Dogwood Days Are Back in Perry

If you've ever spent a spring weekend in Perry, Georgia, you know there's something special in the air — and much of that has to do with the Perry Dogwood Festival.

This year, the festival returns on Saturday and Sunday, April 12-13, filling downtown Perry with music, food, local art, and the kind of community spirit that keeps folks returning year after year.

The story behind the Dogwood Festival is a good one. Thirty-six years ago, four local businesswomen—all downtown merchants—decided Perry needed a spring festival to bring people into the heart of town. It just so happened the dogwood trees were blooming, and that became the inspiration. They got the ball rolling, and a few years later, the Perry Area Chamber of Commerce stepped in to help the festival grow into the event we know today.

And man, has it grown!

This year, you'll find over 125 vendors lining the streets — artists, crafters, makers, and downtown merchants offering everything from woodwork and floral wreaths to handmade jewelry, soaps, dog leashes, candy, candles, books, and more. Even the Perry Ace Hardware Garden Center will be there if you plan to spruce up your yard.

Of course, it wouldn't be a proper festival without good food. This year's Dogwood Dining area is the biggest yet, with 16 food trucks dishing out a little bit of everything: Mexican, Cuban, BBQ, hot dogs, burgers, wings, funnel cakes, kettle corn, chocolate-dipped fruit… you name it, and it'll probably be there. Just follow the delicious smells.

Live music will fill Main Street starting at 1 PM on Saturday. Jazz artist Carol Albert kicks things off, followed by Wyatt Pyles-Dan Kelly and Friends, The Lotus Band, A Company of Crows, and finally, at 7 PM, Dogwood At Dark begins with the DJ Beech Band, who'll close things out with a mix of southern rock and old-school country. Bring your chairs with you so you have a place to sit. On Sunday, starting at 1 PM, you'll hear from The Music Side of Town Blues Band, the Crosspoint Perry Choir, and, at 3 PM, The Adams Effect, a Salute to Bryan Adams.

Families, be sure to check out the Kids Zone — it's taking over the entire Perry City Hall lawn, and it will be packed. There's a Peachy Playtown soft play area for ages 6 months to 5 years, obstacle course inflatables from Middle Georgia Inflatables, a GellyBall zone in the Perry City Hall parking lot, and even a little trackless choo-choo train. Chick-fil-A is sponsoring the Kids Zone area, and yes, the Cow will be there on Saturday. (Just a heads-up: kids must always be accompanied by an adult.)

This year also brings a few fun extras: The Perry Chamber of Commerce is holding a Golf Cart Raffle, and for $25 a ticket, you've got a shot at cruising around town in style in a 2025 Denago Rover XL Golf Cart. Tickets are unlimited and available online at this link and at the festival. And if you're a golf fan, don't miss the Par-Tee Zone at the Patio on Carroll, where they'll be showing the Masters Tournament all weekend.

Another can't-miss event is the Perry Rotary Club's 22nd Annual Fishing Tournament, which is officially part of the Dogwood Festival each year. It takes place on Saturday at 3 PM at the Go Fish Education Center. You can find more details about that here.

The weekend kicks off with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10 AM on Saturday at the Main Street Stage, where the newly-crowned 2025 Dogwood Queens will help open the festivities.

A few things to keep in mind: the festival is stroller and wagon-friendly, pets are welcome (as long as they're leashed and friendly), and there's plenty of parking — check the maps on the City of Perry or Chamber websites, and make sure not to park on private property. (Parking maps can be found here)

The Perry Farmers Market will still be held on Saturday morning from 9 AM to 1 PM, just as always.

"Planning the 2025 Perry Dogwood Festival has been a labor of love for the Perry Area Chamber of Commerce. This year, we're embracing tradition while welcoming new elements that celebrate the vibrant spirit of Perry. It’s a chance to showcase the beauty of our town, the creativity of our vendors, and the warmth of our people. We can’t wait to welcome both old friends and new faces to celebrate together in historic downtown Perry!" says Maggie Schuyler, President/CEO of the Perry Area Chamber of Commerce.

At this link, you can hear more about the Perry Dogwood Festival on Let's Go!, a Visit Perry podcast. Check out our other exciting podcast episodes here, where you can learn about all the fun things happening in Perry.

Whether you're coming for the food, the music, the shopping, or just a good time with friends and family, the Dogwood Festival truly captures what Perry is all about. 

The festival hours are Saturday, April 12, from 10 AM to 8 PM and Sunday, April 13, from 12 Noon to 5 PM.

For more info, visit perrydogwoodfestival.com or follow @perrydogwoodfestival on Facebook and Instagram.

For information on accommodations in Perry, go to visitperry.com/stay