Monday, April 17, 2023

2023 Dunwoody Lemonade Days Festival kicks off Wednesday - suggestions for your visit. @LemonadeDays


Lemonade Days Festival is held at Brook Run Park in Dunwoody (4770 North Peachtree Road).

Dunwoody's Annual Spring Festival, Lemonade Day's presented by the Dunwoody Preservation Trust remembering the tornado of 1998 that flattened sections of our community, snapped trees like twigs and took a mans life has returned to the typical April timeframe this year and it looks like the weather will be great all weekend!  We are once again making Lemonade from Lemons and am hopeful for a sweet event.  A personal thank you to Hope Follmer and all the volunteers & sponsors who assist in making this a fabulous event.

Based on past experience, I can tell you that Wednesday & Thursday are the best days to purchase a wristband for unlimited rides as the crowds are light and the lines extremely short. The cost of wristbands on Wednesday & Thursday is $20.00 but the cost jumps to $30 starting Friday.  If your children don't have after school commitments on these days you may want to visit these days to maximize your ride per dollar ratio as the numbers will typically drop significantly come the weekend.  

A large number Middle School Students will make a bee line to Brook Run after school on Wednesday, Thursday & Friday as there is a secure book bag check in area at the festival to ensure those Chromebooks do not get lost.  Middle Schooler's running in packs at Lemonade Day's without direct parental oversight is a right of passage for many as the park is safe because the crowd is all local until about 7 pm on Friday when the carnival area is taken over by teenagers & college kids with cars.  Friday night usually gets busy and then on Saturday and Sunday the park is over run with visitors from near & far.  

Parents, please note that there is now a dedicated drop off / pick up point in the new parking lot as you enter Brook Run on Peeler Rd and take a left immediately after crossing the walking / bike trail as this location has easy access into the park, a well lit parking lot with a pavilion and a restroom.

Besides the carnival rides, the food choices for festival goers will include everything from hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken and BBQ to foods with an Asian, Italian, Indian and/or Hispanic flair. For those just wanting a snack, there will be popcorn, funnel cakes and pretzels and for a cool treat yogurt, Italian ice and ice cream. Cold craft and domestic beer and delicious wine are also available. 

The 2023 Dunwoody Authors Bookstore at Lemonade Days (open Saturday & Sunday) is delighted to bring you local authors and friends! Each of the featured authors will have their fabulous works for purchase at the booth and will be available to sign your copy.  Check the schedule here.

Another highlight of the festival is the Children's Petting Zoo & Pony Rides which is only available on Sunday; the weekend also brings various vendors at the County Store selling arts & crafts, there is music everyday starting Thursday and then there is the Dunwoody Idol music competition happening on Saturday.   Finally, the Dunwoody Community is blessed to have our long term (in operation for 50 Years!) dance studio, Dan and Company performing on Sunday.

Parking for Lemonade Days is available at:

  • St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church
  • Kingswood United Methodist Church
  • St. Barnabas Church
  • Peachtree Middle School (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday only)
  • Back of Brook Run Park - new back entrance available on Barclay next to Fire Station.

Some Parking Areas Are Paid Parking

Please be conscious of NO Parking signs during Sunday Church schedules.

Uber/Lyft/Parent Drop-off & Pick-up will be located in the 90 spot parking area in front of the small pavilion across from the Great Lawn. Look for the sign.

Brook Run Dog Park: If you’re planning on using the Dog Park at Brook Run, we won’t get in your way at all. Just please use the Peeler Road entrance to the Park, and a friendly volunteer will point you in the right direction from there.  SORRY, NO PETS ALLOWED in the Festival Area.

I will be working the City tent Saturday morning before my bride and I head over to Barn, for the Green Eggs & Kegs event for Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), but I plan to be at the Lemonade Days festival every day.  If you see me at the event, please pull me aside to introduce yourself as I would love to chat to hear what is on your mind.  Thanks    John Heneghan


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