Freaknik promoter: "We're expecting thousands of people"

ATLANTA — The return of Freaknik is real and it's going to be spectacular, one of the party promoters promises. "I'm getting calls from people asking if it's for real," said promoter Danny Hefner. "It is real. We're expecting a lot of people from all over the country."

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Hefner didn’t attend the original Freakniks – he’s only 20 – but his mom did, and he’s heard stories. He and his fellow promoters thought bringing back the party for a new generation would be fun.

“This is going to be wild, fun, just like parties used to be,” he said. “We’re expecting thousands of people.”

But safety will be a priority, too. Promoters plan to provide security and a police presence to deal with traffic, he said. They specifically chose an events venue outside downtown Atlanta, with lots of parking capacity, to prevent the notorious traffic tie-ups of years past, he said.

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The party is scheduled for Labor Day weekend at The Atrium. The facility's web site shows photos of a sleek, upscale interior and details plush amenities like VIP suites and an indoor heated pool.

“We’re going to have multiple DJs, games, all types of stuff,” Hefner said. “This is a one time thing for our generation.”

He sounded excited about the social media buzz the event is generating: “It’s been trending and it’s not even close to the party.”

Cox Media Group