Lakewood Fairgrounds
Encyclopedia
Lakewood Fairgrounds, established in 1916 in Lakewood Heights
, Atlanta, was built to be the home of the Southeastern Fair. The Lakewood Fairgrounds was located on 117 acre (0.47348262 km²) of former Creek Indian land, which was situated around a 15 acres (60,702.9 m²) lake.
For over twenty years, the Lakewood Fairgrounds Antique Mall was held in the exhibition halls every second weekend of the month. Over 15,000 antique dealers were on hand for the monthly event, until the weekend of October 13–15, 2006, when the Lakewood Antique Market closed its doors for good. . The Fairground halls were leased for the Antiques market on as a 50 year lease from the City of Atlanta by Ed Spivia, who promoted it until it was established as an Atlanta icon.
that was featured in all three Smokey and the Bandit
films. Designed by John A. Miller, it was in operation from 1915 to 1974. The Greyhound was out of service during the early part of the 1956 season due to a major rebuild. After 1974, it sat out of operation for a number of years while the crowds at the fair continued to dwindle around it. Then, after a final repaint, its destruction was captured on film as a scene in the second Smokey & the Bandit movie.
and was used for various races.
, which plans to build a studio complex that will include the soundstage as well as office space, a mill shop and lighting facilities.
The media production company EUE/Screen Gems has a 50 year lease with the City of Atlanta to use Lakewood as a film and TV production studio. The company also has plans to build a 37500 square feet (3,483.9 m²) sound stage. The company is currently using the existing historic structures at Lakewood for film and TV production.
Lakewood Heights (Atlanta)
Lakewood Heights is a neighborhood in southeast Atlanta. It is bounded by:* the Betmar LaVilla, the Villages at Carver, and South Atlanta neighborhoods on the north,* the Chosewood Park neighborhood on the northeast,...
, Atlanta, was built to be the home of the Southeastern Fair. The Lakewood Fairgrounds was located on 117 acre (0.47348262 km²) of former Creek Indian land, which was situated around a 15 acres (60,702.9 m²) lake.
The Southeastern Fair
There was also a circus big top, arcade games, vendors, and a large carousel that remained on the premises until 1967. It became a popular destination for families in the spring and summer months. In the wintertime, one of the buildings was "converted into a southern anomaly: an ice skating rink."Exhibition Halls
Lakewood Fairgrounds most distinctive feature is its four distinctive Spanish colonial-style livestock exhibition halls.For over twenty years, the Lakewood Fairgrounds Antique Mall was held in the exhibition halls every second weekend of the month. Over 15,000 antique dealers were on hand for the monthly event, until the weekend of October 13–15, 2006, when the Lakewood Antique Market closed its doors for good. . The Fairground halls were leased for the Antiques market on as a 50 year lease from the City of Atlanta by Ed Spivia, who promoted it until it was established as an Atlanta icon.
The Greyhound
The main thrill ride at Lakewood Fairgrounds was the Greyhound. The Greyhound was the old wooden roller coasterRoller coaster
The roller coaster is a popular amusement ride developed for amusement parks and modern theme parks. LaMarcus Adna Thompson patented the first coasters on January 20, 1885...
that was featured in all three Smokey and the Bandit
Smokey and the Bandit
Smokey and the Bandit is a 1977 American film starring Burt Reynolds, Sally Field, Jackie Gleason, Jerry Reed, Pat McCormick, Paul Williams, and Mike Henry. It inspired several other trucking films, including two sequels, Smokey and the Bandit II, and Smokey and the Bandit Part 3...
films. Designed by John A. Miller, it was in operation from 1915 to 1974. The Greyhound was out of service during the early part of the 1956 season due to a major rebuild. After 1974, it sat out of operation for a number of years while the crowds at the fair continued to dwindle around it. Then, after a final repaint, its destruction was captured on film as a scene in the second Smokey & the Bandit movie.
Racing
In the '40s, a dirt track was built around the lake, called Lakewood SpeedwayLakewood Speedway
Lakewood Speedway was a race track located south of Atlanta, Georgia, in Lakewood, Georgia, just north of the eastern arm of Langford Parkway . The track held many kinds of races between 1919 and 1979, including events sanctioned by AAA/USAC, IMCA, and NASCAR. It was a one-mile dirt track which...
and was used for various races.
Film
On May 17, 2010, City of Atlanta Council members voted unanimously to lease 30 acres (121,405.8 m²) to EUE/Screen GemsEUE/Screen Gems
EUE/Screen Gems LTD owns and operates film and television production facilities in Wilmington, North Carolina and New York City. EUE/Screen Gems branded content division collaborates with global brands and advertising agencies for the development, production, marketing and distribution of filmed...
, which plans to build a studio complex that will include the soundstage as well as office space, a mill shop and lighting facilities.
The media production company EUE/Screen Gems has a 50 year lease with the City of Atlanta to use Lakewood as a film and TV production studio. The company also has plans to build a 37500 square feet (3,483.9 m²) sound stage. The company is currently using the existing historic structures at Lakewood for film and TV production.