New festival to focus on art

The first of many festivals focusing on Fallbrook’s growing art scene will take place Sunday, April 3, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in downtown Fallbrook.

Sponsored by the Village Association, “The Art of the Flower” will be a one-day event that will celebrate the flower in art, home décor, gardens, landscaping, weddings and food.

Art of the Flower will take place on Main Avenue between Alvarado and Fig streets.

Production of the festival is in response to suggestions made by Destination Development Incorporated, the company hired by the Fallbrook Chamber of Commerce and the Village Association to assess the community’s tourism potential.

“We’ve been trying to get something like this off the ground for two years,” said Vince Ross, president of the Village Association.

“Two to four art festivals a year, not necessarily sponsored by the Village Association, is the goal,” said Marlene Rantanen, festival chairperson.

“The collaborative effort between the Village Association, the Art Association, Rally for Children and the Downtown Merchants is encouraging,” Ross said. He hopes Art of the Flower can also be a platform for publicizing the Avocado Festival, Fallbrook Garden Club Show and Rally for Children. The 19th annual Avocado Festival is April 17, Rally for Children is April 24, and the 74th annual Fallbrook Garden Club Show is April 23 and 24.

“At a time when our resources are limited due to Avocado Festival logistics, we will be involved as much as possible and wish them success,” said Bob Leonard, executive director of the Fallbrook Chamber of Commerce. Leonard said the Avocado Festival has also incorporated an Art Alley for display and sale of art. It will be located on Fig Street.

“We’re hoping to establish April as festival month for Fallbrook,” Ross said.

Thirty-five to 40 artists and decorative arts for the home, landscape and nursery vendors will have flower-themed items for sale in a meandering garden walk setup of floral vignettes. Demonstrations of painting, ceramics, sculpting, flower arranging, paper flower making and garden design are planned for the Village Square as well as inside some of the downtown businesses. There will also be activities for children.

A museum-level Art of the Flower show will also take place at the Art Center during April.

Downtown retailers will feature flower-themed merchandise in their stores and on the sidewalks adjacent to their businesses. Restaurants plan to offer flower-oriented foods. “Squash blossom soup would be an example,” Rantanen said.

A poster designed by a local artist will be used to promote the event. It will also be offered for sale at the festival.

Rantanen is a landscape architect and former president of the Bonsall Woman’s Club. She has chaired its annual Magic of Christmas and is a new member of the Village Association Board of Directors. She and her husband Norman have lived in Fallbrook for 13 years.

For information about the festival, call Marlene Rantanen, (760) 728-0031 or (619) 823-8662.