Annmarie Sculpture Garden & Arts Center in Solomons, Maryland, held its annual Artsfest on Saturday, September 21 and 22 and attracted 10,000 visitors. The event held throughout the wooded path and the entire Annmarie Garden had excellent weather both days, which made strolling through all the artists’ booths a real fun event for all ages. A record number of 165 artists were on display this year, up from 150 in 2012.

In addition to the great weather, the totally upbeat tone amongst the artists also helped make for a successful event. Several artists commented the shoppers’ interest in purchasing art was better this year than in previous years. First time artist, Dee Shannon-Dobson who was displaying custom silver and gold jewelry commented, “This has been the best event for us this year.” The artists Cameron Bach and Kristin Quirk-Clevenger from Quirk-n-Bach Pottery commented, “We have been attending and demonstrating at Artsfest for five years and every year it just gets better for us.” The Sunshine Girls lemonade vendor experienced a 20% increase in sales this year compared to 2012. 

Also new this year were strolling performing artists, who wandered throughout the crowds delighting adults and children with entertainment such as an acoustic and percussion duo, a living statute who also walked upon stilts in several costumes, and “Marigold Bumbleroot” who is well know at festivals for forming bubbles with her hands and sending them into crowds of delightful children who, of course, must run and pop each bubble before it hits the ground.

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