LeMoyne’s Chain of Parks Art Festival is honored to be a part of Tallahassee’s cultural identity for 25 years!
Learn about the Chain of Parks Art Festival
LeMoyne’s Chain of Parks Art Festival is North Florida’s premiere outdoor fine art festival; with exciting new programming offered each year. Nationally ranked in the Top 100 Fine Art Festivals by Sunshine Artist Magazine for 10 years running, this annual two-day festival draws tens of thousands of people from the Big Bend Southeast region to experience all of the free-fun and see fine artists who have traveled from all over the country to display their original works of art. The highly anticipated festival weekend with Artists in the Park will be located along the majestic oak-lined Park Avenue, just east of Monroe Street in beautiful downtown Tallahassee.
Come see the art and stay to enjoy a wide variety of live entertainment on the main stage, local food trucks, vendors, professional chalk artists, heritage art, and libations served enthusiastically at the Festival Bar.
2025 Opening Nights will represent the visual arts by featuring Andra Douglas, LeMoyne’s Chain of Parks Art Festival’s presenting artist, on Thursday, April 24 before the festival weekend in the parks. Presented by the Laurie and Kelly Dozier Endowment for Opening Nights and Chain of Parks Art Festival Collaboration. Click HERE to learn more!
The Art
The Chain of Parks Art Festival was established to present an outdoor festival of high-quality original artwork and entertainment for the enjoyment of our Tallahassee area residents and visitors while fostering local and regional artists’ careers. We believe it is important to make fine art accessible to all! Visitors can expect to have a first-class, fun-filled, free, outdoor cultural experience while viewing and purchasing unique works of fine art from over 150 nationally juried artists in a delightful Southern outdoor setting.
Heritage & Folk Art Addition
The 2024 Festival introduced a new special category and section of the Festival focused on the traditions of Folk Art and Fine Craft (a.k.a Heritage Art). While always featuring fine art, the Festival celebrates all of the arts including music, dance, culinary art, street art, and now, heritage art! Attendees will enjoy this feature along the festival’s Tunnicliff Lane leading to the latest exhibit at the LeMoyne Arts Gallery.
Understanding Fine Art vs. Craft:
Art is a form of work that is the expression of emotions. Executed from innate talent and passion. Art emotionally moves its patrons and evokes a feeling within each viewer.
Craft is a form of work that results in a tangible output, often repeatable over and over. A fine craft can be learned from considerable practice and developed into a world-class form. Patrons are inspired by the skill to create the piece rather than a reaction to the subject matter.
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Art is a form of work that is the expression of emotions. Executed from innate talent and passion. Art emotionally moves its patrons and evokes a feeling within each viewer.
Craft is a form of work that results in a tangible output, often repeatable over and over. A fine craft can be learned from considerable practice and developed into a world-class form. Patrons are inspired by the skill to create the piece rather than a reaction to the subject matter.
Understanding Folk/ Heritage Art:
“Folk Art” is defined as a decorative or practical piece of artwork that showcases traditional techniques from a specific culture or region. Folk Art is usually unique to the people of a specific heritage and is viewed as an expression of society. Folk art is steeped in grassroots history and often distinguished from academic, commercial, and Western “Fine Art”. Folk Art is frequently demonstrated through fine craftmanship, utilitarian and ornamental media, color, and texture; showcasing artistic expression from a non-classically trained artist.
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“Folk Art” is defined as a decorative or practical piece of artwork that showcases traditional techniques from a specific culture or region. Folk Art is usually unique to the people of a specific heritage and is viewed as an expression of society. Folk art is steeped in grassroots history and often distinguished from academic, commercial, and Western “Fine Art”. Folk Art is frequently demonstrated through fine craftmanship, utilitarian and ornamental media, color, and texture; showcasing artistic expression from a non-classically trained artist.
Chalk Art Oasis
Located at a prime entrance of the Festival, the Chalk Art Oasis is surrounded by food vendors, misting fans, live music, and lush plants donated by Just Fruits & Exotics, creating a refreshing “Oasis” in this sunny area.
Immerse yourself in this vibrant section of the Festival all weekend long; there, you can observe four professional street artists create stunning “3D” anamorphic art on the pavement, underwritten by Visit Tallahassee and generously hosted by Ron Sachs and Gay Webster Sachs. These temporary masterpieces offer exciting, interactive photo opportunities that are perfect for fun social media posts. The artists are encouraged to create exciting North-Florida-themed designs to celebrate our community. Attendees love to visit the chalk artists throughout the weekend to observe their progress and take photos.
Be sure to stop by the LeMoyne Arts Outreach tent, where you can learn about membership, summer camps, enter a raffle, create unique scratch art pieces, and contribute to a collaborative chalkboard masterpiece! Visitors can also engage with the “Art in Bloom” planter sculpture silent auction and exhibit.
The Children’s Park
The popular and family-friendly Children’s Park, located in Randolph Park, is curated by the Retired Art Teachers of Tallahassee. The Children’s Park provides child-appropriate activities and experiences, including engaging art-making activities, chalk art, face painting, entertainment, and games. Families enjoy the Jacques Le Moyne encampment and interactive local heritage booths, which are filled with fun educational opportunities, bringing the best of the “museum” to the park. It’s FREE and FUN!
The Children’s Park is a highly interactive part of the Festival that provides opportunities for community connections with festival visitors. The purpose of this area is to offer artistic experiences for children and promote organizations that support the arts and local heritage in our community. We want to get children excited about the arts and allow their families to learn about what our community has to offer.
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The Children’s Park is a highly interactive part of the Festival that provides opportunities for community connections with festival visitors. The purpose of this area is to offer artistic experiences for children and promote organizations that support the arts and local heritage in our community. We want to get children excited about the arts and allow their families to learn about what our community has to offer.
Community Corner
The Community Corner features our Community Partners (local non-profits), Brand Ambassadors (local businesses), and Host-level Sponsor Booths. These participants are located at the key entrance to the Festival on our Reid Gunn Lane (off of Monroe St. in front of Il Lusso restaurant). As part of our “Greening the Festival” effort, visitors are able to learn about environmental sustainability from organizations like the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and Sustainable Tallahassee at the Community Corner. We loved seeing visitors walking around with their FREE reusable tote bag from Rags 2 Bags full of festival goodies!
Entertainment
Our Main Stage is located in the Center Court on Calhoun and features a variety of local bands and aspiring singer/songwriters, along with crowd-pleasing local performing arts groups. Pop-up performances can be seen in The Children’s Park stage and Chalk Art Oasis music tent to keep everyone entertained all weekend. One of the many reasons to come visit the Festival on BOTH days!
To close out the weekend of festive fun on Sunday, April 27, visitors will be energized by a jazz-style procession by the Pharaohs of Funk featuring Leon County youth, starting in the Chalk Art Oasis and ending at LeMoyne Arts.
2025 Food Vendors
Bloxham Park:
- The Bark
Lewis Park:
- Argonaut Coffee
Main Food Court:
- Milo’s Mediterranean
- The Dancing Empanada
- Hot Diggity Dog
- Big Whipp’s Kitchen
- Cousins Maine Lobster Food Truck
- A Taste of Mexico
- Indian Kitchen
- Street Chefs
Children’s Park:
- Tallahassee Nutty Bavarian
- Fina Ice Co.
- Gurlie’s Lemonade & Sweets
Chalk Art Oasis:
- LaSalle St Carnival Food
- MozzArepas
- Sheepdog Kettle Corn
- Irie Ice
Souvenirs
Visit the Souvenir Tent to find your favorite festival souvenirs for the 2025 Festival, featuring “Kestrels & Jessamine” by cover artist Stephen Koury.
- T-shirts
- Long Sleeve Shirts & Light Hoodies
- Embroidered Festival Logo Hats
- BBQ Two-Pocket Apron
- Handmade Festival Banner Totes
- Stainless Steel Thermal Water Bottles
- Coffee Mug
- Notecards (5 pack)
- Signed Festival Posters (limited edition)
- Vintage T-shirts (limited supply)
- 500 Piece Puzzles
- Cotton Tea Towels
- Koozies
Vintage items can be seen at LeMoyne Arts in our Gallery Shop Tuesday – Saturday from 11am – 6pm. 125 N. Gadsden St. Tallahassee, FL 32301
Did you know?
QUICK GUIDES TO THE FESTIVAL
Saturday Evening Concert – Wilco
Greening the Festival
What to bring?
Chalk Art Oasis
TOP 100 FINE ART FESTIVAL BY SUNSHINE MAGAZINE
Recognitions
The Chain of Parks Art Festival is proud to be one of the most highly acclaimed art festivals in the country. Recently ranked as the #1 Art Festival of 2024 by Sunshine Artist Magazine and #7 nationwide, the festival continues to attract art lovers and collectors from near and far. Additionally, the Tallahassee Democrat awarded the festival the title of “Best Local Event,” a testament to the strong community support and exceptional experience it brings to the area. These accolades reflect the festival’s commitment to showcasing outstanding artists and creating memorable experiences year after year.
