About
In 2019 Innovate Fulton sponsored the first annual FultonFest, a well-attended street festival in the commercial district. Musicians, street vendors, food trucks, roving entertainers and a children’s play area drew residents for a day of fun. FultonFest 2020 was planned for August of 2020 but COVID-19 had other plans. In 2022, we announced Fulton Green Fest, the second Fulton Fest event dedicated to the Government Road Green Street Project, which will beautify the Government Road commercial district in Greater Fulton. Fulton Green Fest is scheduled for Saturday, June 25, 2022.
Innovate Fulton used FultonFest as an opportunity to gather feedback on the recently released design plans for the commercial district. That, of course, was just the beginning of the community engagement process. However, FultonFest provided a welcoming environment in which to engage the community. It was a wonderful way to start the dialogue around long-term design.
FultonFest also provides a wonderful opportunity to tell the story of Historic Fulton, a thriving African American community decimated by an ill-conceived urban renewal plan in the 1970s. Former residents of Historic Fulton actively participate in the planning of FultonFest, providing the opportunity to tell the story of a lost neighborhood to a new generation as well as people new to the neighborhood.
THE ARTS
Innovate Fulton understands the importance of the arts in revitalizing our commercial district. The Greater Fulton neighborhood is home to numerous artists; some are already actively participating with Innovate Fulton.
Historic Fulton Mural painted by Keith Ramsey, a local area artist, at FultonFest 2019.
We are exploring opportunities for public art installations within the commercial corridor but also readying plans for a series of outdoor art shows designed to showcase the work of local artists.
There are murals on buildings throughout the commercial district. Innovate Fulton is currently inventorying those murals and identifying opportunities for additional murals.
The HISTORY
Innovate Fulton understands the essential role history plays in sparking the revitalization of the Greater Fulton commercial corridor. As such, we seek to tell the story of Historic Fulton (previously known as Fulton) throughout the commercial corridor.
Historic Fulton was a thriving African-American neighborhood that was destroyed by an ill-conceived urban renewal program in the 1970s. More than 800 homes, businesses and churches were destroyed, and countless families were displaced. Innovate Fulton will endeavor to incorporate the story of that neighborhood throughout the commercial district revitalization effort.