Gulf Coast Culture Fest will be happening in downtown Pensacola this Saturday, and you can expect to experience a melting pot of art, music, film and fun.
Returning for a third year, Gulf Coast Culture Fest Founder Calvin Griffin says it’s an idea that’s only continued to grow.
“I initially planned to do it in 2020,” Griffin said. “But because of COVID, I had to push it back a year. I wanted to celebrate diversity and inclusion in the community and bring people together for a rejuvenating and unified day.”
Amid uncertainty surrounding current events, Griffin was able to flesh out the idea and develop a concept of a festival as a way for the community to collectively respond to what was happening around them.
“Especially like during the George Floyd protests and stuff, I was a photographer taking pictures of the event,” Griffin said. “Despite that situation, people in the community from different backgrounds and cultures have come together. There was so much beauty in it, so I was like, ‘you know what, I would love to just have the whole community come out on a positive note and celebrate each other.”
This year, things will be extra special. Working closely with the city of Pensacola and Visit Pensacola, Gulf Coast Culture Fest will kick off the ‘journey to Juneteenth.’
“We’ve been able to do things a little differently,” Griffin said. “It’s a two-part festival, so during the daytime from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., that’s only half of all our live entertainment, vendors, and food trucks. And then that night at 8 p.m., we’re doing what we call our Gulf Coast Short Film Festival.”
According to Griffin, filmmakers from New Orleans to Panama City have submitted a wide variety of films.
“We have an eclectic collection that will be featured, so I’m excited for people to see those as well,” Griffin said.
This year’s Gulf Coast Culture Fest will include a diverse group of entertainment including an Italian Tarantella Dance group, Emerald Coast Belly Dance, a Motown tribute, a Chinese Lion Dance, and more.
Food trucks on site include KJs Fried Chicken truck, Greek Gals Yummies, Jay’s Shaved Ice, Douple Dipperz, a venezuelian food truck and more.
Even though it’s free to attend all Gulf Coast Culture Fest activities, proceeds from the festival will help benefit the Gulf Coast Kid’s House.
“This is our third year, and each year it gets easier,” Griffin said. “It gets bigger and bigger so we’re expecting this year to be one of our biggest years yet. We want to provide a unique experience and we know you’ll definitely be entertained.”
Gulf Coast Culture Fest
- Where: Pensacola’s Seville Square
- When: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 20
- Gulf Coast Short Film Festival will follow at 8 p.m.
- Details: visit www.gulfcoastculturefest.com or call 850-466-8399.