Historic Roser Park Art Festival Returns Nov. 7-8  

November 7, 2009

Saturday 10:00am - 5:00pm

Detail: The Historic Roser Park Art Festival returns for its sixth year on Saturday, Nov. 7 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 8, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Uniquely situated in the hilly environs of St. Petersburg’s scenic Roser Park neighborhood, the festival brings together more than 70 artists from all over the country. Festivalgoers will enjoy music by local bands and a variety of food and drink. Painters, sculptors, photographers and craftspeople will set up their booths along Booker Creek on Roser Park Drive (10th Ave. S.), just behind Bayfront Medical Center. Admission donation is $1, children 12 and under are free. Free parking is available at Bayfront Parking Garage with golf cart transportation to the festival. For more information, go to www.roserpark.net. The Karen Benjey Trio kick things off musically on Saturday (11 a.m.-1 p.m.), with vocalist/pianist Karen Benjey, plus saxophone and bass. The smooth jazz of Henry Ashwood Jr. Duo will follow in the afternoon slot (2-4 p.m.). Sunday’s schedule begins with the cabaret sounds of Paul Wilborn & Blue Roses (11 a.m.-1 p.m.) followed by Acho Brother (2–4 p.m.), whose mix of Latin, electro, jazz and folk is as entertaining as it is unique. Roser Park was established by developer Charles Roser in 1911 as one of St. Petersburg’s first “streetcar suburbs.” With its rolling brick streets, venerable oaks and beautiful old bungalows, the neighborhood is unlike any other in the region. Festivalgoers can seek out the 28 placards in its acclaimed outdoor museum, a self-guided walking tour through early St. Pete history. There will also be three guided tours each day at 11, 1 and 3 led by neighborhood historian Ron Motyka. The festival is a co-presentation of the Historic Roser Park Neighborhood Association and T-N-T Events. HRPNA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that raises funds to support neighborhood improvement projects and other organizations dedicated to the revitalization of Midtown St. Petersburg. A portion of the proceeds from the festival goes toward the preservation and improvement of the Historic Roser Park neighborhood, and toward Brookwood Home for Girls. The Historic Roser Park Art Festival is sponsored by the City of St. Petersburg, St. Petersburg Times, Creative Loafing and Watermark.