Show Review of the Month Hobe Sound Festival of the Arts

January 2025, by Brenda Flynn

February 5-6, 2022, 21st Annual Hobe Sound Festival of the Arts, Hobe Sound, FL. Contact: Howard Alan Events, 270 Central Blvd., Suite 107B, Jupiter, FL 33458; Phone: 561-746-6615; Email: info@artfestival.com; Website: www.artfestival.com; Application fee: $25; Space fees: $360 to $720; Space sizes: 10x10 to 10x20; Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; 100% outdoors; Exhibitors: 150; Attendance: 9,000+; Admission: free. 

Hobe Sound has a lot going for it. It’s got a laid-back atmosphere and plenty of affluent patrons of the arts. There are plenty of places to park both for artists and patrons, and recreational vehicles and oversized vehicles are welcome for Friday and Saturday nights at the Boys/Girls Club (no electric or water hook-ups) about a block or two from the festival site. 

Some artists on the “railroad” side can park behind their tents, but here’s what I have to say about that: If it rains, which it has almost every single year, you’re going to need someone with a winch to get you out of there. 

My advice is to unload and park your rig in the grass/paved area. This show has a very convenient option of setting up after 2:30 p.m. on Friday, which makes it easier and less stressful than trying to set up at 5:30 on Saturday morning.  

This show is divided into fine art on one side and crafts on the other. Both had equal foot traffic, and the consensus was that art ranging in the $25-$125 price point sold better than anything in higher price ranges. 

An artist making resin-coated, hand-cut designed surfboards and other hanging signs practically sold out by Sunday. Fiber arts (clothing, scarves) were taking the market by storm at this show. Jewelry sold well, too, especially the natural-themed, semi-precious stones and authentic sea glass. My own art did well, exceeding 2021 sales by more than $800. 

There is a shuttle service for attendees, which made it easy for attendance (located at both ends of the show, I was told).  

You get your booth locations and numbers via email prior to Friday. You can drive to your booth to unload, and if you have a craft or art booth on the grass near the railroad tracks (which I did), you will have to endure the train coming by at least three times a day during the show. 

And yes, as predicted, it did rain several inches overnight on Friday, and my booth was underwater, as were several to the left and right of me, as well as across on the street side. 

Storm drains are either clogged or not well placed for proper drainage, but the show coordinators were out clearing the water from all the affected tents with brooms, and even dug a drain into the grass to funnel the water away. 

By noon, with the sun shining bright and the bulk of the water gone, everyone was happy. The weather turned out to be phenomenal on both Saturday and Sunday. Foot traffic was much, much higher than last year, and it reflected in the artists’ sales. I heard absolutely no complaints. 

Loading out is only after 5 p.m., and you must be totally broken down, including the canopy and poles. You will receive a nod from the show coordinators when you are allowed to bring in your vehicles. I can’t stress this enough — listen to them and obey the rules.