Downtown Fayetteville will be filled with excitement May 16-17 among scores of fine art, history, food, and family fun displays that arrive annually this time of year. The Fayette Fine Art Show, Taste of Fayette, and Taste of Living History will all be held on and around the courthouse square at various times during the weekend.
The Fayette Fine Art Show, aka The Old Courthouse Art Show, is proud to be the only fine arts and crafts show on the south side of Atlanta. For more than 46 years running, the show consists of approximately 60 artists from Fayetteville, surrounding cities, counties and states. On both Saturday and Sunday on the grounds of the Old Courthouse lawn, visitors can see and purchase many types of artwork. Entertainment on Saturday will include a special performance from noon-1 p.m. by the Peachtree City Wind Ensemble. There will also be music provided by a live DJ throughout the weekend.
The kids will have their own children’s art area where artwork is featured from each of the county’s schools. At the centerpiece is a large mural for all children to put their own artistic touches. The hours for the art show are Saturday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Another of Fayette County’s biggest events begins downtown at noon Sunday, May 17. The 14th Annual Taste of Fayette features local restaurants selling samples of their finest offerings. “Tastes” range from 50 cents to $3 each and will come from a variety of vendors including Broadway Diner, City Café and Bakery, Dickey’s Barbeque, Due South, Khalifa (Indian), Moe’s Southwest Grill, Olde Courthouse Tavern, Panera Bread, Partner’s Pizza, Petite Pies, Royal Stix Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi, Scoops Ice Cream Parlor, Shanes Rib Shack, Star of India (Indian), TCBY, and Twisted Taco.
Awards will be given for the Finest Taste, Finest Treat and Most Amazing Booth.
Beer and wine will be available at the Lane Brown Gazebo with a selection of brews to enjoy with the food samplings of the day.
All food is sold on a token system only, so plan to convert cash or credit card to tokens at two separate token tents. While munching on the various tastes, visitors can also stroll through the non-food section showcasing a variety of other local businesses. The fountain stage will be alive all day long with great musical performances from “CTW,” as well as other local entertainers throughout the day.
At the Kids Corner, children can check out the bungee jumps, slides, and face painting. Also, the CSI Crime Lab will fingerprint children that want to be registered in the national database. Most attractions are at reduced prices or free of charge.
The Taste of Fayette runs until 4 p.m. Sunday. The event is presented by Fayetteville Main Street.
Also downtown, all weekend, the Taste of Living History offers a glimpse into what life was like in Fayetteville’s earliest days. On the grounds of the Holliday-Dorsey-Fife Museum, just one block west of the art show, visitors can witness many live-action displays of historic trades including a potter, needlepoint demonstrations, wheelwright, jam making, violin maker, basket maker, live vintage music and much more. Civil War reenactors will also have a campsite set up and will conduct rifle drills throughout the day. For those craving more historic facts, admission to the museum is free this weekend. Donations are also welcomed.
All three events are held on and around the Downtown Fayetteville square within easy walking distance of each other.
For more information, call 770-719-4173. Upcoming Fayetteville Main Street activities can be found on the Calendar of Events page at www.fayetteville-ga.gov.
