WINTER PARK, Fla. – One of Winter Park’s most beloved traditions is back for the first time since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.
The 62nd Sidewalk Arts Festival kicks off Friday along Park Avenue.
“It’s cool to kind of be coming back from the whole COVID thing,” Brent Young, a judge at the festival said.
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The event typically features more than 175 artists and attracts 350,000 visitors each year.
“We have fewer artists, so we’re able to spread out, but it gives them more room. It gives you more room to walk around and see the art,” Laura Fogleman, the President of the art festival said
The festival was canceled last year and postponed earlier this year due to the threat of COVID-19. A virtual festival was held from March 15 until March 31.
“It was a kick in the stomach. It was really hard because I was so looking forward to the show,” Richard Hilgendorff, one of the artists at the event said.
According to its website, the Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival is one of the nation’s oldest, largest and most prestigious outdoor art festivals. The festival debuted in March 1960. More than 1,100 artists from around the world applied to participate in this year’s event.
“To be able to get back to work, no words can describe it,” Hilgendorff said.
To learn more about this year’s event, visit the festival’s website at www.wpsaf.org.