The Lakeland Arts Council hosted the Second Annual Lakeland Arts and Crafts Festival at Lakeland Town Square on Saturday afternoon, drawing an enthusiastic crowd and doubling vendor participation from 2023. Over 60 vendors filled both the historic and newly completed sections of the walkable development, offering a diverse selection of handmade goods, art pieces, and local treasures.
The festival showcased the efforts of local School Support Organizations in a designated area called “Lions Lane,” where they engaged with attendees and highlighted their school spirit. Complementing the bustling vendor scene, two food trucks and various other food vendors joined forces with the three local restaurants to keep the crowd well-fed as they shopped and strolled.
With the holiday season approaching, attendees eagerly began their Christmas shopping, exploring an array of unique items, from hand-poured candles and specialty pet products to paintings and sculptures. Families with young children were drawn to the festive activities, sampling baked goods and enjoying the kid-friendly moonwalks.
Live music was a major highlight throughout the festival, transforming the event into a musical showcase. Performances began with a rock concert by St. Benedict at Auburndale and continued with a mix of pop and rock by Briarcrest’s 76-South near Owners Box. Singer Alexis Jade performed near Fields Insurance, bringing a broad range of musical options to the festival. Later in the day, Briarcrest Soundscape, local musicians Josh Cosby and Jeremy Stanfill, and the Memphis Symphony Orchestra Quartet provided ongoing entertainment alongside Jeff Hulett and the Hand Me Downs.
Despite light rain around mid-afternoon, the music never stopped. The Lakeland Prep Orchestra found cover under a balcony, serenading guests until the skies cleared. The day concluded with a powerful hour-and-a-half finale by the Bellevue Orchestra, which captivated the crowd with a mix of movie scores, classical pieces, and hymns.
“Lions Lane” and the “NextGen” tent (formerly the Young Entrepreneurs tent), which featured youth-run businesses from Lakeland, emerged as a highlight for attendees. Many expressed appreciation for the festival’s expanded layout, improved organization, and safety measures, noting its family-friendly atmosphere as a strong draw. “We were taking notes that morning as we were setting up and saw areas for improvement right away,” said Lakeland Arts Council President Wesley Wright. “We knew early in the day what enhancements we could bring next year. This was a huge leap forward from year one, with twice the number of vendors, a rich variety of performances…and we’re excited to build on this for year three.”
