The creatively inclined people of Warren County are preparing for the Wonderland Arts Festival.
This is the first year of the festival, but it includes many of the county’s annual events, such as the March Hare Affair 5K and 10K races, Art on Main, Kid’s Day and Fiddles and Vittles.
The Wonderland Arts Festival will take place on Saturday, March 3, at the Courthouse Square and Depot Welcome Center area in Warrenton.
For artists wishing to participate in the Queen of HeARTS Fine Art Exhibit and Juried Competition, booth spaces are available inside the courthouse and on the grounds. Booth rental is $25. Included is a juried competition for all artists. Eligible categories are painting, drawing, ceramics, sculpture, print-making that does not include digital, photography, mixed media and master crafts, and utilitarian arts.
Registration may be done online at eventsinwarrencountyga.org/wonderland.html. Those who have not participated in Art on Main previously should e-mail photos of their work to Cindy Rivers at events@warrencountyga.com before registering. New artists will need approval by the committee before they are eligible to participate. The deadline to register is Feb. 27.
“We have several artists who enjoy setting up each year at this show and competing with other artists,” Rivers said. “Mostly, though, they enjoy the community of artists: learning new techniques, getting fresh ideas and understanding new concepts in the art world.”
Rivers said the Art on Main show usually takes place in June but hoped to make it more enjoyable by moving it up to spring, as June is usually uncomfortably warm for artists and art lovers.
The eighth annual March Hare Affair, one of the most popular events, will begin at 9 a.m. Both the 5K and the 10K will begin simultaneously at 9 a.m. Runners who choose to run both races will only run the 10K and their time from the first 5K will be counted toward that race’s results. Entry fees are $25 per race or $35 for both. Awards will be given for category winners and overall winners in each race. To register, go online at http://eventsinwarrencountyga.org/wonderland.html or contact Rivers at events@warrencountyga.com or call (706)-465-9604. T-shirts are free to the first 40 registered runners.
Rivers said this is one of the last races before the Peachtree Road Race.
“Many of our regular runners participate in this race to prepare for the Atlanta race,” she said.
Proceeds from these races will go to help fund the ARTS of Warren County.
The festival will also include crafts as the Cheshire Cat Crafts Show. Crafters are invited to set up booths on the courthouse square and down to the Depot Welcome Center. The craft show is one part of the annual Fiddles and Vittles, which will be moved from October to March. The deadline for vendors for the Cheshire Cat Craft’s Fest is Monday, Feb. 27.
There will also be crafts available for children to make and take home with them, known as Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum Crafts and Fun. There will also be a White Rabbit Magic Show at the Depot Welcome Center stage for children, young and old. Warren County Public Library will host Alice’s Book Sale around the monument, featuring a variety of books at affordable prices.
There will be a Mad Hatter Music Mash, featuring live music. Any bands interested in playing, call (706)-465-9604.
Also in the performing arts category, Rivers said they hope to have the ACT IX kids onsite as they prepare to perform Annie on March 20 and March 22. Auditions for parts will be Monday, Jan. 16, from 4-6 p.m. at the Warrenton Cultural Center.
There will be a Mock Turtle Soup and Chili Cook-Off in a tent on the courthouse grounds. Any type of stew, soup or chili can be entered in the contest. Entries will be based on taste, aroma, color and consistency. Entries must be one gallon and must be in a crock pot with a large spoon or ladle. Contestants are asked not to put names in a visible spot on pots, lids, spoons, ladles, hot pads, etc. Entries will be labeled with a number so that the judging can be fair. Entries will be accepted from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. and judging will take place at 11:30 a.m.
Each category will be judged separately and the decision of the judges will be final. Entries will be sold after the judging is complete until sold out or 2 p.m. Adult tickets will sell for $5 and tickets for children ages 10 and under will sell for $3.
All-you-can-eat tickets will sell for $10. Tickets include corn bread and/or crackers. Proceeds will go to Hometown Warrenton Inc. for future events. Registration for entries is required by noon Thursday, March 1. Entry forms can be found online.
For more information, visit www.EventsInWarrenCountyGA.org, call (706) 465-9604 or e-mail events@warrencountyga.com.
