Gulfport Springfest: What To Know Before You Go

GULFPORT, FL – It’s time to break out the faerie wings once again: The 22nd Annual Gulfport Springfest Garden Art and Faerie Festival is set for this weekend.

This free family- and dog-friendly event invites the public to put on their best faerie wings, faerie-tale costumes, or Renaissance garb to enjoy Clymer Park as it transforms into an enchanted village with costumed faeries, sprites, gnomes, ogres and trolls.

Here are a few things area residents need to know before they go:

Hours and Location

The festival is located at Clymer Park, 5501, 27th Ave. S. in Gulfport. The event takes place Saturday, April 9 and Sunday, April 10 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Free parking is available on-site and free trolley rides will be offered by the City of Gulfport to and from off-site parking areas.

Entertainment and Vendors

The event features a wide variety of entertainment, including a garden art and plant sale, live music, a beer garden, and more. A children’s area offers activities including tiara-making, face painting, pixie dusting, bubble-blowing, a “faerie fight” and more.

Vendors will offer garden art, flowers, garden plants, herbs, Renaissance-period clothing, jewelry, art, hand-made crafts and other items. There will also be a variety of food and drink vendors, along with the adults-only enchanted beer garden.

Live Entertainment

Traditional Maypole dancing featuring the band For Love of Money will take place both days at the following times:

April 9 – All ages: 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m., 5 p.m.; Adults only: 7 p.m.

April 10 – All ages: 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m.

Aside from traditional Maypole dancing, the following acts will appear on the Entertainment Stage:

April 9

10 a.m. – Celtic/Fairy tunes

11 a.m. – Costume Contests: Tweens (Infant to 12) and Teens (13 to 17)

Noon – Keith & Frank

1 p.m. – The Craic Show

2 p.m. – Ben Jarrell and the Wildwood Weeds

3 p.m. – The Craic Show

4 p.m. – Laura Shepherd

5 p.m. – Adult Costume Contest (18 and older)

6 p.m. – Empty Hats

7:45 p.m. – Fire show by Healthy Hoops

April 10

10 a.m. – Celtic/Fairy Tunes

11 a.m. – Costume Contests: Adults (18 and older), Teens (13 to 17), Tweens (infant to 12) and pets

11:30 – Giggle Guardians

Noon – The Craic

1 p.m. – Ben Jarrell and the Wildwood Weeds

2 p.m. – Fairy House & Gnome Home Judging/Auction

3 p.m. – The Craic

4 p.m. – Empty Hats

All-day activities, both days

• Black Forest Fae Encampment
• A Faerie’s Dragon Tale Adventure
• The Amazing Kenny
• First Florida Frontiers Encampment
• Bubble-Blowing
• Sidewalk Chalk Art

Contests

Gulfport Springfest features two competitions: Costume contests and the Fairy House & Gnome Home contest. Both events will be hosted by Eden the Faerie on the Entertainment Stage.

The four awards for the costume contests in all age brackets are: Best Wings, Most Creative, Best Battle Elf and the People’s Choice Award.

The Fairy House & Gnome Home contest features whimsical outdoor habitats crafted for fae creatures. The buildings will be on display during the event. Prizes will be awarded in each category based on Best Use of Natural Material, Most Whimsical, and Most Unique. Proceeds from the $20 entry fees for this contest will benefit the Gulfport Area Chamber of Commerce. Donated pieces will be available for auction directly after the judging.

Sponsors

Gulfport Springfest is hosted by the Gulfport Area Chamber of Commerce. Co-sponsors include the City of Gulfport, Bright House Networks, the Gulfport Merchants Association, The City of Imagination, Paradise News, and other community organizations.

For more information, visit the Gulfport Springfest Facebook page or call 727-322-5217.

Image courtesy of Eden the Faerie

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