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Come for food, arts and crafts

Homosassa's Arts, Crafts and Seafood Festival offers another treat: a chance to win door prizes and raffle packages.

By JORGE SANCHEZ
Published November 10, 2006

HOMOSASSA - The smell of just cooked seafood and the sights of arts and crafts in Old Homosassa will draw a huge crowd to this weekend's Arts, Crafts and Seafood Festival.

The festival features the works of 75 artists, 100 crafters and 30 food vendors.

So, after walking around a bit, taking in the ambience of the art amid the old fishing village, you can head over to the seafood court and indulge. Just follow your nose to the food court near the Homosassa Library. There is even an outdoors eating area.

The festival is sponsored by the Homosassa Civic Club, which uses the proceeds to donate thousands of dollars to area charities and youth groups.

Festival organizers have added another popular treat over the past years: door prizes and raffle packages. People can win a fully equipped boat or any of 10 raffle packages ranging from vacations, home decor or $1,000 in groceries and fast food.

When a small town such as Homosassa throws such a bash, there is likely to be a rush for parking spaces.

There are two methods of parking.

If you do not want to wait in a traffic line while a spot opens up, it's best to use the alternate parking and take a leisurely boat ride across the Homosassa River.

Take Halls River Road from U.S. 19 and follow the "alternate parking" signs. A pontoon boat takes you for a for a short river crossing and shuttle vans will drive you two blocks to the main entrance, or you can walk. The vans start at 9 a.m. This method is probably the easiest and most convenient.

Parking on Yulee Drive and Fishbowl Drive on the festival side of the river is also available, but you have to be patient and creative.

Many homeowners allow parking on their property for a fee. There is no standard charge, but expect to pay between $2 and $5.

General parking, as well as handicapped and motorcycle parking, is available directly across from the main gate in the elementary school parking lot.

There is also general parking available past the main entrance in Riverside Resort on Cherokee Drive.

Jorge Sanchez covers arts and entertainment in Citrus. Contact him at sanchez@sptimes.com or 860-7313 or toll free at 1-800-333-7505, ext. 7313.

Seafood and art

The 32nd annual Homosassa Arts, Crafts and Seafood Festival is Saturday and Sunday in Old Homosassa. Follow West Yulee Drive to S Mason Creek Road to the festival site near the Homosassa Civic Club and the library. Festival hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $2; children younger than 12 and military personnel in uniform admitted free. 

[Last modified November 10, 2006, 11:56:17]