FAIRHOPE, Ala. — The downtown streets were again bustling with traffic on Monday, and retailers had resumed normal operations. The 58th Annual Fairhope Arts & Crafts Festival, an Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce (ESCC) event, and the 38th Annual Outdoor Art Show, sponsored by the Eastern Shore Art Center (ESAC), are but a memory, and by all accounts both shows were a major success.

“It would have been amazing if Sunday had cooperated,” said Jay Hasting, ESCC tourism director and special events director. Rain actually had ended on cue before the opening Sunday, but cloudy skies, colder temperatures and windy conditions persisted throughout the day. He noted some artists had moderate sales that day nonetheless.

Hasting said, “It was the biggest Friday and Saturday we ever had. They were huge, and the artists were so pleased. One even said it was like the old days. Hopefully that’s a sign our economy is improving. People were out spending money.”

People are obviously not spending quite as much money as they once did because of the poor economy, he pointed out, but they did spend relatively freely while at the festival. Hotels and restaurants were full all weekend, and police estimate a total of 260,000 people attended the two events.

“If you run a shop downtown, and that many people walk by your shop, that’s got to be advantageous,” Hasting said of merchants receiving an early spring sales boost. “It helps the economy 10- or 12-fold.”

Robin Fitzhugh, ESAC director, agreed with Hasting’s general assessment, saying, “The response from our vendors was very positive. They enjoy the hospitality of Fairhope, and several said it was a very good show sales-wise.”

Friday and Saturday were the top two days for the Outdoor Art Show as well, she said, adding that one jeweler even sold a $2,300 piece. Fitzhugh said sales were better than they were in 2009, but not as good as three years ago, before the economy began a tailspin.

“I went booth to booth Sunday afternoon, and talked to the artists,” she said. “I think they had a really good experience. This is my 11th year to be involved, and I think this was the biggest Friday we ever had.”

A reporter’s view from a fourth-floor balcony at the Hampton Inn suggested that as well. A glance to the north revealed a sea of people filling all available space between two rows of white tents lining North Section Street.

ESAC received a record number of application this year, prompting organizers to add booths on Pine Street. Fitzhugh said word of mouth caused the swell of interest, including that of Jerusalem native and Old Jaffa, Israel resident Yoram Gal. He heard about the show from other artists he met in Florida, and exhibited in Fairhope this year. He won ESAC’s first place ribbon in the painting category.

Both organizations credit their staff and many volunteers with making the two shows possible. Fitzhugh said her group was also helped by the tremendous cooperation of ESCC and area merchants.

Now that the tents have been folded and the streets cleared, it is time to begin planning the 2011 festivals. Hasting said, “We’re already giving thought about ways we can improve next year.”