What it is
- In July 1996, Lake Lanier Olympic Park in Gainesville hosted the rowing and canoe/kayak events of the Atlanta Summer Olympics. City of Gainesville: History; City of Gainesville: Lake Sidney Lanier
- Lake Lanier Olympic Park, at 3105 Clarks Bridge Road, was built for the 1996 Olympic rowing and canoe/kayak competitions. Its original timing tower still stands and is described as the last remaining 1996 venue still used for its original purpose. Explore Gainesville: Lake Lanier Olympic Park venue page
- During the 1996 Olympics, when Lake Lanier Olympic Park hosted rowing and canoe/kayak, an NBC broadcaster dubbed Gainesville the "Hospitality Capital of the World." City of Gainesville: History
What you can do there
- Lake Lanier Olympic Park has a sandy public beach with a designated swim area (no lifeguards), a free public boat launch with free truck-and-trailer parking, two courtesy docks and picnic areas. Explore Gainesville: Lake Lanier Olympic Park Amenities
- Two Olympic-legacy clubs are based at the park. The Lake Lanier Rowing Club offers youth, recreational, competitive and learn-to-row programs. The Lanier Canoe & Kayak Club, a 501(c)(3), offers summer public rentals, recreational programs and flatwater sprint teams. Explore Gainesville: Lake Lanier Rowing Club and Lanier Canoe & Kayak Club pages
Events at the park
Gainesville Chicken Festival (21st annual)
Organiser date for 2026Backyard and professional pitmasters compete in "Georgia's Official Chicken Cook-Off" on the Olympic Park plaza, with tasting wristbands, a wing-eating contest and an egg-and-spoon race. It is at the lake, not downtown, so plan to drive.
The City's Oct. 10, 2026 release gives 11 a.m.–4 p.m.; the Explore Gainesville schedule runs to 4:30 PM. On-site parking is limited, and the page lists off-site shuttle parking at New Horizons Lanier Park, 675 White Sulphur Rd. (the page labels that lot "2025").
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Wristband (10 samples) $6; Cluck Pack (5 wristbands) $25 Source: Explore Gainesville: Gainesville Chicken Festival, checked 2026-10-16
Food Truck Fridays at Lake Lanier Olympic Park
Spring–summer 2027. Dates not yet published; the 2026 dates were April 17, May 15, June 19, July 17 and Aug. 21.Sunset evenings at the Olympic venue with live music, food trucks, beer and wine tents and vendors. Entry to the plaza and concert is free; grandstand tables can be reserved.
Free entry; optional 8-ft grandstand table for six, $45 (2026) Source: Explore Gainesville: Food Truck Fridays, checked 2026-10-16
Lake Lanier Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival
2027 date not yet published.Dragon boat races plus cultural performances and food at the Olympic venue. Explore Gainesville calls it Georgia's biggest Hong Kong cultural event of the year.
Source: Explore Gainesville: Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival, checked 2026-10-16
Gainesville Chicken Festival
Fall 2027. Date not yet published."Georgia's Official Chicken Cook-Off" at the Olympic venue on Lake Lanier.
Source: Explore Gainesville: Gainesville Chicken Festival, checked 2026-10-16
Parking on event days
- Lake Lanier Olympic Park events (Chicken Festival, Food Truck Fridays): On-site parking is limited. Event pages list free off-site parking with shuttles at New Horizons Lanier Park, 675 White Sulphur Rd.; the Chicken Festival lists shuttle hours of 10:45 AM–4:45 PM. Only service animals may ride the shuttles. Source
- Shuttles from off-site lots for Lake Lanier Olympic Park events are not wheelchair accessible. Use the Tower-side lot as a drop-off area. Source
From downtown
The park is a drive, not a walk, from the square. Pair it with a morning downtown: our square-to-the-Olympic-course half day shows one way, and the day planner builds your own.
Questions
Was Lake Lanier used in the Olympics?
Yes. In July 1996, Lake Lanier Olympic Park in Gainesville hosted the rowing and canoe/kayak events of the Atlanta Summer Olympics. The original timing tower still stands and is described as the last 1996 venue still used for its original purpose. An NBC broadcaster's "Hospitality Capital of the World" nickname for Gainesville dates from those Games.
Source: City of Gainesville: History; Explore Gainesville: Lake Lanier Olympic Park
Can you visit Lake Lanier Olympic Park?
Yes. The park is at 3105 Clarks Bridge Road, a drive from downtown. It has a sandy public beach with a designated swim area (no lifeguards), a free boat launch with free truck-and-trailer parking, courtesy docks and picnic areas. It hosts Food Truck Fridays and the Chicken Festival, and two Olympic-legacy rowing and paddling clubs are based there.
Source: Explore Gainesville: Lake Lanier Olympic Park Amenities
What is the Gainesville Chicken Festival?
It is "Georgia's Official Chicken Cook-Off," held at Lake Lanier Olympic Park, with backyard and professional pitmasters, People's Choice voting, a wing-eating contest and an egg-and-spoon race. In 2026 it falls on Saturday, Oct. 17, from 11 a.m. Single tasting wristbands (10 samples) cost $6. On-site parking is limited, so use the shuttle lot.
Source: Explore Gainesville: Gainesville Chicken Festival; City of Gainesville news release, Oct. 10, 2026
Dates, rules and hours can change. The organisers have the final word: City of Gainesville downtown events
