St. Augustine, Fla. – Art, history, and culture will transform downtown Hastings into a living gallery at the inaugural Hastings Main Street Fall Festival of Art. Taking place on Saturday, November 25, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., the event features local and regional artists, musicians, storytellers, and makers. A reimagining of the traditional Thanksgiving Weekend Art Festival, it is presented in partnership with Hastings Main Street and the St. Augustine Art Association.
The Hastings Main Street Fall Festival of Art encompasses the historic downtown on North Main Street, from Lattin Street to St. Johns Avenue. North Main Street will be closed to traffic at Lattin Street from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. There are multiple areas hosting various performances and activities.
The Historic Stanton Ford Building, 301 North Main Street
The Historic Stanton Ford Building offers a full day of artistic demonstrations and lectures. The day begins with a live art demonstration from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. by two of the original Florida Highwaymen, R.L. Lewis and Curtis Arnett. The Florida Highwaymen were a collective of Black artists who created artwork using a technique called fast painting and sold them in non-traditional venues, like roadsides, as many Florida art galleries featured only white artists during the Jim Crow era. Visitors can also watch a captivating video highlighting the Florida Highwaymen’s works, presented by Dr. Keri Watson, Assistant Director of the School of Visual Arts and Design at the University of Central Florida. The video will play throughout the day, with many opportunities to enjoy.
Prolific writer and renowned railroad historian Dr. Seth H. Bramson will present an enchanting lecture revealing the profound impact Henry Flagler and the Florida East Coast Railway had on Hastings. Dr. Bramson will speak at 11 a.m. and again at 2 p.m., as well as sign copies of his book “The Florida East Coast Railway: America’s Speedway to Sunshine for Over 125 Years” throughout the day.
Celebrated media personalities Jorge Rivera of the “St. Augustine Tonight Show” and Michelle Murillo of “Presenting the Past” will capture oral history interviews of legacy Hastings residents from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
A juried art show will feature an array of artistic mediums, including painting, glasswork, pottery, fiber, photography, jewelry, and more. A donation of $1 is requested at the door and the works will be displayed from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Bozard Music Field, 408 North Main Street
Local music artistry will be on full display at the Bozard Music Field. The day kicks off at 10:30 a.m. with Palatka’s own Damon Slaughter, a young singer-songwriter who began performing in local venues at just 11 years old. He will be followed at 11:45 a.m. by the Hendricks Band, a four-piece group playing original and familiar easy-listening music. Get dancing with James Statzer and the Statz Band at 12:45 p.m., bringing high-energy performances of classic and contemporary rock songs. The day closes out with the quirky, female-fronted duo Bad Dog Mama, performing from 2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Stanton Art & Craft Field, 109 West Lattin Street
This space will come alive with over 80 artists and vendors showcasing their cottage industry wares, including art, jewelry, clothing, artisan-crafted knives, wood carvings, sculpture, and more. This space is perfect for finding one-of-a-kind pieces and couldn’t be better timed with the beginning of the holiday season. Local entertainer, collector, and jack-of-all-trades Joe Rocco will provide entertainment from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Kid’s Zone, 109 West Lattin Street
Kids will have a blast at the Kid’s Zone! Mrs. Claus will show off her skills with a storytelling concert from 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. The child-appropriate artistry will continue with dynamic storytelling performances by the Tale Tellers of St. Augustine, a group of passionate performers entertaining Florida’s Historic Coast for the past 30 years. Kids can also leave their mark by painting a tile that will be displayed in downtown Hastings as part of a community art project.
Lattin Street
The Festival is excited to welcome special performances by members of Venardos Circus. Guests will be amazed at the skill and deftness of their juggler, stilt walker, and hand balancer. Three performances are offered at 10:30 a.m., 1:00 p.m., and 3:30 p.m. The Bookmobile and OneBlood bus will be parked along Lattin Street, where festival-goers can give the life-saving gift of blood while catching up on a good book. And for a post-donation pick-me-up, visit Sade’s Tropical Delights for an Italian ice or Moo’s Coffee for a hand-crafted brew.
North Main Street
Vendors and entertainment will be stationed throughout North Main Street, including living historian Michelle Murillo, who will spin tales that reveal Hasting’s fascinating history, including its designation as the Potato Capital. While strolling North Main Street, be sure to stop by local favorite eatery Norma D’s Kitchen for some fresh café fare!
Food Truck Field, 401 North Main Street
We can’t forget the culinary arts! Seven food trucks will be on-site, providing many options: Luvin’ Oven, Mister Softee, Baked & Frosted, My Mom’s BBQ, Mumbai Delight, Kona Ice, and Sunrise Brew Coffee.
You won’t want to miss this event, celebrating art, culture, community, and the rich history of Hastings, a small town with big significance. And be sure to mark your calendars for Hastings’ upcoming Hometown Christmas Parade and Holiday Pop-Up Market, taking place on December 9. There’s so much to see when you explore Florida’s Historic Coast!
Located midway between Daytona Beach and Jacksonville, Florida’s Historic Coast includes historic St. Augustine, the outstanding golf and seaside elegance of Ponte Vedra Beach, and 42 miles of pristine Atlantic beaches. For more information, call 1.800.653.2489 or go to the Visitors and Convention Bureau website at www.FloridasHistoricCoast.com. Check us out on social media Instagram @FloridasHistoricCoast @ViajaStAugustine, Facebook.com/OfficialStAugustine and Facebook.com/ViajaStAugustine and Twitter @FlHistoricCoast
