In 1987, the Orange Show agreed to organize an event dedicated to art cars at the request of the Houston International Festival. Thus in April of 1988 the Orange Show presented the first Art Car Parade in Houston, featuring 40 art cars and seen by an estimated 2,000 onlookers. The next year, the number of cars in the parade doubled and the crowd grew to tens of thousands. Books and films on the subject and personal endorsements about the parade by art car enthusiast Harrod Blank raised interest across the nation in the Houston Art Car Parade. Today, hundreds of artists and more than a quarter million spectators come from all over North America to participate in the three-day celebration, known as Art Car Weekend, and to be a part of the final drive that makes up the Houston Art Car Parade.
The Bayou City Art Festival is an annual, juried fine art event known for its family-friendly atmosphere and the large number of artists working in a wide array of classic and progressive media. The outdoor gallery is showcased in front of Houston's City Hall, around Hermann Square and at Sam Houston Park, and consists of interactive exhibits, live performances and arts and crafts stations. In addition to the hundreds of artists performing music, dancing and displaying pieces, several local wine bars, cafés and restaurants participate in and support the Bayou City Art Festival, making it one of Houston's most inclusive events of the year. For more information about the Bayou City Art Festival Downtown, please contact the Art Colony Association in Houston, Texas.
The Houston International Festival is recognized as the city's official celebration of the arts, diversity and culture. Put on by the Houston Festival Foundation, Inc., the event draws more cultural exhibits, artists and entertainment each year to fill out the multi-weekend downtown event. In 2010 the Houston International Festival honored art, foods, literature and performances from the Caribbean. The 2011 exhibit is spotlighting pieces and artifacts of the Silk Road region of Asia. All revenue goes toward supporting the festival and various educational programs throughout the Houston area. To learn more, visit the Houston International Festival website.