Melbourne Art Festival | April 24-25, 2010

Each year, Space Coast residents hope for a warm, beautiful weekend for the Melbourne Art Festival, a nationally recognized event held annually in historic downtown Melbourne.

The Melbourne Art Festival 5K Flamingo Run opens the weekend festivities on Saturday morning, starting at 7:30 a.m. The 5K Flamingo Run is the largest 5K race in Brevard County. Proceeds from the race are used to promote and encourage artistic endeavors, education, and appreciation in Brevard County.

The USAT&F certified course starts in Historic Downtown Melbourne and continues across the Melbourne Causeway then returns to the start. Runners will jog the Melbourne Causeway Bridge twice. (See Health and Fitness about how to train for the race on page XN)

More than 200 artists from all over the country will display their work including paintings, graphics, sculpture and photography.  During the show free workshops conducted by participating artists will be offered for children ages 6-13. Class size is limited to 20 and registration is required prior to the starting time at the art workshop tent.

Live music accompanies the event; each year the festival introduces new artists, features Grammy award winners and brings the best of the local bands to the big stage.

There’s even a Kids World for fun and creativity for children ages 3 to 12. Hands-on activities and entertainment are all available for free. An adult must accompany children at all times.

Free park and ride transportation is available. Service starts at 8 a.m. both Saturday and Sunday, with final buses departing the Festival at 12 a.m. on Saturday and 5 p.m. on Sunday. Busses run continuously. Locations:  Florida Marketplace (Melbourne): 1459 S. Babcock St.  Indialantic Center (Indialantic): 800 block of A1A.

Admission is free.

(321) 722-1964 or www.melbournearts.org