Do you like your hometown? The same goes for freehand goods.
Since 2016, the Orlando-based organization has focused on showcasing apparel and jewelry, home goods, health and beauty items, art, food, and more, all made right here in the Sunshine State.
And when this East End Market stall decided to expand and open a storefront in Orlando’s College Park neighborhood, it added a beer bar so it could showcase everything the Florida brewery was doing.
This Sunday from noon to 5 p.m., the first-ever Freehand Fest, a celebration of all things Florida, will take place in the shop’s backyard parking lot, featuring live music, food, shopping, a beer festival, and a charity casino benefiting Freehand’s longtime philanthropic partner, the Florida State Parks Foundation. In fact, the company donates up to 10% of its annual sales to nonprofit organizations as part of its commitment to protecting and restoring the marsh and coastal flora and fauna found in many of its popular designs.
“This is our first time doing an outdoor festival, and the main purpose is to highlight the businesses we work with,” says Freehand Goods co-founder Jacob Sepp. “Highlights include our apparel partner Impress Ink, who will be doing live T-shirt printing on the day of the event.”
The play money blackjack table helps raise money for the Florida State Parks Foundation, with prizes and raffles available for those who donate.
And beer.
daily city
Pizza Bruno will join vendors at the first-ever Freehand Fest in College Park on Sunday. (Courtesy of Pizza Bruno)
Admission to Freehand Fest is free, but there are plenty of ticketed activities and events, the highlight of which is the Florida Craft Beer Showcase ($35). Attendees can enjoy unlimited beers from 15 Florida breweries grouped by region: North Coast, Central, South Coast, and West Coast. Get your tickets online in advance. It will be $45 on the day of the event.
“When you purchase a ticket, you get all the beer, a commemorative Beerfest Cup, a little casino money to start the blackjack table, and you get to vote and choose the Beer Festival winner,” Sepp says.
Freehand’s sister store, The Neighbors, will have a mocktail bar, and in-store $60 workshops will teach participants how to make their own colognes and perfumes.
“We also have some activities for kids, like trick-or-treating and scavenger hunts,” Zepf said.
Local eateries include Pizza Bruno’s tent, Tamale Company Modern Mexican Kitchen & Bar’s big old-school food truck, and Pink Salamander’s trailer serving Smashburgers and more. There will be outdoor and indoor seating, and shops and bars will be open as usual.
“We love showcasing Florida-made products, but beer is special. Florida beer doesn’t always get enough attention, and there are only a few places around town that offer beer from small breweries like this. We’re excited to have people come, sample and enjoy it,” Sepp says.
For tickets, visit eventbrite.com/e/freehand-fest-tickets-1567571591829. Freehand Goods is located at 2445 Edgewater Drive in Orlando.
Find me on Facebook, TikTok, Twitter, Instagram @amydroo or the OSFoodie Instagram account @orlando.foodie. Email: amthompson@orlandosentinel.com, and for more foodie fun, join our Let’s Eat, Orlando Facebook group.
