In 1997 local officials in Athens, Georgia, were searching for a way to drum up tourism and give the economy a boost during the relatively quiet summer months when UGA wasn’t in session. Their efforts gave birth to Athfest, which started as a glorified pub crawl but has since grown into a sprawling three day event that draws more than 30,000 visitors and features close to 150 musical acts. The festival is a nod to the city’s rich musical culture, which over the decades has produced bands like R.E.M, Widespread Panic and the Drive-By Truckers. It also features visual art, exhibits for kids, and last year raised over $100,000 to support arts education in Athens-Clarke County. Nearly three decades in and more popular than ever, Athfest is one of Athens’ most beloved traditions that doesn’t involve a football.
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