Pensacola Seafood Festival 2008

I went to the Pensacola Seafood festival yesterday - the last day of the event. The weather really cooperated , and it was beautifully sunny , but HOT. I went with my friend Leslie H. and we got there about 1 pm.

Okay, the first thing that could have really put a damper on the day happened when we parked the car. Leslie drives a sweet little black Mercedes convertible, and after driving around looking for a parking space close to the Seville Square, we saw an open space in a small lot that was actually free- not $5 as all the rest of them were. She turned into the lot, and the driver at the stop sign must have had the same idea at the same time --- there was a bump and some tears (on the other drivers part) , but no real harm done. (I would have been really upset if it were my car, but Leslie took it well in stride and was determined not to let it ruin our day. I wish I could be so pragmatic as she is!)

Anyway, we walked a block or two and entered the crush. I do mean crush! I don't know what the numbers were but I'm sure it will turn out to be something like 80,000 at least in attendance. The booths were lined along the X that is in the middle of Seville Square, along with several on the outlying streets and places we didn't even get to see.

Leslie had a mission to find two artists she knew and we browsed the show looking for them and poking into booths. The variety of artists was astounding. I especially loved the guy who had all the worlds coins and cut them out with a jewelers saw. That was really cool. Lots of pottery ( which I love of course), some great jewelry, lots of painters both good and bad, and some weird, hard to classify stuff, too.

It wasn't easy to get around sometimes, just because there were so many people. I hate getting bitten in the back of the ankles by baby strollers or having someones funnel cake wipe powdered sugar all over me - but it was just part of the scene yesterday. Did I mention it was hot ? Oh, wow, it was sweat running down your backside hot. I had an icy cold budweiser and that kind of took the edge off it.

The festival is "Seafood Festival" after all, so of course there was food. But, it was super expensive and walking past the rows of food booths made me a bit queasy since all you could smell was hot grease. Ick. The live music was great and there was plenty of seating for listening or eating.

We couldn't stay too long due to other plans, but it really got me excited to do the Pensacola Seafood Festival next year as an exhibitor. After seeing what was there, I know I'd fit right in. Maybe paintings, maybe jewelry - I'm not sure yet, but I have a few months to decide.