30th Annual Flutterby Arts Festival Nov 13

The Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County (CAA) announces the return of one of Walton County’s favorite fall events, the Flutterby Arts Festival, set for Sunday, November 13th in Watersound Town Center.

In its 30th year, the Flutterby Festival will feature many returning and new activities for kids of all ages, including arts & crafts projects, live performances, storytelling with The Rep, a student butterfly art exhibit, a butterfly wing creation station, a Monarch butterfly learning center, face painting, balloon art, family yoga, aerial arts performances, a stilt walker, carnival games, an inflatable slide and butterfly parades. Food trucks will be on site to sell lunch items and sweet treats, and beverages (for kids and their parents) will be available for purchase.

Professional artists and crafters will exhibit and sell their work throughout the day, and official Flutterby merchandise featuring artwork by local student artist Ella Townley of Seaside School, will be for sale. Artists interested in exhibiting their work may apply through October 28th at www.culturalartsalliance.com/art-matters-blog.

“It is well-known that Northwest Florida is part of the endangered Monarch butterfly’s migratory path, and the Flutterby Festival has celebrated this natural event since 1992,” said CAA Events Director Allie Anderson. “With the festival’s own migration to Watersound Town Center, we are excited to have the space to offer even more fun for the family, including new kids’ arts and science activities, more artist exhibitors and food trucks. We invite everyone to come help us celebrate the 30th anniversaries of the Flutterby Festival and the Cultural Arts Alliance.”

Admission to the Flutterby Festival is free and open to the public, and some activities require tickets, which can be purchased at the CAA welcome and information tents within the Festival. Parking, including accessible parking, will be available on-site.  

In advance of Sunday’s events, the CAA will offer guided tours of the newly-updated Watersound Monarch Art Trail (WMAT) on Saturday, November 12th. The WMAT is an Art in Public Spaces project that includes eight original sculptures installed along South Watersound Parkway’s existing mile-long walking and bike path. Some elements were improved last month, including wildflower plantings along the treeline and native plant beds designed and installed by Sandhills Native Nursery. The free guided tours will include information about the artwork and the native landscape and take place at 9:30 am and 11:30 am. Guests should bring a water bottle and dress appropriately for an outdoor tour. Parking, including accessible parking, is located at the Magnet Innovation Center located at 133 South Watersound Parkway.

The WMAT was created in 2021 with support from The St. Joe Community Foundation, and use of the area was made possible by The St. Joe Company. The Flutterby Festival weekend is presented by the Watersound Origins Community, Watersound Town Center, and the St. Joe Community Foundation with support from the Florida Department of State Division of Arts and Culture. Additional sponsorships are still available, and interested businesses can email Gabby Callaway at gabby@culturalartsalliance.com for details.

Volunteers are needed to help create all the fun! Please visit www.CulturalArtsAlliance.com/volunteer to sign up.

For more information on the AIPS program, the Flutterby Festival, and the CAA, please visit www.CulturalArtsAlliance.com or call 850-622-5970.