Spring Art Fests That are Still a Go

by webmaster

January 26, 2021

What’s fresh in Alachua County

With last year’s many festival cancelations, local art enthusiasts are closely monitoring their calendars and events’ updates. Unsure what this year will bring as vaccines are administered and Covid numbers continue to fluctuate, we are all just being “cautiously optimistic.” While unfortunately Santa Fe College has decided to cancel their annual Spring Arts Festival this year, surrounding areas have decided to move forward, while observing special precautions. Cedar Key and the City of Archer still plan to host their annual art festivities this spring.

The weekend of April 17^th and 18^th, Cedar Key will hold their 56^th Annual Fine Arts Festival in their historic downtown area. Presented by the Cedar Key Arts Center, the two-day event will feature 86 local artists and craftspeople and will run from 10-5 on Saturday and 10-4 on Sunday.

With its extraordinary gulf views, this charming, island community is the perfect backdrop for a weekend of perusing the local art scene and checking out the local seafood fare. The festival will look similar to the ones of the past with a few adjustments for the safety of its vendors and attendees. To eliminate the “tunnel effect” created on the downtown streets, they have strategically staggered the booths to situate half facing North and the other half South. Signs will direct viewers in a one direction flow down each street with plenty of space for social distancing and they’ve adopted the Cedar Key School Slogan, “Mask Up, Back Up, Wash Up.”

For their artists safety, Cedar Key has canceled their annual Artists’ Breakfast and Saturday night reception. Instead, they are working on a safer way to welcome their artists in their Hospitality Center. Unfortunately, to keep everyone safe, they are reducing their food options and are canceling their usual musical events, children’s art activities and are not allowing pets this year.

Should the state determine it is unsafe to move forward with this event, the Cedar Key Fine Arts festival will cancel. They advise festival goers to check the website as the date grows nearer for updates.

On March 13^th, the Archer Historical Society still plans to host their annual Art at the Archer Depot event in its historical downtown. With its deep history and rich life, this charming municipality of Alachua will celebrate local artists, craftspeople, horticulturists, local farmers, entertainers, youth groups and faith communities at their one-day event from 9-3. They are still accepting vendor applications.

While observing health guidelines and safety precautions, come out and support our local artists this spring. Follow these two events for further updates and possible cancelations.