Bless Your Art Southern folk festival coming to Colquitt

COLQUITT — As Swamp Gravy wraps up the first half of its silver anniversary performance season Saturday, the community will host its second complementary Southern Folk Life Festival — Bless Your Art.

The festival’s name is a play on the popular Southern saying, “Bless your heart,” frequently seen as a softening end-phrase that makes even scorching criticism palatable in Southern culture.

Far from a venue for that, however, the festival is a celebration of the arts — Southern style. Hosted by the Colquitt Miller Chamber of Commerce, organizers say the event, set for 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the downtown square at Colquitt, will feature homemade arts, crafts, folk art and demonstrations.

“We have about 30 vendors and a variety of them,” chamber President KaCee Holt said. “We have local and area jewelry makers, craft makers, baked goods, and folk and fine artists, to name a few.

“We have a couple food vendors coming, but are encouraging attendees to also shop and eat in our downtown area. That’s what it is all about, to bring people to our town and stimulate our local economy.”

Vendors will be set up on the north side of the square.

“We do have a few more spots available for vendors, so if you would like to participate or know anyone that would like to participate, please contact the chamber,” she said.

With Swamp Gravy in its 25th year of production, chamber officials said they wanted to take the opportunity to encourage local residents and visitors from out of town to celebrate the arts and folk life, especially unique talents from the South.

Contact the chamber at (229) 758-2400. It also can be found on Facebook or the chamber website, www.colquitt-georgia.com.