Art show, fall festival will bring big fun to Wilkes next weekend

It's just a week away - a full weekend of arts and crafts, fine art, fun, and entertainment begins next Saturday, November 4, as the annual "Washington Connections" Premier Art Show and Sale teams up with the "I'd Rather Be in Tignall" Fall Festival.

The annual "Washington Connections" Premier Art Show and Sale on The Square in downtown Washington will have exhibits of outstanding art in a wide range of genre, organizer Debbie Bennett said. "Many of these original works will be for sale. The purpose of this event is to provide awareness, enrichment, and enjoyment of the fine arts for youth and the general public."

Local, regional, national, and in- ternational artists have accepted invitations, she said. "All of the artists have some special connection to this area."

The weekend art show begins with artists setting up on Friday, opening on Saturday, and ending on Sunday. Admission and parking to this event are free.

Along with the art show and sale, Bennett said, "Tourists and visitors can stroll through Washington's quaint shopping area and the renovated Fitzpatrick Hotel on The Square or embark on a walking or driving tour of the historic district."

Information about other Washington Wilkes landmarks and events will be available at the Art Show's Information Center in front of the Fitzpatrick Hotel or at the Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center on the Square.

In addition to the art show in Washington, one of Wilkes County's largest festivals, the "I'd Rather Be in Tignall" Fall Festival will be held at the Old Tignall High School on Independence Street from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.

This event has grown considerably in the last several years and touts a large number of exhibitors presenting jewelry, art, wood working, quilts, pottery, and lots of other handmade items.

Besides arts and crafts, this festival includes children's activities, entertainment, and a wide array of food vendors. Admission and parking are also free.

The old-fashioned fall festival will feature a cake walk, bingo, hayrides, a petting zoo, pony rides, live music, cloggers, a moonwalk and slide, striker putting green, candy corn contest, face painting, spinning demonstration, kids fashion show, a gingerbread house contest, and lots of food.

There will also be door prizes, including some cash prizes, raffles for a quilt made by the Homemakers Club and a hooked rug made by Margaret Fortson.

Planning their annual events to compliment one another, the Washington Wilkes Foundation for the Arts and Performing Arts and the North Wilkes Steering Committee worked together to provide a fall Saturday of diverse activities in Washington and Tignall with the art show continuing on Sunday.

"With this much going on that weekend," Tourism Director Ashley Turner said, "we're expecting folks from all over the South, drawn by all this great art and the now-famous Tignall festival. Plus, they'll get to explore the stores for a great weekend of unique Christmas shopping, too."

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