Crafts Festival Set For Weekend

Art contests for children were added this year to the second annual Historical Downtown Sebring Craft Festival, according to Alice Stroppel, representing the Highlands Art League.

The festival is sponsored by the Highlands Art League and Highlands Independent Bank, and will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

"The children's tent will feature activities and contests for children of all ages," said Stroppel. "Age-specific scholarships to weekly sessions of the Highlands Art League's Adventures in Artsummer program will be awarded to the winners of the contests."

Children's competitions will be held in three or more age-group categories, said Jeri Wohl, Highlands Art League president on Monday.

There will be about 100 arts and crafts vendors hand-picked by the show's production company, as well as food vendors at the show for visitors to enjoy, she said.

This is the 42nd year the art league has sponsored a downtown art festival, said Wohl. The event has reportedly drawn as many as 25,000 visitors to downtown Sebring.

Sponsors include: Highlands Independent Bank as the title sponsor; Alan Jay Automotive Networkfor the children's tent; Sunshine Radiology for the food tent; Progress Energy for the Circle banner; Florida Hospital for the Circle banner; South Florida Community College for lamp post banners; and Heartland National Bank for lamp post banners.

The art league is still seeking more sponsors.

The Historic Downtown Sebring Craft Festival is produced by American Craft Endeavors.

From 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Friday, March 6, the art league will hold a reception, open to the public, at the Yellow House Gallery in honor of Artists of the Month, Barbara Wade and Rose Besch.

Their exhibit, Plein Air Paintings - Highlands Hammock State Park, will be on display at the Yellow House Gallery until March 27.