Sustaining the Spirit of Athens

A collective of festival organizers dedicated to the growth, cultural expression, and economic vitality of events in Athens, Georgia

Learn About Our Impact Who We Are

A United Voice for Athens Culture

We represent the organizers behind the city’s most iconic public celebrations. Together, we share resources and advocate for the sustainability of events that define Athens’ identity

Athfest

Wild Rumpus

Hot Corner Festival

Athens Pride

LatinFest

Athens Film Festival

Twilight Criterium

MLK Day Parade

Classic City Marathon

OUR SHARED GOALS

  • Recognize Community Value – Promoting the deep cultural and economic impact that free-to-attend festivals bring to Athens-Clarke County.
  • A Collective Voice – Presenting a unified front to the community and local government to address the challenges facing public events.
  • Resource Sharing – Collaborating on best practices, funding opportunities, production services, and permitting requirements.
  • Sustainable Growth – Advocating for updated funding structures to account for inflation and ensure the future of both new and existing events.
  • Reducing Production Barriers – Working to streamline permitting processes and reduce the financial burden of required public services.
  • Economic Ecosystem Support – Ensuring festivals continue to boost local small businesses, vendors, and the creative economy.

The Athens Event Ecosystem

Athens is a festival-driven economy. Our events are built on a high-participation audience that serves as the primary engine for local tourism and creative sector employment

A Culture of Participation

Athens is and always will be a Festival Town. The community treats participation as a standard. Special events are the primary point of entry for residents and visitors to engage with the local economy. When a festival is hosted here, the audience isn’t just attending; they are providing the lifeblood that sustains local hospitality, retail, and service sectors.

The Financial Case for Sustainability

While public demand for free events is at an all-time high, the current funding model creates a $30,000+ annual deficit for organizers.

  • $626,408 – Combined 2023 Budgets: The total operating cost for the six collective events (Twilight, LatinxFest, Pride, Rumpus, AthFest, and MLK Parade).
  • $85,887 – Required Public Service Costs: The total amount events must pay for city-mandated services like police, insurance, and permitting.
  • $55,000 – Current ACC Support: The total amount currently provided to these events by the city.
  • $30,887 – Out-of-Pocket Deficit: The gap between mandatory city fees and the support provided, which organizers must cover before even paying for music, art, or infrastructure.