For the first time ever, the city of Sugar Hill’s annual Sugar Rush festival will be a two-day event. The festival will be held Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 16 and 17, in downtown Sugar Hill along West Broad Street.
The theme for this year’s Sugar Rush festival is “Artfully Festive” and the event will be a celebration of all things artistic. The festival will have “a curated blend of performing, visual and culinary arts” according to a statement from the city of Sugar Hill.
The festival will have a juried arts show that will feature local, regional and international artists using a wide variety of mediums. These works of art will be on display at the festival, as well as the Sugar Hill Art Gallery located inside of The Local apartment complex across from the E Center.
Artisans will be on hand demonstrating their crafts while performing artists will take to the stage at the E Center. Students from North Gwinnett High School instructed by Karen S. Campbell will paint for festival-goers on Saturday while students from Lanier High School instructed by Kristina Jaunais and Tiffany Cole will paint on Sunday. Three artists from Spelman College will be painting during the two days as well.
Visitors to the two-day festival can make their own crafts to take home as well as shop the many local vendors that will be present. Live music and a selection of food trucks will also be available for visitors to enjoy.
A list of local vendors that will be present at the Sugar Rush Festival can be found here. A full schedule of all musical and dance performances scheduled for the two-day festival can be located here.
The festival will wrap up Saturday night with a free concert at The Bowl featuring country music artist David Nail, who hails from Kennet, Missouri. Nail is a Grammy-nominated artist who made his debut in 2002 with his single “Memphis.” A few of his top songs include “I’m About to Come Alive,” “The Sound of a Million Dreams” and “I’m a Fighter.”
Doors will open at 6 p.m. for the concert. Opening act and country singer/songwriter, Karissa Ella will be performing at 7 p.m. and David Nail hits the stage at 8 p.m. Seating in the “wing area” of The Bowl does not require tickets. Premium seating tickets are sold out.
The Sugar Rush Festival will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 16, with the concert featuring David Nail set to begin at 7 p.m. and run through 11 p.m. Sunday’s festivities will be held from noon to 6 p.m.
Public parking can be found on Hillcrest Street, Sugar Hill Church and the E Center Parking garage. Road closures will be placed on West Broad Street, Church Street and Temple Drive.
For more details about the seventh annual Sugar Rush festival, visit cityofsugarhill.com.
