Longwood Arts & Crafts Festival 2008

I went to the Longwood Arts & Crafts Festival on November 22, 2008. It was a good time walking around Downtown Longwood, looking at the old houses and what people were trying to sell. Much of it was actual handmade arts/crafts, while a lot was also mass produced junk made in China that people were trying to pass off as their own.

Here's Warren Ave covered with vendors.


This old house was for sale, and so was the VW Bus. I noticed that a whole lot of old historic houses were for sale in Downtown.


Kettle Corn, pork rinds, fried potatoes, and the historic Bradlee Mcintyre House in the background.


The old Longwood Hotel. Now it's offices.


Someone was selling hypnosis CDs. If I'm reading this sign correctly, it sounds like these CDs can cure your fear of children. I actually listened to these people trying to sell some stop smoking CDs to someone. It's $10 a CD, and you should buy multiple CDs. The CDs will work a whole lot better if you are using a patch or taking pills to help you stop smoking at the same time. Go figure. Hypnosis is great for making someone act like a chicken, but I have issues when someone is trying to say it can cure all of the real problems listed on the sign.


The Inside-Outside House.


Historic Church.


I enjoy taking pictures of the food stands at these type of events. The food always seems to be very photogenic, and the artists don't get upset with me taking pictures. I didn't eat any, but these pictures may still end up on my Watch Me Eat Blog.

Chainsaw Art

Chainsaw carving in a gas station parking lot along SR 46 on the outskirts of Sanford, FL.

Sanford Mardi Gras

Sanford, Florida had a Mardi Gras event nine days too late. Their event took place on February 14, 2008. Fat Tuesday, or Mardi Gras day, was on February 5. If you follow the “official” rules of Mardi Gras, all of the celebrating goes on up until Fat Tuesday, and after that all partying ends with the start of Lent. I guess the organizers of the event don’t follow the rules. I’m glad…

Sanford’s Mardi Gras was part of their Alive After Five event that they do each month where everything in Downtown Sanford stays open late, along with additional vendor setting up, and you get samples of food and alcohol for five dollars. The whole Mardi Gras theme consisted of people handing out beads, Cajun inspired food, and some bands playing somewhat appropriate music. I remember hearing advertised a few years ago that Sanford had a Mardi Gras parade, but not this year.

Here are a few pictures from the event…


Shrimp, corn, and potatoes boiling…


Cool old firehouse, now converted to offices and apartments.


Art for sale from India...


Art for sale on the street corner.