Spring Art Festivals Worth Traveling For
These 6 Festivals Offer the Best in Food, Fun, Entertainment, and More!
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The birds are singing, and the temps are climbing. Spring is here. That means it’s time to put an end to our winter hibernation and get out to some exploring. Springtime is an explosion of the senses, marked by the sweet smell of the first lawn mowing, the rumbling sounds of returning thunderstorms, and the dazzling colors of blooming wildflowers. An excellent way to celebrate spring this year is to combine this natural splendor with some of humankind’s own expression of beauty: art. Art festivals are incredible hubs of creativity and inspiration that – even if you are not a self-declared fan of the arts – are definitely worth sampling.
There is a common misconception that art festivals are simply ‘looking at paintings.’ These gatherings offer so much more, however, such as photography, pottery, sculptures, crafts, food, music, dancing, and poetry as well as a variety of interactive activities that involve the attendees. There are several great art festivals throughout the country that are a great destination to hit in your RV. They’re close to excellent campgrounds and easy for you and your group to get to. Below, check out the best art festival options for you to explore in your RV this spring.
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Memorial Weekend Arts and Crafts Festival – Arnold, California (May 25-26)
Up in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of northern California, you’ll find one of the more unique art festival venues. The small town of Arnold (less than 4,000 people) is ready to welcome visitors for a Memorial Day celebration of the arts. Tons of local arts and crafts and plenty of local food and drink in the vast redwood and sequoia forest makes it tough to beat. Include a visit to Calaveras Big Trees State Park to round out your visit. The 57-site Golden Pines RV resort is a great place to set up camp.
The Peddler Show – Amarillo, Texas (May 7-9)
You won’t be messing around with the big Texas traffic of Austin, Dallas, or Houston up in north Texas. Amarillo, although large (population of about 200,000), is a pretty unassuming town made up of honest, hard-working folks. The Peddler Show in Amarillo is a great southern venue to enjoy the warm spring temperatures and great arts and local goods of the American southwest. Whether it’s paintings, jewelry, hand-stitched clothing, or any type of home décor you may be after, the show prominently features local artisans and their unique wares. For accommodations nearby, you can’t beat the Big Texan RV Ranch.
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ArtFields Festival – South Carolina (April 23 – May 1)
If you consider yourself a true art aficionado, the ArtFields Festival in Lake City, South Carolina won’t disappoint. Featuring a properly adjudicated competition of hundreds of artists and their pieces, the week-long art festival is also jam-packed with tons of family fun and offers plenty of enjoyment for serious and casual art appreciators, alike. Live music, an open market, and a junior artists program make this festival an all-inclusive and unique experience. For all your RV camping needs, visit the CrossRoads Coach Resort.
Springfield Artsfest – Springfield, Missouri (May 1-2)
In the heart of the Midwest, the Springfield Artsfest is a fantastic art festival with plenty of great spring weather in early May (highs in the low to mid 70s). More than 120 artists will proudly present their works with a significant number available for sale. In addition to live music and performances, the festival features a ceramics workshop as well as interactive murals that you are welcome to contribute to. Park your RV at the Ozark Highlands RV Park in Springfield for great accommodations.
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Bethlehem Fine Art and Craft Show – Bethlehem, Pennsylvania (May 8-9)
If mom is a fan of the arts, consider taking her on a trip to visit the Bethlehem Fine Art and Craft Show for Mother’s Day this year. With more than 80 entries for various competitive categories, there is plenty of high-quality and innovative art to appreciate. In addition, the festival offers live music and performances and plenty of tasty treats from local food vendors. If you’ve got the kiddos along as well, you’ll also find many activities geared towards engaging your little ones. The Ringing Rocks Family Campground just 10 minutes away is a fantastic campground with a very natural feel that is a perfect stay for you and your group.
Grand Rapids Festival of the Arts – Grand Rapids, Michigan (June 4-6)
Enjoy the fresh air off Lake Michigan at the Grand Rapids Festival of the Arts. What really makes this art festival unique is the ‘Plein Air’ concept. Meaning ‘outdoors’ in French, the concept emphasizes accessibility for everyone in an outdoor format. Painters, sculptures, musicians, and other artisans work and create out in the open air for your observation and enjoyment. This allows you to experience the actual process of bringing these incredible pieces to life. The Steamboat Park Campground just outside of town offers riverside RV camping your group is sure to enjoy.
Spring is a time of great excitement for outdoor enthusiasts as the weather turns for the better and the wildlife begin to stir from their winter slumber. Combining the beauty of mother nature with a little creativity from humankind at an art festival is a perfect way to celebrate this welcome seasonal change.
