ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — Saturday was one of the hottest days of the year thus far in Atlanta, as temperatures teased the triple-digit mark.
Yet that wasn’t slowing down several major events, including the Juneteenth Atlanta Parade & Music Festival and Pittsburgh Atlanta Jazz Festival.
Allyrah Young sat in Piedmont Park, watching people and enjoying the music festival.
“I wanted to just soak in the sun,” she said. “It’s a really good hot temperature, there’s beautiful people outside and nice music.”
The heat took its toll on Young, who was thankful for her handheld fan.
“I’m glad I brought the fan but I was not expecting to be drenched hot,” she said. “Going on almost a hundred degrees outside, I was not expecting that.”
Michole Kemp is an Atlanta native who tried to keep cool throughout the Juneteenth Music Festival.
“This festival has a lot of water spots, mist tunnels and some fans going on, so it’s cool,” she said. “If you’re from here, you kind of know to stay hydrated.”
A quick drive down south, the fourth annual Pittsburgh Atlanta Jazz Festival was also underway.
With temperatures hovering in the mid 90′s all afternoon, Rashonda Jackman did her best to hide from the heat.
“I’m glad I have this canopy chair, so that’s helping,” she said. “Also drinking plenty of water.”
Atlanta City Councilmember Antonio Lewis, who hosted the event at Pittsburgh Yards, also offered his words of wisdom on handling the heat.
“One thing about this Atlanta weather that I grew up in, if you stay hydrated and you’re willing to dress appropriately, you can have a lot fun out here on this red Georgia clay,” he concluded.
Cooling centers in Atlanta and Cobb County will open on Sunday, as temperatures continue to climb.
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