Medieval festival is one day longer
Medieval times are ahead.
Children dance around the maypole during the second half of the 2003 medieval fest at Patriots Park.
Photo by Donnie Fetter
The Seventh Annual Columbia County Art and Renaissance Festival will be held Oct.14-16, a day longer than 2004's festival.
"We added the extra day so we could add more venues to the festival," said Stacie Adkins, Columbia County's community events manager. "It will allow individuals who may have traveled from another town to spend the night, and three-day festivals generally attract more vendors."
The event will be held at Savannah Rapids Pavilion and will include a juried art show of 30-40 locally and regionally known artists. It will feature a silent auction and live period musical entertainment, according to Adkins.
"The event will be more rustic than just your average art show with snow cones," Adkins said. "It will be authentic."
The deadline for artists to complete an application is Friday, and each application must be accompanied by a non-refundable $25 fee.
According to information presented by Adkins, there will be a total purse of $3,200 distributed among the following categories: Oils, Acrylics & Pastels, Watercolor, Sculpture, Graphics & Drawings, Photography, Mixed Media & Fiber Art, and Ceramics & Pottery.
A $300 "Best in Class" prize will be awarded in each of the seven groupings, and two $125 "Honorable Mention" awards will be given.
A "New Horizons Best in Show Award" of $550 will be presented as well. In addition, there will be a $300 "People's Choice Award," based on a public decision that will be made during Friday's festival and reception.
"We are looking for any artist that wants to enter," Adkins said.
"We are also looking for (food and craft) vendors."
Local metal sculptor Thomas Lyles has participated in the show for the past two years and is making plans for his third.
"Last year, I had the piece called 'Bite Me' which won the People's Choice Award and First Place in sculpture," Lyles said.
"This year, I'm entering a pair of easels which will have an art nouveau twist to them."
People wearing costumes will be admitted to the festival free. Everyone else will be asked to pay a $10 entry fee, Adkins said.
Renaissance demonstrations, children's games and activities, arts and crafts, food, and musical and theatrical entertainment will take place Saturday and Sunday, Adkins said.
The local chapter of the Society of Creative Anachronism will assist with the demos and sword fighting.
"It's almost like the best-kept secret in Columbia County," Lyles said.
The event begins Friday, Oct. 14 at 7 p.m. Activities that day last until 10 p.m.
Activities on Saturday, Oct. 15 will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., while the Sunday, Oct. 16 festivities will be from 1 to 5 p.m.
To get more information or an application to participate, call 312-7194 or visit www.columbiacountyga.gov.