Go Two-Wheelin’ in Va-Hi – 2016 Annual Warren Bruno Summerfest Celebration Ride is June 5

Warren Bruno organized the two-day Virginia-Highland Summerfest celebration in 1983 to draw neighborhood residents, businesses, families and friends together. In turn, Summerfest pays tribute to the avid cyclist and spirited Va-Hi “spokes”-person with a Summerfest bike ride each June. The 2016 Warren Bruno Summerfest Celebration Ride spins off from North Highland Park on Sunday, June 5 at 9 a.m. No fee, no registration, just a darn good, family friendly way to start the day. Will you go round in circles? Yes, if you ride the 6.79 mile loop through Va-Hi more than once. View the route here. Any contribution to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is appreciated to honor Bruno and support the local Team in Training cycling teams.

Summerfest Rolls around Virginia-Highland and Atkins Park Restaurant & Bar June 4-5

Virginia-Highland Summerfest celebrates 33 years of art, food and fun this weekend. Comb through the website for details on the juried artist market, Kidsfest, live music, street parties, food and drinks from vendors and local restaurants, runs and the annual Warren Bruno Summerfest Celebration Ride for bicyclists. Saturday morning wakes to more than 1,500 runners winding through neighborhood streets during the Summerfest 5K Road Race, a Peachtree Road Race qualifying race. Run fast to register on active.com. There will be no tantrums from the toddlers as the Tot Trot for children ages 7 and under follows the 5K at John Howell Park. Two days of Kidsfest and live music on the Main Stage rock the park while the Acoustic Stage at Virginia and North Highland avenues plays host to daytime live music and Irish dancers and the Evening Street Party on Friday and Saturday nights. Atkins Park Restaurant & Bar, 794 N. Highland Avenue, is right at the heart of it all and is an opportune place to duck into for some cool shade, satisfying bar snacks and more substantial fare. Summerfest’s biggest fan will be there in spirit. Restaurateur Warren Bruno, Atkins Park owner from 1983 until losing the battle to non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in 2012, loved life, his family and the Virginia-Highland community.

Ride On! Annual Warren Bruno Summerfest Celebration Ride is the Wheel Thing on June 7

Did you heed the call? A couple of weeks ago, we mapped out the details for the annual Warren Bruno Summerfest Celebration Ride coming up this Sunday, June 7. Time for the rubber to hit the road to raise funds for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and to remember Warren Bruno, owner of the flagship Atkins Park Restaurant & Bar in Bruno’s beloved “VA-HI” and Ormsby’s founder. Consider the family friendly cruise a warm up for the day’s Virginia-Highland Summerfest activities. Get a handle on all the info on our Atlanta Dish blog. 

Annual Warren Bruno Summerfest Celebration Bike Ride June 7

Get pumped! The Atkins Park Riders and Atkins Park Restaurant & Bar in Virginia-Highland are setting wheels in motion for this year’s Warren Bruno Summerfest Celebration Ride and fundraiser for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Societyon Sunday, June 7. Warren Bruno owned the flagship Atkins Park Restaurant & Bar in Virginia-Highland and later opened Ormsby’s on Atlanta’s Westside. Bruno lived life with gusto, even during his eight-year battle against the cancer that eventually took his life in 2012. An avid cyclist, Bruno loved biking through his neighborhood and helped found Virginia-Highland Summerfest to share his love for “Va-Hi.” Each June, bicyclists saddle up to ride along some of his favorite streets and paths in New Highland Park, Little Five Points, the Old Fourth Ward, Piedmont Park, Ansley Park and along the Atlanta BeltLine. Summerfest, with its artist market, music, food and refreshments, waits at the end of the ride. The family friendly ride is organized for three cycling skill levels. Ride begins at 8:30 a.m. at the corner of North Highland and St. Charles avenues. BYOB -- as in bike, bottle for water and bike helmet. Sign up ($5 children under 18 years, $20 adults) before June 6 or make a donation online. All proceeds benefit Atkins Park Cycling Team as they raise money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in Bruno’s honor.

Summer Fun Begins Early At Atkins Park Tavern in Virginia Highland with Pong Wars & Summerfest

Short work weeks are something to celebrate, so make plans to do just that at Atkins Park Tavern in Virginia Highland this week with a spirited paddle battle! The restaurant is setting Pong Wars in motion starting on Wednesday, May 30 with single elimination rounds starting up at 10:30 p.m. Sam Adams sponsors the fast-paced event that leads to a Sam Adams tailgate grill and awesome cooler (each valued at $150) for first- and second-place winners. Be there early to get a seat and get in the lineup!

Also coming up in the neighborhood and celebrating 29 years of art, food and fun, Virginia Highland Summerfest 2012 will be taking over on June 2-3.  Visitors can shop for original art at the artist market, enjoy great food, run the 5K and listen to live music presented by 92.9 dave-fm. There’s also a KidsFest area in John Howell Park to keep the little ones entertained. Look for the Atkins Park Tavern food tent while you’re there. At this year’s festival, we remember our friend Warren Bruno, owner of Atkins Park and Ormsby’s, who passed away earlier this month. Warren was one of the original organizers of this popular summertime festival.