Fifty artists are expected to take part in the ornament competition and silent auction to be held at the 15th annual Islamorada Holiday Fest from 4 to 10 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 6. The festival, put on by the Islamorada Chamber of Commerce, will be on the beach at Founders Park.
“This is my first year participating in Holiday Fest and I was so excited to learn about the ornament portion,” said Emily Kovacs, community outreach coordinator with the History of Diving Museum. “I knew immediately I wanted to take my ornament underwater while diving, to provide a one-of-a-kind art style. I used oil pastels and crayons to draw the Captain Arnos patch reef. Drawing underwater has become a passion of mine this past year and I am grateful to bring it to Holiday Fest!”
In preparation for the silent auction, which is part of the festival’s holiday gift bazaar, each artist was given an unfinished ceramic piece to use as the base for an original creation. Beyond that, the only design limit is their imaginations.
The finished pieces will be judged and on display throughout the festival, where they can be purchased by silent auction bids. Bidding will end at 9 p.m. on festival night. A portion of proceeds from the auction will benefit the local arts community.
The Islamorada Holiday Festival will feature a parade; visits and photos with Santa; a 30-ton snow mountain; a 35-foot tree blowing magical snow from its branches; the holiday gift bazaar; food and beverages; and live holiday stage performances.
More information is available at 305-664-4503 or at the Islamorada Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center at the entrance to Founders Park, MM 87, bayside. Attendees are asked to bring reusable, non-glass drink containers to keep Holiday Fest green.
— Contributed
