Saturday and Sunday, February 6 & 7, 2027
Opening Night Friday, February 5, 2027

ArtFest Fort Myers Launches Run To The Arts

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WHAT: Publix Run To The Arts – an artsy 5K

WHEN: February 8, 2015 • 7:30AM

WHERE: ArtFest Fort Myers – Edwards Drive in front of Harborside Event Center

WHO: All runners & walkers welcome

PRICE: $25 – includes artsy T-shirt, breakfast, door prizes and more

MORE INFO: RunToTheArts.com

5K. Run or walk, race or fun. At the one and only ArtFest Fort Myers.

When announcing Publix Run to the Arts Sharon McAllister, ArtFest Fort Myers’ Executive Director said “This is so much more than any ordinary 5K. The first ever Publix Run To The Arts brings together the best that life has to offer: health and fitness, arts and culture, friends and family, and the scenic beauty of the Fort Myers waterfront. In our view it is all about quality of life in our community”.

Publix Run to the Arts isn’t just a race, it’s a full morning of fun that kicks off Sunday morning at ArtFest Fort Myers with exceptional art, entertainment, and children’s art activities. Runners and their guests will enjoy live music and be the first to sneak a peek at the artist booths on Sunday morning, even before the festival opens to the public.  Join the fun at the Silk Experience as dynamic silk painting artists invite runners to exercise their creativity and create group silk paintings.

Post-race festivities include a scrumptious breakfast, a chance to make art at the Silk Experience, race awards, live entertainment, fabulous door prizes, and much more. Take part in a new Fort Myers tradition, participate in the Publix Run To The Arts!

When learning of ArtFest’s newest event Tamara Pigott, Executive Director Visitor & Convention Bureau said “It makes perfect sense to blend fitness, well-being, and the arts with our natural surroundings.  The inaugural Publix Run To The Arts will showcase our waterfront.  This is especially fitting, as it is the great beauty of our waters, that has inspired so many artistic endeavors in the past.  We, at the VCB, look forward to helping this event thrive as a new Fort Myers tradition.”

Publix Run To The Arts registration fee guarantees a spot in the race as well as all of these runners-only goodies:

  • Run to the Arts t-shirt, with beautiful art by wildly popular 2014 ArtFest Fort Myer Poster artist, Tara Funk Grim.  Register by December 19 to reserve your size!
  • Post-race breakfast, featuring tasty Publix treats – muffins & bagels with all the trimmings; bananas & bananas; yogurt; coffee and a few surprises.
  • Medals will be given for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in each age group, plus special awards for male and female overall, masters, grand masters, and senior masters.
  • Door prizes including weekends for two at South Seas Resort, Inns of Sanibel; Garmin GPS watch; Brooks running shoes; Theater and symphony tickets; Art classes; gift certificates for great meals and excursions and so much more.
  • Free runners-only parking will be available at West First Street and Carson Street. Park all day and enjoy ArtFest!
  • Professional bib timing services by 3D Racing, provides results posted as soon as the race is finished.

Being one of the first organizations to start assembling a race team Lydia Black, Executive Director Alliance for the Arts said “Sports and Arts are both key ingredients of the health and vitality of our communities and the people who live in them. It’s great to see these two important activities coming together in one event to celebrate health, wellness, play and creation!”

Publix Run To The Arts welcomes non-runners as race day volunteers! All volunteers will get a cool Publix Run To The Arts staff shirt, breakfast on race day, raffle entry, and preferred parking.

Run to the Arts is made possible by the generous support of Publix a 12 year sponsor of ArtFest Fort Myers who is carrying on its tradition of being the kind of company a community can count on. Publix invites you to start your day with an invigorating run or walk and a healthy breakfast … then feed your mind and spirit at ArtFest Fort Myers.

ArtFest Fort Myers, the annual juried fine art festival, takes place February 6, 7 & 8, 2015 in the Fort Myers River District. Join the experience with 215 professional artists from across the county and around the world; the largest high school art exhibit and competition in south Florida and free interactive art experiences for children of all ages.

For more information visit RunToTheArts.com or connect with the race or the art festival on Facebook  and Linkedin.   #artfestfm   #artfestrun

SAVE THE DATE FOR 2027!

Saturday and Sunday, February 6th & 7th

Opening Night Friday, February 5th, 2027

On the waterfront in historic downtown Fort Myers

Phone: 239-768-3602

Email: info@artfestfortmyers.com

Love ArtFest Fort Myers? Don't miss the Babcock Ranch Art Show!

Boutique Show • 65 Fine Artists
Great Food & Beverages
Youth Art Activities

March 14-15, 2026
Saturday 10am to 5pm
Sunday 11am to 4pm
Babcock Ranch, FL

We're delighted to have helped Babcock Ranch launch this show with artists of the quality you enjoy every year at ArtFest Fort Myers.

LEARN MORE

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