WEEKI WACHEE — Artists and mermaids reunite this weekend for Hernando County's largest and longest-running art festival.
The Spring Hill Art League brings its annual Fall Harvest of Art back to Weeki Wachee Springs, the first time since the 62-year-old attraction became a state park.
It's a happy return, festival organizers say.
"So many people associate us with Weeki Wachee, so we're thrilled to be back there," said Lynne Simone, publicity chairwoman for the league. "They've made so many visual improvements, and that can only enhance the quality of our show."
The two-day event, now in its 36th year, has pitched its tents in plenty of places throughout the county: a Brooksville park, the Sand Hill Boy Scout camp, a shopping center parking lot and even a retirement community.
The festival had a successful four-year run at the mermaid park starting in 2003. Organizers had hoped to return to Weeki Wachee last year after an unsuccessful showing at a Spring Hill outlet mall, but the attraction's owners decided to sell to the state. The timing of the handover foiled the plans.
Instead, the festival returned to its original site, the Lake House in Spring Hill. Nestling the event under the oak trees on the banks of Hunter's Lake was a good move, but attendance still didn't reach Weeki Wachee levels, said festival chairman Paul Shaskan.
It's hard to beat the exposure of U.S. 19, Shaskan said.
"Location, location, location," he said.
The art league already had contacts at the park because a couple of key employees in the private operation, including Weeki Wachee Mayor Robyn Anderson, stayed on as state workers. But it was unclear what kind of reception the art league would get from the state parks department.
Shaskan said he found out during the first sit-down with Weeki Wachee park manager Toby Brewer this year.
"I left that meeting thinking I'd died and gone to heaven," Shaskan said Wednesday after marking the booth locations along the park's shady paths. "They have been incredibly supportive and gone out of their way to help us in every way."
The state park system often hosts events for nonprofit causes and is happy to do so here, Brewer said. "We'll help as much as we can to be a part of the community," he said.
The park benefits, too, by increasing its own exposure and bringing in visitors during the off-season, Brewer said.
The festival's $4 admission price ($2 for students) gives visitors access to all the park's attractions, including the mermaid show, museum and river cruise. Admission to the park is usually $13.
There will be more than 70 exhibitors of fine art, photography and fine crafts — a record number for the event, Shaskan said.
The league puts exhibitor fees back into cash prizes for the juried show. Works of local student artists in grades 7-12 will also be judged and on display.
An eclectic lineup of musicians and other performers runs from opening to close on both days.
"We have country, we have blues, we have indie, we have belly dancers," Simone said, laughing. "Something for everyone."
Among the exhibits will be a memorial to Masao Yamada, a Hernando Beach artist and league member who crafted colorful, intricate origami art and jewelry. Yamada, who this year began experimenting with origami using recycled materials, died last month from complications after heart surgery. His pieces will be on display.
Beholding and buying beauty can make a body hungry, so food vendors will keep bellies full.
The art league will split the gate proceeds with the park. As in years past, the festival raises money for the league's scholarship program for local high school seniors who plan to study art in college. A good year means four $1,000 scholarships.
At the taxpayer-owned attraction, art league members have helped to restore the park's plaster and fiberglass mermaid tail photo prop and created portable murals for the recent Halloween festival. They will paint wooden displays and props for the upcoming holiday village, Simone said.
Park officials, in turn, have allowed artist groups to meet in the park and practice their craft.
As noted by Julie Komenda, a Weeki Wachee artist and art league member who is serving as the park's first artist in residence, Weeki Wachee "has been a historic presence for art and culture in the county, and we want to continue that tradition."
Tony Marrero can be reached at (352) 848-1431 or tmarrero@sptimes.com.
If you go
The Spring Hill Art League's 36th annual Fall Harvest of Art is from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, 6131 Commercial Way, Weeki Wachee. Admission is $4 for adults, $2 for students in grades 7-12, free for anyone younger, and includes access to all the park's attractions. Call (352) 597-7435 or (352) 796-1189 for information.
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