For 12 days in November, visitors to Pensacolaâknown for the most beautiful beaches in the nationâcan extend their enjoyment to Foo Foo Festival, with a dizzying schedule of events.
What is Foo Foo Fest? It is a celebration of new and established culturally creative happenings, events and experiences under one banner. Foo Foo Fest is big fun, with events of high artistic and cultural caliber, delivered with a hefty dose of Southern sophistication. Many of these events are free to attend, with some being ticketed events.
From November 6-17th, successful weekend anchor events such as the Blue Angels Homecoming Air Show at NAS Pensacola, Pensacola Marathon, the Great Gulf Coast Arts Festival and the Frank Brown International Songwriterâs Festival are complimented with events across the entertainment spectrum.
The other 17 events include opera, ballet, theater, the fine arts, top-rated classical and popular music, African-American heritage events, a Japanese Film Festival and a comic/sci-fi enthusiast event featuring Ernie Hudson of Ghostbusters fame as just some of the many offerings. Visitors can also experience Pensacolaâs beautiful beaches and Fall weather during what is normally the traditional âoff-season.â Other events happening during the period include performances by Cher, Jerry Seinfeld and many regional music acts.
A complete schedule of events and descriptions, information on where to stay, dine and how to plan your visit can be found at foofoofest.com.
Foo Foo Fest is funded by a grant provided by Escambia County, Fla. to Arts, Culture and Entertainment, Inc. (ACE). ACE is a non-profit organization that receives Federal, State of Florida, Escambia County, City of Pensacola, corporate, foundation and personal funds to disperse through an equitable granting process to arts, culture and entertainment organizations throughout Escambia County, Fla. that have been in existence for at least 24 months and are IRC Section 501(c)(3) organization.
The 17 organizations that have received grants include:
Artel Gallery
Ballet Pensacola
First City Arts Center
Frank Brown Songwriterâs Festival
Japan-American Society of NW Florida
Jazz Society of Pensacola
Pensacola Civic Band
Pensacon
Pensacola Childrenâs Chorus
Pensacola Little Theatre
Pensacola Opera
Pensacola Museum of Art
Pensacola Sports Association
Pensacola Symphony Orchestra
The Art Gallery (TAG) UWF
Truth for Youth
University of West Florida Historic Trust