44th Annual Mount Dora Arts Festival

The 44th Annual Mount Dora Art Festival was held on Saturday & Sunday Feb 2&3.  It is reported to be the 7th best Arts festival in the Country. The entire Mount Dora Downtown was shutdown and vendors tents were set up along all the streets.

We were told in advance that parking was at a premium.  We figured that to try to drive into a city that we didn't know and try to find a place to park would be insane and stressful, so we selected an alternative way.  The festival had arranged for shuttle buses and train to get people from the outskirts of the town to the festival. We chose the train.  Just 1 mile west of our house, the train would pick you up and get you to the festival (an 8 minute ride) and back for $6 per person.  Such a bargain and completely stress free.

The Train at the Loading Platform.

On the Train Waiting for Departure

The fair was mobbed. Good thing we took the train.  Each of the main streets were lined with the vendors tents.  There was a lot to see.  Plus it also gave us an opportunity to walk all the streets of downtown and see what is there.

Looking down 5th Ave, Elly in purple in the foreground

Looking up 5th Ave

View from Donnelly Park

Lakeside Inn

These artists are talented. I have never seen such talent and outstanding and creative art. Here are three examples of 3-D paintings.

3-D painting done with paper.

Another Painting using paper as the medium

Gorgeous hand Paint silk scarves for $75. Nice but pricey

More crowds on Donnelly Street

After the show they announced the best in show Yu Zhou from PA,  I looked through my photos and found that I had taken a few photos of his paintings because I had admired them so much.  I am not surprised that he won First Place Best-in-Show!

Yu Zhou from the Orlando Times

Photo I took of his work

Another of his work.

After a tiring day walking all over town, meeting a lot of nice people, Elly & I boarded the train for the short trip home.  We had seen it all and decided to skip Sunday and spend the next day in the hot tub & heated pool relaxing and witching the Super Bowl to see if the Patriots can win their 7th Super owl. Go Pats!

Pool & Hot Tub