Toledo Botanical Gardens is celebrating its 50th Anniversary at the Crosby Gardens Art Festival. 220 artists have been selected to participate, from all over the nation for this year’s show, commemorating this treasured gem of our Toledo family.
"I took this job because of the fond memories I had of the Arts Festival in the garden while I was growing up," said Matt Killam, Marketing Director. The Show attracts over 20,000 guests each year with artists of various mediums, some veterans and some novices. As part of the birthday theme, each artist will celebrate by counting the years they've participated in the event.
50 Years of Crosby
"We're showcasing new plants for the 50th anniversary that are unique and new to the park. We're also having a Decades Bar that will have drinks from each decade leading up to this year," said Killam.
Friday night is a preview event that includes an After Dark party with fire–breathers, with performers from the Bird's Eye Circus, University of Toledo, and The Arts Commission, including live music by Distant Cousinz, and fun following the sneak preview. "This offers a type of exclusivity," Killam said.
Art not Crafts
"The artists are from all over the country- juried in by reputable people with the knowledge to look at these works as pieces of art. We are not a crafts show- we are the largest juried art show in the area and we're very proud of that." Killam said.
And as for the experience, each year is a different experience for the people behind the scenes. "We owe it to those who are coming to the Festival for the first time. It's the joy of growing this event that we're shepherding," says Killam. "We didn't make it to 50 by accident. We start planning for 2016 the minute this year’s event ends. We look at what worked,- what we might need to change in order to continue growing. It's constant. "
Toledo Botanical Gardens is a proud affiliate of Toledo Metro Parks.
Saturday June 27th (10am–6pm) and Sunday 28th (10am–4pm) Tickets $8. Preview party on
Friday, June 26th (6pm–10pm) Tickets $75.
5403 Elmer Dr., 419-536-5566.
toledogarden.org
