Polk Museum of Art welcomes Mayfaire by-the-Lake back to the shores of Lake Morton on May 7 and 8, 2022. This annual event in downtown Lakeland will celebrate it’s 50th year in 2022.
Mayfaire by-the-Lake – a Mother’s Day Tradition
This fine art festival started as a small craft show on the Lakeland Library lawn in 1971 and grew to be one of the most prestigious juried outdoor festivals in Florida. The free, 2-day event takes place each year on Mother’s Day weekend. This year, more than 150 artists will showcase their work across 13 different media. Purchase art in-person or online through the festival’s Eventeny virtual event site, which can be accessed through MayfairebytheLake.org.
Mayfaire will offer free art activities for children of all abilities, and Polk Museum of Art will be open to guests. Enjoy live musical performances and dine at specialty food trucks, offering a wide range of delectable options for everyone to enjoy.
In honor of the 50th Mayfaire celebration, visitors will find even more to enjoy around the lake this May than ever before. Families can visit an expanded Ruthven’s Mayfaire Kids Zone at its new and larger location on the corner of East Walnut and Indiana Avenue for free children’s activities. In addition, the Polk Museum of Art itself will be the 50th Anniversary “Headquarters” and will celebrate Mayfaire’s history with special exhibitions, including “Mayfaire at 50: Award Winners,” in the Murray/Ledger Gallery of the Museum, highlighting past festival winners.
Food Truck Vendors
- Chief’s Chillout
- Chicks’ Coop
- Jimmy’s Famous Seafood
- Woodson’s Wrap Shack
- Spontaneous Consumption
- Craving Donuts
- Crab Daddy’s Surf and Turf
- Heavenly Pretzel
- Kettle Korn
Mayfaire by-the-Lake benefits Polk Museum of Art’s education and exhibition programming, including its ability to offer year-round free admission to the Museum. The Museum also offers student scholarships and programs, and exhibitions for visitors of all ages and interests.
Sunset over Lake Morton with Mayfaire by-the-Lake sellers in distance
Things To Do Before & After Mayfaire by-the-Lake
To help you plan your weekend in Lakeland, we’ve compiled a list of top 5 things to do before and after Mayfaire by-the-Lake.
Mayfaire 5k Road Rack and Walk
Lakeland Runners Club will be celebrating 43 years of the Mayfaire 5k Road Race and Walk through Lake Morton’s historic district on Saturday night. Following COVID safety protocols, runners will be placed in corrals based on the bib numbers to allow for social distancing. For more information and registration, visit LakelandRunnersClub.org.
