Saturday’s events bring large crowds to downtown Atlanta

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — Downtown Atlanta was bustling with people Saturday as a number of events drew huge crowds.

Outside Mercedes-Benz Stadium, college football fans woke up early before the season opener between Georgia and Clemson.

AJ Marschall came down from Delaware to cheer on the Bulldogs with his friends.

“Nothing better than being a Georgia Bulldogs fan,” he said. “It’s a great opportunity to beat some Tigers today.”

As UGA dominated the field during a 34-3 win over Clemson, thousands gathered along Peachtree Street for the annual Dragon Con parade.

Lindsay Bertrand enjoyed every minute of her visit to Atlanta for the convention.

“Great hospitality at hotels and restaurants. We know it’s a lot of stress for them because there are so many people at once,” she said. Everyone is always so nice and friendly, jumping to help and guide you when you’re lost.”

These events attract people from all over the country.

Ken Stockdell, director of project and program management at the Georgia World Convention Center Authority, says they finished updating the visitor center at Centennial Olympic Park just in time for weekends like Labor Day.

“It’s a great gathering space,” he said. “Of course we have a lot to do this weekend and this will be where everyone mixes.”

One big change is a $2.5 million facelift to the Ring Fountain in Centennial Olympic Park.

Otto Johnson is the president of the Palmer Development Group, tasked with upgrading the well.

“The new system will have over 250 new lights and aircraft,” he said. “It will also allow for an infinite number of performances and ways in which the water flows.”

Stockdell says all of these improvements are part of an ongoing effort to maintain tourism.

“It gives us an opportunity to talk about Atlanta, to talk about Georgia,” he concluded. You talk about our mission as a place to bring economic development to Georgia.”

Copyright 2024 WANF. All rights reserved.