AJLF’s ‘Through the Decades’ Lights Up Aquarium
As the festival coincided with Purim, guests were asked to don costumes from their favorite decade as part of this year’s festival theme, “Through the Decades.”
Thousands of community members gathered on March 1 in the Oceans Ballroom at the Georgia Aquarium for the seventh annual Atlanta Jewish Life Festival (AJLF).
As the festival coincided with Purim, guests were asked to don costumes from their favorite decade as part of this year’s festival theme, “Through the Decades.”
“The festival was a success with one of the highest attendance totals in years, with new activities for all ages,” said AJT Events Director Jacqueline Morris, “with tie dye for the kids and a young adult hangout and a raffle for the adults.”
There were plenty of fun activities for families as part of the Kids Zone, including face painting, making tie-dye T-shirts, crafting beaded bracelets and more. Artists sold their wares, including Judaica and woodworking, and food vendors offered kosher delicacies for hungry guests.
And, of course, dozens of local organizations, summer camps, and day schools were on hand for guests to interact with and learn about the programs and services they offer.
Musical performers included violinist Catherine Evergreen, who played at both the main stage and in the Aquarium’s Rotunda stage; arial artist Laura Polmear also performed as did Nick and the Grooves, and Rabbi Jake, with Ross DeMocko serving as emcee.
“We also were getting groovy while we learned some fun line dances,” Jacqueline added, highlighting the “Electric Slide,” “Macarena,” “Chicken Dance,” “Cha Cha Slide,” and the “Cupid Shuffle.”
And as for the attendees who decided to show up in special outfits … “We had an amazing costume contest this year with great costumes,” Jacqueline said. “I even think I saw a kosher duck crash the contest and give out extra prizes to everyone.”
AJT Owner and Publisher Michael Morris shared, “I would like to thank the community for another successful Atlanta Jewish Life Festival. Everyone had a great time, the musicians, artisans, and vendors kept the communal vibe going and, as always, we are grateful for the continued support from Jewish Atlanta and our neighbors. I can’t wait to see everyone back at the Aquarium next year.”