The Deep Ellum Arts Festival is closing down Main Street and bringing hundreds of artists to Dallas. Here are eight important things to know:
1. The entire festival is free! From Friday to Sunday, festival goers can walk down Main Street and shop/admire artists from all over, who will have booths set up throughout Deep Ellum.
2. The festival features 200 "decorative and visual artists," 100 bands and performers on six stages (go here for the acts), plus a renowned pet parade at 11 a.m. on Sunday.
3. This is the 24th year for the festival, which features the work of "sculptors, muralists, jewelers, painters, leather and wood crafters," according to the festival website.
4. Some artists will be creating on the spot! Go here for the list who will be there.
5. There will be limited parking. As the festival shuts down Main Street from one end of Deep Ellum to the other, and brings thousands to the small neighborhood, parking will definitely be hard to find. It would be smart to bike, use Uber or Lyft, or ride the DART train to the festival.
6. The festival goes on, rain or shine. According to the website, the festival has taken place during rainy days and festival-goers usually just dress for anything to happen. "Short or light periods of rain will only delay the Festival but the show will stay on schedule," officials said. "The weather savvy local audience dresses for the weather, ducks into local restaurants and bars, and comes right back out when the weather clears up. We maintain weather monitors at all times and will keep audiences posted if we foresee any severe problems."
7. Food and beverages will be offered, but you have to use coupons. "Festival restaurants and concessionaires will be serving a myriad of culinary delights throughout the festival including American funnel cakes, jumbo corn dogs, BBQ, and Cajun. Latino, Caribbean, Mediterranean, Italian, crepes and specialty desserts along with various health-foods," officials said. "Beer, wine, and soft beverages will also be available for purchase." No outside beverages or food are allowed. Coupons are sold in strips of 9 for $10.
8. The Deep Ellum Artists in Motion Parade is back with the theme "The Spirit of Deep Ellum." At 2 p.m. on Sunday, artists will gather at the Artists Village Stage at Malcolm X and walk six blocks before turning around and coming back. The artists will be "spreading good vibes and positive energy," officials said. Costumes are encouraged!
For more information about the Deep Ellum Arts Festival, go here.
Go here to see our full list of spring festivals in North Texas.
