The long-standing Pecan Street Festival will bring its showcase of music, arts, and crafts to a new Austin venue for its 50th anniversary.
As one of the largest festivals of its kind in the country, it attracts hundreds of artists and musicians. The non-profit Pecan Street Association organizes the festival and contributes proceeds to local charities, including the preservation of Austin’s historic 6th Street district.
East-west streets in the area were first given names of trees, but these were subsequently changed to numbers. Pecan Street was renamed 6th, but the festival continued to celebrate the historic name and host the twice-yearly event in the district.
However, this spring, street restructuring has created safety concerns and parking issues, as well as reduced festival space. The upshot is a move, at least temporarily, to the Hill Country Galleria.
In addition to a juried art show, the festival will continue the tradition of performances by leading local musical acts. Organizers expect the new venue to create a safer, more family-friendly location while still supporting the history of the event. Face-painting, street performers, and other activities will be included to entertain young visitors throughout the weekend.
Food and beverages will be available from a number of different participating vendors. Entrepreneurs who set up booths at these types of events often use poster printing to promote their products.
The Pecan Street Festival will be held beginning at 11:00 am on Saturday, May 3 and Sunday, May 4 at Hill Country Galleria, a shopping complex in the Bee Cave suburb of Austin.
