Freaknik: The rise and fall of Atlanta’s most infamous street party (Decatur: 2013, hotels)

[Tarzanman]

I don't think you can blame the blocking of major roads on the visitors. Labor day weekend draws far more people than Freaknik every did at its height. DragonCon alone was 63,000 people in 2014 and the Chick Fil A kick off game was 75,000.

President's day weekend sees Cheersport (~70,000 people) and whatever football games are going on.

Anyone who has ventured into the city on these big weekends has seen traffic just as bad as Freaknik.

[Tryska]

Originally Posted by Tarzanman

I don't think you can blame the blocking of major roads on the visitors. Labor day weekend draws far more people than Freaknik every did at its height. DragonCon alone was 63,000 people in 2014 and the Chick Fil A kick off game was 75,000.

President's day weekend sees Cheersport (~70,000 people) and whatever football games are going on.

Anyone who has ventured into the city on these big weekends has seen traffic just as bad as Freaknik.

I can only guess you have never been in Freaknik traffic in this case.

Freaknik was designed to be a "cruise-in".

These other things you speak of, are people generally flying in and gathering as pedestrians. Not bringing their cars for the sole purpose of driving around. so while we talk about an additional 63,000 people, we are not also talking about an additional 50,000 cars.

[cqholt]

Originally Posted by Tarzanman

I don't think you can blame the blocking of major roads on the visitors. Labor day weekend draws far more people than Freaknik every did at its height. DragonCon alone was 63,000 people in 2014 and the Chick Fil A kick off game was 75,000.

President's day weekend sees Cheersport (~70,000 people) and whatever football games are going on.

Anyone who has ventured into the city on these big weekends has seen traffic just as bad as Freaknik.

Those visitors are encouraged to use MARTA.

[Tryska]

Talk to me the day after Dragon-conners are lining the emergency lanes of 75/85 and bootyshaking in their truckbeds and milling about with drinks in their hands like it's not the side of an Interstate Highway

[residinghere2007]

Originally Posted by Tarzanman

That's the thing... they tried exactly what you are suggesting a few years ago.....as more organized event with planned activities around the city and called it 'Freaknik' even though it bore little resemblance to the 90's phenomenon.

It petered along for 2 or 3 years, with nowhere near the numbers its progenitor had and was never heard from again.

Atlanta just isn't a spring break town, and Atlanta has no desire to become a spring break town. A concert festival is different. Because those are held on private (or at least leased public) property where ultimately someone is responsible for restricting access and maintaining some kind of order at the venue.

Beach parties are different.

I remember when they tried to bring it back. I had gone back to college in 2006-2008 and they tried a revival back then as well but it was not well planned. I think if it would have been an event similar to the others mentioned, or like a concert venue/street festival, it could have worked. Not like the original, but a watered down version centered around a park.

[Iconographer]

An unmitigated disaster. Not to mention a complete reflection on the hideous reign of Bill Campbell.

[Gulch]

Originally Posted by LovinDecatur

An unmitigated disaster. Not to mention a complete reflection on the hideous reign of Bill Campbell.

Ironically, Campbell actually helped to kill it.

[ATUMRE75]

Freaknic was awesome at the time. Now that I'm 20 years older I'm glad it died out. 94 was out of control and Atlanta was totally caught off guard. Those were some fun time, even though it was chaotic.

[Iconographer]

Originally Posted by Gulch

Ironically, Campbell actually helped to kill it.

Only when he decided that was politically expedient.

[Gulch]

Originally Posted by LovinDecatur

Only when he decided that was politically expedient.

Of course. Politics 101.