Coconut Grove Arts Festival — Local services in Miami

I visited on Monday, 23rd (the last day) and the Festival was less crowded. I tried to go on Sunday and only the time that took me to try to drive through the people and traffic was too much time. I saw different varieties of art pieces. They had for all tastes. I particularly liked one artist, that his name is Christopher and he had high resolution pictures in BIG sizes in acrylic. It looks very real and very creative pictures. Also, I personal liked one lady that the husband is from China and he paints in canvas. Beautiful! I didn't like the food. I only tried the giros, not too much meat and not to clean. A lot of fried food. I would like to see next time more healthy options. Ice cream, churros, candies, frosty lemonades. All these sounds good, but also the healthy version like açaí bold could be good. I didn't see homemade and artisanal food and dessert, like: Italian cookies, hummus, herbs (mediterranean options), croissant (French food), wine options. I saw many stands of beer and a few for cocktails. I saw dogs walking inside, I should brought mine. A few tend with clothes and jewelry. Good for families and friends and for small local business. I didn't use the parking, but I saw one in $10. Prices ranges: 25$ (entrance per day- general admission). If you live in the area I...

Here is an idea... take some of the profits from your ticket sales and provide shelter/coverage for the people who attend this event should there be rain. You guys certainly took plenty of time to close off parking lots that were close to the event (which are about 90% empty)leaving people to have to park far and walk. It is not fair to the artists to have to shelter people who may or may not be purchasing art from them. Do better. The same thing happened last year. Anyone check the weather before scheduling the dates for this? Rain last year on the same day. Awesome coordination!! We will skip this next year and purchase directly from the artists. And the issue was not the rain but the poor planning should this occur.

As for the artists- thank you for your time and effort to display your amazing art work. Awesome talent.

And nothing like offering to allow people to come back the next day since this entire day was rain. Especially since the event shut down hours before closing.

It seemed some of the artists had concerns about a few things also...

The person on the golf cart driving around was so helpful and she yelled for all the artists to close down essentially leaving them with no option but to kindly ask customers to leave only to go walk...

This Festival is charging $15.00 per person to get into the Art Festival this year. Outrageous!! I am a native of Miami and have been going to this event since the 60's. I still live in the City of Miami and have a business in the City Limits. I have paid my taxes, licenses and all fees and I am being told that I cannot have access to the festival unless I pay the additional" tax". At the same time, all residents of the Grove are allowed a discount ticket costing $5.00 - according to the Festival director - for the inconvenience that the festival may cause them. The residents of the Grove and the residents of City of Miami all pay the same taxes. $15.00 a ticket to offset the cost of garbage removal? Maybe I should be complaining to my commissioner? The City should be assisting the Festival since it has national status and brings money into the local economy not penalizing it.

I for one will not be attending and will be interested to see how many people are willing to stroll the park for a lovely afternoon, see some friends, enjoy our city for...