Lake Worth Street Painting Festival held virtually (includes video story)

The Street Painting Festival is typically held annually on Lake Avenue in Lake Worth. Thousands of people come together to celebrate artwork, artists and themselves. Many people visit from out of town and artists look forward to showcasing their work. Small businesses benefitted because their revenue increased dramatically. It was once a great time to come together, but due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, it was cancelled this year.

Sponsors were able to host the event last year before a pandemic was declared worldwide. When it was held last month, they had to cancel the festival in person and transition it to online, since they would otherwise not able to function while abiding by safety protocols.

Small businesses had been hoping for an increase in revenue after a bad year. Business owners said the festival provided organic marketing during the busiest weekend of the year. Since the festival is a tradition among the residents of Lake Worth, some businesses are making a small festival of their own this year to try to make up for the loss.

However, people are surfacing with new ideas. They want to keep the spirit alive. Together, citizens are looking for ways to help each other during this unfortunate time.

Jessica Fernandez

Jessica Fernandez is currently a senior at Florida International University majoring in digital communications and media and minoring in social media and e-marketing analytics. Jessica is a part of two student organizations, she is director of digital media for FIU PRSSA, the public relations student society chapter at FIU, and a member at BOLD, a student-run communications agency. Jessica enjoys working with the Adobe programs to create content for social media. In her free time, you can find her searching for inspiration on social media.

Susana Leon Bijani

Susana is a senior at FIU studying digital media and mass communication with a minor in social media and e-marketing analytics. She works in the marketing department of a non-profit organization, and previously studied architecture in Venezuela.

Karla Hernandez

Karla is a senior at FIU double majoring in communications in digital media and criminal justice. She strives to one day join FIU’s law school to pursue corporate law. As for digital media, she would like to utilize everything she has learned to work in marketing.