31st Annual Downtown Festival & Art Show

From 31st Annual Downtown Festival & Art Show Website:

The nationally recognized Downtown Festival & Art Show transforms downtown Gainesville into a venue for award-winning artists and draws a crowd of more than 100,000. Presented by the City of Gainesville Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs, the festival celebrates its 31st anniversary in 2012. For two days, visitors can leisurely stroll through historic downtown and marvel at works from more than 250 of the nation?s most talented artists, who display their original oils and acrylics, vibrant watercolors, captivating sculptures, dazzling jewelry, decorative ceramics and vivid photography. Guests at the show can interact with artists while getting a head start on holiday shopping by purchasing one-of-a-kind artwork. They can also savor local and international cuisine and listen to live music performed on three stages.

This year the festival will be held on Saturday, October 13, and Sunday, October 14, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Since its creation, Downtown Festival & Art Show has risen dramatically in national rankings. For the past three years, Sunshine Artist magazine has recognized the festival as one of the top 30 fairs and festivals in the country, naming it No. 16 in 2011. Greg Lawler?s Art Fair SourceBook ranked it No. 27 among the top 100 fine art festivals in the nationwide.

Performing Arts
The festival is recognized not only for its art but also for its entertainment. Music from local bands and solo musicians features a blend of folk, jazz, country, pop and soul genres. Dance companies also catch the eyes of the crowd with ballet, jazz, modern and international dance performances. The Festival weekend kicks off Friday at 7:00 p.m. at the Bo Diddley Community Plaza with a Downtown Blues Concert.



Children's Art
While adults explore art booths and listen to music, children can unleash their artistic talents at the "Imagination Station," They can design masks, paint their own masterpieces, create buttons and puppets, sculpt clay and draw with sidewalk chalk. If they?re looking for entertainment, children can sit back and enjoy puppet shows, magic acts and music performances that are sure to bring smiles to their faces. Art Education students from the University of Florida work diligently throughout the fall semester to produce this creative and inspirational experience for children of all ages.

Culinary Arts
Food booths mingle with artist booths at the festival, attracting customers with mouth-watering treats varying from creamy, homemade ice cream to crisp, golden Bloomin?Onion. Visitors can also taste authentic Pad-Thai cuisine, sweet barbecue ribs, hearty Mediterranean pitas and Cajun jambalaya.

With more than 20 food vendors, the Festival incorporates many multicultural dishes to satisfy anyone?s appetite!