Arts Festival Has Favorable Impact on Downtown Economy

By Melissa Maynarich, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- This week's weather certainly appears to be helping the Festival of the Arts. Even in the tough economy, vendors say business is booming.

Many of the vendors are surprised at how well things are selling at the festival this year. Even though it's not over yet, organizers are calling it a success.

Local artist Rory Morgan has been selling his work at the Festival of the Arts for four years. At first, he was uneasy about having a steady flow of business in the tough economy. Now, he's changed his mind.

"Boy, they've been really coming through," Morgan said. "Everybody looks like everybody's been busy."

Throughout the week, the crowds have been as consistent as the weather. Oklahoma City's festival is known for having high art sales. And although totals aren't in yet, organizers say a festival that they expect to be less profitable this year, is living up to its reputation.

"I've talked to one artist who goes to Florida and typically does five shows," Festival of the Arts Director Angela Cozby said. "This year he bumped that up to 10 because he wasn't making any money at those five shows. Here, they're doing great.

The food is going fast. Sales at the Fish Taco stand are setting records.

"I had the best Tuesday ever, best Wednesday ever, best Thursday ever in seven years" Carter Tague with Carter and Craig's Famous Fish Tacos said. "So, the economy is not affecting the arts festival, at last the food side."

Many artists, like Morgan, actually have to cancel future shows because of their dwindling stock of paintings.

"We have some of them so close together, to have enough inventory it's kinda hard at times," Morgan said.