Roughly an hour’s car ride north of Miami on I-95 North, you’ll find the world class resort destination of Delray Beach, Florida. Set directly on the pristine beaches and clear waters of the Atlantic Ocean, Delray Beach is a small and beautiful city. Don't let its size fool you; the city features the culture, art, and activities of a much larger city. In fact, Delray Beach has won multiple prestigious awards for their city including the All American City award and Rand McNally’s Most Fun Small Town award. In downtown, you’ll find a lively and fun atmosphere. Delray Beach has the longest Main Street in the state of Florida and it's filled with boutique shops, unique restaurants, live entertainment, and plenty of friendly locals to interact with. The city also has a rapidly growing art scene. There are more than two dozen galleries and venues where you can see all of the one-of-a-kind art on display. All of the factors mentioned above, make this city the ultimate location for the Downtown Delray Beach New Year’s Weekend Craft Festival.
For almost a decade, the Downtown Delray Beach New Year’s Weekend Craft Festival has been ringing in the New Year in style. This event draws people locally, statewide, and from all over the Southeast. There are over 150 hand picked artisans who are featured at this show. You're not going to find mass produced items or major vendors. The crafts here are unique handmade items. This is a great event to raise support and art awareness for the entire city. People get the chance to meet the artists in person and really get to know who made the art and how it was accomplished. It's a perfect place to bring the family with all the vibrant art, local shops, delicious food, and an abundance of local live entertainment and events. We interviewed the Publicist for Howard Alan Events, AnaBelle Ramos, about this New Year’s craft celebration.
RAL: Tell me about the Downtown Delray Beach New Year’s Weekend Craft Festival.
AR: The festival is now in it’s ninth year. We draw hundreds of applicants each year, but we accept approximately 150 artists and crafters to this festival. As far as demographics, it's a wonderful mix of people who attend the festival, old and young alike, with many people even bringing their dogs. It's definitely a family-friendly event. The artisans welcome the opportunity to discuss their art, techniques, and even accept special commissions for new work.
RAL: What makes this festival unique?
AR: It’s free and open to the public. It is a juried event meaning that a panel of judges selects the artists and crafters from hundreds of applicants to ensure a superior event featuring diverse art media and the highest quality of original handmade art and crafts. All of the exhibitors are onsite for the duration of the fair. They welcome the opportunity to discuss their art, techniques, and even accept special commissions for new work. This is a wonderful opportunity for festival patrons to explore the work of many different artists and crafters in one location.
The festival will take place at the intersection of Atlantic Avenue and 4th Avenue in Downtown Delray Beach, north and south of Atlantic Avenue, spanning the half mile of Northeast and Southeast 4th Avenues.
RAL: What can people expect to find at the festival?
AR: This is an outdoor street festival with eclectic exhibits of original handmade arts and crafts. Festival partons can leisurely explore the various displays and meet the artists and crafters. For dining options, partons will find festival-type food and beverages. In addition, there are dozens of wonderful restaurants in Downtown Delray Beach.
This is a art and craft showcase, very much like a gallery with unique works of art, but outdoors and casual.
RAL: What can people expect to find for local lodging during the event.
AR: Readers can explore Delray Beach at this website. Due to it being a holiday weekend there aren't any specials set up specifically for the event, but the lodging in Delray Beach is plentiful. Our art show junkies seem to gravitate towards the Colony Hotel & Cabana Club, The Marriott, The Seagate Hotel and Spa, as well as many of the other ocean resort properties.
RAL: What does the festival mean to the community?
AR: The festival attracts many local residents, tourists, and artisans directly into the downtown area. The direct result of this is an uptick in revenue across the board, from lodging rentals to sales at local shops. Many feel the benefit from this festival!
RAL: Why should people come to the Downtown Delray Beach New Year’s Weekend Craft Festival?
AR: There will be a wide array of original artwork on display and for sale with broad appeal. There is truly something for all tastes and budgets. You can expect to find works of art and crafts, as well as unique gift items ranging from as little as $3 to $5,000. The vast array of craft media will include folk art, pottery, personalized gifts, handmade clothing, basket weaving, beaded utensils, candles, cork assemblage, fabric design, fiber quilts, fused wax & glass, hair accessories, handbags & accessories, handmade cards, leather, mosaic, wood, painted wood, plaster craft, and stained glass.
This venue was carefully selected to provide our visitors with a weekend experience of fine art and crafts, food, and shopping. We encourage our patrons to browse the surrounding streets for good eateries, fine shops, friendly people and beautiful scenery. The festival site is also just a short walk from the beach.
For more information on the Downtown Delray Beach New Year’s Weekend Craft Festival please visit their website.