Variety of Events Add Unique Flavor Annual Arts & Crafts Festival in Fairhope

The Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce will welcome more than 210,000 people to the 56th Annual Fairhope Arts and Crafts Festival in Fairhope, March 14, 15, and 16. In addition to enjoying the finest arts and crafts, classic festival foods, and talented local entertainment, the crowds will also partake of a variety of other events and activities going on at the same time.

The Colony at the Grand is sponsoring the Children's Art Village at the festival this year, which will be located on Johnson Street. A 30 by 30 foot tent set up will 10 tables will be set up where children can explore their creative side. Activities will include making bird feeders with pine cones, peanut butter and bird seed, painting flower pots and planting flower seeds. Children will be able to take them home and watch them grow. All activities will be free of charge.

Adjacent to the Chamber's event is the Eastern Shore Art Association's 36th Annual Outdoor Art Show, which is set-up on Section Street, north of the chamber show. For complete information call (251) 928-2228.

The model trains are coming back to town. A favorite among kids, young and old, The 16thh Annual Model Train Show, presented by the Southwest Alabama Railroad Modelers, returns to the Fairhope K-1 Center Saturday, March 15, 9 am - 5 pm and Sunday, March 17, 10 am Ð 4 pm. Admission is $2 for adults, active duty military, police and firefighters are free, and children are free with a paying adult. Call (251) 660-1659 for more information.

The 30th Annual Spring Fever Chase, sponsored by Thomas Hospital and Wachovia Bank, is Saturday, March 15, starting at Fairhope Avenue and Bayview Street, near the Fairhope Pier. The 10K race will have a shotgun start at 8 am with a two-mile fun run/walk following at 9:30 am. Entry fee for the 10K is $15 in advance, $20 after March 7. For the two-mile run the fee is $12 in advance and $17 after the cut-off date. To get an application call (251) 990-1515, or drop by any Wachovia, Thomas Hospital, Thomas Hospital Wellness Center, Thomas Medical Center in Daphne, Eastern Shore Chamber offices, area sporting goods stores, and online at www.thomashospital.com. You can either print an application out and send it in or register online. Call (251) 990-1515 or 928-1772 for more information.

Even cats and dogs benefit from the busy event. The Baldwin County Human Society will hold a pet adoption Saturday, March 16 from 10 am until 2 pm in the Compass Bank parking lot. For more information call (251) 928-4585.

The British Antique Car Club is going to display its Mardi Gras MG show on the Faulkner Community College campus on Saturday during festival hours.

BRATS will provide a shuttle service from the Plantation Pointe Shopping Center, Ecor Rouge Place and the Eastern Shore Village Shopping Center. All of the parking is free and the locations are less than a five-minute ride away. The shuttle ride costs $1 each way. The service will operate during festival hours, 10 am - 5 pm daily.

There will be so much to see and do on the Eastern Shore that folks will want to stay over. For complete information on great places to stay in and around town call the Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce at (251) 621-8222.