Jennings Alive festival coming to Main Street
Published 10:55 am Friday, October 24, 2014
JENNINGS — Creative works of art, food, fun and entertainment will fill Main Street on Saturday as the city hosts the 34th annual Jennings Alive Arts and Crafts Festival.
Several blocks of North Main Street will be blocked 9 a.m.-3 p.m. as more than 50 arts and crafts vendors and information and food booths line the streets.
“This is a great opportunity to see a wide variety of handmade crafts and unique items — stuff you don’t see every day,” said City Project Coordinator Michelle Hebert. “It’s also a great opportunity to jump-start your holiday shopping in a beautiful outdoor setting.”
The festival will feature six hours of shopping, family fun and great food, Hebert said. Admission to the event is free, and most activities are free.
Founders Park at the corner of Main and Nezpique streets will be the center for non-stop, high-energy entertainment starting at 10 a.m.
Master of ceremonies Bart Glatt will entertain the audience with magic, contests, games and activities 10 a.m.-3 p.m. in Founders Park.
Mini jazzers, intermediate jazzers, junior high jazzers and the Jennings High School Jazzers will perform beginning at 11 a.m. Local saxophonist Marcus Davis will perform throughout the day.
LoLo the Clown will return to the festival with balloon art. The Jeff Davis Arts Council will present Art World, featuring free arts and crafts activities for children.
There will be face painting and other activities for children throughout the day, and school and church groups will sponsor food booths.
The public is also invited to tour the W.H. Tupper Museum, Louisiana Telephone Pioneer Museum, the Children’s Telephone Museum and the Old Magnolia Exhibit Room. The museums will be open 9 a.m.-2 p.m. for a one-day-only admission of $1 per person.
The Old Magnolia will feature winners of the Swamp Spirit Art contest, including local resident Frances Green Naquin. This is the first time the exhibit, featuring alligator-theme art, will be showcased in Jennings, Hebert said.
Caring Hands resale shop, 327 N. Main St., will have special hours — 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
The annual Melissa Doise Hope for the Miracle Breast Cancer 5K run/walk will kick off at 8 a.m. in the parking lot of the parish courthouse, 321 E. Plaquemine St. Registration will be at 7:30 a.m.
Festival attendees are invited to bring lawn chairs. Free parking will be available within walking distance of the festival. For more, contact Hebert at 337-821-5532 or michelle@cityofjennings.com.
