The Performing Arts Association of Foley is excited to announce the dates for the 40^th anniversary celebration of Art in the Park Outdoor Fine Arts and Crafts Festival Saturday, May 12th and Sunday, May 13^th from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The festival, which is enjoyed every year on Mother’s Day weekend, will be in John B. Foley Park, at the intersection of Highways 59 and 98. The Art in the Park Committee is pleased to announce that this show continues to be selected by the Alabama Bureau of Tourism and Travel as one of the State’s TOP TEN EVENTS for the month of May!

This year, you will find over 100 exhibitors from throughout the country proudly displaying their original works of art., including works in pen & ink, oil, watercolor, pottery, stained glass, floral arrangements, children’s clothing, wood, porcelain, hand weaving and much more. In addition to the quality arts and crafts, you will find other activities such as live entertainment, hands-on children’s activity area, and artwork from local schools’ contests, plus face painting. Proceeds from sponsors of Art in the Park support everything from Art Exhibits to Scholarships for local students through the Performing Association.

On Sunday, Swift Presbyterian Church will conduct a church service from 8:30 until 8:50 a.m. This is a special service that the Art in the Park Committee arranges as a courtesy to the vendors. All are welcome.

Artwork, from students in local elementary schools as well as from students at Foley High School, will be on display in the park. Yes, there will be entertainment and there will be children’s activities from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and from noon to 3 p.m. Sunday, at the North end of the park. All entertainment is free and the members of the Art in the Park Committee hope you will come out and enjoy the show.

A special homemade dessert booth, sponsored by St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, will be there from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the northwest corner of the park. This booth will feature desserts prepared by some of the finest cooks in Baldwin County. The food booths will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

As always, there will be a variety of food vendors with tasty offerings for everyone. Plan to take your mother (and your mother-in-law!) out for lunch and a stroll through the park to celebrate her day and enjoy the arts. Don’t forget to buy her a nice gift! There will be plenty from which to choose at this event!

Since its inception, 43 years ago, the Performing Arts Association has been dedicated to the furthering of the arts in South Baldwin County, first by bringing the Alabama Symphony to Foley and in later years, through the operation of the Performing Arts Center.  Many of the local artists, as well as those who come to Art in the Park, sell their work at The Art Center year round. 

The Art Center is a non-profit, all-volunteer cooperative that is located at 116 West Laurel Avenue.  The many hours donated by our dedicated volunteers and the generous support of the community make it possible for us to provide enrichment programs for the schools in our area.  Through scholarships, merit awards and grants for special classes and programs throughout the school year the Performing Arts Association strives to promote an appreciation for art, poetry and music at an early age. 

For the past few years, the Performing Arts Association has sponsored “Poetry Alive” for all the schools in the area who wish to participate in this poetry appreciation program.  This program alone has reached more than 29,000 elementary and middle school children in the past seven years and is just one of the many ways to show support for education.  A significant part of the money spent is raised by the sponsorship of events such as Art in the Park, the Christmas extravaganza, Trim-A-Tree, which is conducted in November and December each year, and the annual Membership Drive, which also takes place in November and December.  All members of the community are invited to join this endeavor.  For information call the Center at (251) 943-4381 or stop in at 116 W. Laurel Ave., Foley.  Also please visit the web site at www.foleyartcenter.com.