Art Festival at Thornebrook

This year marked my third time exhibiting at this show in Gainesville.  I love everything about Thornebrook and setting up is always a breeze here.  My booth location is in a parking lot so we can park where the tent is to be erected, unload onto the sidewalk behind it, then move the SUV and begin set up.  Like most shows, I hold off installing product until the next morning.

The Thornebrook Center Village is an upscale outdoor shopping center offering a variety of fine shoppes from local handmade chocolates to unique artwork.  While many artists prefer to set up in the center of the Village nestled among the shops, I much prefer my parking lot "outside" location which requires no dollying during load-out and load-in.

Lodging in Gainesville can be tricky if it coinsides with another event.  Last year, it was held during UF's Parent's Weekend even thought the Gator's football game was out of town.  We could not find a room expect for a flea bag motel that shot their rate up to over $250 a night.  No thanks.  Don't bother leaving the light on for us.  We'll stay in Ocala.

This year, we did not have that problem, but have noticed that hotel rooms in this area are higher than most places, even on a regular old, nothing going on weekend.  We stayed at a Holiday Inn Express right off of I-75. 

Saturday brought a good crowd and I had a fabulous day!  Sunday was not as strong, but I managed to make my goal and packed up happy.  We were also fortunate that the weather forecast changed for Sunday.  Originally calling for rain a good part of the day, it held off until our drive home when we experienced  heavy downpours for a good portion of our return.  The same thing happened to us last year and once again, we were thankful that we didn't have to pack wet.

Thornebrook is juried, and I certainly hope to be accepted again next year.  Gainesville is always good to me!