Main Street Party
Annie Potasznik
Who says opposites don't attract?!
For nearly two decades the Deep Ellum Arts Festival has offered people a glimpse into the spirit of one of the most eclectic and storied neighborhoods in Dallas. And last weekend’s festival wasn’t any different.
Twenty to 30,000 people meandered through the colorful mix of artists, musicians and on-lookers on Main Street. The bright sun and slight breeze carrying the smell of spicy peppers, funnel cakes, turkey legs and corn dogs matched the mood of the festival. Simply put -- smiling happy people (many walking their four-legged friends) were everywhere.
The nonpareil mix of dread-locked hippies, rastafarians, tattoo-emblazoned rockabillies and punks mixed easily with hipsters, bikers and regular folks. Then again, the festival has always welcomed diversity, which has helped to create one of its best attractions -- people watching.
“This is our seventeenth year of the festival, which says a lot about how unique it is. Taking over Main Street … all the art and the people watching can’t be beaten,” said Barry Annino, President of the Deep Ellum Foundation.
Attendees had many options when it came to entertainment at the festival. There were four outdoor stages with non-stop performances by more than 75 national, regional and local original bands during the three-day party.
We caught up with drummer Clint Barlow and his wife Whitney who said they were having a great time hanging out in their soon-to-be hood. The couple also said they were looking forward to Sunday’s Pet Parade. (Look forward to an upcoming story on NBCDFW.COM where we talk exclusively to Barlow on all things Trees).
While festive cuisine (funnel cakes and fried pickles) provided fuel and music supplied beats to help people keep on walking, the main focus was the art by more than 100 artists displaying and selling their work.
“This is the biggest and brightest turn out,” said photographer Hal Samples, who set up a free photo booth in front of his studio.
Perhaps it wasn’t exactly the ‘biggest’ -- past festivals in the 90s saw upwards of 75,000 people -- but it certainly was bright. And despite a cold front blowing through Saturday night, 70 dogs and their owners took part in Sunday’s Pet Parade. The pooches dressed in costumes represented the new Bark Park and in some ways, the quirky yet positive spirit of organizations currently promoting Deep Ellum.
If numbers determine the success of the Deep Ellum Arts Festival, then next year should yield an even better result. A fact not overlooked by Annino, who said he “looks forward to next year when the new DART line can bring people into the heart of the festival.”
