Gulfport Merchants Promoting Creative Businesses With IndieFaire

GULFPORT, FL — When the Gulfport Merchants Chamber announced the upcoming return of a redesigned First Friday Art Walk, many in town wondered if its monthly third Saturday arts event had become a casualty of the coronavirus pandemic.

Today, the GMC put those concerns to rest with the introduction of Third Saturday IndieFaire, a newly configured arts market making its debut on Oct. 17 and designed to showcase the rich and diverse creative landscape of the town and region in a festive outdoor arts market with live entertainment and family fun for arts lovers of all ages. The event runs the third Saturday of each month from 5 to 9 p.m.

“Gulfport is an arts town,” said Barbara Banno, president of the GMC, the sponsor of the event. “Third Saturday IndieFaire is the culmination of a lot of work by a talented committee of artists, business leaders and community members, and we can’t wait to welcome back our creative community to show their work along our scenic downtown.”

Third Saturday IndieFaire is a curated event, with a committee selecting amongst applicants to provide a culturally rich combination of arts, crafts, jewelry and botanicals that showcase Gulfport’s vibrant creative community. It’s designed as a fun, family-friendly arts event with live music, street performers and uniquely designed-for-the occasion morsels created by local restaurants for dine-in or walk-about eating.

Local artist and GMC board member Margo Dalgetty led the committee charged with designing the new event and is excited to showcase local artists at IndieFaire.

“Our committee has worked hard to create an exciting new monthly arts event for Gulfport and IndieFaire is just that,” said Dalgetty. “Gulfport artists will join creators from throughout the region and state for a monthly festival of art and community among the shops and restaurants of Beach Boulevard. We can’t wait for Gulfport and our neighbors to experience the new IndieFaire.”

Among those participating in the IndiaFaire will be jewelry artist Jan Lyon Bennett, owner of Sun Lyon Studio. She will be set up just down from Caddy's on Beach Boulevard in Gulfport selling her poetric handmade tokens and talismans, offering inspiration and energy at a time when the world needs it most.

"I am very happy to see these events returning to Gulfport," she said. "These events brighten our nightlife on Beach Boulevard. I am proceeding with caution though with hopes that everyone will support these events by exercising safe distancing and wearing a mask. If the Gulfport Strong measures are not respected, it will be difficult for all of us to move forward with confidence."

As with all public events hosted by the Gulfport Merchants Chamber, all city and county social distancing and safety protocols are met and exceeded. Safety ambassadors will be on hand for all GMC events with masks and sanitizer upon request.

To learn more or to apply to be a vendor, visit the website.