49th Annual Central Park Art Festival Showcases Fine Art in Downtown Winter Haven
by James Coulter
From stunning watercolor landscapes to award-winning avant-garde sculptures, several dozen artists from across the state and even the country will display their work at Winter Haven’s longest-running outdoor art festival.
The Victor Smith Law Group Central Park Art Festival will be hosting its 49th annual event at Central Park in Winter Haven on Sat. Mar. 20 and Sun. Mar. 21. The two-day festival will showcase a diverse selection of artwork from several dozen artists, along with live music and food trucks.
The event is hosted by the Ridge Art Association, a local non-profit organization dedicated to promoting local art and artists within the Winter Haven area. As their website states: “We believe in the power of art to bring people from diverse backgrounds together in a positive and collaborative environment.”
Located across from Theater Winter Haven, their main venue consists of two galleries, a pottery studio, and a stained-glass studio. Ridge Art gives more than $25,000 in prize money annually to participating artists in events like the Central Park Art Festival.
Originally, the Art Festival was hosted by Sun Bank, with Ridge Art taking over the event about 22 years ago. Since then, what started as an arts and crafts show was finetuned as a juried fine arts competition.
Managing Director Christy Hemenway has been with the organization since 2001. During that time, the art fest has had a special place in her heart. In fact, this year’s event on Mar. 21 will fall on her 45th wedding anniversary.
Hemenway loves the festival and the artists involved with it. She feels strongly about how the event brings people together from across the community to appreciate fine art in the Downtown Area.
“It is about experiencing downtown and running into people you know, eating at the food trucks, listening to the music, and participating in the community,” she said. “I don’t do this for the money. I do this for the support of my community. I love Winter Haven. I love being a part of Winter Haven.”
The Victor Smith Law Group Central Park Art Festival will be hosted on Sat. Mar. 20 from 9 AM to 4 PM, and Sun. Mar. 21 from 10 AM to 4 PM. The event will be held at Central Park in Winter Haven, located at 55 Fifth Street NW. For more information, visit: ridgeart.org
Christy Hemmenway recently appeared on the Chattin on the Ridge podcast to discuss her organization and upcoming event. Listen to the full podcast on Acast and Spotify: https://shows.acast.com/chattin-on-the-ridge/episodes/ep-81-central-park-art-fest-2026-wchristy-hemenway
