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By Carey Reeder | Managing Editor

As expected, the 13th annual Chilton County Arts Fest hosted by the Chilton County Arts Council was the biggest since the COVID-19 pandemic. The arts festival was held on July 22 at Jefferson State Community College Chilton-Clanton Campus and sold out of art vendor spaces to have the first full capacity festival since 2019.

“Everyone enjoyed it because it was inside and indoors in the middle of July,” festival coordinator Mack Gothard said. “We had several hundred people, over 500 people, show up to the festival.”

All of the art that was available for purchase was handmade by the artists running the booth, which is a touch Gothard believes has been driving the festival for years.

“When we started this years ago that was what the purpose was, you had to make it yourself,” Gothard said. “From the beginning all the way through the present, we have continued that same tradition. Our arts festival is very unusual because we have a great variety of different artists using many mediums to create their own works of art. Not only do we allow the skilled, talented fine artists, but the beginner (artist as well) to help build confidence in showing and selling their art.”

The next arts festival the Chilton County Arts Council will be hosting is the Peach Orchard Christmas Market on Nov. 11 at Jefferson State Community College Chilton-Clanton Campus from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Gothard said spaces for the Christmas market are about 40% filled right now. Those interested in reserving a vendor space for the Christmas market can contact the Chilton County Arts Council at 205-990-9409 or www.chiltoncountyartscouncil.com.