Longwood Arts and Crafts Festival brings 200 exhibitors to Central Florida
Central Floridians looking to do some early holiday shopping need look no further than the Longwood Arts and Crafts Festival in the city’s historic downtown Nov. 21-22.
More than 200 artists and crafters will be spread out in booths showcasing jewelry, pottery, paintings, furniture, plants and other handcrafted, local creations for purchase.
“It’s the weekend before Thanksgiving, and this is typically when people get a jump on their holiday shopping,” said event coordinator Janet Gamache. “They can support local artists and crafters rather than going to the big box stores, which makes people feel good.”
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, vendors will be required to wear face masks and provide hand sanitizer, while booths will be spaced out a minimum of six feet apart. The kid zone is scaled down this year due to safety concerns.
Gamache said many artists have witnessed show after show cancel this year and the Longwood festival, now in its 44th year, will provide crafters a muchneeded forum providing buyers and income. One such artist is Pasco County-based silk painter Jeannine Holzman.
“So many artists were hit in the gut March 15, that was the end of our flow of income,” Holzman said. “It’s great to be back seeing people, selling our art and getting back in the community.”
At her booth, Holzman will display colorful scarves, jackets and apparel painted in vibrant hues.
“I believe it’s all about color. Color makes people smile,” she said.
Another booth will showcase the polymer clay creations of Port Orange artist June Bonnigson. Her miniature figures include snowmen and scarecrows, and this year some of them are wearing masks or holding toilet paper. Others are dressed as doctors and nurses.
“I make probably over 100 different kinds of clay things. They’re all handmade, no molds. They’re little characters from moose to possums to manatees to flamingos,” Bonnigson said. “It’s not your cookie-cutter stuff you’d buy at Target. It’s unique, handmade and made with love.”
Visitors to the Longwood festival can also find food vendors and beverages including beer, wine and cocktails, as well as live entertainment.
But the arts and crafts remain the focal point of this large festival and local holiday shopping opportunity.
“There’re tons of different art,” Holzman said. “It’s very fun and you get to let your brain relax a little bit while looking at beautiful things.”
If you go: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Nov. 21 and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 22 at 175 W. Warren Ave. in Longwood; free admission; parking available at 555 W. State Road 434 and 149 E. Church Ave. in Longwood; well-behaved pets allowed; longwoodfestival.com.
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