The seventh annual ArtiGras festival sprang into full effect Saturday at the Railroad Square Art Park.
This New Orleans themed festival celebrated the fine arts by offering local artists, a variety of vendors, live music and performances.
According to funatthesqaure.org, The Cultural Arts Alliance at Railroad Square offers free, exciting and educational cultural events at Railroad Square Art Park for Tallahassee and the regional community.
They are a completely volunteer-run organization and produce their events with support from grants, sponsors and fundraising initiatives.
Executive director of Cultural Arts Alliance, Laura Floyd explained thoroughly what Artigras is all about.
“We’re here today to celebrate this area. It happens to be one of the largest and heaviest saturations of artists, small business owners and creative people in North Florida overall. So why not have a festival celebrating that,” Floyd said.
Intern of Cultural Arts Alliance Jamie Crowder shared her thoughts about her experience as being an intern.
“My duty is to come in and help plan the event. So I’ll come in and set up spreadsheets of people we need to contact or make costumes. Pretty much I do whatever Laura needs me to do that day,” Crowder said.
Businesses sold products such as vintage clothing, New Orleans-style cuisine, glass beads and furniture. Patrons could also get face painting, palm readings and henna tattoos throughout the event.
Once the family portion ended, the older crowd is able to enjoy a 21 and up concert series and alcoholic beverages. Age-appropriate adults enjoyed a beer garden, whiskey samplings and a variety of food trucks to wine and dine.
CAARS Board member and principal organizer Joe Berg explained the foundation of Artigras and how it got started.
“Three years ago we broke out and we started focusing on finding music, food and arts that have a root to New Orleans. As you know, New Orleans has roots of the Caribbean and Africa. Our whole point was how do embody the spirit of New Orleans which is a diverse culture,” Berg said.