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Every year at Walt Disney World in Orlando, there are huge events, especially throughout Fall and Winter. Some are very widely publicized and almost everyone knows about them, like Disney’s Night of Joy or the International Food & Wine Festival at Epcot. But let me bring your attention to the Festival of the Masters held at Downtown Disney every Fall. This year’s dates are November 13th through the 15th.

This festival brings in over one hundred award-winning artists in a central location. The artists’ work is displayed all throughout the Marketplace. It can be purchased onsite, but there is no obligation to buy. Not only will you find paintings, but also drawings, sculpture, glassworks, jewelry, and many other types of art. One of the most exciting exhibits each year is the chalk sidewalk art. Artists from the Central Florida Chalk Artists Association decorate nearly 6,000 square feet of sidewalk all with chalk. There will be a designated area for kids attending the event to create their own chalk art masterpiece. Of course, being in chalk, this art is temporary, so it only lasts as long as the good weather.

There are plenty of other activities for children, too. One of the best things about this event is that it promotes creativity and celebrates artistic talent in a day and age when the arts are being squeezed out of schools and relegated to a pastime that no one makes time for. Besides opportunities to paint, draw, and build, children enjoy having their faces painted while they meet cast members of Cirque du Soleil. For the grown ups, there is live music and entertainers scattered throughout the venue.

On top of all of those exciting things to do is Downtown Disney itself, a location already packed with entertainment, shopping, and dining. Orlando’s Cirque du Soleil show La Nouba is located there along with some very famous themed restaurants, like Rainforest Café, House of Blues, Planet Hollywood, and Wolfgang Puck’s. There is a large Lego store with an area outside where kids can play with Legos to build amazing creations. One of the most popular activities is building race cars out of Legos and then racing them on a track against other kids. The adults enjoy viewing the giant Lego sculptures such as the sea monster and life-sized R2D2. A family can spend an hour at this Lego area alone. Brand new to Downtown Disney this year is a hot air balloon ride that takes passengers up and above the district for spectacular views of all of the attractions, architecture of the buildings, and art on display.

One of the greatest things about this event is that it costs nothing to attend. A family or a couple can spend hours walking around or sitting by the lake and people-watching from morning to night. Downtown Disney is a great place to go anytime, but add in the Festival of the Masters, and there will be so much to do and see that you might want to come back two days in a row. It offers all the wonder of Disney without a cost, unless you choose to buy souvenirs or have lunch, dinner, or a snack while you’re there.

To read about more Fall 2009 attractions, be sure to check out the Disney Fall 2009 Events Calendar.

 

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