[vc_gallery type=”nivo” interval=”5″ images=”5922,5921,5920,5919,5918,5917,5916,5915,5914,5913,5912,5911,5910″ onclick=”link_image” custom_links_target=”_self” img_size=”large”]
Photos by Lacey Goulet
Gulfport’s Clymer Park was sprinkled with fairy dust on Saturday and Sunday, April 11 and 12, for the 21st annual Springfest. Fairies, pirates, gnomes and elves mingled with art and a festive crowd along the tree-covered expanse of the park, which was transformed into an enchanted village to illustrate the festival’s theme: a “Garden, Art and Faerie Festival.” For the first time, the popular event was held the entire weekend. Also new this year was the children’s area and stage with performances, shows and activities geared toward the little ones, and train rides through the park.
Festival attendees – and their pets – arrived wearing wings, Renaissance costumes and fairy tale finery. Tents dotted the landscape as vendors sold fairy-related items and created works of art in the form of henna tattoos, face painting and hair creations. A beer garden and food vendors were on hand when folks wanted to escape the heat and relax in the shade. Visitors to Clymer Park, some for the first time, were also able to admire the art sculptures, created by local artists and recently dedicated by the city of Gulfport, that lined the walkways.
