As springtime heats up in the South, so does festival season, and the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge is bringing a celebration to the area that highlights both art and music.
The Arts Council is holding its annual FestForAll on March 28 and 29 along downtown’s North Boulevard Town Square. The event, according to its website, is Baton Rouge’s premier art and music festival.
Sandy Parfait, projects and technology director for the Arts Council, said the free festival, which started in 1974, brings approximately 100 visual artists and craftsman from over a dozen states to participate in the event each year, except during its hiatus from 1999-2002.
Those in attendance will be treated to the sounds of live performances of bluegrass and jazz, among other styles, while they peruse vendor’s booths filled with items such pottery, jewelry and stained glass. Even if festival-goers don’t want to spend all their time shopping, Parfait said they are welcome to bring their own blankets or chairs to sit, listen to the music and enjoy the weather.
The family-friendly event came about under late Mayor W. W. “Woody” Dumas, whose aim was to bring Baton Rouge’s diverse community together through the arts.
“FestForAll is Baton Rouge’s only two-day art and music festival,” Parfait said. “It has a long history with the public as a celebration of the arts and a fantastic reputation among the artists as a well-organized festival that keeps them coming back year after year.”
Potterri Studio owner and artist, Terri Kennedy, is a vendor participating in this year’s event, the same as she has for many years, and she can’t wait for the weekend. She said she’s busily working on pieces to sell at her booth, which she considers to be one of her better shows.
“It’s very well run,” Kennedy said. “I have to hand it to the Arts Council. They treat the artists very nice, and it’s always very thought out. They’ve got it down to a fine science and it works well.”
Kennedy said the event provides an opportunity for the community to not only enjoy art but to learn about it. She enjoys seeing individuals’ faces light up when they touch a piece of art or when they realize music is an art form itself.
If a variety of vendors and art wasn’t enough, individuals can also prepare themselves for live art demonstrations such as an on-site chainsaw wood sculpture, live painting and pottery presentations.
Parfait said FestForAll is truly a festival for all because it even offers a little something for a younger audience with its Children’s Village where children can participate in different hands-on activities and listen to music by local groups.
The Baton Rouge community isn’t the only group benefitting from this weekend’s festival. The event brings with it an economic boost as well. Parfait said approximately 20,000 visitors attend each year and contribute to hotels, restaurants and retail establishments, to name a few.
“It makes a good impact, not only economically, but just for people,” Kennedy said. “People look forward to it, so businesses will be impacted economically, but people will just have fun. I was born and raised in Baton Rouge, and I think it’s great for the downtown area — it’s rejuvenating.”
Both Parfait and Kennedy said they’re looking forward to the festival. Parfait said she’s especially excited because the event falls around her birthday, so what better excuse is there to pick up some new jewelry, pottery or hand-blown glass.
“There is always something new and fantastic from these talented visual artists,” Parfait said. “FestForAll offers a variety of entertainment with music, art demos and kids’ activities, and who doesn’t love getting outside in the beautiful spring weather to enjoy the free cultural opportunities Baton Rouge has to offer.”

Gallery • 2 Photos

FestForAll's Children's Village 2009