Mad Hatter is what the Grove is all about

Nobody wanted it to end. The Mad Hatter Arts Festival was what the Grove needed -- a rollback to the old Grove. Saturday and Sunday were filled with art, fun and people. So many new people visited the Grove and so many wore crazy mad hats, that the whole event ended up being a beautiful success.

Thousands of dollars in Grove Bucks went out to those who got in the spirit by wearing mad hats and the bucks were spent right away, even though they expire on December 24.


Closing the north end of Grand Avenue was a stroke of genius. The traffic easily flowed around the closed area and the street from Mary to Virginia, including the Mayfair Promenade, was a real Grove happening. From what we hear the Tea Party Invitations, which consisted of restaurant and bar specials, brought people in droves to the other end of the Grove, which was a great way to include them in the festival.


There is already talk of what to do for next year's event and dare I say, there is talk of closing the street on a monthly basis and possibly moving Snow Days here for the three weeks. What the Commodore Block Party and First Saturday Art Stroll have been trying to do was accomplished this past weekend at the Mad Hatter. The Coconut Grove Merchants Group knocked this one out of the park -- again. Remember The Great Grove Bed Race? They are now two for two.

For more photos, we have a slew of them at our Facebook Fan Page here.