New site for an old arts tradition

The Masaryktown Arts and Crafts Festival gets a new name and a new location - big enough to handle the ever-increasing crowds.

By JOY DAVIS-PLATT

© St. Petersburg Times, published May 25, 2001

BROOKSVILLE -- Hernando County's largest arts fair makes its move from Masaryktown to Brooksville this weekend.

The Hernando County Art, Craft and Music Festival, formerly known as the Masaryktown Arts and Crafts Festival, will draw about 125 artists and crafters to Tom Varn Park on Saturday and Sunday.

The Hernando County Fine Arts Council decided in December to move the 17-year tradition from Masaryktown's Kennedy Park to Brooksville's Tom Varn Park, a site big enough for 20,000 people.

Brooksville officials have said that between Tom Varn Park and the adjacent Bud McKeethan Park, the site has nearly 80 acres, more than enough to accommodate the ever-increasing festival crowds.

Despite the move, organizer Linda Anderson said it will be business as usual for the festival.

"We look forward to a beautiful setting for exhibitors to show their wares," said Anderson, who is co-chairwoman of the festival committee.

Traditionally scheduled for Memorial Day weekend, the annual festival was originally little more than a get-together for area folk painters, sculptors and jewelry makers. But participation and attendance swelled as years passed and word spread about the quality of art at the festival.

Eventually, craft vendors joined the other artists to showcase their wares. Performers were recruited to entertain crowds. Food and drink were also added to the mix.

The festival is now one of the largest of its kind in Hernando County and has grown into somewhat of a season finale for the area's winter and spring art shows.

"This year, we have had so much help from so many different people that it's gone very well," said Vince Vanni, a consultant for the fine arts council. "The committee has worked extremely well together."

If you go

The Hernando County Fine Art, Craft and Music Festival will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Tom Varn Park on W Jefferson Street in Brooksville. More than $5,000 in prizes will be awarded for artwork, crafts and student art and crafts. Call 684-6288.

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