‘Year of Boulevard’ initiative for a community-wide clean car campaign to engage visitors, customers and residents to keep valuables out of sight.
“Fire in the 4th strives to be a shining example for what a neighborhood festival can and should be,” says O4WBA Event Chairman and Noni’s restaurant owner Matt Ruppert. “Instead of wondering how money is going to be put back into the community, you can walk around and experience it on the street.”
As Atlanta Magazine’s “Best New Festival” of 2015, the Old Fourth Ward Business Association has set out to make the 2016 event bigger and better. New this year, festival goers can enjoy a ‘Ride the Fire’ Bike Tour that follows the path of the infamous 1917 blaze and sit, back and relax during an Auburn Avenue Jazz Concert at the Ebenezer Baptist Amphitheater. Never a dull moment, Shadow People sideshows, including glass walking, sword swallowing and a human pincushion, are also new this year along with Circus Combustus fire sculptures, games and performances. Festival goers are also sure to be dazzled by Out of Hand Theater’s Resurgens, a two-story, 20-foot-wingspan phoenix puppet made of projectable fabric at its base. Designed by Atlanta artist Julia Hill, the impressive puppet will be activated at sunset accompanied by an original score by Atlanta composer Haddon Kime. Those looking for an upgraded experience can purchase tickets for the first time to the Tito’s VIP Fire Dome featuring curated food and entertainment by Bone Lick BBQ, Venkman’s and Bantam Pub, each with their own menus and custom cocktails. Also returning this year are also a number of fan favorites like the Imperial OPA Circus; Hot Spot curated mini-performance stages; the Great Atlanta Fire-o-Rama; Soul Food Cypher; Mausiki Scales and the Common Ground Collective; an antique fire engine show; Great Atlanta Fire of 1917 history presentations; a dedicated Kid Zone; and more.
Fire in the Fourth is held in the Old Fourth Ward on Edgewood and Auburn Avenues, between Boulevard and Jackson. The festival is free and open to all ages. For the most up to date information, please visit www.fireinthe4th.com. Sponsorship and volunteer opportunities are still available. To add fuel to our flame, please contact sponsorships@fireinthefourth.com or visit www.fireinthefourth.com.
