Hey Huntsville! Let’s talk about a yearly art festival in Big Spring Park. The event is called Panoply, a Greek word that translates to “a magnificent or impressive array,” and that is truly what Panoply is!
Panoply is a long-standing event in which vendors can come and sell their craft. Panoply has a wide array of food and unique goods made by artists and artisans from all over the US! The vendors all set up their displays around the pond in Big Spring Park for the locals to enjoy.
What do they have at Panoply?
Panoply is one of those events that truly has a little bit of everything. Art is the main thing that you will find at Panoply, but you might also encounter a wide array of different types of art and artists.
There are painters, photographers, sculptors, weavers, glassblowers, jewelers, metal workers, and more! If you can think of it, there is likely a vendor at Panoply that sells it!
There is a good selection of unique pieces, with something that can fit everyone’s tastes.
Of course, I said that they had a little bit of everything, so aside from art, they also had food trucks and vendors that sold smaller artisanal snacks and at least one or two vendors that sold children’s toys.
Should I Bring the Kids?
With my description thus far, you may be beginning to think that Panoply isn’t the best place to bring kids, but that’s where you’re wrong! Alongside all of the art you can purchase, countless booths are solely for the children to interact with. There are booths set up by Panoply themselves, where children can make small arts and crafts, play, or get their face painted, and booths set up by companies where children can interact with whatever activity the company has planned and likely collect some free prizes.
That being said, some vendors don’t have “kid-safe” art in a couple of different ways. The most common are products that are breakable. So it’s not a bad idea to keep a close eye on your little ones while you peruse the selection.
A few artists also used the human form in their art, so if you aren’t interested in your child being exposed to that, definitely keep your eyes peeled for tents to avoid.
What Price Range Should I Expect at Panoply?
Panoply is a good place to visit because there is also something in everyone’s price range.
A single-day ticket is 15 dollars, and a weekend pass (which must be purchased online) is 20 dollars. Children 12 and under attend for free!
Once you go through the gates, there is really something for every budget. There are free events and prizes for the children, all the way up to pieces that cost thousands of dollars to take home.
If you visit an artist’s booth, and you like one of their pieces but it is outside of your budget, there is a chance that they might offer reproductions or prints of the original piece at a lower price. This is a great way to purchase fun art for your home at a more affordable price. It’s also a great way to support local artists.
How Long Should I Plan to Spend at Panoply?
Panoply is an event that you could spend your whole day enjoying! There is plenty of artwork to enjoy, space to roam, food to enjoy, and musicians to listen to.
If you are planning to spend the day at Panoply, make sure to bring good shoes, sunscreen, and possibly a wagon for your children.
Also, if you are planning to spend the day but find yourself having to leave partway through, reentry is allowed if you have the proper identification. Make sure to ask a volunteer before you leave.
That being said, if you want to go to browse the art quickly, that’s a possibility as well. If you’re looking for something specific and moving through the booths quickly, I don’t see why you couldn’t have seen everything in about three hours.
What You Need to Know Before Attending
Here are some things you should know before attending Panoply:
Is Panoply pet-friendly?
No, Panoply is not pet-friendly. Only service dogs are allowed at the event.
Is Panoply wheelchair accessible/accessible for someone with mobility issues?
To a degree, Panoply is wheelchair accessible. There were ramps in place to help those pushing wheelchairs or strollers move them from the street up onto the grass without having to be lifted over the curb.
The ground, particularly the grass inside of the booths, does have a tendency to be uneven. If this is something that troubles you, it is worth looking into bringing a mobility aid to help with your stability.
Is it a safe place for kids?
Yes! The volunteers at Panoply had several systems in place for kids that might get lost or separated from their party. There are even volunteers whose sole focus was being on the “lost kids” team.
Are there any special displays?
Yes! A large tent was being used to showcase local students’ artwork. We have some very talented kids in the area. It’s definitely a special display that is worth checking out!
Overall, is it worth it?
In my opinion, yes, Panoply is totally worth it, even if you are just looking to entertain the kids for a few hours on the weekend. If you are someone who enjoys perusing art or shopping, this is definitely something to add to your bucket list.
