Slowly but surely, communities around North Georgia are getting back to a new normal as COVID-19 cases decline across the region. In the City of Lula, that means bringing back Railroad Days, a decades-long festival that was canceled last spring as the COVID-19 pandemic struck.
In April 2020, Lula Mayor Jim Grier and city council members announced the 44th edition of the annual spring festival would have to be scrapped, noting at the time people "may run me out of town for suggesting that."
Forward the calendar one year, and while COVID-19 hasn't disappeared, cases have declined enough to allow for a return to some traditional spring events, including Railroad Days.
Brooke Bates, Main Street Program Director/Community Coordinator for Lula, told city council members in an online meeting Monday night that she has the framework designed for the event on Friday, April 30 and Saturday, May 1.
"It's going to be a two-day event this year including movies at The Depot Friday night...family friendly movie and then of course, on Saturday, the booths [will open] and the festival will begin at 9 a.m. and then the parade starting at 10," Bates said.
For now the plan would allow vendors to set up booths on Friday at noon, so they can capitalize on Friday night's movie crowd.
Bates told council members she was still in the process of finalizing details, but already potential vendors had been contacting her for booth rental information.
"We haven't even officially made it completely public yet and I'm already getting information back [from vendors] so that's exciting," Bates said.
City Manager Dennis Bergin suggested vendors sign up for booth as early as possible, since festival organizers think they may not have enough space to accommodate everyone who wants a space.
Bergin said he and other staff are in the process of lining up entertainment for the stage at The Depot. Performances will continue through the day on May 1 following the parade,
