Dogwood Festival returns to Perry, GA

The streets of downtown Perry will be full during the day while hot air balloons hit the sky at night this weekend.

The 26th annual Dogwood Festival kicks off Friday at the New Perry Hotel from 6 p.m.-midnight with a concert and buffet dinner.

With events scheduled throughout the day both Saturday and Sunday, the only thing that could prevent a good time is the weather.

Wind would be a major problem for the Hot Air Balloon Rally, which starts at 5 p.m. Saturday and costs $5 for adults. Children younger than 6 are free. The balloons will be near the West Gate at the Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter.

“If there is wind, they might not be able to go,” said Perry Area Chamber of Commerce President Stacy Campbell.

Select balloons will offer tethered rides for $10 per person.

There will be live music from the Swinging Medallions from 5-8 p.m. and then the balloon glow, which happens from 8-9 p.m.

On both Carroll and Main streets downtown, there will be 120 vendors for the Arts and Crafts Show on Saturday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sunday from noon-5 p.m.

“There was so much demand we had to rearrange,” Campbell said of the vendor spaces. This is the most vendors the festival has had.

Also on Main Street, across from the New Perry Hotel, the DockDogs will make a reappearance. For the second year, the dogs will jump through the air to retrieve various objects. One hundred teams will participate in the DockDogs event.

The chamber is also putting out bleachers and suggested bringing lawn chairs to watch the competition, which happens from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday.

Along with the three major events, several other sanctioned events will happen this weekend.

The Peach Blossom Cluster All Breed Dog Show will be held at the fairgrounds. The dog show is one of the biggest in the world, said Campbell, and features about 7,000 competitors.

The Go Fish Education Center will have two tournaments. The 12th annual Perry Rotary Club Fishing Tournament will take place Saturday while the second annual Go Fish Kids Fishing Derby will be held from 1-5 p.m. Sunday.

“Not only do we want tourists, but we want this event to make an impact on the business community,” said Campbell.

For a complete list of events, visit www.perrydogwoodfestival.com.

Perry Dogwood Festival

When: 6 p.m.-midnight April 11, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. April 12 and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. April 13

Where: Various locations in Perry

Cost: Most events are free; Balloon Rally is $5

via – Macon.com.