Spring Fiesta in the Park – Analog Artist Digital World

The Spring Fiesta in the Park on April 5th, featured 600 or so Artists and Crafters from all over the United States displaying and selling original works in outdoor tents around Lake Eola Park. There was plenty of outdoor fun and family activities at the largest arts and crafts festival in Orlando. There was also live entertainment and a kids’ area. After walking through much of the festival with Terry, she suggested I get a sketch done.

While shopping, Terry and I bumped into Andy Matchett, his friend Amanda Warren and their children. There is plenty to keep the kids occupied and active at this festival. Amanda let me know what Fringe show she was working on. I’m always looking for inside information about what creative work is happening in the arts scene in Orlando. Andy is now doing the musical direction for Legally Blonde at the Bay Street Theater, 109 N Bay St, Eustis, Fl. The show starts June 27th at 8pm.

This Richard Petty race car was located on the edge of the kids area. Occasionally people were encouraged to climb into the car for a photo opportunity. Getting into the car involved climbing through the oped driver’s door window. The Richard Petty driving experience is located at Disney World giving the average tourist a taste of what it is like to drive on a race track. That is something I’d like to sketch and experience someday. The experience is expensive however.

The Rookie Experience: $449 – $549
(8 laps of driving)

King’s Experience: $849 – $1,299
(18 laps of driving)

Experience of a Lifetime: $1,299 – $2,199
(30 laps of driving)

This was a very quick sketch and when it was done, Terry and I went out for tacos before heading home.

Walking downtown on the evening of April 5th, I noticed hundreds of tents being set up around Lake Eola. At the South East Entrance I decided to sit and sketch. The next day this spot would be bustling as part of the Spring Fiesta in the Park which is an Arts and Crafts Festival. Once in a while people would stop to read the posted events on the directional compass totem pole. The ATM was ready to dispense cash for impulse buys. These sort of outdoor festivals seem to flourish in Central Florida maybe because it is warm year round.

A couple arrived with merchandise stacked up in a little red wagon. They set up a table in the tent and over multiple trips with the red wagon they moved their wares. I couldn’t make out what they were unpacking from this distance. I didn’t notice any police in the time it took me to sketch, but if all the tents were full of crafts, there must have been police there. The Best in Show Award went to Jeff Nelson for his inlaid wood furniture. The next Fiesta is November 2nd and 3rd.