Here's something coming up in May that's always fun for the entire family~

The 500, Inc. Presents ARTFEST 2008
 
 
Now in its 39th year, The 500, Inc. brings back ARTFEST over Memorial Weekend from May 23 -25 to its original roots at Fair Park, the perfect marriage of art, entertainment and culture.  As one of the premier fine art shows in the nation and entertaining close to 20,000 guests, ARTFEST 2008, presented by Time-Warner Cable and CBS 11/TXA 21, is a juried event bringing together over 200 artists displaying, demonstrating, and selling their one-of-a-kind creations.  Proceeds of the event benefit The 500, Inc., a volunteer organization that has supported over 35 local arts organizations over the past 40 years.
 
Traditions continue with live bands, a Cultural Arts Stage featuring performing artists, and ARTFEST for Kids, presented by Tom Thumb, with free activities including the classic “Box City” in which children design and build a town with boxes that they decorate.  Live bands, such as The Joe Jonas Band, The Stratoblasters, Eleven21 (made up of CBS11 and TXA 21 staff members), The Pit Pops and seventeen-year-old MySpace.com sensation Jonathan Fox.  Festival food favorites, such as funnel cakes, corndogs and cotton candy, will be available to purchase.  In addition to Saturday and Sunday events, ARTFEST visitors can toast the weekend with a very special Wine Stroll Preview Party on Friday evening, which includes an art preview, “meet and greet” with the artists, a weekend pass to ARTFEST, complimentary wine and hors d’oeuvres.
 
In 1969, ARTFEST started as a small Memorial Day Weekend event.  When the rapidly-growing exhibition needed more space, Fair Park was an ideal choice for a festival because of its adequate walkways, facilities and built-in art deco environment.  ARTFEST was held in various areas of Fair Park and Dallas County throughout the years, but this year’s setting at Fair Park is a historic: the Court of Honor in front of The Hall of State.


 
April Davis, Director of ARTFEST 2008 and Vice President of The 500, Inc., was destined to become involved with the event.  She explained, “In the 1970’s, my parents volunteered for ARTFEST before I was born and then took me to several when I was young.  I am honored to continue the tradition.”  In addition, Susan and Addison Wilson III are ARTFEST 2008 Honorary Co-Chairs and were also former presidents of The 500, Inc. in 1974-1975.
 
Besides Ms. Davis and the Wilsons, hundreds of other volunteers with The 500, Inc. dedicate many hours to ARTFEST.  The event is a fundraiser . . . unusual for an arts festival since most similar events of such magnitude are organized by cities and communities.  To date, ARTFEST has raised over $12 million, with proceeds assisting numerous musical, dramatic, visual, and other arts organizations.  Past beneficiaries include Dallas Chamber Music Society, USA Film Festival, Shakespeare Dallas and Dallas Center for Contemporary Art.


 
ARTFEST 2008 will be held at Fair Park (3809 Grand Avenue) over Memorial Weekend, May 23rd – 25th.  The Wine Stroll Preview Party, $20 per person, is on Friday, May 23 from 6pm – 9pm. Advance discount tickets for the Wine Stroll can be purchased at Tom Thumb for $15 beginning May 5th.  The main event will be held from 10am – 7pm on Saturday, May 24 and from 10am – 6pm on Sunday, May 25.  General admission is $6 per day for adults; children under 6 are free.  Advance discount tickets can be purchased at Tom Thumb for $5 beginning May 5.  Parking is complimentary on Washington Avenue. For more information, visit www.artfest500.com or call 214.565.0200.
 
ARTFEST 2008 appreciates this year’s sponsors: Time-Warner Cable, CBS 11/TXA 21, Tom Thumb, Dallas Morning News, DART, 93.3 The Bone and 570 KLIF.

Press release courtesy of Susan Friedman, Friedman Marketing and Public Relations, Dallas, TX