Main St. Fort Worth Arts Festival Preview
Main St. Fort Worth Arts Festival
April 19 to April 22, 2012
Download Festival Map
www.mainstreetartsfest.org
Price: Free to attend; Food, beverages and certain activities require coupons purchased on-site
Hours: Thursday, April 19, 2012 at 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday, April 20 to 21, 2012 at 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., Sunday, April 22, 2012 at 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The Main St. Fort Worth Arts Festival will bring thousands of people to downtown Fort Worth in April. Whether they're coming for the wide variety of art styles available for display and sale, the three music stages, or just to have a snack and fun day out with the family, the free festival promises to entertain all. Last year's festival brought an estimated 400,000 people to town for the four-day event.
The Magnificent Mile
The Main Street artists will be displaying their wares for what they call a "magnificent mile" under the white tents along Main Street. More than 200 acclaimed artists will be on display in a wide variety of mediums. The Arts Festival will feature art from the world of ceramics, digital art, drawing and pastels, fiber, glass, printmaking, jewelry, leather, metalwork, painting, photography, sculpture and wood.
Last year's "Best In Show" winner Mimi Damrauer will return for this year's festival, as will 2011's "Best Emerging Artist" winner Thomas Diel, who worked in the field of minifurniture edifices. Six of last year's seven Merit Award winners will also return, including hand-etched pottery artist Marvin Blackmore.
The Collector's Club
While the festival is free, attendees who want a closer look at the artists and plan to take home some of their works can join the Collector's Club. With packages at $150 for the Young Collector (under 45) and $300 for the Premier Collector, the club offers a different perspective for the serious fan. The Collector's Club packages allow entrance to a private reception and auction, a seminar on beginning an art collection, and access to the XTO Skybox, as well as valet parking for all four days of the festival.
Music On Main
Sundance Square Stage (Chisholm Trail Lot)400 Main Street
Green Mountain Energy Company Stage (9th Street)
Main and 9th Street
UT Arlington Performing Arts Stage (5th Street)
Main and 5th Street
Fort Worth, TX 76102
The festival will also feature three stages full of music, going for all four days of the event. Acts will perform all day, including the Texas Tornados, Grammy Award winner Steve Wariner, Del Castillo and Jefferson Airplane/Starship guitarist Craig Chaquico. There will also be strolling performances from street musicians such as Rodger Harrison, Razzmajazz and bagpiper Eric Bailey. Download a printable music schedule to ensure you catch your favorite performers.
A Festival Of Foods
The festival will also have plenty in the kitchen to satisfy anyone's taste buds. There will be 23 restaurants providing top-quality food, all served on biodegradable plates and cups. From full meals like fajitas, gumbo and tacos to lighter walk-around foods like eggrolls, turkey legs and bratwurst, the choices are endless. And of course, save plenty of room for dessert. The ice cream, kettle corn and smoothies will hit the spot.
Beers and Wines
Advance reservations are required for the wine tasting sessions. To sign up, simply drop by the Wine Experience tent.
Price: $35
Times: Thu - 1 p.m., 3 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.; Fri and Sat - 1 p.m., 3 p.m., 5:30 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Sun - 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
For fans of spirits, the festival provides a wide range of experiences. Wine aficionados will be happy to know Times Ten Cellars returns to the festival this year to provide a private wine tasting experience. Each session is limited to 30 participants and will feature four premium wines. Participants will not only get to experience the tasting, but also take home a bottle of wine and some recipes and food pairing suggestions.
On the beer side of things, presenting sponsor Coors has provided an outstanding selection. Coors, Coors Light, Killians, Blue Moon, Belgian White and Mike's Hard Lemonade will all be available at eight different locations. An even greater selection is available at the main Coors location in the Chisholm Trail parking lot and features more than 25 additional kinds of beverages, including Tecate, Rolling Rock, Lone Star, Alien Amber, Sam Adams and Stella Artois.
