MOULTRIE — ArtFest will be held at the Arts Center of Moultrie this Saturday, Nov. 23. The running events will start at 8:30 a.m.

ArtFest is a celebration of the arts with handmade local art, kids activities, food and fun for the entire family.

Part festival, part race, Artfest is also becoming one of Southwest Georgia’s favorite running events with a half marathon, 10K, 5K, and fun run. This year, the three big races are USATF-certified, and course maps and certification documents can be found on the event website.

“We’re very excited to have earned the USA Track & Field certifications,” said Krysta Porteus, education and program director at The Arts Center of Moultrie. “As a runner myself, I know that fellow athletes are looking for these certified courses to include in their personal race schedules, and I think we’ll see lots of new faces this year because of the certifications.”

Pre-registration for all four running events is still open online at www.moultriearts.org/artfest, and runners may also register the morning of the event, onsite at The Arts Center of Moultrie, starting at 8 a.m.

Joy Yost, executive director at The Arts Center, wants people to know that ArtFest is not just for runners. “Our annual event is part race, part makers market, all fun for everyone. We encourage the whole community to come out on Saturday and cheer on the ArtFest runners while you shop for holiday gifts, make art yourself, and enjoy kid-friendly activities for all ages,” she said.

Vendors at the event this year include Kirby Gregory (ceramics artist), The Green Spade, Southern Hollow (handmade wood items and wreaths), Four Daughters Cattle, Say It With a Cookie, Harvie Ann Cox (artist), Kelli Taranto (pastry chef), Ashlee Parrish Brown (print-making and textiles artist), EverWeld (permanent jewelry), the Moultrie Service League (cookbooks and “Moultrie Masterpieces” book) and Amber Moore (ceramics artist).

Visitors can also enjoy face painting, tie dye shirts, Pick & Paint ceramics, caricatures by Rio Davies, a raffle by Tifton’s Best Running, a PCOM South Georgia wellness booth, the Colquitt County High School 50th Regiment Band drum-line, and entertainment by violinist Eddy Castellano.

ArtFest is a fundraiser for The Arts Center of Moultrie, which provides engaging arts education for children and adults, acts as a steward of permanent collections, and maintains a landmark facility that enriches Moultrie and neighboring communities. The Arts Center is dedicated to providing an abundance of creativity through classes, workshops, exhibits, events and more.

“We could not do the work we do without the generosity of the community that surrounds us and believes in our mission,” said Yost. “ArtFest 2024 is presented by Mobley Greenhouses, Inc., and sponsored by nearly 40 other local businesses and organizations, and we can’t thank these supporters enough for the impact they are making.”

ArtFest will take place at The Arts Center, located at 401 Seventh Ave. S.E., from 8 a.m to noon. It is also important to note that The Arts Center parking lots will be closed on Friday, Nov. 22, to set up for the event. Visitors attending the Packers football game on Friday night should be prepared to make alternate parking arrangements for the playoff game.