21st Annual Festival of the Arts 2016

Every year I look forward to the Annual Festival of the Arts, now in its 21st year. The weather is ideal- sunny and 75 with a nice breeze, the venue is only a few years old with a green lawn perfect for little ones to safely trod on; a beautiful stage hosts fantastic musical acts that complement the art and the food vendors offer bites that are irresistible!

All this and I didn't even talk about the art yet! Being an artist myself who participates in the show almost every year, I get to hear the chatter as people pass by while I sit in the glorious sunshine outside my art tent. I can honestly say that I only hear good things like "the quality of art here is phenomenal!" and "did you see that handmade jewelry with the mermaids? Wow!" and "I have to get one of those potter's mugs- they are just so unique!" If I didn't live here, I'd get a beach vacation rental and spend the weekend bouncing between the sugar-white sand and the vibrant festival grounds.

Recognized as one of Northwest Florida’s premier fine art shows, the Festival of the Arts welcomes more than 100 artists from across the United States and Europe to the beautiful beaches of Destin to showcase their art and to compete for $10,000 in cash prizes. This 20-year tradition combines the best cultural art talent for a two-day celebration of art, music, food and fun.

This year the festival is set for all day Saturday and Sunday, October 29 & 30 at the Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation Village Green in Destin. The cost is five dollars but it goes to support arts outreach like All Kinds of Art (AKA)  which brings art and music education to all ages in Okaloosa and Walton Counties. 

Hope to see you there!

Published on Friday, October 7, 2016