As a child, I was always so excited to go to the county fair in Miami; as a young woman, I hope to broaden my horizons and explore the more “mature” festivals and fairs. After looking into it for a little bit, I found Gainesville to have a very popular festival scene.
If you missed the Hoggetowne Medieval Faire this past weekend, don’t fret! There are plenty of other festivals that will be gracing Gainesville with their presence in the wonderful month of February. Get off your couch and get enriched by the many activities Gainesville has to offer!
If you have a joint appreciation for the environment and the arts, the Cinema Verde Environmental film and arts festival is the way to go. The fourth annual Cinema Verde festival will be presenting films, activities and other events to promote environmental awareness. The festival will be held at Jolie in downtown Gainesville Feb. 9 through the 14. For the film schedule and more information, click here.
Out of the immense cultural diversity of Gainesville, many festivals dedicated to cultural immersion have arisen. One of these events is Gastronomie Française à Gainesville and is hosted by the Alliance Française of Gainesville. It is a ten day event starting Feb. 13 that has so many things to offer those that are interested in learning about French culture. There will be lectures, presentations, food tastings, movie showings and much more. Who wouldn’t want to taste wine and cheese and then watch the movie "Chocolat"? It sounds like a wonderful experience and a good time for anyone that is curious about the French style of living known as “joie de vivre” (the joy of life). For more info, click here.
Another event that will be occurring in the Gainesville area is the Winter Fine Art Fair. This fair is held every year at the Tioga Towne Center and will begin the night time fair at 5pm on Feb. 15 and resume regular hours (10 a.m. — 6 p.m.) on Saturday and Sunday. This three day event is family and pet friendly, so if you are interested in exercising the family or the dog, do it while you browse the pieces by over 100 fine artists. For more info, please click here.
The Waldo Farmer’s and Flea market will be hosting a two day event called the Waldo Art Fest on Feb. 23 and 24. If you aren’t able to go the Winter Fine Art Fair mentioned earlier maybe this one will fit your fancy. Local artists are the vocal point of this art fest. Among the local artists and musicians, University of Florida art students will also be representing the Gators at the Art Fest. You should definitely check out Waldo, support our local artists, and find sweet deals at the Flea Market. For more info on the Art Fest, click here.
February seems to be a pretty festival filled month. Try and get out there and explore new cultures, new artists, and new ideas. There is something for everyone in Gainesville, you just have to go out there and find it.
