The population of Atlanta is only 750, but this weekend this little northern Hamilton County town will play host to 80,000 to 100,000 visitors at the 44th Annual Atlanta New Earth Festival.
The Reporter had the opportunity to speak with Atlanta Clerk-Treasurer Robyn Cook about what visitors can expect at the longest-running and largest festival in Hamilton County.
There will be over 600 vendors lining Atlanta’s streets, which Cook says is nothing new.
“For the last 20 years we have seen at least this many vendors, but over the last several years the types of vendors have been slowly changing,” Cook said. “We see more farmers’ market items. We will have vendors with natural soaps, natural lotions, honey and similar items. This year we have a great deal of boutique clothing vendors.”
While the vendors have told Cook this is the event that puts them in the black for the year, the festival also helps the Town of Atlanta in many ways.
Cook
“It is a kickoff to Christmas shopping for many people,” Cook said. “But it helps us too. Our general fund budget is not that large, so this festival helps us fund things that we otherwise could not do.”
Trimming trees, the purchase and removal of abandoned properties, help with fire department funding and other local projects are paid for with funds from the festival.
Cook wanted to emphasize the importance of the sponsors and volunteers who make this festival happen every year. One of those sponsors, relatively new to the area, is Mr. Muffin’s Trains.
“Mr. Muffin’s Trains used to be located in Carmel,” Cook told The Reporter. “They decided to relocate to Atlanta and hit the ground running. They are a godsend to this town. They bring 200 to 300 people every Saturday to their shop where they run model trains. That shop is tied to an online business where they ship model train and accessories all over the country. They have a gigantic model train setup; you have to see it to believe it. They also have a retail shop on the other end of Main Street.”
Guardian Towing will sponsor the live entertainment stage at this year’s New Earth Festival.
A big draw for Hamilton County visitors is the live entertainment. That is made possible by the sponsorship of Guardian Towing.
“The entertainment sponsorship started at our 40th anniversary,” Cook said. “We decided we wanted to do something new and we wanted to do it right. In order to fund that we started a sponsorship program. Guardian Towing is a local towing company that started about three years ago. They support other events and school programs in the community as well. The way he looks at it is that his business touches people all over Hamilton County and he can give back to the community by sponsoring the Guardian Towing Stage.”
Guardian Towing’s owner, Jai Cook, confirmed this is part his way of repaying Hamilton County for welcoming his business to the area.
“God has blessed my business with the support of customers from all over Hamilton County and beyond,” Jai Cook said. “Sponsoring the entertainment stage at the festival is a way for me to be able to give back that brings much enjoyment to thousands in our community.”
The Public Health, Safety and Awareness Area, sponsored by County Commissioner Christine Altman, is an interactive learning area which features the Fire House, IU Health, local, county and state law enforcement agencies, gun safety, drug and domestic violence awareness and more.
“As County Commissioner, I see firsthand that the needs and issues of Hamilton County are as diverse as each community is – from the rural, small towns to the ever-developing larger cities. One thing we ALL have in common is our health, safety and well-being. The Public Health, Safety and Awareness Area at the Atlanta New Earth Festival is an opportunity for all residents to learn about and speak one on one with the different agencies and organizations that are available to them. It’s an honor for me to sponsor this area and help our county residents connect with the resources that are there for them,” said Hamilton County Commissioner Christine Altman.
Farley
According to Cook, the health and safety area was also the brainchild of Deputy Clerk Jennifer Farley. “It grows every year and we love it. We have it on Main Street,” Cook said. “This year the Bloodmobile will be at the festival doing a blood drive. This area of the festival is all about resources that are available for citizens.”
This year the festival is also partnering with Good Samaritan Network on a festival food drive.
“That too was Jennifer’s idea,” Cook said. “Nancy Chance will have her Good Samaritan Network people collecting cans and dry goods at parking locations, at the stage and at the public health and safety area.”
Cook told The Reporter the Good Samaritan Network (GSN) is a project begun by Nancy Chance to unite several charitable organization in one place. All the resources that are available for charitable and outreach projects are reachable in one location. Thus, the network can connect people with the right organization for their individual needs.
According to their website, www.gsnlive.org, GSN is a collaborative/network of non-profits in Hamilton County. GSN utilizes two serving approaches, direct and indirect services, and in part is designed to ensure efficiency and communication among the different agencies, social services, nonprofits, local government, pantries and businesses – as together they serve the needs of Hamilton County residents who are at-risk or underserved.
The Kids’ Fun Zone will have inflatables, sweet treats and games. It is sponsored by Bill Clifford for Hamilton County Sheriff.
“Bill is going to bring a military truck where kids can climb, play and get their pictures taken,” Cook said.
Clifford said his sponsorship of the New Earth Festival is about community involvement.
“My campaign for Sheriff is not about me, but rather being involved with our community,” Clifford said. “I am 150 percent committed to putting the needs of our community first and helping out with the Atlanta Earth Festival is a great opportunity to give back. In the service of others is where I receive a sense of calm.”
Hamilton County Commissioner Mark Heirbrandt sponsors the New Earth Festival smartphone app.
“When the Town of Atlanta introduced their sponsorship program for the Atlanta New Earth Festival five years ago, I was proud to support this event and have continued to sponsor each year. Atlanta is the smallest community in Hamilton County yet they have been playing host to our longest running and largest festival for the past 44 years,” Heirbrandt said. “I enjoy attending each year and seeing the tens of the thousands of visitors and hundreds of vendors, not only from our county, but across the state and beyond. It’s a privilege for me to partner with the Town and be part of this great tradition.”
According to Cook, the app is a very useful tool for navigating the New Earth Festival.
“That was another brainstorm of my wonderful deputy Jennifer,” Cook said. “The app is where you will get all the information you want about the festival: who to contact for public safety, the vendors, entertainment and sponsor bingo.”
Sponsor bingo is a game played on your smartphone through the app. You visit the sponsors and they give you a bingo number. The first few people to get BINGO will win prizes each day.
When asked about the name and history of the festival, Cook told The Reporter, “The festival started on Main Street in 1974. One of the business that helped start it was called ‘A Touch of Earth.’ Everything at the first festival was handmade. Originally it was the first week in October, but in time it was moved the fourth weekend in September.”
This weekend, the 44th Annual Atlanta New Earth Festival has plenty to offer. Visit www.atlantaindiana.com or call (765) 292-2626 for more information.