One of the area’s premiere fall gatherings again beckons art, music and outdoor event lovers as the 61st Annual Halifax Art Festival unfolds Nov. 4 and 5 along Beach Street in downtown Daytona Beach.
Touted as the second oldest continuing festival in Florida, the free event offers a unique blend of fine arts, crafts, music, food and fun. According to organizers, it typically attracts a crowd of roughly 30,000 visitors from across the Interstate 4 corridor from Tampa to the World’s Most Famous Beach.
Here’s what you need to know about this year’s festival:
What’s the main attraction of the Halifax Art Festival?
The festival’s calling card is its spotlight on an array of juried local, regional and national original works of art representing more than 200 artists. The show is known for offering affordable artwork for the established as well as the beginning collector.
Artworks are divided into two sections. Competitive Fine Arts and Crafts is juried, judged and eligible for prize and patron money. Non-Competitive Arts are juried but not eligible for awards. Works exhibited in both sections are all original.
Are there student artworks at the festival?
Yes.
There’s a student art exhibit and competition that showcases student art from kindergarten through 12th grade from the Volusia County public school system as well as area private schools.
The student art is displayed at the News-Journal Center at Daytona State College, 221 N. Beach St., Daytona Beach, during festival hours. Following the event, the winning art will be displayed at Daytona’s Museum of Arts & Sciences, 352 South Nova Road, Daytona Beach, Florida, for one week.
In addition, budding young artists from pre-K to 5 years old are invited to pick up a “Little Van Gogh To Go” kit at the festival’s information booth. The kit can be used at home to create one-of-a-kind works.
Parents are encouraged to take a photo of their child’s artwork to post on Facebook, tagging @MOASDaytona and using the hashtag #LittleVanGogh so that the artwork can be featured on the Museum’s Facebook page.
Is there music at the festival?
Absolutely.
Live music will be featured both Saturday and Sunday, with plenty of seating available on Beach Street. If hunger strikes, shoppers can nosh on an assortment of food from festival vendors or at one of the bistros and restaurants along Beach Street.
Who presents the Halifax Art Festival?
The 61st Halifax Art Festival is presented and produced by the Guild of the Museum of Arts & Sciences. The event is the signature fund-raiser for the museum and also benefits the Cici and Hyatt Brown Museum of Art and the Charles and Linda Williams Children’s Museum.
What are the hours of the event?
The festival runs from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 4, and from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 5. Again, it’s free admission.
Where exactly on Beach Street is the event?
The festival unfolds along Beach Street from Orange Avenue to Bay Street. For those driving to the event, it’s recommended to use the GPS address of 166 S. Beach St., Daytona Beach.
Where can I find more information?
Visit HalifaxArtFestival.org for more details about the event, as well as a festival map and a list of participating artists.