Hogansville will host its signature event, The Hummingbird Festival on Saturday and Sunday in collaboration with its primary sponsor, Piedmont Newnan Hospital.

Over ten thousand people are expected, according to Mayor Bill Stankiewicz.  Volunteers have been working to get the town ready.

“It’s a 100% volunteer effort,” Hogansville City Manager David Milliron said, “They put in thousands of hours.  What they do is monumental.”

“It takes over the entire town,” Stankiewicz said. “The entire city staff works hard leading up to the festival to be sure everything goes smoothly. We’ll have additional parking this year. Since safety is always a consideration, some roads have to be kept clear for emergency vehicles.” 

Shuttles will be provided from parking areas. Most parking is free, but citizens may charge for parking on private property. 

The festival starts with a pancake breakfast on Saturday, Oct. 19 at the First Methodist Church on Main Street from 8 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. Student art will be on display in the church, with an awards ceremony at noon.  

Visitors can stroll vendor booths throughout downtown. Arts and crafts, rides for kids, and a food court are among the offerings. Local entertainers will also be performing. The festival continues Sunday, Oct. 20 from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. 

Main Street shops and downtown restaurants will be open both days.  

“We have lots of new vendors this year,” said Mary Stewart of the Festival Committee. “It’s a fun outdoor fall festival, and everyone likes different aspects of it – the food, the activities for kids, the entertainment and seeing old friends. It’s also an arts and crafts festival, and lots of people get a jump on their Christmas shopping at the festival. This year, we’ll have lots of great new crafts. The food court and children’s areas have also been expanded.”

Vendor spaces have been sold out for weeks, according to Milliron. 

“There’s a waiting list,” he said.  

Good turnout is good news for the future of Hogansville.  

“The city is a huge beneficiary of the festival,” Milliron said.  

Funds from the festival are managed by the Hogansville Charitable Trust and go toward improvements to city properties.  Funds can also be used as matching funds for federal and state grants and have resulted in over $3 million in grants for city improvements over the last 20 years.

Proceeds from this year’s festival will go to renovating the PNC bank building.  It will become the new Hogansville City Hall.  

“It has drive-through capability — everything we need is self-contained,” Milliron said.  

Last year, the charitable trust bought the PNC building for $60,000 and donated it to the city.  Plans are for city offices to move into the renovated space next year.

The Hummingbird Festival runs Saturday, Oct. 19 and Sunday, Oct. 20 from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. both days. Admission is free.