Arts in the Heart of Augusta continues Saturday and Sunday at the Augusta Exchange Club Fairgrounds, where visitors will find new parking and transportation arrangements along with the festival’s familiar mix of international food, performances, art and family activities.
The festival moved from downtown Augusta to the fairgrounds on Hale Street this year because of ongoing road construction. Parking at the fairgrounds is limited, but visitors have additional parking options and can use free bus and Pedal Pub transportation from downtown Augusta during the festival’s final two days.
Saturday’s festival hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. The festival will be open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.
Where to park for Arts in the Heart
Limited parking is available at the Augusta Exchange Club Fairgrounds on Hale Street.
Festival parking is also available at:
- Craig Houghton Elementary, in the lot behind the school.
- The old jail lot at 401 Walton Way.
Parking is not allowed on Fourth Street between Laney Walker Boulevard and Hale Street.
Questions about festival parking can be directed to the Greater Augusta Arts Council at 706-826-4702.
Where to catch a free bus to the festival
The Greater Augusta Arts Council and Augusta Public Transit are providing free bus rides between downtown Augusta and the fairgrounds Saturday and Sunday.
Two buses are dedicated to the festival, according to a news release. Service is scheduled every 30 minutes, with marked pickup locations open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Shuttle parking locations are:
- Augusta Marriott parking garage
- Richmond County Board of Education parking deck
- Augusta Municipal Building parking lot
Riders must show proof of an online badge purchase, a festival badge or a wristband.
How to reserve a Pedal Pub ride
Free Pedal Pub rides are also available between downtown and the fairgrounds Saturday and Sunday.
Pickup locations are:
- Cotton Exchange Lot
- Pedal Pub at 716 Broad St.
- Affordable Dentures on Greene Street
Reservations are required. Visitors can use a smartphone camera to scan the parking QR code on the festival website, artsintheheartofaugusta.com.
The QR code should open a prewritten text message to 863-464-9519. A greeting beginning with “Connect with Pedal Pub” should appear, allowing the visitor to request a pickup.
What changed at the fairgrounds
The fairgrounds have a smaller footprint than the festival’s usual downtown location.
Arts in the Heart had six ticket gates last year. It has two gates this year. Signs will direct visitors to the gates and different festival areas, and maps of the site will be available.
How much are Arts in the Heart tickets?
Tickets cost $15 in advance or $20 at the gate. A ticket is valid for all three days of the festival.
Children 10 and younger are admitted free with a paid adult. Information about where to purchase advance tickets is available on the festival website.
What are the remaining festival hours?
Arts in the Heart will be open:
- Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Free bus and Pedal Pub transportation will be available Saturday and Sunday.
Which countries are in the Global Village?
Twenty countries are represented in the festival’s Global Village, where cultural groups and communities in the Augusta area prepare and serve authentic foods.
The groups also showcase their heritage through dance, music, traditional dress, storytelling and other cultural presentations.
Nigeria and Ghana joined the Global Village this year.
Returning representations are Laos, Lebanon, Guam, Ireland, China, Jamaica, Sudan, Korea, India, Trinidad, Thailand, Turkey, the Philippines, Latin America, Greece, Vietnam, South Sudan and Samoa.
Where are performances being held?
Festival performances are being presented at several locations, including:
- Soul & Jazz Stage
- Community Stage
- Global Stage
- Literary Lounge Stage
What art is available at the festival?
About 40 artists and crafters are selling original work at the festival.
Analog Studio of Augusta is participating for the first time this year. The local film photography darkroom specializes in black-and-white photography in which artists use their hands to shape the light falling onto photosensitive paper.
What can families do at Arts in the Heart?
The Family Area offers hands-on art activities, live performances, street performers, puppet shows and other cultural experiences.
The area also includes the Young Artists Market, where students from kindergarten through high school sell their creations. Participating artists are members of the Greater Augusta Arts Council’s Youth Emerging Artist program.
This story was created with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information-gathering, review, editing, and publishing process. Learn more.
This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Arts in the Heart continues Saturday: What visitors need to know
