By Marla Ballard
Reporter
DEKALB COUNTY - For many years the Rhododendron Festival graced the scenic ridge of Lookout Mountain at Brow Park in Mentone. Artists and crafters gathered to showcase their talents and locals and tourists meandered through the many tents and tables looking for unique treasures. Sadly, the long-lived festival has not returned. However, visitors who come looking for an event on the third weekend in May will not be disappointed.
The Mentone Inn Grounds will host an event on the same weekend that the previous festival took place. Cynthia Stinson, Inn Keeper at Mentone Inn Bed & Breakfast has created a new social affair that brings the same style and charm of the previous festival.
Big Art Pop-Up will be held on Saturday, May 20 from 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM at the Mentone Inn. Stinson said she currently expects approximately 30 artisans to display photography, oil paintings, handmade jewelry, and more. The weekend Farmer’s Market will also be part of the festivities. Vendors have until May 15 to sign up for a $10 fee.
Stinson is a board member of the Little River Arts Council and is working in conjunction with the LRAC to make the entire weekend entertaining. Juli Jordan, President of Little River Arts Council, said, “People come looking for an art show in Mentone, especially on this particular weekend, which is what they will find.”
The Big Art Pop-Up is only the beginning of the summer fun. The LRAC has an entire summer of music concerts planned. The 2023 Summer Music Series is a free event on the lawn of the Mentone Inn’s Linger Longer Pavilion. A broad range of genres of music will be presented throughout the season. Some seating is available, but guests are encouraged to bring a lawn chair or blanket to enjoy the music concert under the stars.
May 19 is the kick-off of the Music for the People Summer Series. The occasion will be from 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM. The music series will start on May 19 with Will Dooley & Company. Will Dooley’s genre of music is a blend of Folk, Americana, and Bluegrass.
The free concerts continue on June 10 with the band Black Sedan. This band covers a wide range of genres from the 70s through the 90s along with some current pop songs. On July 8 the reggae group Natti Love Joys will be the entertainment. They have opened for Three Dog Night and other famous bands. August 12 will feature Lazybirds a ragtime, blues, and jazz band.
Guests will find Fontastic Food Truck on the property or are welcome to bring a picnic. The food truck will serve from 5:00 PM until food runs out. For more information on Fontastic Food Truck see Facebook Fontastic Foods.
To register to be an art vendor, to learn more about the music groups scheduled for the summer series, or to learn more about Little River Arts Council go to littleriverartscouncil.org. Mentone Inn is located at 6139 AL - 117, Mentone.
