Fort Worth ArtsGoggle to bring 60,000 to Near Southside

Fort Worth's Near Southside will host its 21st annual ArtsGoggle Saturday. The event now covers 19 city blocks and includes more than 900 artists.

"The ArtsGoggle is fantastic. It's the biggest day of the year for so many artists," says Clifton Crofford, executive director of SiNaCa Studios on Magnolia.

The Texas Commission on the Arts declared the Near Southside a state cultural district in 2020. Crofford says the area's growth has helped local artists find a new audience, and the Goggle is helping introduce newcomers to local art.

"We are amazed how often people come to the ArtsGoggle and say they've never been here before," he says. "The ArtsGoggle brings a new audience each year. They don't put billboards up, and they don't run huge ads. It's all word of mouth, and it keeps growing organically."

Crofford will be leading glass blowing demonstrations to introduce people to the craft.

"Every year, we have our fall market and pumpkin patch," he says. "We're already rockin' and rollin'."

The pumpkin patch displays glass pumpkins made at the studio.

Also in the Near Southside Saturday is Lost n Sound, which features 50 free concerts at 20 bars, restaurants and halls around South Main Village.

ArtsGoggle and Lost n Sound both run from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday.

"The ArtsGoggle brings everybody down here to rediscover because things change and then draws them back over and over again," Crofford says. "That's this neighborhood. It's never done. It keeps growing, it keeps evolving, it keeps shifting."

The Near Southside says more than a dozen free parking lots will be available for both events, but because of the crowds, the organization urges people to use Trinity Metro or Fort Worth Bike Sharing to reach events.

Trinity Metro riders using GoPass can use the promo code, "AG24A", for a 50% discount on a day fare; people eligible for a reduced fare can use, "AG24R".

Maps and schedules for ArtsGoggle and Lost n Sound are available at https://artsgoggle.org/ . Details about Trinity Metro services are available at https://ridetrinitymetro.org/seearts/ .

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