Springfest featured art, crafts and food
HOLMES BEACH — The Springfest arts and crafts show returned to City Field in Holmes Beach on Saturday, Feb. 28, and Sunday, March 1.
Springfest featured a wide range of artists and makers, painters, photographers, woodworkers and jewelers who offered their original works for sale. Springfest also featured the inaugural “Taste of the Island” food tasting event on Sunday only.
The Art-N-Around booth operated by artists Troy and Susi Parriott of Jensen Beach displayed brightly colored plaster and cement sculptures of animals and coastal figures that included parrots, alligators, coastal birds and octopuses – one of their most requested designs. Troy, and the couple’s son, Jeremy, designed the plaster and concrete figures and Susi hand-painted each piece.
Michael Ahlrichs Fine Art Photography of Westfield, Indiana, presented nature-focused photography that captured animals, insects, floral subjects and landscapes, along with beach and water scenes. Ahlrichs, from the Indianapolis area, said his photography began as part of a personal transformation more than 13 years ago while recovering from alcoholism.
“Photography became a way to honor that awakening,” he said.
Wood artist Clive Wright of New Windsor, New York, showcased his Hudson River Inlay artwork. Each piece begins with a hand sketch that becomes a detailed blueprint. Wright then combines multiple types of wood with materials such as turquoise, shells, malachite and mother-of-pearl to create smooth, inlaid designs.
Yvette Alleman, creator of Tide and Time Designs, displayed her resin artwork that included trays, coasters, clocks and custom statement pieces. After years of co-owning a resin business, Alleman recently launched her own venture focused on her personal artistic style.
“No two pours are ever the same, and that’s exactly how I like it,” she said.
Created by Darren and Michelle Gillitt of Scaly Mountain, North Carolina, the Pens with a Purpose booth featured hand-crafted fountain pens and wood-turned items. The couple began making walking sticks for their son’s Boy Scout troop and later created custom pens for Eagle Scouts. Each item sold helps provide at least 25 meals to food banks in northeast Georgia and western North Carolina.
TASTE OF THE ISLAND
On Sunday, 59th Street was lined with the Island restaurants that participated in “Taste of the Island.”
The participating restaurants included Poppo’s Taqueria; and staff members Hannan, Jack and Maddy served tacos that featured ancho chicken, honey lime cabbage, pico de gallo, feta cheese and salsa verde served on corn or flour tortillas.
Topsail Steamer offered its Low Country Shrimp steam pots with peel-and-eat shrimp, andouille sausage, sweet corn and red potatoes.
Led by owner and chef Ben Sato, gRub Tropical BBQ served braised brisket tacos topped with apple slaw and cilantro lime cream, with team members Joe and Moussau preparing the tacos.
Toasted Mango Café featured its blackened mahi wrap with grilled mahi-mahi, mango salsa, lettuce and tomato.
Rock N Eggroll offered a variety of eggroll dishes filled with chicken, pork, cheesesteak and other creative combinations.
Maverick and Lulu from 92.1 CTQ’s “Maverick and Lulu in the Morning” radio show broadcast live from Springfest on Sunday.
Festival attendees were encouraged to bring canned goods and other nonperishable food donations to support the Roser Food Pantry in Anna Maria.
The next Blue Ribbon Events arts and crafts show will take place on April 4 and 5 at Coquina Beach in Bradenton Beach.
