Dogwood Festival at "grave risk" of shutting down

Zoom in: In a press statement, festival organizers said the COVID-19 pandemic, rising production costs and declining sponsorship support have created significant budget challenges for the small nonprofit that produces the event in Piedmont Park.

• Production costs have risen by as much as 30% in recent years, the statement said, mostly due to security, equipment rental costs and other support services.
• "The Atlanta Dogwood Festival is now at grave risk of not reaching its 90th anniversary in April 2026," organizers said Tuesday.

Flashback: Rich's department store founder Walter Rich started the festival in 1936 to lift the spirits of Atlantans living through the Great Depression and to celebrate dogwoods, according to the organization.

Catch up quick: Brian Hill, the festival's executive director, has sounded the alarm over Dogwood's financial situation for several years in the media and at Atlanta City Council meetings.

What they're saying: "We are committed to producing a high-caliber event year after year," Hill said. "Unfortunately, the cost of doing so has increased exponentially while support and revenue have not kept pace."

State of play: Festival organizers say they're talking with Mayor Andre Dickens' administration about receiving city support.

Reality check: The city is keeping a closer watch on finances in light of reduced federal funding and economic uncertainty.

• "Sustaining the festival will ultimately depend on support from multiple sectors of the community," the statement said.