Byron in Peach County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

Second Atlanta International Pop Festival

Photographed By David Seibert, September 15, 2012

1. Second Atlanta International Pop Festival Marker

Inscription. In the 1960s, as American culture changed rapidly, new forms of music and performance emerged, including large outdoor rock festivals. From July 3-5, 1970, the Second Atlanta International Pop Festival, one of the largest such events anywhere in the world during that era, took place in a field 600 yards west of here. Over thirty musical acts performed, including rock icon Jimi Hendrix playing to the largest American audience of his career, and Macon’s Allman Brothers Band on their launching pad to national fame. Officials estimated that the festival drew several hundred thousand young people to Byron that weekend. Organized by renowned Atlanta concert promoter Alex Cooley, it remains one of the largest public gatherings in state history.

Erected 2012 by Georgia Historical Society, the Byron Area Historical Society, the Georgia Allman Brothers Band Association, the Allman Brothers Band Museum at the Big House, and Hittin’ the Note. (Marker Number 111-2.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment. In addition, it is included in the Georgia Historical Society series list. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1864.

Location. 32° 40.1′ N, 83° 42.517′ W. Marker

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is in Byron, Georgia, in Peach County. Marker is on U.S. 41, 0.2 miles south of High Point Way, on the right when traveling south. The marker stands at the Middle Georgia Raceway. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4015 US Highway 41 North, Byron GA 31008, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Evans-Peavy-Hisel Home (approx. 3 miles away); Peavy-Robertson Home (approx. 3.1 miles away); Byron Depot (approx. 3.1 miles away); Byron Jail (approx. 3.1 miles away); “The Drugstore” (approx. 3.1 miles away); Jailhouse Park / City of Byron (approx. 3.1 miles away); H.J. Peavy & Son (approx. 3.1 miles away); The Fallen President (approx. 7.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Byron.

Photographed By David Seibert, September 15, 2012

2. Second Atlanta International Pop Festival Marker

US Highway 41 is on the left

Second Atlanta International Pop Festival Marker Dedication image. Click for full size.

Photographed By David Seibert, September 15, 2012

3. Second Atlanta International Pop Festival Marker Dedication

The marker, under an appropriate cover, prior to the dedication.

Photographed By David Seibert, September 15, 2012

4. Second Atlanta International Pop Festival Marker Dedication

A part of the large crowd awaiting the marker dedication

Photographed By David Seibert, September 15, 2012

5. Second Atlanta International Pop Festival Marker Dedication

Tim Thornton, the owner of Middle Georgia Raceway (site of the festival), served as master of ceremonies for the dedication.

Photographed By David Seibert, September 15, 2012

6. Second Atlanta International Pop Festival Marker Dedication

Brian Williams, Georgia Historical Society Communications Coordinator, explained the Society's marker program.

Photographed By David Seibert, September 15, 2012

7. Second Atlanta International Pop Festival Marker Dedication

Marj Liaguno, from the Byron Area Historical Society, reminisced about the festival and the process of obtaining the marker.

Photographed By David Seibert, September 15, 2012

8. Second Atlanta International Pop Festival Marker Dedication

Byron Mayor Larry Collins, who was a young ice cream vendor at the original festival, explained the site and locations, including that a "world class" liquor still stood about where the marker stands today.

Photographed By David Seibert, September 15, 2012

9. Second Atlanta International Pop Festival Marker Dedication

Alex Cooley, the Atlanta area's best known concert promoter, created the Atlanta International Pop Festival at a race track near Atlanta on the July 4th weekend in 1969. This was more than a month before Woodstock. In 1970 he moved the Festival to Byron. He later created the Texas International Pop Festival.

Photographed By David Seibert, September 15, 2012

10. Second Atlanta International Pop Festival Marker Dedication

Tim Thornton and Mayor Larry Collins presented Alex Cooley with a Key to the City of Byron, and named him the "Baron of Byron." (In 1970 many Byron citizens wanted to run Cooley out of town.)

Photographed By David Seibert, September 15, 2012

11. Second Atlanta International Pop Festival Marker Dedication

Ready to unveil the marker; the cord is held by Thornton, Liaguno, Williams, Mayor Collins, and Cooley.

Photographed By David Seibert, September 15, 2012

12. Second Atlanta International Pop Festival Marker

Unveiling the marker

Photographed By David Seibert, September 15, 2012

13. Second Atlanta International Pop Festival Marker Dedication

The marker unveiled!

Photographed By David Seibert, September 16, 2012

14. Second Atlanta International Pop Festival Marker Dedication

The Middle Georgia Raceway, site of the Second Atlanta International Pop Festival, in in the distance. (The low "hill" is the banking of the raceway.)

Photographed By David Seibert, September 15, 2012

15. Second Atlanta International Pop Festival Marker dedication

The Allman Brothers Band was based in nearby Macon, and played at the Festival just as their career was taking off. Many at the dedication remember them well.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on September 15, 2012, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. This page has been viewed 1,325 times since then and 46 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 15, 2012, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15. submitted on September 16, 2012, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.