FAIRHOPE, Alabama--With brilliant blue skies and flowers in full bloom, Fairhope was once again in its glory for the city’s biggest weekend of the year.  The 60^th Annual Fairhope Arts and Crafts Festival and 40^th Annual Outdoor Art Show were both a huge success with record-breaking crowds during the May 16-18 weekend event.

“We had 300,000 people this weekend according to the latest numbers. That’s the biggest year we’ve ever had,” said Kathie Barton, director of communications at the Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce. “The economic impact was huge. Restaurant and hotel owners in Fairhope and the Eastern Shore are extremely happy right now.”

Charlene Patterson, communications/marketing director of The Eastern Shore Art Association also touted the event’s success.

“There was an energy to this year’s show,” Patterson said. “Visitors were buying things and really engaged in the art. The economy is obviously turning around. All of our vendors were extremely pleased with their sales.”

Fairhope police spokesman Sgt. Craig Sawyer said, “There was only one reported crime that was directly related to the festival was a theft of pottery items valued at approximately $490.  That occurred between 6 p.m. on Saturday and 6 a.m. on Sunday from a vendor’s booth on Section Street.” 

He said that while there were several complaints about parking, which is normal with any large festival, were no reported traffic accidents.

“Managing the traffic and crowd flow, while ensuring the safety of our guests, including vendors, is always a monumental effort,” he said.   He also noted that hosting The Spring Fever Chase on Saturday also added to the congestion.

For the second year in a row, the Fairhope Police Department’s use of observation towers was an effective way to deter theft during festival hours and make officers more visible to people when they need them, according to the FPD.

The Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce’s 60^th Annual Fairhope Arts and Crafts Festival is a nationally recognized juried art show and sale with over 230 respected artist vendors selling the highest quality art in the country. There is live music, entertainment, and a huge selection of food vendors.

The Eastern Shore Art Association’s Outdoor Art Show, now in its 40^th year, is held on the same weekend in Fairhope. The prestigious juried show hosts 145 of the nation’s finest artists and craftspeople.

Because the two events traditionally take place next to each other on the same weekend, they meld together seamlessly to those who attend, making a mega-event with a combined 375 vendors.