Mableton Celebrates its Diversity and Creativity on its Third Birthday as a City

Mableton came alive Saturday, May 31, when vendors, performers and residents packed out the historic Town Square Park to celebrate the town's third birthday at the annual Mableton Day festival.

Mableton officials and organizers said this is the biggest one yet, with dozens of local businesses, restaurants, craftspeople and community groups coming together to delight residents.

District 5 City Council Member TJ Ferguson said the event shows exactly why residents wanted Mableton to become a city — because there is a deep pride among Mableton residents, and especially for him, as the event is held in the district he represents.

"It's an amazing thing when you're driving around a place you've been driving around for 20 years and I've never seen it look like this, and it's amazing, we are out here for the third birthday of the city of Mableton," Ferguson said.

Local bands, a Caribbean steel pan player, a gymnast, a stilt walker, Freddie the Falcon and the Atlanta Falcons cheerleaders all turned out to entertain the community.

Mayor Michael Owens said this was the first year demand was so high that organizers actually had to turn vendors away because they ran out of space.

Vendors included crochet artists, ceramic artists, soap makers, smoothie shops, plant shops, jewelers, men's beard care products and even a tarot reader and psychic.

"It is a beautiful day, we have kids and adults out here enjoying it, there is food, there is vendors, there kids activities, it has been an awesome event, bigger than it has been ever before," said District 1 City Council Member Ron Davis. "Happy third birthday, City of Mableton!"

Demetrius Lockett, a Mableton Improvement Coalition board member, said he enjoyed seeing the community come together, the number of vendors present and the excitement surrounding the city's growth and development.

"This means a lot to us … because it's Mableton day, it's the third year of Mableton becoming a city so it means a lot to us," Lockett said.

The food reflected the diversity of Mableton, with brisket grilled on-site, soul food plates, New Orleans-style beignets and northern staples like Coney Island hot dogs and Mr. Softee ice cream.

"Mableton Day was such a vibe today! The food, the vendors, the music, the stilt walkers, the kids laughing on the playground, everything felt alive and connected," said District 4 Council Member Cassandra Brown. "Moments like this remind me how special our community is. I'm excited for the many more community-focused events ahead as our city continues to evolve."

Mayor Owens said the Mableton Day festival is an opportunity to celebrate the city and its small businesses and to keep the community connected.

He said the location was significant, as Town Square Park is the heart of Mableton. The event aligns with his vision to connect the entire city through a walkable historic district surrounded by landmarks including the Mable House, the library, schools, the railroad and a commercial corridor along Veterans Memorial Highway.

"This is truly center city, with historic Mableton, so this area is a transitional space, it connects one of our busiest roads and connects it all," Owens said. He added that he wants to open the space into a village mall with its own green space for community gathering and connectivity. He said they will be making an official announcement soon about a significant grant they got to develop the town center further.

Sponsors of Mableton Day include Smyrna Pediatric Dentistry, Once Upon a Child, Window Comfort, Green for Life, Singhtoro Law PA, State Farm, Crown Law Firm, Cobb Collaborative, Savior Home Care, the Mableton Improvement Coalition and Graze Craze.

Check out the full gallery below.