This weekend is an embarrassment of riches for festival lovers. The Great Gulfcoast Arts Festival is the biggest, of course, and it’s always amazing. But make sure you take time today to visit two newish festivals, both of which benefit a great cause, Gulf Coast Kid’s House.
The Pensacola Martini Fest is located on Palafox Street and will take place from 1pm to 5pm. Tickets are $30 today, and proceeds will benefit a number of charities depending where you get your tickets: Gulf Coast Kid’s House, Santa Rosa Kid’s House, American Cancer Society, Asperger’s Syndrome and Autism Research and Rehabilitation Institute, Jazz Society of Pensacola, Jef Bond Kidney Foundation, and Perdido Bay Youth Sports Association. Attendees will sample martinis made with top-shelf liquors (drink responsibly, please!) as the area’s top mixologists compete in the Gulf Coast Bartender Competition for a $2,000 cash prize.
The East Hill Music Festival is located at the corner of 14th Avenue and Moreno Street (one block north of Blount). Starting at noon and running until 10pm, the festival will include performances by Said Simple, David Zimmerman & Band, Cadillac Willy, Brooks Hubbert, and Grayson Capps & the Lost Cause Minstrels. Admission is just a suggested donation of $5-$10 to Gulf Coast Kid’s House. And for those with split loyalties (helping a good cause vs. watching football), the festival will be televising the Alabama/LSU game at 7pm.