LocalMotion returns with 4 Oktoberfest Themes
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Over the last few years, Hapeville has staked out a reputation as an arts destination south of Atlanta.
LocalMotion, an annual fall arts festival in the city since 2017, has played a big role, bringing artists, food, beer and musical acts like Nappy Roots to town. When an expansive, one-day event in Jess Lucas Park was impossible in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic’s second surge last fall, the Tri-Cities Arts Alliance pivoted to four Saturday mini-fests in the Arts Alley parallel to North Central Avenue.
We may not be quite out of the pandemic yet, but Localmotion is taking that idea a step further with a whole slate of new themed Oktoberfests starting this Saturday, all leading into Hapeville’s popular Dia de Los Muertos celebration on Oct. 30. These new events include an adult field day (Jock-toberfest), a chili cook-off (Crock-toberfest) and a music-centric Rock-toberfest.
First up is the classic Oktoberfest this Saturday from 4 to 8 p.m. in Hapeville’s Arts Alley behind North Central Avenue.
“This is just the next evolution of Localmotion,” said Alexia Ryan, chair of the Tri-Cities Arts Alliance. “Last year was all about still being able to do something safely and now we’ve had a little more time to plan these four different themes. We’re optimistic we’ll be able to return to the larger festival format in the future.”
Saturday’s kickoff to the month starts at 4 p.m. and features German brats and pretzels to go with the beer, wine and slushies you can always pick up on the back patio of Beer Girl. The selection will include a couple of Oktoberfest beers on tap.
Cap your night with some sweet and spooky treats from the Ghoul Next Door Bake Shop, which will be on site serving monster cookies and other specialties. Solo artist Norm Hunt will be performing from 4 to 5:45 p.m., with Jacob Harshman’s band taking over from 6:15 to 8 p.m.
True to Localmotion’s mission, there will be artists on hand including Carla Roberts and her Raggs Designs & Accessories, a maker of handcrafted jewelry.
This is just the first act to a whole month of special events in the alley. Ryan said sign-ups are already open for the adult field day (including a cornhole tournament!) on Oct. 9.
“We’re just excited to see everyone again and have a little fun with it,” she said. “Localmotion is always something I look forward to every October and some of the new things we’re trying this year will make it better than ever.”