Democracy Fest Atlanta 2022: There Is No Offseason For Democracy in Atlanta

When you’re one of the best event planners in Atlanta, you need to be ready to create one-of-a-kind events that do nothing but thrill! And so I did! Stepping into The Home Depot Backyard at Mercedes-Benz Stadium felt like entering a wonderland where democracy was the show’s star. Picture this: 3,000 high schoolers from around Atlanta, decked out in vibrant shades of red, black, and white, all buzzing with excitement.

Right off the bat, the slogan says it all: “There Is No Off Season for Democracy.” It wasn’t just another Tuesday; it was Democracy Fest in Atlanta, one of the biggest youth events in the city! And I’m so glad I a was able to be a part of it all.

Imagine the coolest folks in Atlanta’s sports world — the Falcons, Braves, Atlanta United FC, Dream, and Hawks — teaming up with big names like UPS, Chick-fil-A, and The Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta— absolutely incredible!

What is the mission of Democracy Fest Atlanta? To get the younger generation fired up about being active citizens. THIS is definitely a cause we can get behind! We loved being able to design an event for the youth of Atlanta.

Walking into this empowering Atlanta event, you were greeted by a 60-foot tunnel glowing with LED video wall arches. Music’s playing, cheerleaders are dancing, and it feels like you’re the star player making that game-winning entrance.

As an Atlanta event planner, I made sure the atmosphere was electric, and Jovan Paige, the day’s emcee and founder of Stay Jotivated, amped it up even more. He was in good company with actor Terrence J, comedian Desi Banks, and rapper Quavo, who got everyone jumping with his hits.

But wait, there’s more! This wasn’t just a star-studded hangout. At Democracy Fest Atlanta, students got to throw footballs in the Falcons’ “Throw Like a Pro” challenge, kick virtual soccer balls in Atlanta United’s simulator, and show off their hoops skills in a quiz-infused sports court, thanks to Atlanta Dream.

For the daredevils, there was a Fun Zone with zip lining and rock climbing. Want to show off your brainpower instead? You could step up to the Democracy Game Show and prove you’ve got the smarts.

DJ Khaled, Monica, Selena Gomez, and others popped up on screens, driving home the message that young people can — and should — have a say in how our country runs. It’s like the whole world’s telling us, “Let’s make a difference. Let’s do this.”

Between all the action of this Atlanta event, there was a sleek chill zone — a teen lounge with artsy hanging fringe where you could catch your breath. Swag merch pods were dotted around so you could snag some cool merchandise to remember this incredible day. And don’t forget those Instagrammable moments, like a photo op with UPS, to ensure the memories stick!

The real magic? Students themselves shaped Democracy Fest Atlanta. Nine trailblazing high schoolers from Atlanta Public Schools were the brains behind the operation, making sure the fest was truly for the youth, by the youth.

As the Atlanta event planner who helped bring this vision to life, I can tell you one thing. This wasn’t just about entertaining. This was about lighting a fire under every young person there, showing them their voices and votes matter. I couldn’t be prouder to be part of something that stoked the flames of democracy in the next generation.

So, yeah, Democracy Fest Atlanta turned a regular Tuesday into a playground of civic pride, proving there really is no off-season for democracy. I’m buzzing just thinking about what comes next!

If you have an event coming up, we’d love to help bring it to life! Check out our portfolio showcasing our work & let’s chat if we can help bring the magic to your next event!

Photos by Janet Howard Studio