Mayfaire poster artwork by Rasa Saldaitis

Polk Museum of Art’s annual MIDFLORIDA Mayfaire by-the-Lake is just around the corner. This year, the event will take place on May 8 & 9, and it has new hours! In order to allow people to enjoy more time earlier in the day when it’s cooler, the Museum has changed the hours to 9am – 4pm for both days. As always, Lake Morton will become home to more than 185 artists for the weekend. Visitors can also enjoy free entertainment, a Children’s Art Tent full of fun, free activities, and a variety of food vendors.

The festival itself is free, and parking can be found in many locations downtown. The best parking, however, is behind the Roux Library at Florida Southern College (on McDonald Street). A free golf cart shuttle will run from the parking lot to the festival all weekend. More golf carts, known as MayFerrys will be circling Lake Morton so you can catch a ride around the festival too!

Don’t forget the other great events surrounding Mayfaire. First, the Mayfaire Kick-Off Party will be held on the Lakeland Public Library lawn at 5:30 – 7:30pm on Friday, May 7. This is a ticketed event, and admission is $20 for Museum members, $30 for non-members, or $35 the day of the event. Admission includes an open bar and great hors d’oeuvres by Texas Cattle Company.

On Saturday night, head over to Lake Mirror for Mayfaire Saturday Night/Festival of Arts & Athletes. This free, family event features live music by The Rogues, the Mayfaire Classic 5k, and fireworks at about 9pm (weather permitting).

With so much going on, this is one event that you won’t want to miss! Downtown will be hopping!

For more information, check out the Museum’s website.