Snellville Days Festival facts for kids

The Snellville Days Festival is a fun two-day event held every year in Snellville, Georgia. It brings in lots of people from all over the Southeast! This yearly party is known as one of the top tourism events in May. Even with many visitors, it still feels like a friendly small town party. In 2012, Snellville Days was even voted "Best of Gwinnett."

History of Snellville Days

The very first Snellville Days festival happened in 1974. It was started by Jean Braley and the Morales family. They wanted to raise money to improve T. W. Briscoe Park, a local park. So many people loved the event that the city decided to make it an annual festival! Since then, it has grown into one of the biggest craft and community festivals near Atlanta.

The Snellville Days Parade

For many years, a big parade was a popular part of Snellville Days. The old parade route used to go along U.S. Highway 78. Later, the route changed because of more traffic. It would go down Wisteria Drive, turn left on North Road, then left on Oak Road, and finish at City Hall.

In earlier years, the parade grew so much that it lasted two hours! To make it easier, the parade was later shortened to about an hour. The last Snellville Days Parade was held in 2015.

Festival Pause in 2020

There was no festival in 2020. This was because of the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused many events to be cancelled that year.

How Snellville Days is Planned

Planning and putting on the Snellville Days Festival is a year-long job! The city staff, the Snellville Days Committee, and many volunteers work together to make it happen.

Fun Activities at Briscoe Park

After the opening ceremonies, there are many fun things to do at T.W. Briscoe Park. In the beginning, there were simple games like dunking booths and local crafts. Now, the festival has grown a lot!

You can find hand-made arts and crafts from almost 100 different sellers. There is also live entertainment and many food booths to try. Kids can enjoy a special activity area just for them. Since 2006, the Snellville Historical Society has even sponsored a museum at the festival. Many sponsors, sellers, and volunteers help make the festival a big success every year.

Festival Themes and Special Guests

Each year, Snellville Days often had a special theme and a Grand Marshal. A Grand Marshal is a special guest who leads the parade or is honored at the event. These guests included famous people like authors, sports stars, and actors.