Suwanee’s Town Center Park is gearing up for a spectacular event that showcases the city’s rich cultural diversity: International Night Market and Glow in the Park, set for April 19-20.
A spectacle that literally lights up Town Center Park, the International Night Market and Glow in the Park was born in 2017 as a walking lantern parade. Initially a small community festival, this weekend celebration quickly grew to become a highlight on Suwanee’s event calendar. Partnering with the Atlanta International Night Market (AINM) in 2022, the event expanded into a cultural experience that both enriches and displays the vibrant multiculturalism present in the community.
The AINM offers an impressive live entertainment schedule, diverse art, and food vendors from across the state. Stunning illuminated Chinese lantern art across the Town Center lawn is provided by Illuminate Georgia. Friday night ,be sure to bring your dancing shoes for the energetic band, The Geek Squad!
A highlight of the weekend is the Glow in the Park lantern parade and concert held on Saturday just after 8 p.m. This community celebration encourages participants to create illuminated lanterns to parade together. Guests can build a lantern at one of the workshops at the Suwanee Arts Center (3930 Charleston Market Street near the City Hall). This is held the week before the event. Purchase pre-made or DIY kits at the Center’s website, or get crafty with their own imagination.
This is large. Plan ahead and know where to park. The City of Suwanee is offering free shuttles from two locations: Gwinnett Church (300 Peachtree Industrial Blvd, in Sugar Hill ) and 305 Shawnee (305 Shawnee, Suwanee). The shuttles will run on Friday, April 19 from 6 p.m. until 10:30 p.m. and on Saturday, April 20 from 4 p.m. until 10:30 p.m.
Three Gwinnett students to perform chamber music
Franklin Pond Chamber Music, in collaboration with the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra Chamber Players, will give a concert of classical chamber music on April 28 at 3 p.m. at the Woodruff Art Center’s Rich Theatre. The event is free and open to the public with no ticket required. Details are available at FranklinPond.org/Finale-Concert.
Twenty talented middle and high school musicians from six ensembles representing 13 schools from six counties will present some of classical music’s most beloved chamber works, including compositions by Dvořák, Mendelssohn, Clara Schumann, Shubert, Prokofiev, Henrietta Renié and Paul Schoenfield.
Among the musicians in the performance will include three Gwinnettians:
- Ryan (Seunghoon) Pi, cello, a freshman at Greater Atlanta Christian School;
- Faith Meshida, a senior and violinist from Central Gwinnett High; and
- Sam Beasley, viola, a senior from North Gwinnett High.
Patel joins Gwinnett Place CID board
Patel
A new board member has joined Gwinnett Place Community Improvement District. He is Romi Patel, vice president, BHG Hotels, who was elected to a three-year term. BHG Hotels is a family-owned business that invests in hospitality ventures in the Midwest and Southeastern hotel markets, including two hotels in the Gwinnett Place CID (Wyndham Garden-Duluth and Wingate by Wyndham-Duluth). He graduated from Indiana University prior to joining BHG Hotels in 2011.
Current board member, Ondria Jett, was re-elected to serve a three-year board term. Ms. Jett has acquired 25 years of experience in commercial property management by managing capital and tenant improvements for Banyan Street Capital.
During the meeting, the CID board of directors recognized Mark Williams, who has served on the CID board since 2005, and is leaving the board. Mark has also been recognized by Commissioner Carden with a Gwinnett County Resolution. As a founding board member, chairman and secretary/treasurer for the CID, he has provided years of visionary guidance, exceptional leadership and unconditional commitment to the CID.
Leo Wiener, president of Ackerman Retail, and Trey Ragsdale, manager of public affairs for Kaiser Permanente, were reelected as board chair and vice-chair. Board member Jill Edwards was elected to serve as the new secretary/treasurer of the Gwinnett Place CID. Ms. Edwards is senior vice president with United Community Bank.
EMC foundation donates $74,457 to Gwinnett charities
The Jackson EMC Foundation board of directors awarded a total of $104,457 in grants for organizations during its recent meeting, including $74,457 to organizations serving Gwinnett County.
- $19,957 to Boy Scouts of Northeast Georgia, Inc., serving all Jackson EMC counties, to provide uniforms, handbooks and scouting membership fees to help underprivileged youth participate in scouting.
- $15,000 to Friends of Disabled Adults and Children, Too!, Inc., serving all Jackson EMC counties to improve the quality of life for those who are mobility-impaired due to any physical disability, illness or injury for its Home Medical Equipment Program for equipment and client care services.
- $15,000 to Gwinnett-Walton Habitat for Humanity for construction materials and finishing supplies for a new home build.
- $10,000 to Angel House of Georgia, Inc., to provide entrance and program fees at the Gainesville recovery residence for women throughout the Jackson EMC service area with alcohol and/or drug addiction.
- $10,000 to Positive Impact International, Inc., Suwanee, for food, clothing, hygiene supplies and counseling services for its Safe Place program, which helps homeless youth in Gwinnett County in unsafe conditions or situation get immediate shelter.
- $4,500 to Comics Appreciation Project, Inc., Bogart, a nonprofit organization that shares and fosters an appreciation for comics through literacy engagement programs to purchase books for its Share-Care Books Program to serve residents in all counties served by Jackson EMC.
Gwinnett Sons of American Revolution marks 25th year
On April 10, 1999, the first and only Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) chapter in Gwinnett County was organized. The chapter was named after one of the three Georgia signers of the Declaration of Independence and Gwinnett’s namesake, Button Gwinnett.
The Button Gwinnett Chapter S celebrated its 25th Anniversary at the American Legion Post 232 in Snellville. There were 46 Button Gwinnett members and 68 guests in attendance.
Current Button Gwinnett President Tom Jacques recognized five of the Founding Button Gwinnett Charter Members: Hubert Tucker, who was the first president; and Bruce Maney, James Walters, Frank Quinn and John Moale. Eleven Button Gwinnett Chapter past and current presidents were present.
GASSAR President Ed Rigel Jr. inducted seven new members into the Button Gwinnett chapter.
Past Button Gwinnett President Terry Manning presented nine SAR Military Service Medals to chapter Veterans and five War Service Medals to Chris Bradfield (Marines); Mark York (Navy); Reggie Vallotton (Air Force; Tom Hopkins (Army); and Bill Schultz (Navy) .
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