This spring, the annual Art Hatch Spring Garden Festival is set to bring a lively mix of creativity and color to Depot Park in Kennesaw. With Smith-Gilbert Gardens temporarily closed for major site improvements, the popular event will relocate for 2025. The festivities are part of Art Blooms, a season-long celebration that highlights the talents of Cobb County High Schools and Kennesaw State University’s (KSU) Master Craftsman program.
From 10 am to 2 pm, Depot Park will feature interactive installations, performances, and activities designed around the theme “Seeds of Change.” Visitors can explore vibrant works created by local students, play games, enjoy hands-on art projects, and browse vendor booths. Larger-than-life egg installations and a scavenger hunt will keep things fun for all ages.
The scavenger hunt extends beyond the park. Participants can pick up scavenger hunt cards at various local businesses, including 1885 Grill, Apotheos Roastery, the Brain Station, Cottontail Quilt Shop, Frozen Cow Creamery, Honeysuckle Biscuits & Bakery, Horned Owl Brewing, Lazy Guy Distillery, Main Street Eats, Smith-Gilbert Gardens, the Southern Museum, and Turquoise Otter. Each location offers a stamp, and once the card is complete, it can be submitted at City Hall by May 30 for a chance to win prizes donated by local businesses.
The event schedule includes The Great Pollinator Count at 11 am, an interactive story time and pollinator census for children ages 3 and up. Led by award-winning author Susan Edwards Richmond and UGA Extension’s Becky Griffin, the program will include a reading of The Great Pollinator Count, followed by a real-time pollinator count in a nearby garden space. Griffin will also discuss the 2025 Great Southeast Pollinator Census, and Richmond will sign books.
Additional highlights include a Victorian flower pressing activity from the Southern Museum, crafts and books from the North Cobb Library, a KSU Fabric and Textiles exhibit with a fashion show at 1 pm, and immersive theater performances of The Beauty Project at 10:30 am and 12:30 pm. Cobb County Schools Fine Arts Department will provide live music throughout the event, and Georgia Metropolitan Dance Theatre will perform improv dance. Huckadoo Wood-Fired Pizza will be on-site with food for purchase.
Admission is free, and participants are encouraged to RSVP in advance at https://ticketscandy.com/e/art-hatch-3709.
Date:
Saturday, April 19, 2025
Time:
10 am to 2 pm
Admission:
free
To ensure an enjoyable and organized experience for all, pre-registration for Art Hatch is required.
Address:
Depot Park
2828 Cherokee Street
Kennesaw, GA 30144
For more information, please call (770) 919-0248.
