By Noah Wortham

On Saturday April 17, the Montevallo Arts Collaborative hosted the 15^th annual Montevallo Arts Festival in Orr Park from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.  

The event featured over 70 artists. There was live music from local musicians, food vendors and a children’s area at the event. Art vendors were spread out alongside the sidewalk throughout the park. 
Melanie Poole, President of the Montevallo Arts Collaborative, described the festival as a “family friendly event.”  

She remarked that she was “grateful for [the] artists” and the “community coming out and supporting us.” 
The event was shut down in 2020 due to the emergence of COVID-19, so the return of the event provided opportunity for people to get out again.  

However, Melanie Poole explained that they did take certain precautions at the event. They spread out the booths and food was to be individually bagged.  

They encouraged masks and there was hand sanitizer available. 

“I think it’s really cool,” commented senior social work major, Linda Silva, on the festival. The event provided a “break to normalcy” and was “relieving.”  

International student and freshman psychology major, Kate Gammie-Baglini also described how the events make it “feel like home.” 
Five musicians were scheduled to perform live at the event and the first scheduled, Brendan Young, had much to say about the Arts Festival.  

He described the event as a “great opportunity” perform “live.” He mentioned “getting to go and support the local crafts people.”  

Young explained he was “glad things are starting back” in reference to COVID-19 and he commented that “people are ready to do something.” 
When it came to how he felt about performing at the event, Young explained that “every venue is different” and there is a “different crowd, different feel.”  

Ultimately, he described the audience at the event as “supportive.” 
The Montevallo Arts Festival “helps us expand” and “connect with other artists,” explained Michael Amidon, a surreal and psychedelic pop artist with a booth at the festival. He mentioned the “perfect weather” and that it was “beautiful to be able to come out again.” 

Another artist, Stephanie Stone, who has been to the festival “several years” expressed that the festival was a “great event” and that it seemed “larger” this year. 

Those who missed out on the Montevallo Arts Festival and even those who attended may want to consider going to the annual Tinglewood Festival which will be held in Orr Park on Sept. 11. In the past, the festival has included wood carving, live music, a car show, food vendors and children’s activities.