Uptown Art Expo Returns to Cranes Roost Park With 140 Artists

Cranes Roost Park will fill with more than 140 artists and fine craft exhibitors when the 13th annual Uptown Art Expo takes over Altamonte Springs from March 27 through 29, with free admission and a concert lineup stretching from Van Halen tributes to Santana.

Produced by Orlando Art & Living Expo, Inc., the three-day festival billed as the "Celebration of Art and Music" runs rain or shine at 274 Cranes Roost Blvd. Artists will display and sell glass, jewelry, mosaics, paintings, photography, pottery and sculpture, with all pieces available for purchase directly from the creators. Professional chalk artists and high school art students will also transform the park's sidewalks into what organizers call a colorful outdoor gallery as part of the Chalk Street Art Experience.

Attendees can weigh in on the chalk work through the People's Choice Chalk Awards, casting votes by placing an Uptown Art Expo gold coin into the bucket beside their favorite piece. Gold coins are available at the Expo Chalk Booth, and winning artists receive cash prizes.

"This is a very exciting year as we celebrate the 13th anniversary of the Uptown Art Expo," said organizer Jim Barton. "What started years ago has grown into an incredible weekend of original art, chalk street paintings, live music and family-friendly fun. We're proud of how the Expo has evolved and can't wait to welcome everyone this March."

The music program anchors each evening of the weekend. Friday's kickoff concert runs 6:30 to 10 p.m. and features Completely Unchained, a Van Halen tribute, alongside Knightsnake. Saturday's concert block, 5 to 10 p.m., brings The Broken Hearts performing as a Tom Petty tribute and Rockit Fly covering the music of Journey. Sunday afternoon wraps with The Smoking Jackets Trio, billed as the Ultimate Santana Tribute Band, playing from 1:30 to 5 p.m. The weekend lineup also includes tribute acts honoring Whitesnake, acoustic trios and Latin rock. Concerts offer a limited free seating section; VIP tickets are available for $20 in advance.

The art show is open Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. International street cuisine, festival favorites, a Food Truck Zone, craft beer and wine will be available for purchase throughout the event.

Admission is free. Free parking is available in the Altamonte Mall parking lots. No coolers or pets are allowed. The event is sponsored by AdventHealth and WOW fiber internet.

Persons with disabilities needing documents in an alternate format can contact the City of Altamonte Springs at (407) 571-8122 by voice, 7-1-1 by TRS, or by email at CityClerk@altamonte.org. The city can also be reached by phone at (407) 571-8000 or in writing at 225 Newburyport Avenue, Altamonte Springs, FL 32701.

Full schedule and lineup details are available at UptownArtExpo.com, where organizers recommend confirming any changes before the event.