History of the Festival

Fairhope Arts and Crafts Festival – Be a Part of the History!

Welcome to the 69th Annual Fairhope Arts and Crafts Festival. Can you believe how far our hometown festival has come? Not only is this festival widely known amongst the locals, but it is also known across the entire state of Alabama and recognized throughout America as one of the oldest and most prestigious art festivals in the country. Can you believe this cultural festival started over 68 years ago as a tour?

According to records held by the Eastern Shore Chamber as well as newspaper articles, the Arts and Crafts Tour started on February 22, 1953 and lasted until February 28. Back then, these seven-day art exhibits were set up in store windows. The tour schedule also included entertainment and craft demonstrations. Some artists and exhibitors did sell items, but the majority of the exhibits were for viewing purposes only.

The tour was planned to coordinate with Mobile Jaycees’ Azalea Trail and Mobile Mardi Gras celebrations with hopes that the locals and visitors attending these festive events would also attend the tour and bear witness to the many talents of the Eastern Shore residents. In 1965, the tour expanded to include exhibitors and activities from the other Eastern Shore cities of Daphne and Spanish Fort with the opening ceremonies held in Spanish Fort and ending with a play in Fairhope.

The year 1967 saw a slight change where exhibitor participants of the festival were asked to pay 10% commission on their gross sales. In 1975 craftsmen set up displays in “Craft-Houses” which were created from vacant buildings. In 1978 the event was shortened to three days. This was the same year that exhibitors left buildings and shops to display their wares on the sidewalks.

The first prize money was awarded in 1983 for Best of Show and the recipient was given $250. This same year the exhibitor booths were moved from the sidewalks and edges of the streets to the center. The next year, the Mary McGrath Award was established.

Starting in 1997, the festival has been recognized by Sunshine Artist Magazine as one of the top 200 Festivals in the United States and has received this honor in the following years. The artists and exhibitors who participate in the shows all over the United States are the ones who vote on this award, so if the artists like the festival, you know it must be a great one! Recent awards include being ranked #10 in 2007, #26 in 2011, #2 in the state of Alabama and #23 in the nation in 2013 and in the past years the Festival has consistently been recognized in the top 20 for the Top 200 Best by Sunshine Artist Magazine. The Fairhope Arts and Crafts Festival has certainly changed over the years; exhibitors are no longer only locals, exhibitors are no longer charged a commission on sales, just an entry fee, the number of visitors is now in six-digit figures, and the activities surrounding the festival have grown as well. The most recent change has been the formation of the Fairhope Arts and Crafts Foundation, started just a few years ago by volunteers of the Fairhope Arts and Crafts Committee. The Foundation takes opportunities such as the festival to give back to the city of Fairhope and residents by supporting arts in the community. To date, the festival has made donations back into the Arts in the Fairhope community of over $100,000.

This year, be a part of the history yourself and join other visitors as well as wonderful artists and crafters from all over the state of Alabama in the flower-lined streets of picturesque Fairhope as we promote artwork and craftsmanship, good will and festivity in the most charming and magical area of the world — our hometown.