What the Heck is ‘Foo Foo Festival’?
PENSACOLA’S ANNUAL FOO FOO FEST CELEBRATES HOW TO VACATION ARTFULLY
Fall may be the best time of the year to visit Pensacola. Our calendar packed full of festivals, food and fun, and the weather is some of the most beautiful of the year — warm enough to enjoy the sun, sand and surf, but not so hot that you're longing to get back into the air conditioning.
A 19th century term, a “foo foo,” is a spontaneous band of musicians, especially on a sailing vessel. Foo Foo Fest organizers wanted to emulate the spontaneity of such a performance, providing Pensacola with a flurry of high-quality art and culture events to liven up the shoulder season here in the Pensacola Bay Area. Plus, it’s a cute name!
Foo Foo Fest celebrates every November and kicked off in 2013. The festival highlights Pensacola’s amazing cultural diversity through musical performances, art shows, live entertainment, dazzling displays and so much more.
Cornerstones
The cornerstone events are "anchor events" of Foo Foo Fest. The larger, or “anchor” festivals and events such as the Blue Angels Homecoming Show, the Frank Brown International Songwriters Festival, and the Great Gulfcoast Arts Festival are all wonderful events to attend during Foo Foo Fest.
The Great Gulfcoast Arts Festival is one of the best-regarded, most popular arts festivals in the United States. The three-day, juried art show draws more than 200 of the nation's best painters, potters, sculptors, jewelers, graphic artists, craftsmen and other artists.
The event hosts BBQ teams and backyard cooks from all over the United States who share a love of cooking and the joy of giving back to their communities. Since 2013, over $500,000 has been donated to local charities from this little BBQ party. From savory classics like BBQ pulled pork and brisket to sweet desserts and cookies – the food prepared for you will absolutely ROCK your tastebuds.
It's pure aviation excitement as the Blue Angels return home for the NAS Pensacola Homecoming Air Show. Gates will open at 8:00 a.m. with the show beginning at 9:30 a.m. The Blue Angels will fly on Thursday and Friday, during the day shows, around 2:00 p.m. Admission, parking and blanket seating are FREE. “Blanket Seating” means an open paved area where attendees can stand or sit on their own blankets or lawn chairs. Preferred seating areas are available with paid admission.
The festival is an opportunity for seasoned and aspiring songwriters and musicians from all over the world to have their songs heard, and for the public to learn the stories behind the lyrics that only the song’s author can express. During this exciting 11 day festival, performers will be hosted in over two dozen venues along the FL/AL Gulf Coast.
Downtown Downtime
Outside of the official Foo Foo Fest events, many downtown businesses and organizations are hosting Friend of Foo events, and all are worth checking out.
Of course, while you’re out and about immersing yourself in all things Foo, don’t forget to dine streetside downtown, sip a local brew, sample some Pensacola coffee, browse our boutiques, and vacation artfully!
