Love Affair drew 15,000 despite rain
Published 12:46 pm Wednesday, December 7, 2005
TIFTON — Even though Saturday’s rain closed the 25th Annual Love Affair for the afternoon, the now three-day event drew an estimated 15,000 people.
“We had a good crowd on Saturday in spite of the rain,” said Art Connection Director Wayne Jones. “The crowds on Friday and Sunday had a blast.”
“I think this Love Affair proved the value of having the event span three days.”
Over 30 fine artists, 18 crafters and 17 food vendors displayed their wares in Fulwood Park last weekend.
The festival’s silver anniversary held at Fulwood Park included the Fine Arts Market and Gallery, Fine and Creative Crafts Market and displays, demonstrations, live performances and hands-on children’s activities. The annual Picnic in the Park, the only festival event with a cover charge, was held in ABAC’s Donaldson Dining Hall and featured The Swinging Medallions.
“We are glad ABAC was able to provide the space for us,” Jones said. “Folks were up and dancing the whole time and it was very, very successful.”
Local Arts Council President Greg Brosius said members of the council met Tuesday to discuss how the “mechanics” of the festival worked, such as the flow of visitors, and to discuss next year’s festival.
“It takes a good bit of time to put the Love Affair together,” Brosius said. “We try to really take off in July planning for it.”
The Love Affair is the main focus of the Arts Council. Brosius said the festival’s budget in six figures and, in addition to the Fall Affair art auction, which is the council’s main fundraiser, it takes corporate sponsors and donations from the public to keep the event free to everyone.
“We believe that experiencing art of all types is beneficially to the community on a number of levels,” Brosius said. “Study after study shows that children exposed to art and music do much better at school and we want to make art accessible, available and affordable to everyone.”
Brosius said the Arts Council’s member represent a diverse group. Some members have arts backgrounds and other who are interested in the efforts of the council volunteer as supporters and offer to assist with erection of tents and equipment.
“We think it (the festival) adds a dimension of life that is important and otherwise might not exist to some of the people in our county,” Brosius said.
