Starkville Area Arts Council’s annual Cotton District Arts Festival hits the historic Cotton District on Super Bulldog Saturday, April 13, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. CDAF is an award-winning Starkville classic that allows artisans to compete, showcase and sell their work. With more than 175 artisans competing for entry, admission to this year’s festival is more competitive than ever.
Several “villages” and “stages” give festival-goers a wide range of opportunities, including Artisan’s Village, Taste of Starkville (which showcases local food), Singer/Songwriting Competition, Juried Arts Show, East, West and South Stages, the Children’s Village, International Village and Writer’s Village.
The Pet Parade kicks off the festival shortly after 9 a.m. with everyone’s best friend arriving in costume. A CDAF Student Art Competition reception takes place Thursday April 11 at the Greater Starkville Development Partnership in downtown Starkville.
SAAC continues to keep CDAF family-friendly and accessible, despite ongoing construction in the District. Much of the Artisan Village will be located along University Avenue, as previous years, but some sections are moving to accommodate increasing crowds.
This year’s Juried Arts Exhibit is juried by Kate Cherry, executive director of the Meridian Museum of Art. The exhibit returns to its traditional venue in the MSU Visual Arts Center on University Drive near campus.
Once again this year, Mississippi State graphic design students proposed designs for the CDAF poster. The winning poster was designed by Parker Webb from Madison, who graduated in December 2018 from MSU.
Sponsorships and volunteers are critical to keep CDAF admission free for the public and booth fees among the lowest in the state. CDAF sponsors are those who provide $1,000 or more of financial support to the festival. Sponsors include Clark Beverage Group (Taste of Starkville), BankFirst (South Stage), Bancorp South (East Stage), the Bookmart & Cafe (Writers’ Village), Spruill Property Management (Pet Parade), Synergetics (West Stage), and 4-County Electric Cooperative. A large number of other supporters contribute to CDAF, underscoring the community aspect of the festival. Additional information on sponsors, sponsorships and volunteers can be found at cdafestival.com/sponsors–volunteers.html.
Maps and other festival information may be found at cadfestival.com.
The SAAC also runs various art education outreach programs and awards almost $25,000 each year in grants and scholarships in its mission to build a strong, creative, connected community through the arts. SAAC appreciates the support of the City of Starkville and the Greater Starkville Development Partnership, Oktibbeha County, Mississippi Arts Commission, Mississippi Development Authority and Visit Mississippi, Del Rendon Foundation, 4-County Electric Foundation, and various local businesses and individuals. Learn more at starkvillearts.org.
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