About

Tim Blanton

I joined festivalnet for two reasons.  First, I am a watercolorist.  I enjoy painting.  I do it for many reasons....personal enrichment, therapy, extra money, and I love to share my work with friends and family and I am just now getting confident enough to participate in festivals and shows.  I have a Facebook page TB Art. Secondly, I am the Executive Director of a nonprofit located in Birmingham, AL that provides affordable housing and supportive services for low-income elderly and disabled adults.  So how does that play into why I joined festivalnet you ask? We have an annual fund raiser, Gumbo Gala, that raises over $50,000 each year and the primary element of the gala is a gumbo cooking competition.  Between 50 and 60 professional and backyard teams compete for Birmingham's Best Gumbo and the public purchases a ticket to enter and sample as many different gumbos as they can hold.  It is a day of family fun (this year, 2016, being held at Regions Field). Several years ago we added a small "arts and crafts" village basically to add interest and atmosphere.  The village has grown into 20 plus "artisans and craftsmen" and is taking on a life of its own.  Gumbo Gala is a bonifide, city-wide event that is attracting between 3,000 and 3,500 attendees.  We have a Gumbo Gala Facebook page and website.