Want to go?
The Laurel Hill Spring Arts Festival is 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Laurel Hill Presbyterian Church, 8115 Fourth St. Admission and artists' space is free. Call 682-2835.
LAUREL HILL — Like spring flowers bursting into bloom, the grounds of the historic 1905 Laurel Hill Presbyterian Church will sprout colorful tents and displays of local artists’ creativity Saturday.
The Laurel Hill Spring Arts Festival continues the tradition begun in the fall of 2010 of providing a venue for visual and performing artists to showcase their God-given talents, said the church’s pastor, the Rev. Mark Broadhead.
“Other art festivals charge artists to exhibit their work,” Broadhead said. “We think it’s a privilege that these talented people want to share their beautiful music and artwork with the community, and we’re just happy to provide an opportunity for them to do so.”
The event is sponsored by the Okaloosa Arts Alliance-North, the Crestview Friends of the Arts, and the Laurel Hill and Crestview Presbyterian churches.
As folks stroll the grounds admiring visual arts ranging from painting, photography, wood turning, jewelry crafting and ceramics, music of multiple genres will fill the air.
The Emerald Coast Pipes and Drums corps share both the stirring sound of the ancient instrument as well as fascinating discourse on the pipes’ history and the lengthy process of learning to play them.
Student performers include the talents of Sax to the Max, a saxophone quartet led by Nick Overton, which features some of the Big Red Machine’s brass section demonstrating their virtuosity in a variety of musical genres.
Nick’s brother, acoustic guitarist and vocalist Aaron Overton, a Florida State University student from Crestview, will croon his repertoire of classic rock, ballads and folk tunes.
The Wesley Boys, who have performed at previous Laurel Hill arts festivals, return to perform their tight four-part harmonies of favorite gospel tunes such as “I’ll Fly Away” and “The Glory Land Way.”
Refreshment sales will benefit Laurel Hill School’s softball and baseball teams, as well as the Laurel Hill Presbyterian Church’s community support efforts.
Broadhead said organizers hope for beautiful spring weather for the event, but couldn’t make any promises.
“I’m just in customer service,” Broadhead said with a grin. “I’m not in management.”