29th Annual Festival of the Arts Celebrates Art, Music, Food and Family Fun

This year’s Festival will showcase more than 100 visual artists, 7 live music and theater performances, master craftsman blacksmith demonstrations, and a kids’ Splatter Studio. With comfortable rooms at Beachside Inn and well-appointed vacation rentals in Crystal Village nearby, it's a great time to plan an artistic getaway. Here's the inside scoop on this year's festival...

FRIDAY KICK-OFF PARTY

Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation (MKAF) will celebrate the 29^th Annual Destin Festival of the Arts, Oct. 25-27.  This year’s event kicks off on Friday, Oct. 25 at 6 p.m. with the Arty Kick-Off Party on the Henderson Beach Resort’s Piazza Plaza. Watercolor artist Melanie Moore will paint live, while guests enjoy hors d’oeuvres, creative cocktails by Black Sheep Tequila, live music by Coconut Radio, and a cash bar. Tickets to the Arty Kick Off Party are $50 per person (includes welcome cocktail courtesy of Black Sheep Tequila.) MKAF Members save 10 percent. 

FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS

On Saturday, Oct. 26 and Sunday, Oct. 27, the Destin Festival of the Arts, one of the Southeast's premier art festivals, will be held at the MKAF Cultural Arts Village off Commons Drive. Tents will be dotting the Dugas Pavilion green, featuring art exhibits from more than 100 artists from 16 states. The festival includes a diverse palette of artistic styles in 15 different art mediums. The best part is that admission to the Festival is free!

Art lovers of all ages will be able to watch artists create works during live art demonstrations, browse art from dozens of emerging and student artists, and get hands-on in the interactive children’s art station. Beyond the visual arts, the Festival will feature two days of continual live music and a sampling of the local culinary arts scene. Entertaining street performers, lively art drawings, and the sale of colorful keepsake souvenirs — all create a family-friendly festival feel.

THE ART OF DINING

The Festival has expanded its culinary arts experience, too. Cuisine on the Green will serve up samplings of Venezuelan cuisine from La Chama Venez, gourmet burgers, chicken and fish sandwiches from Fuel Burgers, Latin vegan cuisine from That Rican Vegan, Texas smoked BBQ from Red Neck Riviera Smokers, plus Italian ice and gelato from Repicci’s of the Panhandle and classic savory snacks from PJ’s Popcorn & Pork Rinds. Foodies can toast the arts with select wine, beer, and fresh-crafted Bloody Mary cocktails in the Beer & Wine Garden. 

DETAILS

The Festival is free and open to the public and runs Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Donations are welcome. Proceeds benefit Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation and its ArtsReach initiatives serving local K-12 students, individuals with disabilities, and active-duty military and veterans throughout Northwest Florida and the Southeast. Park for free at Destin High School located adjacent to the Cultural Arts Village or at Emerald Coast Centre, located on Highway 98 near Beall’s Department Store, and ride the free continuous shuttle service right to the main entrance. The Cultural Arts Village is designed as an ADA-compliant venue with available handicap parking.  

To purchase tickets to Arty Kick-Off Party and more information about the Festival of the Arts, visit www.MKAF.org or call (850) 650-2226. 

BOOK YOUR DESTIN STAY

Book your stay at Beachside Inn and enjoy our refreshed rooms just steps from the beach and the Festival of the Arts a short drive away. Or explore Newman-Dailey’s collection of Destin vacation rentals, including homes and condos to find your home away from home at the beach. Let our team make your reservation for you, simply call one of our friendly, local vacation specialists at 850-837-1071.

See you @ the beach!