Annual 5th Ave Arts Festival

A celebration of the rich cultural Heritage of a Historic African American Community, using the arts and other activities.

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African-Dancers-EditThe Fifth Avenue Arts Festival, organized annually by the Cultural Arts Coalition in Gainesville, Florida, is a vibrant celebration of art, culture, and community. Held in the historic Fifth Avenue neighborhood, this event highlights the rich cultural heritage of the area through a diverse showcase of artistic expression. The festival features a variety of activities, including:

Art exhibits and live demonstrations by local and regional artists.
– Music and dance performances, spanning genres like jazz, gospel, hip-hop, and traditional  African rhythms.
– Food vendors offering a range of delicious cuisines, often highlighting local and cultural flavors.
– Workshops and educational sessions focusing on arts, crafts, and cultural history.
– Activities for children, including face painting, storytelling, and interactive art spaces.

With its roots in promoting unity and celebrating the African American heritage of the neighborhood, the Fifth Avenue Arts Festival is not just an arts showcase—it is a community event that brings together people from all walks of life to appreciate the power of culture and creativity.

HISTORY: The Annual Fifth Avenue Arts Festival began in the summer of 1979 when group University of Florida students and community residents joined together to organize an event to share and promote the rich cultural history of the Fifth Avenue/Seminary Lane community.  That first year, fewer than 100 people attended.  Lavern Porter Dancers were the first performers.

Years later, the Festival has grown and now regularly hosts more than 20,000 people each year. The event features three days of performance and visual arts.  Local businesses and organizations are invited to set up booths on Saturday and Sunday to provide information about opportunities for both youth and adults in the community.

As a part of Friday Pre-Festival activities, artists go to the public schools to demonstrate their craft. Past artists have included painters Isaac Knight of the original “Highwaymen”, photographer Ronnie Phillips, and performers Atlanta Temba Issa.

On Saturday, the Festival officially opens with a Gospel program followed by dancers, local bands, and singers. National headliners have included Jazz singer and musician Pamela Williams and R&B recording stars SOS Band.  Historical exhibits are featured, like The Rosewood Exhibit, Black History traveling exhibits from New York and the local Harn Museum exhibits.

On Sunday, booths and exhibits open at noon, followed by a relaxing Sunday afternoon of jazz and reggae on stage from local and national bands.

The Festival is part of a permanent exhibit at the Library of Congress in Washington D.C. and is listed in Florida Black Heritage Trails. The Festival has also been recognized by local and national elected officials.

Funded in part by Visit Gainesville/Alachua County.

Funded in part by a grant from City of Gainesville, Parks, Recreation & Cultural Affairs Department.

Additional sponsors of the Festival have included Cox Media, Nationwide Insurance, Gainesville Sun, Mercedes-Benz, UF Health, Santa Fe College and the University of Florida, local organizations Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, and many more.  The Festival has enjoyed a long relationship with many individuals, businesses and organizations in the Greater Gainesville area.

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