Nationally Acclaimed: Fall Arts Festival
WORKS OF FINE art, sounds of smooth jazz and the aroma of delectable treats will fill the air as the City of Gainesville’s Department of Cultural Affairs presents the 24th Annual Downtown Festival & Art Show on Saturday and Sunday, November 12 and 13 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Set in the heart of historic downtown Gainesville, the nationally acclaimed Downtown Festival & Art Show is North Central Florida’s premier fall festival of the arts.
Stroll along the downtown streets, from City Hall to the Hippodrome State Theatre, as 250 of the nation’s top artists display their original oils and acrylics, vibrant watercolors, unique sculptures, dazzling jewelry, decorative ceramics and vivid photography. Artisans will compete for more than $14,000 in cash prizes and $4,000 in purchase awards. With such an array, the festival is a great way to begin your holiday shopping!
Children can participate in the Imagination Station, which offers free interactive entertainment and creative handson activities, such as sidewalk chalk drawing, painting, mask design, puppet and button creation and clay sculpting. It also features magic shows, puppet shows and music.
More than 30 nonprofit organizations will have booths devoted to educating and providing information to the community. Dozens of food vendors will offer a variety of delicious treats from around the world to satisfy all tastes.
The Festival features continuous entertainment on three stages by local bands, musicians, and dance companies. The weekend begins with the Downtown Blues Festival on Friday, November 11 at 7 p.m. at the Downtown Community Plaza. Vocal wonder Reneé Austin will treat the audience to her amazing five octave vocal range and inspiring reinterpretations of the blues beginning at 9 p.m. This free event is presented by the Gainesville Friends of Jazz and Blues and the North Central Florida Blues Society.
The free music continues all weekend with the 4th Annual Jazz Festival on Saturday, November 12 at 6 p.m. as the Gainesville welcomes back nationally known jazz artists Eric Darius and Pieces of a Dream. Mindwalk, Gainesville’s own super group of jazz, celebrates the release of their third CD.
Join us for a weekend full of fun for the entire family. The Festival is free and open to the public from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. all weekend. G
For more information, visit www.gvlculturalaffairs.org or call (352) 334-ARTS.